gratitude
Well, tomorrow I start my new job. I’m very excited about it: new challenges, new people, and a second chance to do things right. I knew it was right for me for a number of reasons: more money, less stress, and I’m starting on exactly my sixth anniversary of when I started working for the company. I took it as a good omen, a sign that I was supposed to make the move. There were a few things about my old job I didn’t care for, which I won’t go into here.
I notice that a lot of pagans in general suffer from the same malady that people in other religions suffer from also: they only talk to deity when they need something. I’ll admit that I’ve been guilty of that at times too. So when this huge ooportunity to go back and do things right came up, I had to take it, but I also wanted to say thanks. Not just a thank you, but something a little more formal, to let Spirit know that I’m listening and appreciative of what I’m being given. So with that in mind, I wrote this ritual. It was supposed to be done at Mabon, but I didn’t do Mabon this year, so I just did it tonight. Seems a little more appropriate on the eve of starting my new job anyway.
I just wanted to share that with you, and the ritual. So, here is the ritual text.
Cleanse Circle
Salt & Water
3 dips of salt into water, stir 3 times and draw pentacle
Sprinkle around circle while chanting:
Earth and Water by casting thee,
Let no unknown spell nor purpose be,
Not in true accord with me,
As is my will, so mote it be
Fire & Air
Put frankincense on lit charcoal
Smudge around the circle, beginning at East while chanting:
Fire and Air this charge I lay,
Let no unknown phantom nor spirit in my presence stay,
Not in true accord with me,
As is my will, so mote it be.
Broom
Sweep any remaining negativity out of the area with the broom
Cast Circle
I am in a time between times, in a space between spaces. The circle is cast.
Call Quarters
North
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Spirits of Earth. Home to gnomes, trees, fairies, and stones. Open now the Gates to the Realm of Earth, for I invite and invoke you into this circle and ask you to bless this rite with your strength, stability, and solidity. Welcome, Spirits of the North.
East
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Spirits of Air. Home to sylphs, eagles, hawks, and all flying creatures. Open now the Gates to the Realm of Air, for I invite and invoke you into this circle and ask you to bless this rite with your far sight, knowledge, and new beginnings. Welcome, Spirits of the East.
South
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Spirits of Fire. Home to salamanders, dragons, snakes, and cats of all kinds. Open now the Gates to the Realm of Fire, for I invite and invoke you into this circle and ask you to bless this rite with your energy, passion, and transformation. Welcome, Spirits of the South.
West
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Spirits of Water. Home to undines, dolphins, whales, and all creatures that swim. Open now the Gates to the Realm of Water, for I invite and invoke you into this circle and ask you to bless this rite with your emotion, intuition, and cleansing. Welcome, Spirits of the West.
Center
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the Center, Powers of Spirit. Home to guides and angels, those who help us on our journey through this world. Open now the Gates to the Realm of Spirit, for I invite and invoke my guides and angels into this circle and ask you to bless this rite as only you can. Welcome, guides and angels, Powers of Spirit.
Invocation of Lord and Lady
Great God, Herne, Pan, Buddha, John Barleycorn, You Who Die and are Born Again, Gods one and all, I invite You into this circle. I ask You to witness and bless this ritual this Mabon eve.
Drink to the God
Great Goddess, Kwan Yin, White Tara, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, Goddesses one and all, I invite You into this circle. I ask You to witness and bless this ritual this Mabon eve.
Drink to the Goddess
Invocation to Spirit
Breath of Life, You Who through the ages have been called
I Am, Yahweh, Great Spirit, the Infinite Is, and Higher Power,
I invite You into this circle, I acknowledge your presence
in the air that I breathe, the flame that warms me,
the water I drink, the earth I stand on, and the spirit inside me.
I invoke You, Great One, and welcome You to this circle.
Magickal Working
Write things I am grateful for on white candle, then dress it
Great Spirit, Lords and Ladies, Elementals, Guides and Angels, friendly spirits one and all,
I humbly thank You for the blessings you have bestowed upon me.
I thank You for the challenges I have faced and the lessons I have learned.
I thank You for the knowledge I have gained,
and the grace that You have shown me,
never giving me more than I can handle,
even when I could not see the way out or through the situation.
Thank You for being my Teachers, my Guides, and most of all, my Friends.
Thank You for showing me Your Divine Love, Mercy, Beauty and Grace.
Thank You for the things that were, the things that are, and things yet to come.
Thank You for everything.
Raise energy and send it into the candle. Light the candle and let it burn.
Ground residual energy
Releasing of Spirit
I Am, Yahweh, Great Spirit – You
Who have been called by many names,
I thank You for Your blessing at this circle.
I ask You to stay with me as You always have,
Lighting my path and my life,
For You are everywhere.
Go if You must, stay if You will, blessed be.
Release Lord and Lady
Great God, Herne, Pan, Buddha, John Barleycorn, You Who Die and are Born Again, Gods one and all, I thank You for Your presence and blessings in this circle. Go if you must, stay if you will, blessed be.
Great Goddess, Kwan Yin, White Tara, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, Goddesses one and all, I thank You for Your presence and blessings in this circle. Go if you must, stay if you will, blessed be.
Release Quarters
Center
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the Center, Powers of Spirit. I thank you for your presence and blessing at this circle this night. I thank my guides and angels for their continued assistance. Go if you must, stay if you will. Close now the Gates to the Realm of Spirit. I bid you hail, farewell, and blessed be.
West
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Spirits of Water. I thank you for your presence and blessing at this circle this night. As you return to your lovely realm harming none along the way, close the Gates to the Realm of Water. I bid you hail, farewell, and blessed be.
South
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Spirits of Fire. I thank you for your presence and blessing at this circle this night. As you return to your lovely realm harming none along the way, close the Gates to the Realm of Fire. I bid you hail, farewell, and blessed be.
East
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Spirits of Air. I thank you for your presence and blessing at this circle this night. As you return to your lovely realm harming none along the way, close the Gates to the Realm of Air. I bid you hail, farewell, and blessed be.
North
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Spirits of Earth. I thank you for your presence and blessing at this circle this night. As you return to your lovely realm harming none along the way, close the Gates to the Realm of North. I bid you hail, farewell, and blessed be.
Open the circle
The circle is open, yet unbroken, and the magick lives on.
Leave candles burning until they are completely gone.