There are nine basic components of Wiccan ritual :
-Purification of Self
-Purification of Space
-Creating sacred Space
-Invocation
-Ritual Observance (on Sabbats and Esbats)
-Energy Raising (during magick)
-Earthing the Power
-Thanking the Goddess and the God
-Breaking the Circle

Purification of Self< p>

This basically consists of, bathing, anointing your body with oil, meditation, deep breathing, and otherwise purifying your body, mind, and soul and readying it for the coming rite.
This is a time for calmness and peace.
This isnt simply used to chase off demons or devils, no, it is simply to free us of negativity.
When purifying yourself, remember to not only purify your body, to also purify your mind. When you start with purification, the moment you think about it, is the moment it all starts. It is already taking place inside your mind, the energies moving, consciousness is shifting.
This is excellent to use for training your awareness.

Purification of Space

This is of course the area you will be performing rituals, spells, and so forth. Outdoor rituals usually do not need to be purified. Indoor spaces do of course.
For in home, if your alone, lock the door, turn off the phone or unhook it, and get rid of anything that might interrupt. If someone is at your home, please ask them to not disturb you during a certain amount of time, or until you let them know you have finished.
First, clean the floor physically. Use a broom, vacuum or mop. Once it is clean you can purify it with the old Witch's tool, the magic broom.
Another way to purify the ritual areas is to scatter salt, either alone or mixed with a powdered herb or resin such as thyme, rosemary, frankincense, copal, sage, or dragon's blood. (I use the dragons blood). Salt water can also be used. The scattering releases energies within the salt and herbs.
You can also play a musical instrument to the four quarters while walking clockwise around the area. you might also chant, especially sounds which you feel set up protective and purifying energies.
Or you can simply burn an herb with proven "cleaing" qualities as an incense. for instance, frankincese, myrrh, sage, thyme, or rosemary. for this I usually use sage.
Outdoor rituals require little cleansing. The natural environment is less psychically polluted then are our home and other buildings. A light sweeping witht the magick broom, with your visualization, will do. Sprikle pure water is also fine, but, since salt can be harmful to plants, its best not to use outdoors.

Creating Sacred Space

This consists of creating and arranging your alter. Even if it isnt a permenant one. Most wiccans place there alter in the center of the future magick circle, others do not. Some place in corners, Usually in the North or East. It makes it easier to move around the circle. I do not agree with this, since it restricts your possible methods of forming the circle.
It doesnt matter which you use. Find which makes it easier for you of course.
Your circle should be living, glowing reality. You will feel the energy. You will sense the edges of the circle, you will feel the inner circle. Walking through your circle will give you a jolt of energy.

Invocation

In some ways this is the heart of Wiccan ritual, and indeed is the only necessary part.

Ritual Observance

This usually follows the invocation, if the ritual is held on a Sabbat or Esbat.

Energy Raising

In practice, this is magick - Movement of natural energies to effect needed change. Full Moons, Solstices and equinoxes are classic times to perform magick rites and rituals.

Earthing the Power

Once you've sent energy, residual energy usually rushes around within you.
Some Wiccans use Cakes and Wine, or Cakes and Ale for this. A ritual ingestion of food and drink to ease us back from exstasy.
Some also use, cookies and milk, juice and bread, cheese and wine, crescent shaped cakes and wine. These are all fine.

Thank your Gods and Goddesses

Break the Circle

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