As I mentioned in a previous blog post that there are tenets that exist that create the foundation of Wicca even if you are a Modern Eclectic Wiccan. There is a line, a boundary for everything, a point when something stops being one thing and transforms into something else. There are characteristics or traits that identify Wicca as Wicca. I will continue to discuss these characteristics or tenets in this blog. I have already discussed other tenets and today I will continue with the next one, which is:
• Understanding the symbolism and power of ritual.
• Understanding the symbolism and power of ritual.
The word ritual is defined as a series of acts or movements that we do consistently in an established way. When we look at our lives we will be able to find actions and behaviors that could easily be considered rituals; something we do over and over again in the same way, using the same actions with the expected result. This is the same concept when we consider Wiccan ritual. This is when we deliberately set aside time and space so that we are able to focus on a specific intention; those intentions may be to perform magick or to honor our gods or to celebrate the turn of The Wheel of the Year or for a specific Rite of Passage, whatever the intention we are focused on, ritual is a vital part of the Wiccan faith. Because our rituals are held within a sacred space or cast Circle it removes us from the physical plane of existence and places us somewhere between; beyond the worlds, beyond the bounds of time where night and day, birth and death, joy and sorrow converge.
Wiccan Circles are cast in a clockwise direction or deosil and when the Circle is released or opened it is done in a counterclockwise direction or widdershins. The cast Circle is more like spheres than an actual circle. When the Circle is drawn with a physical line of chalk, salt, or other visible marking on the ground or floor, it is merely a reference point for those within the Circle. Ideally the Circle measures nine feet in diameter to symbolize the completion of the creative cycle. Three dimensional spheres incorporate more space than a two dimensional circle and for visualization purposes one can imagine that the circle is suspended, like a hoola hoop, within the center of the sphere, which extends above the ground or floor as well as below. The edge of the circle, which was marked with a physical reference point, represents the Physical or Material Realm however, beyond that reference line and to the actual edge of the sphere there exists a corridor of elemental energies, which are part of the Elemental Realm. This corridor is what is referred to
Wiccan Circles are cast in a clockwise direction or deosil and when the Circle is released or opened it is done in a counterclockwise direction or widdershins. The cast Circle is more like spheres than an actual circle. When the Circle is drawn with a physical line of chalk, salt, or other visible marking on the ground or floor, it is merely a reference point for those within the Circle. Ideally the Circle measures nine feet in diameter to symbolize the completion of the creative cycle. Three dimensional spheres incorporate more space than a two dimensional circle and for visualization purposes one can imagine that the circle is suspended, like a hoola hoop, within the center of the sphere, which extends above the ground or floor as well as below. The edge of the circle, which was marked with a physical reference point, represents the Physical or Material Realm however, beyond that reference line and to the actual edge of the sphere there exists a corridor of elemental energies, which are part of the Elemental Realm. This corridor is what is referred to
when the Wiccan states that “We are between the worlds”; it is the point in time and space that is neither Physical nor is it Elemental nor is it both. The energy that flows through this corridor connects the realms to each other separating that which is held within Circle from the Physical Realm and joining that which is within Circle to all realms: Physical, Elemental, and Astral. It is a unique “place” to be and carries limitless power.
At the cardinal points (East, South, West, and North) of the physical circle are gateways to the corridor of elemental energy; they are known as the Elemental Portals, which are guarded by the Quarters. Beyond the Elemental Portals and the corridor of elemental energy lay the Watcher Portals or Gates, which give direct access to the Astral Realm. It is The Guardians of the Watchtowers or The Watchers function to guard these Portals. The Watchers not only guard the Portals, but also witness the Ritual being held within Circle. A bond between Wiccan and the Watchers is established at Initiation and is cultivated with each Circle casting so that any act of magick performed within Circle is aided, supported, and sometimes dispelled by the energies of the Astral Realm. It is with the purpose of honoring the Three Realms (Physical, Elemental, and Astral) that a Wiccan casts a Circle three times as is referenced by the line, “Cast the Circle thrice about – to keep all evil spirits out” in The Rede of the Wiccae or The Wiccan Rede.
The triangle that is created upon the altar by the positioning of the representations of the Goddess and God, whether it is with candles or statues or other physical representations, and the center altar candle, forms the gateway for manifestation, which is the primary reason that the pentacle is placed in the center of the altar. The energy that is evoked with the athame from the Elemental Realm through the Portals and that is evoked with the athame from the Astral through the altar is pulled into the Circle becoming a pool or well of energy that is then directed by the Wiccan within with their wand. The Circle is designed not only as a barrier to separate that which is within Circle from that which is outside of it, but to also contain the pool of energy, which is then raised by the Wiccan standing in that Circle into the Cone of Power that is directed towards the chosen target.
At the cardinal points (East, South, West, and North) of the physical circle are gateways to the corridor of elemental energy; they are known as the Elemental Portals, which are guarded by the Quarters. Beyond the Elemental Portals and the corridor of elemental energy lay the Watcher Portals or Gates, which give direct access to the Astral Realm. It is The Guardians of the Watchtowers or The Watchers function to guard these Portals. The Watchers not only guard the Portals, but also witness the Ritual being held within Circle. A bond between Wiccan and the Watchers is established at Initiation and is cultivated with each Circle casting so that any act of magick performed within Circle is aided, supported, and sometimes dispelled by the energies of the Astral Realm. It is with the purpose of honoring the Three Realms (Physical, Elemental, and Astral) that a Wiccan casts a Circle three times as is referenced by the line, “Cast the Circle thrice about – to keep all evil spirits out” in The Rede of the Wiccae or The Wiccan Rede.
The triangle that is created upon the altar by the positioning of the representations of the Goddess and God, whether it is with candles or statues or other physical representations, and the center altar candle, forms the gateway for manifestation, which is the primary reason that the pentacle is placed in the center of the altar. The energy that is evoked with the athame from the Elemental Realm through the Portals and that is evoked with the athame from the Astral through the altar is pulled into the Circle becoming a pool or well of energy that is then directed by the Wiccan within with their wand. The Circle is designed not only as a barrier to separate that which is within Circle from that which is outside of it, but to also contain the pool of energy, which is then raised by the Wiccan standing in that Circle into the Cone of Power that is directed towards the chosen target.
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