Devocations

East – Air
Guardians of the East!
Ancient Ones of Air!
We thank you for your vigil this night.
Go if ye must; stay if ye will,
In Blessed Peace we release thee.

South – Fire
Guardians of the South!
Ancient Ones of Fire!
We thank you for your vigil this night.
Go if ye must; stay if ye will,
In Blessed Peace we release thee.
West – Water
Guardians of the West!
Ancient Ones of Water!
We thank you for your vigil this night.
Go if ye must; stay if ye will,
In Blessed Peace we release thee.

North – Earth
Guardians of the North!
Ancient Ones of Earth!
We thank you for your vigil this night.
Go if ye must; stay if ye will,
In Blessed Peace we release thee.

Our Honoured Dead

Hail to those who have gone before, our honored dead,
our grandmothers and grandfathers of ages past.
Hail to those who have given their genes, those gifts
from men and women long gone that live on in us,
and to those who have given their love and their care;
whose stories have traveled through generations;
whose deeds and choices have founded our own lives.

Hail to those who have given their work and wisdom
to the world, whose efforts have built nations and
changed the path of history, whose actions have turned
the lives of others in small but essential ways,
those leaders and warriors, thinkers and believers,
farmers and teachers, builders and inventors,
artists and healers and tellers of tales.

Hail to those who have passed from this world to the next,
to those who dwell now within the halls of Hella,
to those who inspire us, to those we recall
with love, to those who watch over us with kind eyes,
whose lives have touched us, whose tales have moved us,
whose wisdom has granted us lessons to treasure.
Hail to the ancestors! Hail to the honored dead!

Wyrd Scrying

You will need the following items for this spell:

A wooden bowl
A small knife or chisel
Incense
Candle wax (optional)
Water
Begin by placing the wooden bowl on a flat surface. Take the chisel or knife and etch runes with speicifc and personal meaning into it. You may also wish to write your name to make it personalized. Get into a comfortable position. Fill the bowl with water now, and let it settle. Light the incense, of your choice, and spend a moment relaxing quietly, clearing your mind.

Call upon a specific deity that you wish to work with. Some like to call upon the Norns at this time, because they are the weavers of fate, and you will be attempting to read what they’ve woven. You may say something such as: “Three sisters, weavers of Wyrd, help me to see into the web that makes up the fates of myself, those I am connected to, and those I have yet to meet”. Close your eyes. In your mind, picture three women sitting in a circle with thread between them. This thread is wyrd. As they spin it, focus on it as much as you can.

Open your eyes, and peer into the water in the bowl. Spend as much time as you need looking into the waters. You may see something now, or you may not. Sometimes you will receive dreams later on. When calling upon the Norns you may wish to specify that you wish to receive dreams, if this is what you want.
An alternative to this would be to put drops of wax into the water and try to interpret them

Crossroads A Magickal Tradition

Crossroads are considered sacred in almost all magical traditions. A crossroads is a universally accepted place to hold rituals, leave offerings, or dispose of items you wish to be rid of. While this is not a natural creation but one that is homemade, it still falls in the realm of earth.
It is believed that Hecate rules over the three-way crossroads. She can see the past, present and future, It is said that if you should approach a three-way crossroads at night, you would hear her black dogs howling. Her altars have been erected at such places for centuries.
The four-way crossroad are considered to be powerful because all four directions meet at one point. Dirt, rocks and sticks gathered from such a crossroads are said to have powerful spiritual connections, albeit tricky ones to master. In Greek myths, Oedipus met his fate at the crossroads. From the Yoruban people we have Legha (a god known for his clever tricks) ruling the crossroads.
Ancient people were afraid of what it meant when one direction met another direction. All manner of folklore is available concerning the crossroads. Fairies are said to hand about there, along with ghouls and goblins. Even the Christian Satan is said to roam the crossroads.
Earth Witches know that a crossroad is actually a place of sacred transformations, manmade or not. Frequently they see them as a metaphor for transformational points in our lives. In such a capacity the crossroads relate to time.

A Samhain Rite of Transformation Part 2

A solitary declares, or the coven’s Priestess and Priest share, the explanation of Samhain: This is the moment when the God’s grave becomes a womb, when He is no longer dead, but gestating. Now we no longer mourn His harvest death, but anticipate His rebirth at Yule. The Goddess still holds Him in the Earth that is Her body, and though Her body is chilled with Winter, the spark that is His life promises restoration to Her as well. It’s the transformation of death to life that we celebrate now, in many ways. If you’re a solitary, stand in the center of your space or Circle; a coven should form a circle now and stand facing outward. Each celebrant wraps his or her arms around their own shoulders, as if chilly. Close your eyes, and feel your separateness from everyone else. Draw your aura inward, and imagine that around and behind you there is nothing but empty space. Let yourself feel all alone. (This should take 1 or 2 minutes for a family or non-religious group; for a coven, whose members are used to meditation or visualization, it might take up to 3 minutes, but it shouldn’t take any longer than that.) After 1 to 3 minutes, the solitary practitioner, or the Priestess (or “group leader”) begins chanting or humming, “Hoof and Horn” or “Horned One” are good chants or tunes to use. Your voice(s) should start very softly and get slowly louder. When the chant or tune has been repeated three times, everyone should turn around and join hands. A solitary can turn (deosil—sunwise) in place, and extend his or her arms widely, as if welcoming friends. In doing so, everyone is transformed from a lonesome individual to a beloved member of a group. No longer limited to your personal resources, you now have the strength and creativity of your whole family or coven to draw upon. You’re no longer alone, even if you’re by yourself for this ritual; you’re snug in the “womb” of family and friends, awaiting rebirth with the God at Yule. A Witch alone declares this aloud; to a group, the Priestess or Priest explains it and encourages a group hug. Many covens end their rituals with a group hug following the “merry meet,” and there’s no reason not to do that when this Circle’s closed. The group hug at the earlier point in this ritual, though, complements the aloneness you experienced earlier, and reinforces the idea that you’ve been transformed—from “one” to “more than one,” from isolated to reconnected. Group hugs are difficult for solitaries, but a victory dance— whether as graceful as if you hear a waltz, as energetic as if rock music’s playing, or like the steps to a polka or square dance is up to you—is appropriate. If you have companion animals who have joined you in your rite, by all means include them in your hugging and/or dancing! The chanting or humming that began before you experienced this transformation can continue for several more repetitions now. (A coven or other big enough group may wish to segue into a circle or Spiral Dance, too.) When the hugging and dancing has wound down, consecrate Cakes and Ale, and when those have been shared—with the Gods, if not with other people (animals and children enjoy most Cakes, but should pass if the Ale is alcoholic)—conclude the Circle as you normally do. If you haven’t cast a formal Circle, remember or remind everyone that, wherever we are, whether we’re by ourselves or with our families, we always have the powers of Nature with us, in all seasons. Remember or remind everyone again about the windy breath of inspiration from the East, the warm flames of South’s “candles in the window,” the memory of all who love us in the West, and at the North, the strength of rest and reflection. (Little children may understand these blessings better in terms of the breath of a new morning, the warmth of cookies baking, the away-from-home memory of Mommy’s kisses, and the support of a favorite storytelling chair. You’ll know what modifications you need to make for the people with whom you share this ritual.) If you don’t have your own invocations, you might not have your own farewells, either. You can use these ways of saying farewell to the Goddess and God if you like. Again, groups will need to change the singular pronouns to plural. “Triple Goddess, You who are all and ever, I hail You! As Winter begins, I am warmed by the flames beneath your cauldron. Your magics have stirred my blood. I have been cleansed as Your tears of grief turned to tears of joy. I am stronger for the blessing of transformation that You have inspired. Triple Goddess, in whom we are all and ever, I thank You for your presence here. Hail and farewell!” “Horned One, You who die and are reborn, I hail You! As Winter begins, I am warmed by Your courage. Your faith has stirred my blood. I have been cleansed as Your blood turned to bounty. I am stronger for the blessing of transformation that You have shared with me. Horned One, You who show us how to die and be reborn, I thank You for Your presence here! Hail and farewell!” Again, for those who prefer rhyming invocations and farewells:

Triple Goddess, ever, all,

I bid You farewell from my hall.

My heart’s warmed; my soul is lifted.

The Wheel has turned; the season’s shifted.

Made strong by transformation, by light my faith increased, From this Circle I do bid You hail, farewell, and peace. Horned One, back to life recalled,

I bid You farewell from my hall.

My heart’s warmed; my soul is lifted.

The Wheel has turned; the season’s shifted.

Made strong by transformation, by light my faith increased, From this Circle I do bid You hail, farewell, and peace.

A Samhain Rite of Transformation

A theme that unites Samhain’s aspects—harvest, reunion, and New Year’s—is transformation. This theme is so strongly at the core of this holiday that it has survived even into the secular celebration: for most non-Pagans, dressing up in costume is what defines Halloween. This ritual highlights Samhain’s power of transformation. For this ritual, you need very little. If you are casting a formal Circle, put your altar at the edge of the Circle (at whichever Quarter you feel is appropriate: there are good reasons to place it at West, North, or East). If it’s possible, a grouping of candles in the center of the circle (on a small table so they can be moved later, if necessary) is very nice. Rather than Quarter candles, though, there should be very subtle marks on the floor, made with chalk, tape, or paper so that no one trips on them. Whether or not you conduct this as a formal religious ritual, the Directions should be invoked. (This is something a family or a non-Pagan group can do without over-emphasizing Wicca, should there be a need for discretion.) If you are working with young children, you may need to phrase things a bit differently—you’ll know how to convey these ideas without frightening anyone. From the East, call in the “crisp breath of inspiration,” so that everyone can feel the nip in the air as invigorating. From South, call in the “warmth of the hearth fire,” so that everyone can appreciate the coziness of a family gathering. From West, call in “memories and promises,” for it is good to appreciate our ancestors and their legacies. From the North, call in “the blanketing snows,” so that, as the harsher views of Winter are obscured, we can all take time to rest and reflect. A coven performing this ritual should cast the Circle, call the Quarters, and invoke the Goddess and God as they usually do, although the following invocations of deity may be substituted, with the singular pronouns a solitary would use changed to plural ones: “Triple Goddess, You who are all and ever, I hail You! As Winter begins, I am warmed by the flames beneath Your cauldron. Your magics stir in my veins. I am cleansed as Your tears of grief become tears of joy. I am stronger for the transformation that is Your blessing at this season. Triple Goddess, in whom we are all and ever, I invoke You! Hail and welcome!” “Horned One, You who die and are reborn, I hail You! As Winter begins, I am warmed by Your courage. Your faith stirs in my veins. I am cleansed as Your blood becomes bounty. I am stronger for the transformation that is Your blessing at this season. Horned One, You who show us how to die and be reborn, I invoke You! Hail and welcome!” Should you prefer them, here are rhyming alternatives:

Triple Goddess, ever, all I welcome You into my hall.

The flames beneath Your cauldron warm my heart as well, The magics that You’re stirring the turning Wheel bespells. The joy You spin from tears of grief,

Offers me the same relief;

They cleanse my soul and lift it from a wintry bier,

Made strong by transformation, I do invoke You here!

Horned One, back to life recalled,

I welcome You into my hall.

You have love and trust of dancing,

though the tune but faint remains.

Your blood now turns to bounty

and Your courage stirs my veins.

You befriend my soul and guide it

From a wintry bier,

Made strong by transformation,

I do invoke You here!

Blessing and Consecration for Found Bones (or Other Natural Material)

For this rite, you need salt and water, burning incense, a candle, and a clean white cloth. The incense should be woodsy-smelling, and the candle should be red or orange (colors of life) or black (for reunion with the Mother in the tomb/womb), as you see fit; the cloth can be an altar cloth or a towel, if that’s more appropriate. You can lay the cloth on your altar, on another table, or on the floor or ground. The space where you do this should be clear of clutter. You don’t need to cast a formal Circle, but you should be facing North as you perform the rite. Arrange the natural items to be blessed and consecrated on the cloth. Around them, set the salt at North, the water at West, the incense at East, and the candle at South. (Mind your sleeves and hair as you lean over the candle!) As you would before casting a Circle, prepare the salt and water; light the incense and the candle. Meditate on the items that are before you, letting the incense remind you of the items’ habitats and thinking about the items as they were in life. When you are centered and grounded, hold your hands, palms down, over the items before you. Say this (or something similar to it):

”You, bones of wild things once alive,

I set your spirit(s) free to thrive.

Begone all pain, begone all fright,

and all abuse be set aright.

Blessed be; hallowed remain,

to serve untainted: I so ordain.”

What is the Great Rite? And What is Ritual Sex?

At some point during your studies of modern Paganism, you’ll probably run across references to ritual sex, including – but certainly not limited to – the Great Rite. It’s important to clarify what these are, because you’re also being to see statements that most Wiccans and Pagans don’t have really sex in their rituals. So, what’s the deal with ritual sex?

THE GREAT RITE

In some (although certainly not all) traditions of Wicca and Paganism, sacred sex is part of spiritual practice.

Wicca in its original form, as envisioned by Gerald Gardner, is first and foremost a fertility religion, so it’s understandable that at some point you may encounter some references to sexual acts, whether they be actual or implied. By implied, we mean the symbolic — the joining of an athame with a chalice, for example. The most commonly referenced form of ritual sex is the Great Rite, which is the ritualized sexual connection of the god and goddess. Author Vivianne Crowley says in Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Age, “The outer rite involves a linking of the male and the female; the sacred marriage is outwardly a marriage of two people, but inwardly it is a marriage of the two within one person.” The Great Rite is more than just sexual union; it is the enactment of the creation of the universe itself in Wiccan tradition.

SEXUAL ENERGY IN RITUAL

Although the Great Rite is certainly the best known form of ritual sex, not all ritual sex is the Great Rite.

Ritual sex has a number of different purposes besides the Great Rite — it can be used to raise energy, create magical power, or find a sense of spiritual communion with a partner. If “all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals,” then certainly sex in ritual can be seen as a sacramental act of love.

It should also be noted that in some magical traditions, masturbation and sexual release is a perfectly valid way of raising magical energy.

In Her Hidden Children, author Chas Clifton writes, “Many Pagan religions include invocation and possession by their gods. Wicca, in particular, extends that possession to sexual acts, whether literal or metaphorical.” He goes on to say that by making sex sacred, “Wiccans in all countries set their own stamp on nature religion, uniting in their bodies the cosmic and the most personal energies of planetary life.”

Because ritual sex is a sacred act, any form of it should be consensual. In most traditions, it is also performed in private, and in all traditions, performed only by adults. Some traditions of Wicca require actual intercourse as part of a Third Degree elevation, or in rituals performed by a High Priest and High Priestess. However, many Pagans today would say that it is rarely required by any legitimate coven for initiation as a neophyte. In other traditions, the act is symbolic but not actualized.

Skye Alexander writes, “Do you need a partner of the opposite gender to do sex magic? Not in most cases. Sex magic relies on blending male and female energies.

When we speak of male and female energies, however, we’re not referring to men and women. Everyone, regardless of gender, has both masculine and feminine energies. Same-sex couples can do sex magic as successfully as opposite-sex couples. You don’t even need a physical partner to perform sex magic. Solo sex (i.e. masturbation) can be very effective––in fact, it may be a good idea to practice alone for a while before you start working with a magical partner.”

More often than not, if ritual sex is performed, it is between two individuals who are part of an existing relationship already, and who are of equal levels of power within the dynamic of the coven. Ritual sex between two Third Degree people has a good polarity to it, but ritual sex between a Third Degree and a Neophyte is stretching that balance of power a bit.

Think of it as the difference between two teachers who date one another, and a teacher who dates his students.

SEX AS PART OF INITIATION

In general, it is uncommon for a coven to demand sexual initiation as a condition of membership. There are, of course, a number of different issues at play here – consent being one of many. After all, if someone is coerced into sex as a condition of their initiation, are they really consenting? Shauna Aura Knight has a brilliant piece at Pagan Activist, in which she points out, “Just because someone agreed to an initiation doesn’t mean they were enthusiastically consenting. If they are young, if they are new to Paganism, if they are desperate to be accepted, if there is a culture of sex pressuring, if they are shamed by group members…you might eventually wear them down to where they give in. But that’s not consent.”

Ritual sex — the Great Rite or otherwise — is typically a specific, sacred act that is performed only by those who have studied and learned enough to feel comfortable performing it with a trusted partner.

Rite of Wind

Light incense. Pass over working area.

Place the representation of your magick key near your other supplies for this night.

Close your eyes, and envision yourself surrounded by white light.

Take thirteen slow, even breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.

When you feel relaxed, open your eyes, and repeat today’s affirmation three times.

Loosely grind a small amount (about V2 teaspoon) of cleansing herbal mix with mortar and pestle.

The ingredients for this mix are lavender, rosemary, chamomile, lemon verbena, and lemongrass.

If you are using fresh herbs, you won’t need to grind them.

Place herbal mixture in a cotton conjuring bag or white piece of cloth tied with white string.

Hold your hands over the bag, and breathe deeply.

Now, repeat the following conjuration:

Sunlight to activate
Moonlight to blend
Spirit to bring the power to cleanse
Touch of wind!

Hold your hands over a bowl of spring water, close your eyes, and breathe deeply, remembering to allow yourself to become one with Spirit.

Say: “Joy, peace, and perfection.

Peace with the gods, peace with nature, peace within.”

Dip the bag of herbs in the water and sprinkle the water over your magick key (do not let the bag touch the key).

Say: “Joy, peace, and perfection. Peace with the gods, peace with nature, peace within.”

Dip the bag back in the water and begin sprinkling on yourself (if the bag touches you, that’s okay).

Envision that all negativity you may be carrying around is lifted from you with gentle breaths of fresh air.

Allow the winds of peace, healing, and harmony to circle about your mind and body.

You may experience tingling, a rush of energy, or simply pleasant and well-deserved peace.

If you are having trouble releasing any unhappiness or fear, repeat the same conjuration you initially used to empower the water.

You can sprinkle as much or as little of the water as you think you need.

Throw the bag out when completed.

If you are doing this activity with more than one person, each individual should use water empowered only for them and a personal herb bag.

Say: “Thank you!”

On the white candle, inscribe the word wind with a pin, nail, or clay-inscribing tool.

Place the candle in safe holder, and light.

Intone the following charm:

Herbal magick, speak to me
Of wind and language in the trees
Of cleansing breath and harmony
Of balance, knowledge, destiny
Spirit power lies in me!

Face east, and hold the candle out in front of you.

Slowly, so that you can fully experience the impact of your own words, say:

I seek the source
I breathe in the source
I connect completely with the source of all things
Peace with the gods
Peace with nature
Peace within.

Face south, continuing to hold the candle out in front of you, and repeat:

“I seek the source … ”

Face west, slowly intoning the same conjuration, followed by the north.

Stand still, close your eyes, and raise the candle out and above your head, and repeat the conjuration

(“I seek the source, I breathe in the source … “) one last time.

Lift your thoughts as you say this, and join the sea of peace flowing throughout the universe.

You should feel refreshed and experience a glorious connection with the source of all things.

At this moment, clearly state your signature herb aloud and say why you have chosen this plant.

You need not begin with the east if this feels uncomfortable to you.

Perhaps you’ve had previous training that places north as the source of all things.

Or you could incorporate a bit of Spiritism, beginning with the west, moving across to the east, then down to the south, and up to the north.

I would recommend against moving backwards, though, as this is a universal symbol of undoing, unless you really desire that type of energy in your life (which may not be recommend for HedgeWitch work).

Quietly meditate for a few minutes on the meaning of wind in the life of a spiritual person and the necessity of connecting with the source at all times, even when we are tense, angry, sick, or unhappy (when this connection is most needed, but we often let our emotions overshadow this wonderful connection).

You can close your eyes during this meditation, or you can simply sit outside and enjoy nature and take a walk in a field, by the beach, or in the woods.

If you are having trouble with a jumble of thoughts, simply repeat any of the conjurations given so far or use the affirmation of this day.

When you are finished, draw your personal sigil of the wind on the paper.

Repeat the word wind as you lay your hand over the finished drawing.

Say: “Thank you! It always works.

This rite is finished. Always a blessing!”

Allow the candle to burn completely, if you can. In your journal, dedicate at least one page to First Night Wind.

Record any experiences that occurred today which you feel are relevant.

Write about the rite and your feelings.

Leave space to record your dreams from this night and a large-enough area to add more notes about the wind, your connection to Source/
Spirit, or your new purpose, in general, that might unfold tomorrow.

Redraw or place your wind sigil in your journal, and be sure to record your signature herb.

Carry your magick key with you.

Dispose of water, cold candle end, used incense, and wet herbal bag in a way that is comfortable to you.

Before you drift off to sleep, close this evening by saying:

Peace with the gods
Peace with nature
Peace within.
It always works.
Always a blessing.

Samhain Rites and Rituals for a Hedgewitch

As this is the time when the veils between the worlds are thin, the Hedge Druid’s Craft concerns working with the ancestors and the Fair Folk at this time of the year.

She can travel to the Lower world to contact her ancestral spirit guide or her fey spirit guide in order to glean information on the work that she should strive towards in the coming year.

As Samhain marks the end of the old year and the beginning of the new, this is a perfect time to make “resolutions”, and dream them up
during the long winter months in the ways that you can make a change in your world for the better.

A rite for Samhain might be:

Take an apple and cut it in half through the middle of the fruit, not down the stem.

When you open the apple into two halves, you should see a five-pointed star in the middle.

The Celtic colours of red and white, the colours of the Otherworld, lie before you, and the energy of the earth, air, fire, water, and spirit.

At your liminal working place, you can make an offering of one half of the apple to those who you work within the Otherworld, and retain the other half for yourself to remind and connect you to the Otherworld.

If you can, plant one of the seeds to keep near you and nourish the tree of the Otherworld.

Apple trees have long had associations with the Otherworld, being the trees that grew on Avalon, the Isle of Apples.

Many myths and folklore contain stories of apples and enchantment, and so this is the perfect tool for walking between the worlds at this time of year when the last of the apples are being harvested.

Rite of Celestial Power

Places your calendar on the center of the altar, along with your magickal key.

Ring your bell or chimes eleven times.

If you can, go outside and light your favorite incense.

If you are confined inside, try to position yourself near a window with a good view of the heavens.

Stand looking up at the heavens, and say:  Celestial magick, speak to me Of sun and moon and heaven’s sea Of signs and lights of the starry sky That shine within the Hedge Witch eye That flow around the Hedge Witch heart To focus into Hedge Witch art. Thank you!

You may wish to bless your herbal mixture with the following charm: Sacred Spirit, light the way Bless my work with herbs this day! Air bestowing … Sunlight glowing … Droplets flowing … Field of sowing … Moonlight nourish garden growing! Hand of joy and heart of knowing … Leafy vines and sweetened fruit … Cast the pattern of pursuit! Hedge Witch power I invoke Heaven’s prayers like sacred smoke Clear the way to manifest That desire which I think best.

Thank you!

Place the herbs on top of the calendar.

Write the word sun on the gold candle.

Write the word moon on the silver candle.

Ring your magick bell to match your personal power number.

This is to help you focus.

Light the sun candle, and say: I focus my will. Light the moon candle, and say: I empower my will with my emotions.

Ring the bell eleven times to match the mind-mastery significance of the number eleven.

Sit quietly and stare at the dual burning candles.

When you are ready, intone the HedgeWitch incantation of power, focusing your mind on those thirteen goals you wrote in the calendar.

Once you have focused on the goals of this ceremony, you will let them go.

You won’t look at this calendar for a full year, until the anniversary of this night.

Power of the east, winds of sacred birth Gather all your forces and bring a desire to earth.

Power of the south, winds of hot creation Separate the earth by.fire, refine this incantation.

Power of the west, winds of down below Bubble up to meet the sky and make the pattern so! Power of the north, winds of sacred treasure Solidify my own desire and formulate the measure! Power of the spirit, winds of dusk and dawn Align the planets in their places, words convey the song! Power of myself, the winds of my demand Emotions seek to formulate and bring about my plan! Power of the still point, from which I manifest I have the key to make it be, and Spirit does the rest!

Ring the bell eleven times, and then say: “Thank you!

That was easy! It always works.

Always a blessing!”

Meditate for five minutes on the meaning of the sun and moon in your magickal life and how your thoughts and actions bring light to the world.

How have you changed in the past eleven days?

How do you wish to continue to shine your light into the world?

In your own life?

In the lives of your family members and friends?

Draw your secret symbol for the celestial power of the sun and moon in your Hedge Witch journal.

Allow the sun and moon candles to burn completely if you can.

Wrap the calendar and herbs together in a brown paper bag.

Seal securely with tape and write TO BE OPENED ON: and next year’s date.

Put in a safe place.

Before you drift off to sleep, close this evening by saying:

Peace with the Gods Peace with Nature Peace within. It always works. Always a blessing.

Rite of the Mountain

Light incense.

On a purple candle, inscribe the word mountain with a pin, nail, or clay inscribing tool.

Place the candle in a safe holder, and light.

Intone the following mountain charm:

Herbal magick, speak to me Of mountain’s sacred journey Of strength and will along the way Of choosing carefully what I say.

Treasures lie inside me Tonight I grasp my own true wealth And give to earth that magick seed To grow and thrive deep in me.

Thank you!

Mix coffee, sage, frankincense, and sandalwood, and “charm” it by using the following incantation:

Sacred Spirit, light the way Bless my work with herbs this day! Air bestowing … Sunlight glowing .. . Droplets flowing .. . 15 Earth for sowing … Moonlight nourish garden growing Hand of joy and heart of knowing LeafY vines and sweetened fruit Cast this pattern of pursuit!

Hedge Witch power I invoke

Heaven’s prayers like sacred smoke

Clear the way to manifest

That desire which I think best!

Empty the herbal mix in the cotton bag.

Insert the paper with the quality you wish to nurture and grow within yourself in the bag, along with a lock of your hair.

Tie the bag shut. Place it on the north edge of your altar.

Cover the bag by stacking the stones over it.

As you place each stone, either repeat the above mountain charm (the first incantation you spoke this evening) or repeat today’s affirmations, whichever applies best to you.

Then say:

“As surely as I have placed these rocks,

so will my desire manifest.

Thank you!

It always works.

Always a blessing.” Smile.

Sprinkle the stones with a bit of the water you prepared yesterday.

Pass the incense smoke over the stones.

Meditate for fifteen minutes on the meaning of a mountain in the life of a spiritual person.

Draw your mountain sigil on the other piece of paper, and put it underneath the top stone of the pile.

Copy the sigil in your journal.

Allow the candle to burn completely.

The following day, you may be filled with a new sense of purpose.

On the night of your final ceremony, you will uncover what you wish to grow inside of yourself  Before you drift off to sleep, close this evening by saying:

Peace with the Gods Peace with Nature Peace within. It always works. Always a blessing.

Rite of Stone

Arrange your thirteen chosen gemstones around your dedication candle. You will not light

your dedication candle tonight; instead, we are preparing your altar for the final ceremony. Put

your magick key beside your dedication candle. Light the incense and pass it over all the items

on your altar.

On a white candle (not the dedication candle), inscribe the word stone with a pin, nail, or clay inscribing tool. Place the candle in a safe holder, and light. Sprinkle your herb mixture around the

base of the candle. Intone the following charm, holding your hands over the stones:

Herbal magick, speak to me

Of gems’ and stones’ ability

In the dark of night or sun’s bright day

To help me in my witching way!

Pick up one stone and say aloud three times something that you are grateful for. Then say,

“Thank you, it works, always a blessing,” and smile. Do this with the remaining twelve stones,

indicating something different you are grateful for with each successive stone. Meditate for

fifteen minutes on the meaning of stone in the life of a spiritual person. Using the stones or

gems, create a shape that signifies accomplishment to you. This will be your magickal stone

shape. Be sure to draw this image in your HedgeWitch journal. Allow the candle to burn

completely. Leave your gemstones in the shape you chose near your dedication candle until

your final ceremony night. Take an extra fifteen minutes this night to contemplate the changes

you have experienced and what you truly desire in the transformation of the self. And most of

all, never forget to be grateful!

Before you drift off to sleep, close this evening by saying:

Peace with the gods

Peace with nature

Peace within.

It always works.

Always a blessing.

Rite of Thunder

Arrange the white candle, the bowl of aromatic herbs, and your magick key on your altar near the black and white plate project from last night.

This particular rite is mostly mental, so relax and take several deep breaths before beginning.

Prepare the thunder sound effects you will use shortly.

Check the closet light to be sure the batteries are working properly.

We will start with the light turned off.

Begin playing this recording. On the white candle, inscribe the word thunder with a pin, nail, or clay-inscribing tool, or draw the figure-eight symbol.

Ring your magick bell in accordance with your magickal number, then ring the bell again, slowly, eight more times.

Light the candle, and intone the following charm eight times: The boom of roiling thunder reminds me of the sound Of power at my fingertips to bring the energy down! Drums beat out the chant of magick in the air Thunder tells of cause/effect-that what I do is there! Thank you!

It always works. Always a blessing! Smile.

On the notecard, write down eight qualities you would like in your life, or eight items, or a mix of both, or use what you wrote on the back of your affirmation card last night-your choice because the changes we are making in your life are tailored specifically for you.

And, once we produce the lightning of the thought, then the thunder of manifestation will follow.

For example, you might write as your eight choices:

As you can see, I mixed up qualities and items-the order doesn’t matter.

Place the closet light where you can easily reach it.

Settle back and close your eyes, keeping your list close by for reference if you need it.

Listen to the sound of the thunder.

Visualize that each rolling rumble represents the manifestation of one of the items on your list.

Smile. See yourself happy with this desire. Repeat the words (for example, “happiness” to match the sound of the thunder).

Let this thought go.

Immediately reach forward and turn on the light, saying: “Done! Thank you!”

Squeeze the herbs in the bowl to release a pleasant aroma.

Smile again.

Take a deep breath.

Turn off the light, and go to the next item on your list.

Do this same procedure for all your desires written on the notecard.

Ring your magick bell eight times, slowly, allowing each note to fluidly extinguish.

When you are through, leave the light burning for the next twenty-four hours.

Allow the candle to burn completely if you can.

Bury the cold candle end and the used herbs on your property.

Copy your sigil for thunder in your Hedge Witch notebook.

Remove the ash/walnuts from between the plates.

Put the leaves/walnuts, the notecard, and the lock of your hair in a small bag.

You can carry this with you, or you may wish to burn it outside.

Be sure to say thank you.

You might wish to wash the plates to use them again.

Finally, before you go to bed, draw an imaginary figure eight in the air over your altar to seal your work.

Softly say thank you, and smile. Before you drift off to sleep, close this evening by saying:

Peace with the Gods Peace with Nature Peace within. It always works. Always a blessing

Rite of Silence

This ritual is dedicated to pampering yourself, which means you won’t be working at your altar.

You may visit a gym or a spa, or take a long, luxurious bath followed by a personal hygiene regime.

You might decide to have your hair styled in a new way, shave off a beard, or color your hair in a new shade.

Visit a nail salon or have fun shopping for new makeup or personal-care products.

Choose a daring scent in a perfume or aftershave-something that encourages the new you to blossom!

When you are finished, review your day and make notes in your HedgeWitch journal.

Draw a symbol that represents the still point of peace and tranquility in today’s entry, as well as on the separate page you started last evening.

Before you drift off to sleep, close this evening by saying: Peace with the Gods Peace with Nature Peace within. It always works. Always a blessing.

Summer Solstice Rites and Rituals for a Hedgewitch

The time of the greatest light, this is a good time of the year to harness the energy towards your goals.

Riding the tide, we can stand in the heat of the noon-day sun and allow its energy to flow through us, empowering our bodies, souls and our work.

We might use herbs traditional to this time of year, such as St John’s Wort, to further boost our work.

Know, though, that after this special time we begin the descent back into the dark half of the year, and so we also work with the turning tide.

A good place to perform magic at this time of year is at the seashore when the tide is moving from high tide to low tide.

Stand at the water’s edge at high tide, and cast any spells to aid you in the work that you have committed yourself to for your local environment and community.

Use the time of the highest tide and then, when it begins to recede, sit back and watch as the water takes the spell and returns it to the realms
of the Otherworld beneath the sea (a very Celtic motif).

Allow the work to move from you and out into the world.

Rite of Starry Sky

Tonight we are not using incense but enjoying the aroma of the Florida water and the fresh flowers.

Sprinkle yourself with the Florida water.

Go outside (or look out a window), and count the number of stars you see in the heavens for one minute.

Write down this number.

If it is over ten, reduce the number by adding the double digits. For example, if the number you counted is 15, then you would add 1 + 5 = 6. Six, then, is your lucky number in HedgeWitchery.

If you could not count a single star, then your lucky number is 8.

If the night is pleasant, 61 you may wish to continue this rite outdoors.

If you need to work inside, arrange your lucky number pebbles in a circle (if you have several) or place the smaller number near the light blue candle on the altar stone you blessed last night.

Sprinkle the pebbles with Florida water.

Arrange flowers on your altar.

On the light blue candle, inscribe the words starry sky with a pin, nail, or clay-inscribing tool.

Place the candle in a safe holder, and light.

Place your magick key beside the candle.

Intone the following charm:

Herbal magick melody Signs and symbols meant for me Wisdom, knowledge, peace of mind Speak to me through heaven’s chime.

Thank you! Smile.

Ring your bell or chime to correspond with your lucky number.

From now on, this sound is your personal call to Spirit-and after repeating the practice a number of times, this sound should help you focus and become one with Spirit.

Some individuals call this practice a magickal trigger individually designed as an audio gateway to peace, balance, and power.

If you are hearing impaired (or just want to be quiet), you may wish to use a tuning fork, touching the vibration of the sound rather than hearing it.

Meditate for fifteen minutes on the meaning of the sky in the life of a spiritual person.

Draw your personal sky sigil, and record it in your journal.

Also, record any observations or insights you may have received during tonight’s ceremony.

Allow the candle to burn completely.

If you can, leave the pebbles on your altar.

If you can’t, place them in their own special bag.

Offer the flowers to Spirit outside.

Speak not of what you are doing; silence, as of a perfect, peaceful night, will serve you best.

Before you drift off to sleep, close this evening by saying: Peace with the Gods Peace with Nature Peace within.

It always works.

Always a blessing. Remember to smile!

Rite of Rain

Place your magick key and the special glass bottle filled with the listed herbs beside your pebbles on your altar.

Fill the bottle with blessed water.

Swirl the bottle nine times, intoning the following charm: Gifts of rain and flowing grace Create for me a sacred space Where peace and healing now abide And Spirit travels by my side.

Sprinkle the pebbles with a bit of the holy water from the special bottle.

On the aqua candle, inscribe the word rain with a pin, nail, or clay-inscribing tool.

Place the candle in a safe holder.

Put the holder in the cauldron.

Fill the cauldron with blessed water, covering the candle holder with water.

The bottom of the candle should be immersed in one inch in the water.

Light the candle.

Add seven drops of the herbal holy water to the water in the cauldron, repeating today’s affirmation three times.

Step back, smile, relax, and connect to Spirit.

Ring your bell or chime the number of times that match your personal magick number.

Intone the following charm at least nine times, until it begins to sound like a sweet mantra: Herbal magick’s secret seal Of rain, of hope, and how to heal Spiral power in my palms I activate the healer’s song.

Light the charcoal incense tab and sprinkle the herbal mixture on the tab.

Waft the smoke over and around your body with the healing cloth you prepared, pushing the smoke (negativity) down and into the ground.

Repeat this action until you feel cleansed and peaceful.

Meditate for fifteen minutes on the meaning of rain and healing in the life of a spiritual person.

Draw your special rain sigil in your journal. Allow the candle to burn completely until it is extinguished by the water in the cauldron.

Bury the candle end off your property.

You can either burn your healing cloth or carry it with you, filled with healing herbs, until you are fully healed, and then burn it.

You can also cut the cloth into small pieces to burn in a small cauldron.

If you absolutely cannot burn it, shred the cloth and distribute it off the property in various trash bins.

Now that you have experienced using a cloth and sacred smoke as a cleansing vehicle in ritual, you may wish to embroider a special cloth that can be washed and hung out to dry after each use.

You can also refrigerate the remaining water in your special bottle (shelf life is about two weeks).

This water can be used in sacred space, in healing work, dotting on petitions, etc.

Dispose of the water that was in the cauldron of your property, preferably at a crossroads.

Do not drink.

Contemplate, in your journal, how you are continuing to build your spell of personal transformation.

Speak not of what you are doing. Silence, as in a garden of perfection, will whisper great power in your ear.

Before you drift off to sleep, close this evening by saying: Peace with the Gods Peace with Nature Peace within. It always works. Always a blessing