Ritual 101
An online class

An Introduction

Hello and welcome to Bewitching Ways' Online Ritual 101 class.

This class is designed to help you understand the components of a ritual, why they are done and what they mean. By the end of this class, you should be comfortable enough with the process to begin writing your own rituals.

Before we get into exactly what one does in a ritual, it is important to discuss what a ritual is.

Rituals are viewed as a way to connect with the divine. Rituals are observances that can be performed alone, in a coven or as part of an Open Circle. Some prefer a formal or traditional ritual, while others prefer spontaneity. Either way, there is usually structure that is followed for efficiency. It is this structure that this course focuses on.

There are essentially three types of ritual: The Sabbat Ritual, The Esbat Ritual, and the working ritual.

The Sabbat Rituals are events that celebrate the eight holy days of the Wiccan religion. There are: Yule, Imbolic, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasad, Mabon and Samhain. This is a time to commune with the Goddess and God and focus on the turning of the wheel of the year. Usually, there is no (or only minor) magick worked on these days.

The Esbat Rituals are the rituals related to the moon. There are 13 full moons a year. It is a time to worship the Goddess. It is also a powerful time for magick. Some might also choose to do New Moon and Dark Moon Rituals. These rituals are using for spiritual/psychic growth as well as magick.

Working Rituals are rituals done any other time that involve serious magick or spiritual effort. Such rituals might include a self-dedication, a handfasting (a Wiccan wedding ritual), a house cleansing, etc. What sets this apart from regular spell workings is that the work is of a nature that requires or warrants the presents of the God/dess and the spirits of the elements. There really aren't set rules as to when spell work requires a ritual verses just a circle. Use your discretion.

As I am sure you know, there is no one way to do anything in the Craft. What I will present in this class are generally accepted practices. Do not take them as law. Nothing I say is set in stone. Feel free to modify as it works for you.

This class will center around the basic components of a ritual. They include:

1. Purify self and space
2. Cast a circle
3. Call the Quarters
4. Invoke the chosen deity/deities
5. Statement of purpose
6. Ritual celebration/work and raising energy
7. Simple feast and offering
8. Thanks the deities
9. Close the quarters
10. Open the circle

Each lesson will include assignments geared to helping you master ritual work. If you have started your own Book of Shadows, you may want to record your answers and workings in that. Some students prefer to have me look over the assignments. I am more than happy to read anything you care to send me. Please put Ritual 101 in the subject line of any emails for a faster response. All work sent to me would be kept completely confidential.

I will be available to you through email if you have any questions or comments. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any comments or questions.

The course will work through this process step by step. Click on the link to go to each lesson.

· Lesson one focuses on purifying the area and creating sacred space.
· Lesson two deals with circle casting and opening.
· Lesson three focuses on the quarters.
· Lesson four discusses choosing and invoking deities as well as forming statements of purpose
· Lesson five will discuss raising energy within a circle
· Lesson six examines different types of ritual workings

Please note: These lessons are copyrighted. Please do not use them for your personal gain without permission (this means no teaching or selling these lessons for money). They may however be used as a not-for- profit teaching tool as long as the copyright and web site information remains intact.

Blessed Be,
Apythia