Last October I wrote a purification ritual in anticipation of Samhain rites and led it at the October Spirit Circle. The original ritual was set up with participants encircling a raised altar. The initial results were positive, but not really in line with the amount of effort it took to put on the ritual. The following week, I adapted the ritual for an outdoor setting, encircling a bonfire. The participants moved in and out of the center, each taking their turn in contemplation at each of the four elemental stations. Participants were deeply moved, and the energetic results were spectacular. Yesterday, I adapted the ritual for a smaller, more intimate indoor setting.
The ritual went smoothly, and all participants reported a feeling of weight being lifted from them. I, myself, even as the facilitator of the ritual, felt strong effects in the moment. After the ritual, I was overcome by a deepening sense of calm. I slept well for the first time in weeks. I felt fantastic in the morning, which is something that almost never happens.
I think it’s safe to say that the ritual is ready for wider testing.
Clever readers will recognize elements from a variety of sources. The altar construction and layout has its roots in eclectic Wicca. The blessings of the elemental components are adapted from Agrippa via Rufus Opus. The magical Names and barbarous words are drawn from the Stele of Jeu. The concluding meditation on the Light is drawn from Thelema and modern Gnosticism. The decision to mix all these things together, of course, is rooted in my study of chaos magick.
Please check out the ritual behind the cut.