Rituals
Whether you're giving thanks, celebrating a Sabbat, or just wanting to connect with the Divine, doing rituals is an important part of Wiccan life.
Cast the Circle
The first thing you need to do is cast your circle. The space within your circle is sacred, and considered to be 'between the worlds'. Not only does your circle keep out unwanted energy, it also serves to keep your energy in. You may want to cleanse your space with a ritual sweeping or with some incense possibilities for innovation that are possible within the traditional frame. Pagan circle music is sometimes the best reason to attend the circle! We use a circle because the moon and sun are circles, and the horizon is a circle, as are many other things in nature, for it is the most basic of geometric shapes.
an empty spot in the woods or on a beach. It is also considered a container for power; in this sense it acts to keep things in more than out, though protection from dangers without can also be a part of its function. Usually the circle is cast using a sword, though any of the "masculine" tools, like the ashame, wand, or staff can be used instead.
The Witch who casts the circle starts in the east and walks deosil (clockwise) around the area prepared for the ritual three times. There are two reasons for making three passes: the circle is being cast in the sight of the Gods, nature, and the people; and also on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels. To symbolize these three levels, the first circle is made with the sword pointed to the ground level, then to waist level, and then raised above the head level.
Occasionally a circle may be cast counterclockwise (widdershins) if the purpose is banishing or decrease of something, but this is not common. Usually the flow of energy is deosil, the direction of creativity, life and growth. Deosil is the direction that the Sun and Moon appear to turn in, if one faces south and imagines them moving from East (at rising), South (at its highest point), West (at setting) and North (when under the horizon). When moving about within the circle, always try to move deosil when possible, except while saying farewells and closing the circle (at which point the circle is being undone).
Some witches like to anoint each person with an anointing oil, or asperge (sprinkle) each person with water, smudge each person with incense or sweetgrass, or offer each person a token (small candle, drink from a chalice, a kiss, and so forth) as they enter the circle, to bless and welcome them into the sacred space. The traditional method is for the priest to greet women and the priestess to greet men, but in a ritual led by one person, he or she will be greeting everyone. Another method is to pass the oil around the circle, with each person anointing the person next to them. This is a good way to bond the members of the group to each other and create a sense of community.
Sweeping the Circle is the cleansing of the circle of unwanted influences, once sacred space has been established. It is done by sweeping the circle once around, deosil, with the besom (witches' broom). Often, the witch will touch people's feet with the broom while sweeping, to emphasize that the people are being cleansed as well as the space. The circle is ritually cleansed and purified with the four elements in order to make ready a place for the powers of those elements to enter. This may be done by the priest or priestess, or by people previously selected to represent the four quarters. Some me traditions perform elemental purifications before the circle is cast. The typical purification method is to carry an elemental tool deosil around the circle, starting with air (incense) in the east, fire (a candle) in the south, water in the west, and earth (soil or salt) in the north. Sometimes the tool is raised in salute as the witch passes each of the quarters. Purifications may be silent, or a purification spell may be spoken.
Invoke Deity
If you are not familiar with any specific Gods or Goddesses, you can always just call on the Lord and/or Lady. Over time, you can research the various pantheons and learn about the different Deities out there. You may invoke certain Deities just get to know them better, or choose Deities that represent the energies you want for your ritual. You should always be respectful, and ask Deities to join you.
Raise Energy
If you are performing this ritual with a specific goal in mind (a spell), then you need to raise energy before you do that spell. It's your energy and will that drives a spell. If your ritual is to celebrate the Sabbats or to give thanks to the Gods, then you may not feel the need to raise any power. Methods for raising energy could be dancing or chanting.
Ground Your Energy.
You raised energy earlier, and now you must ground it. Release the remaining energy down through your body and out into the Earth. Even if you are indoors, and your feet aren't truly touching the Earth, you can still visualize your energy dispersing this way. Depending on the nature of your spell, you may find that most of the energy is used up in your spellwork.
Thank Deity
I'm sure this part is obvious. If you've asked a Deity to join you in your circle, you must then thank them when the ritual is complete.
Release the Quarters
Similar to thanking the Deities. You've called the Quarters to assist you, and when you are done, you should thank them and release them.
A great site to read more on this is
http://paganwiccan.about.com/library/basics/blrituals.htm
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