Week5

Components of Ritual

Some of the information presented in this lesson is based upon teachings from WiCoM's Seekers Class. I would like to say thanks especially to Lou and Qwill for their love and guidance as I continue my journey. And so, onto this lesson.

Ritual is an important part of any religious experience. Regardless of the faith, ritual consists of basically the same primary components. These components are:

Demarcation of a boundary, and the creation of sacred space.
Separating the sacred space from the mundane physical world.
Cleansing the space to remove unwanted energies.
Invocation of the divine.
Workings - the purpose of the ritual.
Thanking the divine.
Closing the ritual and opening the sacred space.

These steps are followed regardless of your faith. Any book on Wicca that discusses ritual will clearly demonstrate these components, and they are done in this order. But do other religions really follow these steps? Since I was raised Catholic, I'll use that religion as an example, comparing it to Wiccan ritual.

DEMARCATION: Catholicism is practiced in church, a permanent place created specifically for worship. Most Wiccan rituals are not as fortunate. But the building, the church, is the permanent demarcation of the boundary. And since it is used only for worship, the sacred space is always present. At least one candle is always burning to indicate the presence of God. In Wiccan ritual, the quarters are marked, and sometimes salt and/or sand (flowers, lights, etc.) are laid out in a circular pattern.

SEPARATION: As worshipers enter the church, they bring with them (or should bring with them) a mindset tuned specifically to worship. Hopefully, they're not thinking about who's going to win the game today, or about their upcoming work week. These concerns should be left at the door as their thoughts turn towards the divine. In Wiccan ritual, the space is separated, cut out, from the physical world with the wand, sword, or athame.

CLEANSING: As the mass begins, the priest, altar servers, and others come forward. One server will carry the cross, another will swing a censer, and one of the readers will hold aloft the bible. In Wiccan ritual, the cleansing is done by aspurging with salt water, and then censed with incense (or perfume, ...)

INVOCATION: In Catholic mass, God is invoked through the singing of hymns by the congregation and/or the choir. In Wicca, the elements and deities are invoked as we invite them to join with us.

WORKING: In Catholic mass, the working is represented through the readings of various scripture passages, the sermon given by the priest, and communion offered to members of the congregation. In Wiccan ritual, workings are comprised of spell work, activities representing the sabbats, healing, and the sharing of cakes and ale.

THANKING: In Catholic mass, the priest tidies up the altar, and blesses the participants, ending with something like "The mass is ended, go in peace to love and serve the Lord." I don't think God is ever thanked since it is viewed as the duty of each Catholic to go to mass. In Wiccan ritual, the elements and deities are thanked for their presence, and invited to stay with the participants for the feast afterward.

CLOSING: In Catholic mass, there is no closing of the circle since it is a permanent place. As the priest, altar servers, and others leave, the congregation sings a hymn. And sometimes some members of the congregation will meet for cookies and coffee for a short while after the mass, but most just leave.

Wiccans close usually by singing, sometimes dancing as well. And since most Wiccan rituals are not done in permanent locations, the circle is opened and the space is returned to the physical world. And we don't leave right away; we feast and sing and dance. In actuality, the ritual did not end simply because circle was opened. In the charge of the Goddess, we are told that all acts of love and pleasure are her rites. Feasting is definitely an act of love and pleasure. We open the circle, but the ritual continues until the feasting is over. We merrily meet, merrily part, and merrily meet again.

Many of the more common tools used in Wiccan ritual are similar to those used in a Catholic mass. The bells, censer, candles, cords (priest do wear them), chalice, book (BOS or bible), songs, symbols of faith (crucifix, pentacle). For all the stated differences, the underlying components have similar methods. And the purpose of a mass is the same as that of a Wiccan ritual - to connect with the divine.

One of the main differences that I have observed between Wicca and Catholic ritual is that Wicca is a participant driven ritual while the mass is done by the priest for the benefit of the congregation. Catholics sit in pews, mumbling memorized responses at the appropriate time. They sit, kneel, and stand when they are supposed to. And mass is the same and totally predictable.

Wiccan ritual is anything but predictable. Yes, some groups are highly ceremonial following established routines while other groups adhere to the theories of chaos. Catholic mass starts on time, and Wiccan ritual ... well, it starts based upon PST (Pagan Standard Time)! With Wicca, you are part of the ritual and not just an observer.

Take some time this week and compare what you know of Wiccan ritual with what you know of another faith. Look beyond the differences, and find the common ground. Write down an outline for a ritual you'd like to see done.

Until next week, may you walk in light and shadow.