week 3 - circle etiquette

7/30/2019 Week 3 - Circle Etiquette

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Week 3 Circle Etiquette

Fundamentals in Witchcraft

Week 2. .

General Etiquette PointsAs a Circle Guest Etiquette

As a Host/Celebrant EtiquetteSetting up an AltarEtiquette Outline

Homework

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General Circle Etiquette

I. Come to Circle with respect. In Circle you stand outside of time and the world, between

the worlds and in all the worlds, among the spirits of power whom you have called tostand there with you. We sometimes get awfully silly in Circle, and laughter is the rule

rather than the exception, but it is never the laughter that demeans, but the laughter thatenriches, that supports. Enter the Circle in perfect love and perfect trust and be prepared

to honor the others and the trust they have placed in you. No ifs! No ands! No buts!

The Circle is the sacred space of Wiccan and other Pagan ceremonies. It should a special

place but can be created anywhere, many people hold Circle in quiet areas of public parks,

their living rooms, or for large groups a rented hall. A place used many times for Circlecan become special, polarized or permeated by the power and energy raised there.

II. Keep the silence about rites and magickal workings you have done or have been part of,people you have worked with, or people you have reason to believe are Pagan/Wiccanpractitioners As a rule, things done in Circle are treated as private and confidential.

III. Silence about magickal workings is purely practical. Talking indiscriminately about them,before or after, tends to fuzz their focus, since talking about them is in a sense doing them

again.

IV. Silence about fellow practitioners is simply courtesy. Despite freedom of religion. There

are still people out there that do not respect others faiths, and some of them are violent.

V. Dont smoke in Circle. And if you do smoke in a Circle area never leave the butts or putthem out on the ground. You would be defiling sacred space or ground. Teaching Circles

sometimes allow exception to the rule of smoking (but not the part about putting out your

butts on the ground) as they are mostly done inside a home environment)

VI. We always walk deosil (clockwise) inside a circle, unless otherwise instructed by the high

priest/priestess.

Fundamentals of Witchcraft

Drakon, Hierophant, Mystik Grove

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As a Guest Circle Etiquette

1) RSVP

When an invitation to attend a private rite or ritual is extended to you, make sure you

accept or decline graciously and as soon as possible.

Usually, you will be told the intent of the rite, so try not delay the host/hostess from

inviting others by asking for intimate details of the ritual. Ask them to call or email you at a

later time with the details (and youll have a nifty little reminder, to boot!)

If there is a need to check your social calendar, then tell the person that at the time of the

invitation. Should another engagement or other plans prevent you from attending their rite

or ritual, as soon as you are able to, let the person know via phone or email that you will beunable to participate.

It is very important as a ritual guest to inform the host/hostess that you will or will not beattending. If you plan on attending, you may wish to call or email the host/hostess the day

before the planned event, as a courtesy, to verify that you will be there.

Most of the time, public or open rituals do not require an RSVP, but it is nice to let othersknow that you will be there in case they wish to be there with you.

2) Ask the Intent of the Ritual

Be an informed guest and ask the host/hostess of the nature of the ritual before confirming

or declining your attendance. If you do not believe that you would be comfortable with theintent of the rite or ritual, then decline the invitation with a tactful explanation.

This is also the time to ask whether you may invite someone else to the rite. In most

magickal practices, the High Priest/Priestess has the final say over who may enter their rite,

so dont be upset if they say no.

If you are working with others, make sure everyone knows what is being done, and agrees

with it. Dont ever bring someone into a rite without telling them your intent and how you

intend to achieve it, and dont lend your energy or power to a rite, which is not explained,to your satisfaction.



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3) Cleanse Yourself Physically, Emotionally and Mentally

In todays busy world, we sometimes must attend rites and rituals after a full day at work orfulfilling other obligations. Take a moment to ground and center before you enter the

hosts/hostesss home or wherever the event is taking place.

Take a deep breath in your car or on the front doorstep to help release some of the stress of

the day and start to shift your mind into a ritual frame of mind. Do not vent frustrations

and/or emotional turmoil before the ritual.

If you were unable to shower or bathe before arriving, excuse yourself to the restroom and

take a symbolic ritual bath by washing your face and hands.

Ground and Center. To root oneself in the power of the earth and balance the flow of the

power through you. This gives you access to great power from the earth (so you dont

wear yourself to a frazzle trying to be the source of all the energy your working will

require), but it also lends you the stability and a world wide view, and links you with theothers in the Circle. Again many ways to do this a spoken meditation by one of the

participants, drumming, chanting we have even drummed on the ground with our hands.

4) Dress Appropriately

Ask the host/hostess the type of ritual clothing that they would like you to wear. A

comfortable, loose-fitting robe is usually appropriate, as is any clothing that helps put you

into a magickal frame of mind.

For those new to the Craft or those who do not yet have ritual clothing, mundane or street

clothes are usually acceptable to wear to a ritual.

If you wear mundane clothes, they should be loose-fitting and, preferably, be solid colors.

Try to avoid wearing logos or patterns that may be distracting during the ritual.

Sometimes, you may be requested to wear something specific. For example, I once asked

everyone to wear clothes that you would clean your house in for a symbolic spring

cleaning ritual.

If the ritual is skyclad, then just do the best with what you have.



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5) Magickal Names

Most pagans have adopted a magickal or Craft name that they use during ritual. If youknow someones magickal name, use it during the course of the ritual to keep the sense of

separation from the mundane.

If you prefer to be called your magickal name during ritual, then introduce yourself to

others using your Craft name. You may wish to tell them your given name after ritual for

networking or social reasons.

There are some pagans who use two Craft names: one public and one private. Public

Craft names are usually a name that the person used earlier on their path, such as before

they were recognized as a Priest or Priestess. A public Craft name may also be one thatthey feel others can easily remember or associate to that person. For example, if a man has

a dragon tattoo on his forearm, he may simply introduce himself as Dragon publicly and

hold a private Craft name for more intimate Circles.

If someone you know chooses to use two Craft names, respect the private name and do not

reveal it to others unless given permission to do so. They should hold the same respect foryou should you use two Craft names.

6) Suppress Criticism

It is basic human nature to want to comment about a ritual, especially when it is done in a

manner different from what youre used to performing yourself.

Even if a ritual is the complete opposite of the way youdperform it, try to suppress any

negative criticism that you may have about it. Whether it is basic or complex, a ritualusually serves the same purpose(s), celebration or magick and there are many ways of

fleshing out a ritual.

If you have genuine questions about the ritual, then ask the Celebrant(s) after the rite is

complete. Sometimes, what seemed odd during the ritual can make sense once you

understand the intent behind it.

Constructive criticism is sometimes welcomed by the Celebrant(s). Mentioning points of

improvement (such as reading slower or projecting ones voice) can often help the

Celebrant(s) become more proficient at performing rituals. Preface your conversation withMay I offer some constructive criticism? to gauge the acceptance of such statements.

While attending the ritual, try not to focus on the minor mishaps that can, and will, occur.Lingering on whether a candle is lit or if a name is mispronounced can sour your

experience. Entering with a what will be, will be attitude can be a great help in enjoying

the ritual and ignoring the snafus and fubars.



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7) Guardians, Cleansing and Smudging

Guardians (or Ward Summoners) are sometimes posted at the entrance to the ritual area.The Guardians usually ask each person How do you enter this Circle? or other questions

along that line. The proper response usually is In Perfect Love and in Perfect Trust.

Having Guardians serves two purposes. They provide the Celebrants and participants with

a measure of safety for the Guardians are able to deny entrance to someone that may

disrupt the ritual by their physical presence (for example, someone whos drunk orstoned) or those whose energies may cause the same effect (for example, someone whos

visibly angry).

They also provide the participants with one final reminder that they are entering sacredspace and they should leave the mundane world behind.

Oftentimes, especially at public or open circles, there will be a symbolic cleansing of the

participants before they enter sacred space.

Symbolic cleansing may take many forms: contact with the four elements [Earth, Air, Fireand Water], walking through incense smoke or even a gentle flagellation [being beaten

with branches or other such practice]. All are intended to help the participants release

negativity before entering into ritual.

Some Celebrants (those who perform the ritual) may even smudge the participants.

Smudging is the practice of burning sage and/or sweet-grass in an abalone shell and

cleansing the participants aura with a birds wing or feather fan.

In my opinion, this is a Native American practice and should not be used in a Wiccan

circle. You may form your own conclusion about this.

If you find smudging to be unpleasant, contrary to your magickal practices or if you are

allergic to the herbs being used (as I am), then you may wish to politely refuse to besmudged and explain why.

8) Anointing

It is common in most rituals for the participants forehead to be anointed with oil and

receive a blessing as it is being done. Anointing is another form of symbolic cleansing andsometimes is the only form that is used.

As a proper guest, one should focus on the intent of the blessing and graciously accept it.The anointing and blessing is done not only to empower you and help you achieve a

spiritual frame of mind, it also provides all of the participants with a commonality that

spans our differences and unites us in ritual.



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9) Stand Up!

Unless you are physically unable to and/or requested to do otherwise, it is proper to standduring the Casting of the Circle, the Invocation to the Elements and the Invocation to

Deity.

One should also stand during the Thanking of Deity, Thanking of the Elements and

Opening of the Circle.

10) Circle Casting

One of the most important aspects of a ritual is the creation of sacred space (Casting theCircle), which formally defines the sacred space, the ritual area. As a participant, you

should lend your energy to the one casting the Circle and focus on the creation of the Circle

around you, not create your own Circle within the one being made.

Some Celebrants may cast the Circle in specific colors or with certain types of energy.

Listen attentively to the words being spoken during the casting so that you may align yourvisualization appropriately.

Remember, different people may cast a Circle in different ways. Be open to thepossibilities. The casting can be done with the Athame, a ceremonial knife used to divide

the Circle from the rest of the world(s) and from time, with a wand, staff or even a finger.

11) Invocation of the Elements

In many rituals, the Celebrants will invoke, or call upon, the spirits of the four basicelements to attend the ritual for various purposes. This is also known as Calling the

Quarters.

As a proper guest, listen attentively to the words of the invocation so that you will know

the reason why the elemental spirits are being invited; whether it is to gift their particular

qualities to the participants, to aid in any magick that may be performed during the ritual,

or to simply witness the rite. If you are not listening, you will not know.

When the Quarters are called, most of the time a portal will be cut into the Circle to give

the elemental spirits a formal opening to enter the Circle. This is usually done by tracing apentacle in the air and piercing the pentacle to open it.

Focus on the single portal being opened by the Celebrant, visualize the elemental spiritsentering the Circle and welcome them with a raised hand, a silent nod or the greeting

commonly used, Hail and welcome!



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In my opinion, it is improper and disrespectful to the elementals and to the Celebrants to

open your own portal.

By opening your own portal, you are essentially saying to the Celebrant(s) I dont believe

that you have the ability to open a portal to another realm. You may also confuse or

possibly anger the elemental spirits by giving them multiple points of entry.

Too many portals being opened also runs the risk of turning the Circle, meant for

protection and focusing of energies, into magickal Swiss cheese that would defeat thevery purpose of casting it.

The four quarters have many meanings and potencies; among other things, they mark the

boundaries of our known world and metaphors.

NORTH = Midnight, silence, EARTH

EAST = Dawn, knowledge, AIR

SOUTH = Noon, desire, FIREWEST = Dusk, caring, WATER

These powers are called to witness the rites, to guard the Circle, and to lend their specific

strengths to the working. We usually start with the EAST (where the sunrises) but wherever

we start we always proceed clockwise (deosil) around the Circle.

The quarter markers should be in the appropriate direction, the compass points do not

change; i.e. East is ALWAYS East. If you are in a circle where they are marked differently,

it would be acceptable to ask the celebrants if they could share with you the reason. Maybeit has to do with the rite, their tradition, etc. Ask with an attitude of learning, not criticizing.

12) Invocation of Deity

As with the Calling of the Quarters, there is usually an invocation to whateverDeity/Deities the ritual is aligned with to make their presence known and to attend the rite

and to lend their power and presence.

When invoking a (or the) Goddess, the Celebrant may assume what is known as theGoddess stance: the head is held slightly upraised, the arms are spread high and wide, the

hands are palms up and the feet are spread wide. As a participant, you may also take the

Goddess stance, although your hands should be lower than those of the Celebrants andyour feet not spread as wide.

When invoking a (or the) God, the Celebrant may assume the God stance. That is, feettogether, back straight, arms folded across the chest, right arm over left, and the hands at

the shoulders with the outer fingers straight and the middle fingers and thumb curled under.



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As a participant, you may also take the God stance, although your hands should be lower

than those of the Celebrants (perhaps at chest level and not shoulder level) and your feet

should be slightly spread.

Should the Celebrant call both Goddess and God at the same time during a single

invocation, you may wish to stand with your feet slightly spread, left arm out to your side,palm up and your right arm folded upon the left side of your chest with your hand in the

proper God position.

Sometimes the Celebrant may open a portal, although I do not believe that it is necessary to

do so.

After the invocation, welcome Deity into the Circle in the same manner as you welcomedthe elements.

13) Ritual Observance

Whether it is for celebration or for a specific goal, a statement about the intent of the ritualis usually made by the Celebrant(s). This serves to help focus the participants about the

nature of the rite and what is hoped to be accomplished.

Sometimes this statement is made before the ritual even starts to let the people who do not

know the intent of the ritual what the course of events will be. This is especially true during

a public or open ritual.

During the statement of intent, maintain proper decorum and listen attentively to the words

being spoken so that you may align your thoughts and energies to the focus of the ritual.

Proper focus can intensify the spirituality and experience of participating in the ritual.

Do the work of the rite. You had a purpose, coming into circle. Accomplish it. You maydo a healing, or casting a spell for prosperity. Maybe youve created a space for solitary

meditation, or have set the stage for a sharing Circle where the participants speak of

important, private things (fears and old hurts, things loved and lost, victories won or battles

in progress). Or have come to adore Deity. Now is the time.



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14) Call to Magick

Magick during a ritual can take many forms: chanting, dancing, drumming, singing,meditation, etc.

Try your best to take part in the magick. Dance if you are able, cooperate with anymovements requested and sing or chant if you know the lyrics. If you do not know the

words, then simply hum along with the rhythm.

Do not worry about the quality of your singing voice, as it is more important to join in than

to have perfect pitch.

Regardless of the form that it takes, you, as a guest, must be comfortable in participating inthe goal that the magick is intended for, thus, the reason for asking the intent of the ritual

beforehand.

If you feel that you cannot participate in the magick for any reason, thendont. Step to theedge of the Circle or simply stay out of the way until the magick is done.

If you feel that an explanation is needed or if an explanation is asked of you, then politely

offer to explain why after the ritual is completed, rather than disrupt the ritual.

If you are raising power for a magickal purpose (for instance to send healing energy to

someone) you will reach a high point of power, send the power on its way, and then you

should ground any remaining power so you arent all jittery later on. One way to ground

that power is to touch, or even to lay down upon the ground, sending the last of the powerflowing into the Earth.

15) Ritual Gifts

Occasionally a ritual gift is given to the participants as either a part of the magickperformed or as a memento of the event. Either way, the gift should be graciously accepted

and honored for what it is.

16) The Simple Feast

As part of the celebration of the ritual event and as a means to help ground excess energythat was raised during magick, a small amount of blessed food and drink are provided to

the participants. This is known as the Simple Feast but may also be called Cakes and Ale or

Wine and Loaf.



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When the food is passed, it is proper to give the person you are passing the food to a

blessing such as May you never hunger (this is the most common blessing used). If you

are the one receiving the food, it is proper to wish this back unto the person handing youthe food by responding with May you never hunger.

When the wine or other beverage is passed or received, the blessing used is May younever thirst.

It is proper to pass the wine or loaf to the next person with a kiss on the persons lips orcheek after giving them the blessing. It would not be improper to use a symbolic kiss (such

as a social air kiss) if you are uncomfortable with kissing someone of the same gender or

if you do not know the person well.

During some rituals, the Simple Feast is a time to make toasts or comment on the ritual. If

this is the case during the ritual you are in, keep your toast or comment simple and sincere.

17) Thanking of Deity and Thanking of the Quarters

As with the invocation of Deity and of the Quarters, when it comes time to thank and/or

release the spirits that have gathered in the Circle, focus on the words being spoken by

the Celebrant(s) and lend your energy unto him/her/them.

After the Deity or spirits have been released, show your gratitude for their presence with

a smile or bid them goodbye such as Hail and Farewell.

18) Leaving the Circle Before the Rite is Completed

Simply put, you should not leave the Circle unless it is an emergency. Someone on fire,

bleeding, having a heart or asthma attack and/or giving birth qualify as emergencies;

having to go pee is not.

Although it is improper to leave during a ritual, if you feel that your situation is or would

disrupt the experience for the other participants, then perhaps it would be best to excuse

yourself.

The best option if you are new to the Craft or unfamiliar with energy work is to ask one of

the Celebrants to cut a gate in the Circle so you may leave. Try not to disrupt the flow ofthe ritual when asking. Go to the edge of the Circle, reach down and unzip it upwards,

spread the edges like a curtain and step out, sealing it once youre out. Repeat process

when you return.



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IFyou have experience working with energy or if the boundary of the Circle is clearlymarked, you may walk to the edge of the Circle, take a deep breath and step into

the Circle (that is, visualize the thickness of the Circle surrounding your body). Then

step out of the Circle and exhale. In essence, you meld with the Circle, causing

the least amount of disruption to the ritual, the Circle, the spirits and the energies .

Opinions vary greatly about leaving a Circle, so ask the Celebrant(s) how they feel.

Unless it is a dire emergency, you should never simply walk out of, or break, a Circlewithout consideration of the fact that you are in Sacred Space. It is inexcusable.

19) Feasting

It is almost standard practice at public rituals to have a pot luck feast after the ritual.

When contemplating what to bring, try to plan a dish that will appeal to a broad spectrumof tastes. You may also wish to take into account spices, salt, potential allergies, dietary

considerations and vegetarian preferences.

Whatever dish you plan to bring, try to make enough to feed 6 to 10 people.

If your finances or cooking abilities prevent you from preparing a food dish, keep in mind

that beverages and/or ice are almost always welcomed at any public event.

When feasting at a public event, take small portions from a variety of dishes and be sure toleave enough for others.

For private rituals, ask the host/hostess what they would like for you to bring and adjustaccordingly.

20) Handy Ideas for the Feasting Table

Whether a public or a private event, it would be very thoughtful to write or type up a small

sign telling what the dish is and what the ingredients are. This sign may be placedalongside the dish, taped to the container or posted on a toothpick or skewer and stuck right

into the food itself. Signs on the food would aid vegetarians in their food choices and/or

help to prevent possible allergic reactions.

Another considerate idea is to write/print a few copies of the recipe for your dish to share

with others. This can be easily done if you have access to a computer or copier. This ideaoccurred to me after I attended a ritual where a dish was so well-liked the woman who

brought it had to repeat the recipe more than a few times.



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When bringing something to a pot luck feast, use some of the sturdy and reusable plastic

containers available now. They are inexpensive and are great for worry-free dish recovery.

If you cannot use a reusable plastic container to bring your food, then write your name on

masking tape and tape it to the dish and/or serving utensils to easily identify the dishes you

brought when it comes time to go home.

21) Help Clean Up

One of the most thoughtful things you can do as a guest at a ritual is to help clean up after

the rite is complete or, at least, offer to.

Washing dishes, taking down the altar and taking out the trash are all wonderful ways to

show the host/hostess that you appreciate the invitation, the host/hostess and the ritual

itself.

It is a simple act of kindness that goes a long, long way.

22) Some Afterthoughts

Cell phones, beepers and watches should not be brought into Circle except under rare

circumstances.

If you work in the medical field and are on call, then a cell phone and/or beeper may be

brought into Circle, but it should be put into silent mode and not be visible by any of the

participants. Make sure you inform the Celebrants if you are in this situation.

Electronics, in general, should also not be brought into the Circle. Although recorded

music in the Circle can help with the ambiance, if you bring a CD player or other deviceinto the Circle, try to hide it from view and turn it on and off as subtly as possible.

After all, being in a Circle is supposed to be sacred space, a world between worlds and a

place without a place in a time without a time. Having blatant reminders of themundane world isnt very conducive for achieving that effect.

Did you know that in some magickal practices, it is requested that there be no knots in aCircle? Hair that is braided or tied up, shoelaces, ribbons and even source cords are some

of the examples that are often overlooked. It is believed that knots tie up the energies that

are raised and interfere with the magick. If you are able to, ask the Celebrants whether theyadhere to this practice or not.

In some magickal practices, one should wear their robes (or cloaks) hood from the

moment they approach the Circle until after the Circle is cast.



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As a Host/Celebrant Circle Etiquette

A. Keep the Date in Mind

When planning any ritual, be it public or private, the date and time of the ritual are the two

most important considerations. Even though the event may happen during a weekday, intodays world, most rituals are planned to take place on weekends, as people are morelikely to be able to attend.

B. Extend Your Invitations with Wisdom

Carefully think about how many people you will invite and how many people your ritual

space can comfortably hold. Consideration must also be taken into account for who can

interact with whom without any negative occurrences. If your ritual is planned for a selectgroup, then say so when extending invitations. Remember, more participants are not always

better. It would be more meaningful to have a small group, who you know, trust and have

worked with than to have a large group of strangers just to show off your ritual.

C. Set a Reasonable Time-frame

Invite people three to four weeks before the ritual to give them enough time to plan toattend. If you make an invitation too early, people will tend to forget; make an invitation

too late and people may not be able to attend.

D. Follow Up on Your Invitations

It would not be improper to remind people a week or even a few days before your ritual,

even if they have already RSVPd. Use your follow-up as a reason to give drivingdirections, to tell of the ritual intent or to let people know what to wear. This will also give

your invitee an opportunity to ask if they can bring anything.

E. Make Your Ritual Interesting

As a Celebrant, you should plan for your ritual to be something to look forward to.Whether your ritual is self-composed, compiled from many sources or straight out of a

book, it should be general enough to appeal to and be understood by everyone that you are

inviting.

Plan the basic outline of the rite. What are you planning to do in Circle? It could beanything, from a quick meditation (with a cast circle for protection), to a full-scale ritual;an Initiation or Greater Sabbat, perhaps. Decide who will be there, what supplies you will

need, when you should hold rite, and where. Who will bring what items, and sometimes it

will be necessary to also plan for feasting after the rites as well.



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Planning for a ritual is an art, whether spontaneous or planned months in advance, every

element of your ritual should harmonize with the rest of the rite, and contribute in some

way to your intent. Focused intent is the essence of witchcraft.

However, this doesnt mean that you must follow your script to the letter without deviation

once the ritual has begun. Once you are in Circle, if you are listening to the power, youwill find yourself departing from the script, sometimes drastically. Part of the art of Circle,

like the art of white water canoeing, is seeing the currents and working with them

becoming one with the river.

Working solitaire, these deviations are not a problem, in a group, early on, they may cause

problems. One of the goals of a working group is to become attuned to each other and to

the power youre raising, so that every turn is taken together.

Collect all your tools and supplies you will require within the space. Prepare everything,

keeping in mind that it is best to not leave the Circle until your rite is completed.

Setting Up An Altar

Altars can be set up anywhere you want to place one, be it a personal one somewhere in yourhome, or one set in the Circle for a rite. Most times the altar is set in the North, or center of a

circle, rarely is it set in the West, unless it is a ceremony of a rite of passage for the dead. The

items commonly used are God/Goddess candles, Symbols of Deity, incense burner, Athame,

Bowl of Salt, Bowl of Water, Chalice and Plate (used for Cakes and Ale), pentacle (usuallyused as offering plate). Other items sometimes used are, power candles, broom, bell, sword,

staff, and wands. Along with these items you can use any number of symbols placed on the altar

to correspond with the intent of the rite, or theme of the Sabbat being performed. Dont forgetmatches - you will need to light the candles and incense.

Note: This class is based on a course initially created by Aljust, a High Priest of Between Worlds, with addition of a

Circle Etiquette outline by Cheyuk, a High Priest of Between Worlds, input from Arkose and Draco.



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week 3 - circle etiquette

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