Thursday, 5 March 2015

Commonly Practiced Wiccan Rituals And Ceremonies

By Leslie Ball


Wicca is a pagan religion that has been around for a very long time. Though it is often associated with the occult and is quite a controversial topic for some, the religion itself is actually a peaceful one that is linked to magic and witchcraft, but not necessarily of a dark kind. There are many different Wiccan rituals and ceremonies that happen throughout the year.

Wiccan festivals are primarily seasonal-based. For some pagans, there are only 4 festivals which occur during the equinoxes and solstices of the year. In Wicca, however, there are 8 festivals, which include the 4 midpoints between the solstices and equinoxes. These festivals are called the Sabbats.

A sacred circle is the space wherein most ritual practices will occur. In this circle, magic can be practiced and spells cast safely without endangering anyone outside the circle. In Wicca, the use of white magic, or good magic, is promoted as opposed to dark or black magic, which is used in religions like Satanism.

Ritual practices in Wicca are usually for one of the following reasons: to offer protection, banish negativity, to heal or to aid fertility. Spells are cast, accompanied with chants in order to bring about desired results. Wiccans generally believe that whatever they put out into the world will come back to them three times greater.

Ritual practices mainly happen during the Sabbats. Pagans like to take advantage of the full moon or even a new moon in order to enhance magical powers. The purpose of a ritual practice is to alter one's conscious level and also to enhance his or her religious experience.

There are very specific objects that have an association with a ritual practice. There is almost always a dagger or knife known as an athame present. Coveners may also use a wand, a pentacle or a chalice as part of their spell. Witchcraft associated items like a broomstick or a cauldron could also be present, as well as incense or candles. These things are usually placed on an altar inside the sacred circle.

The cone of power is a way for those conducting a ritual to send energy and healing to someone who is not in the circle. The group of coveners form a circle and hold hands and chant, dance or drum to raise the energy in the circle. This energy is focused to a single point above the circle centre, thereby creating a conical shape. This entire ritual is known as Raising the Cone of Power.

There is no specific God or character that is worshiped in Wicca. However, those practicing this religion do refer to a God or Goddess figure in certain rituals, with the God often representing the Sun and the Goddess the Moon. Both the God and the Goddess can be invoked by those of higher standing in the coven during a sexual ritual where they engage in intercourse. Apparently, this act raises magical energy that can be used for casting certain spells.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment