128 lines
6.2 KiB
Plaintext
128 lines
6.2 KiB
Plaintext
A Circle Purification that doesn't use Incense:
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for asthmatics, those with allergies, and those with other pulmonary
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disorders
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by Matrika, co-sysop of
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PAN- the Psychic Awareness Network, 300/1200/2400 baud at 1-703-362-1139
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This ritual was inspired when someone in our circle back in Central
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Massechusetts started dating a young woman who was a great herbalist,
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knowledgeable about crystal healing, a competent tarot-reader and a
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beginning astrologer. She had read "Spiral Dance" by Starhawk on the Craft
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of the Wise (Wicca) and wore a pentagram around her neck, but couldn't try
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circle work because she was allergic to smoke and had a serious asthma
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problem.
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So, heres the rite. You prepare your altar as usual, with the exception of
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the incense and incense burner. 5 non-electric pot-pouri burners filled
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with water and an appropriately scented pot-pouri should be on or near the
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altar with 5 candles. Be sure that you use the correct type of candles for
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yuur pot-pouri burners, as other types can destroy the burners. Put these
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on the altar, which should be at the center of the circle and facing North
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or East according to your custom. If they do not fit without obstructing
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the work, place them in a semi-circle at the foot of the altar. Have
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matches there to light the candles under them at the proper time.
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The rite
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(Leader 1 should be a male, if possible. Leader 2 should be a female, if
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possible.)
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Leader 1 - blessing the water and herbal mixture in each pot-pouri burner
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with the wand. a long-stem rose with the thorns removed can be used for a
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wand if you do not yet have one. Of course, this must be replaced each
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time you do a ritual -
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"By Fire and By Air
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By Water and by Earth
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by the Lady and the Lord
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I conjure thee to purify our circle this night"
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all- " So mote it be"
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He takes one of the burners and the matches to the North where he lights
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it. Leader 2 accompanies him with her wand, after he lights it she raises
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her wand and says
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Leader 2 - "By fire and air
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By water and by earth
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Let us purify the
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Northern Quarter of our circle"
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There is a pause during which everyone visualizes (vividly imagining in
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every detail from a relaxed, meditative state) an arc of rainbow light
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forming that quarter of the circle then, when she lowers the wand, everyone
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responds.
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all - "So Mote It Be"
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Leader 1 returns to the central altar and gets the next burner, placing it
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in the East and lighting it. Leader 2 continues in the same way as above.
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This procedure is then repeated in the South and then in the West. Each
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time the invocation is changed to reflect the direction they are in. Each
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time the group visualizes the rainbow arc of light. And after each
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direction, Leader 1 returns to the center to get the burner for the next
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direction ready. By constantly returning to the center each time, the
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emphasis is placed there. After the Western quarter is lit, Leader 1
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places the final burner on the altar, between the candles, where the
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incense burner would be if there was one and lights it. Leader 2 stands
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before the altar, raises her wand and says
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Leader 2 - "By Fire and by air
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By water and by earth
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Let us purify the sacred center of our circle
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where Heaven and Earth Unite
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and
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Where the Lord and Lady are joined in love."
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While her wand is raised, everyone visualizes the rainbow light from the
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outer circles flooding in to the center and filling the circle with
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harmonious vibrations and energies. After a few moments, she lowers her
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wand and everyone responds.
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all- "SO mote it be"
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The circle casting is continued as usual with the invocations of the
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elements at the 4 corners, according to your tradition. Then the actual
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circle-casting is done as usual. After this do whatever rite and/or magick
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you would usually do and close in the usual manner. Be sure to snuff the
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candles and not to blow them out. Use a silver teaspoon to do this, if you
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don't have a snuffer. This ceremony ONLY replaces the part of the rite
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where you sprinkle with salt-water and then cense the circle to purify it
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in PREPARATION for the actual circle casting. It is NOT the full casting
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of the circle. (Some traditions purify with all 4 elements seperately,
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sprinkling salt on the floor for earth, water on the floor for itself,
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censing the circle for air, and carrying a candle around for fire. Either
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way this rite replaces the elemental purification, as the burners embody
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all 4 elements - the water for itself, the candle for fire, the herbs for
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earth, and the scent the steam gives off for air.)
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OF course the pot-pouri burners used for this should only be used in your
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psychic work and should have been consecrated or smudged (by someone who
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can deal with the smoke) in preparation for this ritual.
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To prepare appropriate pot-pouri scents for the purpose of your rites, use
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the directions for making the various home-made herbal incenses traditional
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in Witchcraft and in Magick; however, don't grind them with a mortar and
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pestle as you would in making incense. If you do not know the recipes for
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these, any of the Scott Cuningham books on making incenses would provide
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them for you. They are available from Llewelyn Publishing, box 64383 St.
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Paul Minnesota. (They will send you a free catalogue on request)
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Despite the initial cost involved in obtaining the 5 burners, it is highly
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suggested you do it that way for two reasons"
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1. In anything but a very small and enclosed space, you will not get
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enough scent to represent the air element sufficiently for magickal and
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ritual working.
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and
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2. To represent all 4 elements in EACH of the quarters and in the center
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of the circle is very important in establishing the traditional boundaries
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between the worlds (the ordinary and non-ordinary or shamanic realities)
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that is the purpose of casting the circle and creating sacred space.
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ALSO IF YOU TRY TO CARRY A POT-POURI BURNER THAT IS LIT AND HOT ENOUGH TO
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BE GIVING OFF THE SCENTED STEAM AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE CIRCLE, YOU
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WILL CERTAINLY BURN YOUR FINGERS BADLY. (It is not appropriate to bring a
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pot holder into circle to carry it either! PLEASE!)
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I hope this is helpful to those who have breathing problems and wish to
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perform magick.
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(submitted to Harvest newsletter, under JUKNO)
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