How to Become a Witch by Amber K. (large ebook reader txt) 📗

A small cake or piece of bread on a plate (or other nourishing food if you do not have cake or bread of any kind)

A white cord, nine feet long; use drapery cord from a fabric store

or weave it yourself

A tarot deck, rune set, or other form of divination

Your Book of Shadows and a pen

The ritual, written in the book, in large-enough lettering to read in low light

Prepare yourself by fasting for a few hours before the ritual. Cleanse yourself thoroughly, perhaps in a candlelit bath, with music and fragrant oils. Then find a quiet place away from your altar, preferably a beautiful place outdoors in nature.

Take along your Book of Shadows and a pen.

Meditate on your impending dedication. Ask yourself questions, and answer honestly:

Why do I choose to do this?

How do I feel right now?

What aspects of this are exciting? What aspects are frightening?

How much time and energy am I willing to put into my spiritual path in the months ahead?

What do I hope this ritual will do for me?

Am I ready for change in myself and in my life?

Write your answers in your Book of Shadows.

If you have not done so already, choose the name by which you will be known to the Craft community and the spirit world.

The Ritual

1—Arrival: Proceed to the place where you have set up the altar. If it is dark, you will want a candle or lantern.

2—Centering: Chant quietly to yourself for a time (you may chant along with a recorded chant if you wish). Here is one you might use:

I am a circle within a circle

With no beginning and never ending

3—Purification: Cleanse and purify the area and yourself.

Hold your hand over the salt bowl, saying: “I conjure thee, O spirit of salt (charge with a glowing pentagram using your athame or finger), casting out all impurities that may lie within.”

And over the water bowl: “Likewise do I conjure thee, O spirit of water (again charge with a glowing pentagram using your athame or finger), casting out all impurities that may lie within.”

Mix three bits of salt into the water and stir. Now sprinkle the saltwater lightly around the altar and over yourself, saying: “By water and earth am I cleansed and purified.”

Now hold your hand over a candle, saying: “I conjure thee, O spirit of fire (charge with a glowing pentagram using your athame or finger), casting out all impurities that may lie within.”

And over the incense: “Likewise do I conjure thee, O spirit of air (again charge with a glowing pentagram using your athame or finger), casting out all impurities that may lie within.”

Light the incense and waft its smoke around the altar and over yourself, saying: “By fire and air am I cleansed and purified.”

4—Casting the Circle: With your athame or hand pointing to the ground before you, walk deosil (clockwise) around the altar area and say: “I conjure thee, O circle of power, that thou be a boundary between the world of humanity and the realms of the mighty ones, a guardian and protection to preserve and contain the power I shall raise within; wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee.”

5—Calling the Quarters: Proceed in the following way:

Face the east, raise your hand or athame, and say: “Guardians of the watchtowers of the east, spirits of air, I call upon thee. Lend your presence and power to this circle as I dedicate myself to the study of the Craft of the Wise. Grant me a clear mind and a vivid imagination. Golden eagle of the eastern skies, I do summon, stir, and call thee up!” Visualize the element appearing just outside the circle as an animal spirit (or an elemental spirit or appropriate deity if you wish). Kiss your athame’s blade (or your hand), and salute the elemental presence.

Face the south, raise your hand or athame, and say: “Guardians of the watchtowers of the south, spirits of fire, I call upon thee. Lend your presence and power to this circle as I dedicate myself to the study of the Craft of the Wise. Grant me a strong will and high energy. Red dragon of the southern desert, I do summon, stir, and call thee up!” Visualize the element appearing just outside the circle as an animal spirit (or an elemental spirit or appropriate deity if you wish). Kiss your athame’s blade (or your hand), and salute the elemental presence.

Face the west, raise your hand or athame, and say: “Guardians of the watchtowers of the west, spirits of water, I call upon thee. Lend your presence and power to this circle as I dedicate myself to the study of the Craft of the Wise. Grant me a loving heart and deep feelings. Silver dolphin of the western seas, I do summon, stir, and call thee up!” Visualize the element appearing just outside the circle as an animal spirit (or an elemental spirit or appropriate deity if you wish). Kiss your athame’s blade (or your hand), and salute the elemental presence.

Face the north, raise your hand or athame, and say: “Guardians of the watchtowers of the north, spirits of earth, I call upon thee. Lend your presence and power to this circle as I dedicate myself to the study of the Craft of the Wise. Grant me a healthy body and a prosperous life. Black bull of the northern forest, I do summon, stir, and call thee up!” Visualize the element appearing just outside the circle as an animal spirit (or an elemental spirit or appropriate deity if you wish). Kiss your athame’s blade (or your hand), and salute the elemental presence.

6—Invoking Deity: Do this in the form that feels most powerful or appropriate to you. Some options:

“I call upon the Horn√©d God of wild things, the Lord of Death and Rebirth, to be present and witness this rite.”

“I call upon the Triple Goddess of the Moon—Maiden, Mother, and Crone—to be present and witness this rite.”

“Come to me, Great God, thou who art Sun Lord, Harvest King, Horn√©d