Music and Wiccans, Ritual Music, Shaman
posted May 1, 2008 - 7:37pmMusic is simply a re-creation of the sounds of nature. Wind through trees, the roar of the ocean hurling itself against jagged cliffs, pattering rain, the crackling of a lightning-produced fire, the cry of birds and roars of animals are some of the "instruments" that constitute the music of nature
Human beings have long integrated music into religious and magical rituals for its powerful effects. Shamans use a steady drum beat to induce trance, and a drum can be used to control the pace of magical dance. Then too, music has long been celebrated for calming ferocious animals-and humans as well. Music can be a part of Wiccan workings today. You might simply find appropriate pieces, selected from classical, ethnic, folk or contemporary sources, and play these during rituals. Musically-inclined Wiccans can create music before, during or after the ritual.
Four distinct types of instruments have specific powers. the drum, rattle, xylophone, and all percussion instruments, are ruled by the planet Earth. Thus, such instruments can be used to invoke fertility, increase money, find a job, and so on. They can also be used to invoke the Goddess in ritual, or to "drum up" energy to send to the earth.
Music spells (as opposed to purely verbal spells) can be simple and effective. Need money? Sit quietly dressed in green and slowly thump a drum, visualizing yourself bursting with cash while invoking the Goddess in her aspect of provider-of-abundance. If your depressed, find a bell with a pleasant tone and ritually strike or ring it, feeling the sound's vibrations cleansing you of the depression and lifting your spirits. Or, wear a small bell.
When your afraid, play a six-string or listen to pre recorded guitar music while visualizing yourself as confident and courageous. Invoke the God in his Horned, aggressive, protective aspect.
The thought of dancing, singing or making music embarreses some of us. This is a natural outgrowthof our increasingly repressive society. In Wicca, however, dance and music occur before the Deities alone. You aren't performing for a crowd, so dont worry about missing a note or tripping over your feet. They dont care, and no one ever need know what you do before the Gods in your rites.
Even the most unmusically inclined can bang two rocks together, shake a rattle, clap hands or walk in circles. To this day, some of the most established and effective Wiccan covens utilize a simple circular run around the alter to raise power.
So much for fancy ritual choreography.

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