Empathy's Book Of Shadows
 

Ritual of the Pentagram

Meditation prior to: Picture yourself growing in stature - larger and larger until your head is in the clouds and your feet are on the surface of the earth. Visualize white light coming down.
Begin facing East with athame in the right hand. Do the Qabalistic Cross as follows:
Touch your forehead and say:
ATEH (AH-TOW) (thou Art)

Touch your breast and say:
MALKUTH (MAL-KOOTH) (the Kingdom)

Touch your right shoulder and say:
VE-GEBORAH (VER GA BOOL RAH) (and the Power)

Touch your left shoulder and say:
VE-GEDULAH (VER GA DOO LAH) (and the Glory)

Clasp your hands before you and say:
LE-OLAM (for ever)

With athame between fingers point up and say: AMEN

Make in the air toward the EAST the banishing invoking pentagram and bringing the point of the athame to the center of the pentagram vibrate the Deity name - YOD HE VAU HE - imagining that your voice carries forward to the EAST of the Universe.

Holding the athame out before you go to the SOUTH, making the pentagram and vibrate similarly the Deity name - ADONAI.

Go to the WEST, making the pentagram and vibrate the Deity name - EHEIEH (AE HA YAH).

Go to the NORTH and make the pentagram and vibrate - ATEH (AH TOW), GEBUR (GA BOOR), LEH-OLAHAM, ADONAI.

Return to the EAST and complete your circle by bringing the athame point to the center of the first pentagram. Visualize the entire circle with the pentagram in a blue flame.

Place yourself in a pentagram position and say:
Before me stands Raphael
Behind me stands Gabriel
At my right hand stands Michael
At my left hand stands Auriel
Before me flames the Pentagram
Behind me shines the six rayed star

Repeat the Qabalistic Cross above.
SO MOTE IT BE!

Birthing Dedication


Holding the child to face the heavens say:
O Lady of the starry heavens, wise All-Father, behold this lovely child, (name). Conceived and brought forth in love. Bless and protect him/her and grant the gifts of wisdom, inspiration and wonder.

Holding the child to face the ground say:

Hail Earth, Mother of all. This is my infant, my love, and my jewel. Bless and protect him/her, granting your enduring and eternal strength and steadfastness. May he/she ever have a spirit that seeks the stars and roots deep within thy loving breast.

Hold the child close to your heart and join heartbeats.


Passing of the Dead


Priest and Priestess light the four candles of the elements saying:
O elements of earth, air, fire and water, grant release from pain, heal those who remain here, in this more lonely world. And speed the soul of the one who is loved into the beautiful realms of the Gods.

PRIEST: (lighting the central white candle) Lovely, somber Lady of the Declining Moon, strong and silent Lord of the Far Realms beyond, be with us here at this time of loss.

Priest and Priestess stand on each side of the altar facing south.

Priest: O, {friends name}, we do call on thee in spirit to stand here with us, and before the Gods. That we may give honour and love to one whom you have known who has passed beyond.

PRIESTESS: Good friend, you have for a while lost one who is dear to you, and we all feel your loss. But it is only for a time, and we bid you to have no sorrow. there is a reason for being here and a reason for going. The Summerland, and the places beyond are warm pleasing and beautiful. With all ills gone, and youth anew, so let us all be truly happy for the one you love knows true joy at last!

PRIEST: Dying is only a mode of forgetting. A way of rest, a way of returning to the eternal Source. To be renewed and made strong. To rest and finally to return.

PRIESTESS: We of the Old Ways know that when a person dies the soul returns again to earth. This has been a tenet of loving faith taught since long before history began.

PRIEST: It is said in our lore: Arrayed in some new flesh disguise, another mother gives birth. With sturdier limbs and brighter brain the old soul takes the road again.

PRIEST (pouring wine for all present and all face north) calls: "O gracious Lady who gives rest, O Lord of the twilight realms we do thank thee for guiding our friend to the golden portals of the beauteous lands beyond.

ALL: we do ask, the love and good wishes for {departed's name} and for those good friends who yet remain behind.

PRIEST turns to the circle and says: I propose a toast...To the Gracious and Lovely Lady...... Blessed Be!

ALL: Blessed Be!

PRIEST: And also do I propose a toast...... To {departed's name}, who now revels in the glory and beauty of the Summerlands..... Blessed Be!

ALL: Blessed Be!


Handfasting Ritual

Cast Circle

Hps: ( opens doorway with staff, place staff across threshhold of door) There are two who would be joined together as one. Let them enter into this place of love and begin their union together.

(bride and groom enter and stand in centre of circle)

( to others outside of the circle) The gate stands open to the temple of love. There is no challenge, for all are welcome here, who enter with joy and love for this sacred union.

(any who enter are anointed with Celtic cross and told:) blessing be upon you!

Watchtowers: hp: Hear me Raphael, Lord of air- you who rules over the realms of birth and new beginnings. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and guard this circle with your love and light!

Hear me Michael, lord of fire- you who shines so brightly over our lives, filling them with the love that is yours, so that it may shine forth from within. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and to guard this circle with your love and light!

hps: hear me Gabriel, lady of water- you who reigns over all endings, that which without, there could be no beginning. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and guard this circle with your love and light.

Hear me ariel, lady of earth- you who are the body and myster, from which all life begins. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and guard this circle with your love and light.

(hps- lite Lady Candle hp- Lite Lord Candle)

Both: (hps) Gracious Goddess (hp) Mighty Lord Give to these before us, we do ask; your love and protection from all that would try to harm their union. Blessed be!

( handmaiden and summoner bring forth bride and groom from centre of circle and place her before priestess and him before priest)

Handmaiden: HERE WE BRING FORTH THE BRIDE.

Summoner: AND ALSO THE GROOM.

hps: Is it your wish, <bride's mundane name>, to become one with this man in the bond of handfasting?

Bride: It is.

hp: Is it your wish, <groom's mundane name>, to become one with this woman in the bond of handfasting?

Groom: it is.

hp: Air, Be with us here, oh beings of air, With your clever fingers, tie closely the bonds between this pair.

Fire, Be with us here, oh beings of fire, Give their love and passion, your all consuming ardor.

hps: Water, Be with us here, oh beings of water. Give them the deepest of love, and richness of body and soul and spirit.

Earth, Be with us here, oh beings of earth. Let your strength and consistency be theirs through out this union for this life time.

(priestess places brides ring on wand and hold end in left hand. priest places grooms ring on wand and holds end in right hand. present wand to couple)

hp: place your right hands on this wand, his hand over hers. (pause while do so) Above you are the stars, below you the stones, as time does pass remember...... like a star, should your love be constant, like a stone, should your love be firm

hps: be close, yet not too close. possess one another, yet be understanding. have patience, each with the other, for storms will come, yet also will they pass. be free in giving of affection and warmth. make love often, and be sensuous with each other.

hp: Have no fear, and let not the words of the unenlightened give you unease, for the God and goddess are with you and have blessed this union with their love and presence.

hps: take now your rings and place them on each others hand. remembering as you do so, that they include a small portion of this circle to remind you always of your love for each other and your union that is made here today.

(*couple may choose to exchange vows they have written to each other*)

(remove rings and give to couple, who then place them on each others fingers. )

hps: as you have chosen to mingle your lives, so now do you mingle your love....the two becoming as one.

(hp hands her the ribbons and they are bound to each other in this manner)

hp: Then as the Lord and Lady and all the ancient and mighty ones are witness to this rite, thus are thy hands fasted, the two are one, the work of joy is done, and yet.... just begun.

(priestess and priest take broom to centre of circle, while maiden and summoner direct /lead couple to centre in front of broom. Priestess holds bushy end of broom and priest holds handle end, keeping broom about a foot above the ground.)

(Couple jump the broom)(priestess takes broom and sweeps away all negativity and traces of their past life apart from around and behind them, out the door of the circle)

(couple picks up their own tapers and light from power candle, then together, light their single candle)

hps: the candle of life is lit.....

hp: likewise, the candle of the soul...

both: together, they combine to form the eternal light of love.

hps: may the lord and lady recognize the bonds drawn between this couple by their own strength of love and will. let the ties between them be strong, yet supple and let none strive to break this bond that they have set forth in the presence of the Lord and lady for this lifetime.

hp: let those of you here with this pair, lend your love and light to thier union.

both: I now declare thee...husband and wife! blessed be!

( hps and hp pick up cup for the inside of circle, maiden and summoner hold cup for outside of circle and bride and groom hold their own cup. maiden and summoner need not kiss to charge wine)

hps: and the goddess said, these be the five points of fellowship.

<all females>: foot to foot

<all males>: knee to knee

<females>: lance to grail

<males>: heart to heart

<females>: lip to lip

<all>: joined together, they bring blessedness.

(bride and groom kiss to charge cup)

hps: let us drink from the loving cup and the joy of this union.

( bride and groom drink from their cup, pass all other chalices)

hp: from spirit we come, and to spirit we go, from their union, the power of love will flow.

hps: the winds of reason will stir the air, and temper their quarrles with respectful care.

hp: their bond is forged upon the fire and love will fill their hearts with steady desire.

hps: the waters of understanding will fill them up and they will drink together from wisdom's cup.

hp: the earth in her glory will smile upon this pair health, harmony and happiness will be theirs to share.

both: for what goes around, returns again, to those who love. for the spirit of union reflects the pattern above.

hps: as these two hearts have combined like the flame of their candles, made strong by love. may the light of their love become a beacon by which they may always find one another. These children of the gods have lit a candle in the darkness of the world. May it always burn with a steady light and if it should flicker or threathen to go out, may both raise a hand to guard and shield it. For the candle of thier love may well assist other travlers on the road of life. So Mote It Be Blessed Be

both: circle rippleout to forever echo and preform the act of magick with which you are charged. so mote it be!

( as couple leaves, hp and hps silently and quickly dismiss lord and lady and watchtowers)



Pentacle Dream Catcher

Dream catchers are popular today though a resurgence of Native American Culture and belief. Although such dream catchers are look much like spider webs, there is no reason why one can not be another design. Pagans and Wiccans may wish to use the pentacle (five point star), one of our symbols. After all, the purpose of this implement is to snare nightmares, and any woven design will do this.

Some children are particularly frightened by bad dreams. It is difficult to rationalize such fright or explain it away. One of the best methods of helping the child cope is to hang a dream catcher above the head of the bed or the window nearest the bed. A pentacle dream catcher is not difficult to make. It requires the following materials:


1. A circular ring.
2. heavy thread, preferably different colours, to weave the design with.
3. Tiny beads to thread the string through. (Beads are optional).
4. Feathers to decorate the ring with (optional).


To begin, tie one end of the thread to the ring. Wind the thread around the opposite end of the ring three times at a slight angle from the original attachment, pulling it tight. This will be part of the left leg of the pentacle. Each time you attach the thread to the ring, wind it three times.

Now wind the thread about the ring a short distance from the first tying. Your design should look like an inverted V shape. Pulling the string to the left side of the ring, wind it about the ring a little more than halfway up the side. Adjust it until it looks like the lower angle of the cross arm of the pentacle. Now stretch the thread across to the opposite side and wind it about the ring. For the finishing angle, pull the thread back to the point of beginning.

If you carefully check the angle of the thread each time you prepare to wind it at the other point on the ring, you can adjust the design. Make a small loop at the top of the pentacle.

If you want to string beads on the thread, do it on each section before you wind the thread around the ring.

Dream catchers do work. They are symbols of personal control over your dreams. And the subconscious mind which creates dreams only understands symbols.


Casting the Circle

Needs: Altar, 2 Altar Candles, Water Bowl, Salt Dish, Pentacle,
Censer, Athame, Bell; Presence Lamp; 4 Quarter Candles;
Sword (optional), Candle Snuffer (optional)

Let all be fit to enter into the presence of the Gods.

Start in the dark.

Ritual Leader waits until it feels like time to begin, then rises:

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE:
R: "I light this Candle (lights Presence Lamp)
in the name of that ancient presence,
which is, was, and ever shall be
male, female, all-knowing, all-powerful
and present everywhere.

And in the names of the four Mighty Ones,
the rulers of the elements,
may power and blessing descend
in this hour upon this place
and those gathered here."

R lights the two altar candles, the charcoal, and the four quarter candles
from the Presence Lamp.

EXORCISM OF THE WATER:
R kneels before the altar and places the Water Bowl upon the Pentacle.
R purifies the water by plunging the tip of his/her athame into the water,
saying:

R: "I exorcise thee, O Creature of Water, that thou cast out from
thee all the impurity and uncleanliness of the world of phantasm.
In the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen."

BLESSING OF THE SALT:
R sets the Water Bowl aside and in its place sets the Salt Dish upon
the Pentacle. R touches salt with tip of athame, saying:

R: "Blessings be upon thee, O Creature of Salt; let all malignity and
hindrance be cast forth from thee, and let all good enter within.
Wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee, that thou mayest aid me.
In the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen."

Using the tip of the athame, R takes three measures of salt and puts
it into the water, then stirs deosil three times with the athame, saying:

R: "But ever mind that as water and salt purifies the body,
so the scourge purifies the soul. So mote it be !"

CASTING THE CIRCLE:
R draws a circle, continuous from north deosil unto north with the Sword
(or athame), saying:

R: "I conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou beest
a boundary between the world of men and the realms of the Mighty Ones;
a meeting place of love and joy and truth;
a shield against all wickedness and evil;
a rampart and protection that shall preserve and contain
the power that we raise within thee.
Wherefore do I bless thee, and consecrate thee,
in the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen."

(If others are without, a gate is opened, and they are now brought
into the Circle with a kiss, and the Circle is resealed.)

CONSECRATION OF THE CIRCLE WITH THE FOUR ELEMENTS:
R takes up the consecrated water and asperges the Circle with his/her
fingertips, from north deosil unto north; and then touches each person within
with the water, being touched in turn by his/her working partner (or another of
the opposite sex to R, if available). Water Bowl is returned to altar.

R then takes up the censer, and likewise censes the Circle from north unto
north.

Lastly R takes around the Presence Lamp (or a candle lit from the Presence Lamp
and returned to it).

CALLING THE MIGHTY ONES:
All stand and salute the East. R stands in front of group facing East.
Maiden stands at back of group with the Bell. M rings Bell.

With athame, R draws three deosil circles and then an invoking earth pentagram,
saying:

R: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, ye Lords of Air;
I, N....., do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our
rites and guard the Circle !"

All turn and face South. Ritual Leader and Maiden move to corresponding
positions; others just turn in place. M rings Bell.

With athame, R draws three deosil circles and then an invoking earth pentagram,
saying:

R: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the South, ye Lords of Fire;
I, N....., do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our
rites and guard the Circle !"

Similarly, in West:

R: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the West, ye Lords of Water;
Lords of Death and Initiation; I, N....., do summon, stir and call
you up, to witness our rites and guard the Circle !"


And in North:

R: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the North, ye Lords of Earth; Boreas,
thou Guardian of the Northern Portals; I, N....., do summon, stir
and call you up, to witness our rites and guard the Circle !"

All turn back to the East and salute.

Now all turn to North again. M rings Bell. R says:

R: "Ye Mighty Ones,
Lords of the Watchtowers of the Universe,
Dread Lords of the outer spaces,
Thou powerful God, thou gentle Goddess,
We invite you to our meeting.
(pause)
O thou Loving Cerridwen.
O thou Mighty Cernunnos,
we gather (I stand) before you
to ...." (state intent)

The Circle is now perfect.


Closing the Circle


When the Circle's work is done, R goes to the East, athame in hand, salutes,
and draws a banishing Earth pentagram, saying:
R: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, ye Lords of Air, we thank
you for attending our rites; and ere ye depart to your beauteous
realms, we bid thee Hail and Farewell..."

All: "Hail and Farewell !" (R extinguishes Quarter Candle)

Repeat for the remaining Quarters, addressing each with the titles by which
it was invoked.

R thanks and says goodbye to the God and Goddess. (Words To Be Decided.) and
extinguishes altar candles.

R then thanks and dismisses any spirits who have gathered.

R: "The Circle is open but unbroken. Merry meet, merry part and
merry meet again."

R extinguishes the Presence Lamp, saying:

R: "This rite is ended !"

All: "So mote it be !"