Week33

Your Dedication

Self-Dedication Ritual and Consecration of Tools

Change the ritual as you need. Perhaps you aren’t going to consecrate tools at this time, or you’ll be consecrating only certain tools. Make additions if you wish as well. This is your ritual. As such, all aspects should have meaning for you.

Or use this one as a guideline to help you craft your own ritual. Regardless, may your ritual be filled with love, joy and wonder.

Though I begin calling the quarters in the North, the ritual will begin in the East since many of the books on Wicca also begin there. That too you can change if you wish.

Regarding fetishes, use representations of the Goddess, God and elements that are meaningful to you.

Prior to the ritual, cleanse everything that you will be using / consecrating. If held indoors, dust and/or vacuum; straighten up the room. Set up your altar and each of the quarters. If you are doing a consecration, make certain you have a large enough space for a circle to hold not only your tools but also any other craft related items (books, clothing, jewelry, etc.) that you wish to have consecrated as well.

It is not necessary to wear a pendant but many people do once they’ve accepted this path. For that reason, there will be a separate portion of the ritual for this. Do not wear the pendant prior to the ritual.

On the topic of cleansing, don’t forget to cleanse yourself, both physically, mentally, and spiritually. That means bathing, clearing your mind of negative and/or dark emotions, and centering and grounding.

Also, don’t worry if you don’t have a name yet. It isn’t required. Yes, there is a part of the ritual involving a craft name, but you can just use your given (birth) name for now.

Lastly, if you don’t have all (or any) of the tools listed below, that’s okay. Use whatever is available to you. But try to have a Book of Shadows, even if it is only a spiral notebook. (And make certain to have a separate copy of this ritual outside of the BoS since it’s a little hard to consecrate the book if you’re trying to read from it.)

Above all else that we’ve discussed, remember that YOU are the most important tool in ritual. Be in harmony with yourself and the world around you, and all will be as it should.

If you think about, let me know if you have found the information I’ve presented to be of benefit to you. But irregardless, I thank each of you for walking this path with me. May the Lady and Lord guide and bless you all the days of your life.

Mother

Self-Dedication and Tool Consecration Ritual

Materials needed:
Altar
Pentacle
Matches
Candles: green, yellow, red, blue, white, silver, gold (and holders)
Incense: sage, myrrh, frankincense (for this ritual, incense sticks are recommended)
[Note: you’ll need some way to hold three separate incense sticks]
Oil (whatever you feel is appropriate)
Small containers for salt and water
Goblet (holding juice, wine or water)
Plate (to hold cookies or small cake)
Libation dish
Fetishes (representations of the Lady, Lord and elements)
Athame
Music (playing softly in the background if desired)
Juice or wine
Cookies or small cake

Time:
Late evening just before or on the night of the full moon

On the day of the ritual, try to eat as little as possible since eating causes the body to focus its attention on digestion. Drink water instead of other beverages. Note: if you have a medical condition requiring specific consumption of foods / beverages, do so and avoid the mini fast.

In the day or early evening, prepare the area. Set up each quarter with the appropriate candle and fetish(es). Set up the altar slightly off center so that you’ll be in the center. On the altar, place the pentacle in the center, and center the white candle on the pentacle. On the left-hand side of the altar, place the silver candle, the representation of the Lady, the salt and water containers, and the goblet. On the right-hand side of the altar, place the gold candle, the representation of the Lord, the incense (and holder) and matches, and the athame. If you want, you can also use an altar cloth and other altar decorations appropriate to the season and/or the closest Sabbat. In the front portion of the altar, place your Book of Shadows and your pendant.

Prepare a place for a copy of this ritual so that you can see it. Since ritual is usually lit only by candle light, have some way to illuminate the copy so that you can read it, such as with a small flashlight.

Before the ritual, bathe or shower. While doing so, spend time meditating upon cleansing not only your body but also your mind and spirit. Dry off, and anoint yourself with oil. If you will be clothed, do not wear clothing that you wear for normal activities. Try to cloth yourself in something to be worn specifically for ritual such as a gown, robe, or even Renaissance clothing. Or go skyclad.

Just prior to the ritual, spend some time reflecting upon what it is you are about to commit to. Make certain that you are fully committed to the ritual. Calm yourself, and center and ground. When you are ready, go to the center of the ritual space. The ritual is now beginning.

If you can kneel, do so now. While kneeling, kiss your finger tips and then touch the soles of your feet, and say,

"Blessed be my feet that they may walk on the path be suited for me.

May they follow the shadows and light of truth and knowledge."

Kiss your finger tips and touch your knees, and say,

"Blessed be my knees that I shall remain reverent in faith.

May they serve as a reminder to be of servitude to all of creation."

Kiss your finger tips and touch just above your pubic region, and say,

"Blessed be the forces of creation that are contained within me.

May I always remember that I am a child of divine creation,

No less and no more than any other."

Kiss your finger tips and bring your hands to your breasts, and say,

"Blessed be my breasts, formed upon all of mankind."

Touch the left breast, and say,

"Representative of the nurturing nature of the Lady."

Touch the right breast, and say,

"Representative of the guiding strength of the Lord."

Bring your finger tips to your mouth and lightly kiss them, and say,

"Blessed be my mouth that it speak only in truth, and without harm to any."

Kiss your finger tips and touch your ears, and say,

"Blessed be my ears, that I may hear truth regardless of who speaks."

Kiss your finger tips and touch your eyes, and say,

"Blessed be my eyes, that I may see clearly."

Lastly, kiss your finger tips and touch the crown of your head, and say,

"Blessed be my mind, that I might seek to know, to dare, to will, and to remain silent."

When done, pause for a moment to reflect and then stand up.

You will now prepare the ritual space. Light sage incense (or another purifier) and walk in an outward spiral from the center moving counter-clockwise (widdershins). Try to make certain that you circle at least three times, fanning the smoke outward. If you are in a room, once you’ve completed the full outward spiral, walk around the room once more and fan the smoke into the corners and where the floor and ceiling meets the walls. This is done to banish any negative influences that are present.

Return to the center and fan the incense about the altar and your tools. Afterwards, fan other craft items that you will be consecrating during ritual. When done, place the incense in its holder.

Mix a little of the salt with the water. Stir three times with the index finger of your right hand (left if left-handed). Walk clockwise (deosil) in an outward spiral at least three times, sprinkling the water gently about by dipping the fingers of your right / left hand into the water and then flicking them. When you reach the outer edge of the circle, walk it once, continue sprinkling as you walk the circle.

As you do so, say three times,

"Salt of the earth, water of life, join in sacred union to cleanse and purify this space."

Return to the center, setting the salt water back where you originally placed it. Pick up the incense and walk to the East and fan the smoke outward. As you walk the circle, say three times,

"Incense smoke to fill the air, fire of passion, join in sacred union to cleanse and purify this space."

Return to the center, setting the sage incense back where you originally placed it. Pick up the athame, return back to the East, and walk the circle one more time, holding the athame in your right hand with your arm across your body so that the athame is pointed to the outside of the circle. As you walk, you visualize a field of energy rising up, and you say,

"As I walk this circle, I create space beyond time, beyond this place, between the planes of awareness."

Return to the center and hold the athame up straight and say,

"As it is above,"

Bring the athame down in an outward arch, and say,

"So it is below."

Bring the athame back up in an arch to complete the circle, and say,

"So mote it be."

Light the white candle. Pause for a moment as you reflect upon what it is you are doing. When ready, take the candle with you to the East candle and light it with the white candle. Holding the white candle in your left hand, inscribe a pentacle in the air with the index and middle finger of your right hand (reverse if left-handed). As you do so, call the quarter, saying,

"Welcome, Air.

Join with me on this night,

And lend to me your strength

As I pledge myself in dedication to this path I have chosen.

So mote it be."

Open yourself up to feel the presence of the element. Once you do feel a connection, walk the circle to the South candle and light it with the white candle. Inscribe a pentacle into the air, calling the quarter, saying,

"Welcome, Fire.

Join with me on this night,

And lend to me your strength

As I pledge myself in dedication to this path I have chosen.

So mote it be."

Repeat the steps above for West.

"Welcome, Water.

Join with me on this night,

And lend to me your strength

As I pledge myself in dedication to this path I have chosen.

So mote it be."

Repeat the steps above for North.

"Welcome, Earth.

Join with me on this night,

And lend to me your strength

As I pledge myself in dedication to this path I have chosen.

So mote it be."

When you feel the connection, walk the circle back to East, and then return to the center. Again, pause for a moment. When you are ready, light the silver candle and the myrrh incense from the white candle. Once both are lit, set the white candle down and raise your arms up, saying,

"My Lady, mother of creation, (name of Goddess if you have one),

Your child bids you welcome on this night of all nights.

My Lady of the waters,

Purify and cleanse me.

My Lady of the earth,

Nourish my heart.

My Lady of the heavens,

Guide me in your wisdom,

Embrace me in your love.

So mote it be."

When you feel the connection, pick up the white candle again and light the gold candle and the frankincense. Once both are lit, set the white candle down again, clasp your hands in front of you, saying,

"My Lord, father of all living things, (name of God if you have one),

Your child bids you welcome on this night of all nights.

Lord of sensuality,

Fill me with an awareness of the physical.

Lord of strength,

Fill me with perseverance.

Lord of compassion,

Guide me in your wisdom,

Embrace me in your love.

So mote it be."

Once you feel the connection, it is time to begin. With your head bowed in reverence, say,

"Tonight I dedicate myself to the old ways. I respectfully recognize and acknowledge that which surrounds me and is within me. May I continue on this journey of awareness of all that is encompassed within creation."

As you mention each specific tool, pass it over the incense smoke, first myrrh and then frankincense.

As I dedicate myself, I consecrate these tools. I place them into the service of My Lady and My Lord. The athame to create a sacred space. The pentacle representative of the five elements of Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Spirit. The cauldron, representative of eternal life through rebirth. The incense holder (censer), representing the fires of creation. The goblet to symbolize the Great Union between male and female divine. May these and all the remaining tools be used for Your will and purpose, with harm to none. So mote it be."

At this time, smudge any other tool or item you have within the circle, leaving the Book of Shadows and pendant for last. Pick up the book, smudge it and say,

"I consecrate this book. May it always be an accurate reflection of my progress and dedication. May what is written within be reflective of the truth. So mote it be."

Lay the book down, and pick up the pendant. Smudge it and say,

"May this pendant serve as a reminder to me of my commitment to this path. May I remember always to live life to its fullest, embracing the physical, mental and spiritual. For I will live, love, die and live again."

Place the pendant around your neck. Gaze at the candles, and say,

"My Lady, My Lord (or use the names of the Goddess and/or God you have chosen)

Show me how to serve you so that I may become as I am meant to be. Let me experience the awareness of creation and the joy of life. I willingly surrender myself to serve you. Fill me with the knowledge that I will need to grow on this path.

"I am (your first name)

I am (your craft name if chosen)

I am as I was created

I stand before you and ask

That you bring all that I can be together.

So mote it be."

Stand for the moment, and breath deeply in this moment, for you have now committed yourself. When ready, pour wine / juice into the goblet. Pick up the goblet with your left hand. With your right hand, pick up the athame and insert it into the liquid, saying,

"As the athame is to the chalice,

So man is to woman."

Lay the athame back onto the altar. Raise the goblet in thanks to the gods. Pour a small amount of liquid into the libation dish. Then sip some of the liquid. Next, raise the plate with the cake / cookies in thanks to the gods. Place a small amount of the cake or a cookie into the libation dish. Remain within the circle and celebrate. You can sit down if you’d like to at this point.

When you are done, tidy up. Spend a few moments in reflection. When you are ready, stand up and face the altar. As you extinguish the candles for the Goddess and God, say,

"My Lady, My Lord (or use the names of the Goddess and/or God you have chosen)

Thank you for your presence within my heart. May I always be aware of you in union with all life. Leave if you must, but stay if you will. For all that is your will, so mote it be."

Walk out to East, but then go to the North. Extinguish the candle and say,

"Element of Earth, I thank you for your presence. Leave if you must, but stay if you will. So mote it be."

Walk to the West, extinguish the candle and say,

"Element of Water, I thank you for your presence. Leave if you must, but stay if you will. So mote it be."

Walk to the South, extinguish the candle and say,

"Element of Fire, I thank you for your presence. Leave if you must, but stay if you will. So mote it be."

Walk to the East, extinguish the candle and say,

"Element of Air, I thank you for your presence. Leave if you must, but stay if you will. So mote it be."

Return back to the center. Pick up the athame, and go to East. Holding the athame point out, walk the circle counter-clockwise (widdershins) again, and say,

"As I walk this circle, I return this space to its physical place and time. Within me I retain the awareness of a place beyond this place, a time beyond time."

Return to the center, lifting the athame up, trace the circle again, this time going to the left, down, and returning up the right. Kiss the blade, and pound the pummel (hilt) once against the altar top. Lay the athame down, and say,

"The circle is open, but never broken. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again."

After the ritual, set the libation offering outside. If that is not possible, flush it to return it to the waters and earth.

Again, for those who have taken this journey, I pray the Lady and Lord be gentle with your hearts. May you always be blessed, and always walk in shadow and light.

Mother