Saturday, March 7, 2015

Popular 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.

Ritual practices happen mostly in a sacred circle, which keeps the energy of the Guardians in and also contains the magic and spells conducted within the circle. Wicca believes in using white magic, which society commonly thinks of a good magic. A religion like Satanism, on the other hand, is often associated with dark magic, or black magic.

Wiccans have a number of reasons for wanting to cast spells and practice magic. These include to protect someone, to heal someone, to help with one's fertility and to get rid of negativity. Chanting, drumming or dancing can be a part of casting spells. Wiccans also believe in the adage that whatever is done in the world comes back to the doer threefold.

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 a number of objects that are associated with ritual practices. An athame is a knife or dagger that is often used. Other commonly found items are a chalice, pentacle and wand, but it is not unusual to see candles or a cauldron or even a broomstick. These tools are often placed on an altar that is inside the circle and can be used to conduct various spells.

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.




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