Basic Ritual Structure
* Purification of Self and Space
* Set up the Altar
* Cast the Circle
* Call the Guardians or Elementals
* Invoke/Invite the Goddess and God
* Ritual Observance
* Raise Energy
* Release the Energy
* Grounding the Power
* Thank the Goddess and God
* Thank and say goodbye to the Elements
* Close the Circle
* Ground yourself
* Clean up the altar
Preparation is important. Always bathe (ritual soap recipes) before spell-casting, if possible. If bathing is not possible then at least you’re your hands with the ritual soap of your choice.
Purify yourself and the space by either smudging with a sage bundle or with purifying incense blends to remove unwanted negative energies; if you’re asthmatic consider using sea salt and purifying herbs scattered around the entire area. Unless, of course, you intend to work with the negative energies; which is your prerogative but not something I recommend.
Use a besom to sweep out the negative energy.
Set up the altar by placing your tools where you want them. I have my own way (posted directly below) of defining what goes where, but it is not traditional. (Link to traditional altar setup)
Basic Altar Setup
This is my way of doing things. If this way doesn’t resonate with you, then choose your own way of doing things…or check out the traditional altar setup. (traditional setup) Altars can either be permanent or put out each time you want to have ritual.
Altar faces either East or North
Black altar cloth
All candles are placed in safe candle holders, well away from drafts, children, and pets.
Silver or white candle to represent Goddess, placed on the left side of the altar in the middle.
Gold or white candle to represent God, placed on the right side of the altar in the middle.
Something to represent Fire (yellow, orange or red candle, a paper cut out of a sun, whatever represents Fire to you), placed to the East.
Something to represent Water (such as a seashell, an actual small glass bowl or jar of water, river-rock, driftwood, whatever), placed to the South.
Something to represent Earth (such as salt, an actual handful of dirt, or a rock) placed to the West.
Something representing Air (such as a feather, incense stick bird figurine or picture, or a bell) placed to the North.
A black candle placed to the left at the back of the altar and a white candle placed to the right at the back of the altar.
BoS goes in the center of the altar.
You can add any other tools you wish - such as a pentacle, bell, crystals, Goddess statue, chalice, cauldron, wand, athame, boline, God statue, incense censor
Sometimes I like to have crystals on my altar depending on what kind of work I am doing. Just choose ones that resonate with the purpose of your ritual.
Traditional Altar Setup
This is a more common way of setting up an altar, although by no means the “correct” or only way. Different traditions may set up their altars differently. If this doesn’t resonate with you then try setting it up how you like it, or check out my setup.
Altar cloth in black or purple, with or without designs on it
Silver or white candle representing Goddess and a Goddess statue to the left middle of altar
Gold or yellow candle representing God and a God statue to the right middle of altar
North is represented by Earth
East is represented by Air
South is represented by Fire
West is represented by Water
Book of Shadows (or Light, or grimoire, or whatever you call it) goes in the center.
Pentacle, bell, crystals, cauldron, and chalice are all on the left.
Wand, athame, boline, and incense censor are on the right.
Casting the circle is something you can choose to do or not. Lots of people feel that this is extremely important for keeping out unwanted energies. I don’t always cast a circle, as I feel magick is a natural part of life. But when I cast my circle I still have my own way of doing things because I follow my own intuition about the directions and elements they represent. You can find my thoughts on this on the correspondences page under elements.
First ring the bell and say, I ring the best to cast the spell, let sacred time begin.”
Casting the circle is done by going deosil around the circle starting at the East, carrying each representation of the element around the circle to purify it. Fire would be a candle carried around the circle, Water would be water (or water sprinkled with salt), Air would be incense, and Earth would be salt. As you carry each purifier around the circle, say “I bless this circle with the element of _____” When finished say “And it is so!” Then point with your finger or your athame to the edges of your circle and visualize the entire circle blazing with the light from whatever color that represents protection to you, be it white, blue, silver, or purple, etc. See the light flowing into a sphere which encompasses the whole circle, as well as above your head and below your feet. Say “Circle flow, circle grow. As above, so below. So mote it be!”
Calling the Guardians or Elementals
Next, you can call in the Guardians of the Elements by going to the East and either raising you power hand (the one you write with) or carrying a representational candle of the element and draw an invoking pentagram of that element and say, “I call upon the Guardians of the element of Fire to witness this ritual and guard this circle. { optional: Bless me/this ritual with (passion or energy). } Welcome!” Place the red representational candle at the edge of the circle and light it.
Carry a representation of water and go to the South and draw an invoking pentagram of that element and say, “I call upon the Guardians of the element of Water to witness this ritual and guard this circle. { optional: Bless me/this ritual with (wisdom, intuition). } Welcome!” Place the blue representational candle at the edge of the circle and light it.
Carry a representation of earth and go to the West and draw an invoking pentagram of that element and say, “I call upon the Guardians of the element of Earth to witness this ritual and guard this circle. { Bless me/this ritual with (strength, courage, protection). }Welcome!” Place the green representational candle at the edge of the circle and light it.
Carry a representation of air and go to the North and draw an invoking pentagram of that element and say, “I call upon the Guardians of the element of Air to witness this ritual and guard this circle. { optional: Bless me/this ritual with (inspiration, clear thinking/communication). }Welcome!” Place the yellow representational candle at the edge of the circle and light it.
Move back to the center of the circle. Now face east and say, “This circle is bound with power all ‘round; this circle is purified and protected!”
Invoking (inviting) the Deities
Now it is time to invite the Lord and Lady into your circle. You can use the general terms Lord and Lady or you can choose to invite a specific God and Goddess from your pantheon of choice. You can say, “_____ I invite you to attend and witness this rite. Lend your power to this ritual ____(state the purpose of the ritual)” or something to that effect. If you decide to invoke the Deity of your choice, that means you wish to take on their aspects and call them into you. If you do this, make sure you know as much as possible about the Deity. Light their representative candles.
Chant to the Deities (any chants you have found that you like, or make up your own.)
Ritual Observances – this is what the ritual is about, whether celebrating a Sabbat, or if you’re performing an elaborate spell for something.
Raise energy in the way you wish, whether by singing or chanting, dancing, drumming, whatever. (If celebrating the Sabbat, sing or chant according to the Sabbat. If for the spell, this is the time you chant and cast the spell.
When the energy has been raised to a pinnacle and is ready to be released, now is the time to do it. Focus on the intended result of the ritual and give a loud shout releasing the energy to do its work. Hold your athame over your altar and say,” By the powers of the Ancient Ones I bind all power within this circle into this spell. And so it is, and it is so!”
Ground the power now that it has been released. If you don’t then the spell will be weak and you will feel drained. Place your hands directly on the ground or floor.
Thank the God and Goddess for joining your circle and ritual and for lending their help.
Thank them for coming when invited, for the energies they lent you, for any help and guidance they gave, and for their continued interest and presence in your life.
This is the time to make your “thank you” offering.
You can now say something like “Go if you must, stay if you will; blessed be!” Now extinguish their respective candles.
Thank the elements/quarters for joining your circle and ritual and for lending their help.
Thanks them each in turn (widdershins from how you called them in) going to each direction and saying, “Thank you ____ for your energy and support of this rite. Go if you must, stay if you will. I ask for your blessing as you depart. May there be peace between us now and forever. Blessed be!”
Draw the banishing pentagram for that element and extinguish the representative candle.
Close the circle
Using your power hand, point at the floor on the edge of the circle and visualize the protective energy coming back into your hand. Walk widdershins around the circle from East until you come back to your starting place. Now you can say, “The circle is open but unbroken. The gates are closed and this space is blessed. So mote it be!”
Ground yourself by washing your hands and then eat and drink something (traditionally cakes and ale…or even just crackers or cookies and water or juice.)
Clean up the altar and the sacred space in which you worked and put things away that aren’t permanent fixtures or that isn't needed for continued work.
Ritual Soap Recipes:
You can make either soap-balls or liquid soap. Pure and natural castile soap is the best choice and can be bought most grocery, drug, or health-food stores. If you can’t find it, Ivory pure soap will work in a pinch.
DIRECTIONS:
Soap Balls
Cut the bar into small pieces and place in a large heat-safe, nonmetallic bowl. Bring 1/3 (minus 2 teaspoons) cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat and pour over the soap pieces. Let it cool for a few minutes; while it’s cooling start mixing together the oils and empowering them with your magickal intent. You will need about 40-50 drops of oils (total) to make the soap smell good; you can add a bit more if needed. It will, of course, depend on the type of oil you choose and the quality of the oil. I shouldn’t need to remind you to only use pure essential oils (and blends)…not fragrance oils, as these are synthetic.
When the mixture has cooled enough so that you can touch it without burning your fingers, add 2 teaspoons of almond or coconut oil; stir. Then let sit for a few minutes until it is really soft and squishy. Add the oils and stir with a wooden spoon until the oils are incorporated into the soap.
Now divide the soap mixture into about 4 balls. Place each soap-ball on a clean cheesecloth square; pull the ends tightly around the soap and twist and tie closed with string. Repeat for all the soap-balls.
Hang the soap-balls by the tied ends for 5-7 days, until the soap is completely hard and doesn’t yield. The soap can then be unwrapped and used, or labeled and put away until ready to use.
Liquid soap is made by grating the soap into a large heat-safe, nonmetallic bowl. Be sure to pack the soap into a glass measuring cup until you have 1 cup. Heat 3 cups of water until boiling, and then remove from heat. Carefully add the water to the grated soap. Using a wooden spoon, stir carefully until the soap is completely melted.
Let the soap mixture cool. Meanwhile, mix together about 50 drops of oil (total) empowering them with your magickal intent. When soap is cool, add the oils, stirring thoroughly to incorporate. Use a funnel to add the soap to bottles; label. Soap can be used immediately.
Here are some general recipes. Feel free to experiment and make up your own blends. Remember to use caution and know how you react to each oil before using them.
Disclaimer: You (and you alone) are responsible for anything that happens if you use these blends.
Money Drawing Soap:
2 parts Patchouli
1 part Cinnamon
1 part Ginger
1 part Pine
1 part Basil
1 part Vetivert
For Good Luck:
2 parts Vetivert
1 part Orange
2 drops Ginger
For Protection:
3 parts Petitgrain
1 part Black Pepper
1 part Geranium
1 drop Pine
1 drop Clove
Personal Power Soap:
2 parts Rosemary
1 part Orange
1 part Tangerine
1 part Pine
1 part Cinnamon
1 part Geranium
Spells
These spells are just basic ones that you can and should modify to fit your needs. There is no
guarantee that these spells will work for you. Spells are very personal and must carry your energy if they are to work. Spells must be carefully thought out and the outcomes can vary. You are solely responsible for anything that may happen from your use of any spell you may
try from this website.
Protection
Witches Protection Bottle:
Fill a small jar (that has a lid) halfway with small sharp objects such as pins, needles, broken glass, razor blades, etc. Then fill
the jar with salt water that has been dedicated for this purpose. Alternatively, you can add your urine and a drop of your blood to the jar. Place lid on jar and close tightly.
Bury the jar deep in the ground (about 12 inches). Repeat the process once a year.
Home Protection
With any protection oil, trace a pentagram on every window, door, and mirror in your home. Every time you trace a pentagram, state something like,
"All harm and ill will is blocked from this entrance. Safety and protection shield this home from evil."
Travel Protection
In a small drawstring bag, place crystals and herbs that have protection qualities and then add 3 drops of protection oils. Hold the bag in your hands and say, "Safe journey, safe return". Carry the bag in your car or with you as you travel.
Money/Employment
Money:
On a waxing moon, anoint a green taper candle with cinnamon oil or another money-drawing oil. Anoint by rubbing the oil from the top to the middle, then the bottom to the middle. If you have a bill you need to pay, write the amount of the bill owed on a piece of paper and
place the paper underneath the candle holder. Visualize yourself receiving the money needed, then say something like, "This candle burns to light the way for money so I can pay this bill. With harm to none and so I say,so mote it be, this is my will." Meditate on the the money needed.
Burn the candle every day for a week, for at least 15 minutes at a time. On the last day, burn the paper with the
flame from the candle and let the candle burn completely out.
Employment:
On a new moon, designate a taper candle to represent you (choose the color that corresponds with your desire). Carve your name and your intent into the candle with a pin/needle. On a piece of paper, write down exactly what kind of job you want (be realistic).
Place the candle 6 inches away from the paper, light the candle and say, "" Bad luck flees,
Obstacles fall,
My path is clear,
Heed my call! A better job, new opportunity, success is mine, so mote it be!" Visualize your intent. Let candle burn for 15-30 minutes. Snuff out. repeat this every day for 6 days, moving the candle forward 1 inch every day. On the 7th day, place the candle on the paper and let the candle burn down completely.
Cleansing:
To clear your home of negativity:
Cut an onion into quarters. Place each quarter on a small saucer or lid and place in the four corners of the home (or room). Leave until it has turned dark. Replace with another as needed.
(My spell:) Sprinkle sea salt around your home in a deosil direction, starting with the North. As you sprinkle the salt say "From North to East, and South to West, This way of cleaning brings only the best. Positivity shall stay, negativity shall leave, This is my will, so mote it be!"
Let the salt sit on the floor or carpet as long as you deem in necessary, then vacuum and/or sweep up the salt. Either throw it out the door, or pour into a garbage bag and immediately remove it from your home.
Here's the classic freezer spell for people who are harrassing you or causing you undue trouble: Light a white candle and think about the situation or person that is causing you problems, then write it down on a piece
of paper. Then cross off the name or the situation with the pen or pencil and say, "I freeze (name or situation) to be unable to cause any harm to me. As I will so mote it be." Place in a zip-loc bag and
sprinkle a dash of sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper on the paper, then close and place in freezer. Or you can use sugar instead of the other mix, and it will help to 'sweeten' the situation or person.
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