1. Lecture 6 High Priestess Tehilah Firewind
Wicca and Witchcraft 101
Lecture 6
High Priestess Tehilah Firewind
Invocation and Ritual
Week 6: Pathwork specific – For Wicca, invocation, invoking deity in ritual, and designing a ritual - Completion of this week constitutes first degree completion of the Ritual Construction discipline from our website
Week 7: Pathwork specific – For Wicca, finding deity and exploring patrons, finding an element, a spirit animal, or at least coming to know one’s true self through finding a divine name – Completion of this week constitutes first degree completion of the Divine Persona and Leadership discipline from our website

2. Invocation
Taking energy in from an outside source to create some change or transformation in oneself
Change one’s perspective (e.g. open the mind’s eye)
Align one’s thoughts and desires so as to improve ease and success of subsequent evocations
Permanently alter one’s energy in some way
Circle should always be used to ensure unwanted energy is not accidentally invoked
Used for rituals of any kind

3. Invoking the Elements Invoking the elements is kind of backwards
Elemental energy is consciousness when separate from us, but the qualities are also within us
Purpose is to bring out these traits in oneself (allowing for better evocations)
Invoking the elements brings their qualities into you, so that you can perform greater feats of magic without having to bind any Fae

4. Invoking Deity Purpose is to broaden one’s perspectives
Deity is the consciousness of higher planar energy, with no classical analogy
Different deities represent
Different modes of thought
Great aspects of and events in nature
Echoes of human experience, as it relates to every human throughout the ages (archetypes)

5. The Lord and Lady Archetype
Theme of polarity based around biology
Celtic, Gaelic, Germanic, early-Greco-Roman
Masculine
Self-expression
Aggression
Destruction
Feminine
Receptivity
Nurturing
Creation
Kindness
Judgement
Reason
Understanding
Knowing

6. Tri-Deity Found in all cultures throughout history
Mother/father triads:
Baltic (Latvian): Dēkla, Laima, Kārta (mother trinity)
Roman: Juventus, Juno, Minerva (mother trinity)
Roman: Son, Father, Holy Spirit (father trinity)
Moon triads:
Greek: Artemis, Selene, Hecate (moon trinity)
Creation triads:
Germanic: Odin (soul and life), Villi (intellect), Ve (personality)
Greek: Poseidon (sea), Zeus (sky), Hades (death)
Death triads:
Egyptian: Anubis (dying), Osiris (death), Horus (rebirth)
Celtic: The Morrigan (Badb, Macha, Anand)
Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable energy – like moon phases
Maiden, Mother, Crone
Warrior, Father, Sage

7. Primordial Teachers
Deities who embody the essence of some magical practice or art, teaching it to man
Examples in many cultures:
Egypt - Thoth – God of magic and judgement (law)
Gaul - Aradia – The first witch, Diana’s queen
Greece - Demeter – Goddess of initiation
Sumeria - Enki – God of crafts, learning, and creation
Romantic notion of how the gods “gave us fire”

8. The Horned God
Pan/Faunus, Greco-Roman god of fertility, music, and nature
Cernunnos, found on Gundestrop Cauldron, Celtic
Baphomet, Gaulish god of balance

9. So Many Archetypes Agricultural, Animal, Seasonal
Creator, Birth, Mother, Fertility
Arts and Crafts, Domestic and Hearth, Commerce and War
Destroyer, Death, Underworld, Hunter, Savior
Earth, Sky, Weather, Solar/Lunar
Messenger, Magic, Trickster, Wisdom
Tutelary (familiar or guardian, like saints)
Love, Lust, Virgin, Vengeance

10. Ritual Construction 101 Prepare Space: Prepare Self: Sweep
Spiritually sweep (if indoors)*
Set-up altar (only consecrated things go here)
Bring in other supplies (not on altar, but inside circle)
Construct circle (if visual is desired)
Prepare Self:
Take a ritual bath (or symbolize a bath if public)
Done ritual attire (which is only worn in ritual)
Smudge yourself with incense
Purify yourself with consecrated salt water
Anoint yourself with oil

11. Ritual Construction 101 Consecrate Space* Center and Attune
Some spiritually sweep here (usually only if inside)
Some say blessings or prayers of cleansing
Center and Attune
Meditate, hum, or sing, or do yoga or breathing exercises
Cast Circle
“Trace the circle thrice about to keep the evil spirits out!”
Invite or commune with the elements, or invoke them
Invite deity attend, or invoke

12. Ritual Construction 101 State Ritual Intent/Purpose Spellwork
The purpose of this rite be to _______
Spellwork
Raise energy within circle with specific intent/desire
Can either be generated to be released or invoked
Raise Cone of Power
Dance, chant, sing, hum, drum, whatever it takes
Generate the energy to power the spell
HP would direct this energy or invoke it, depending

13. Ritual Construction 101 The Great Rite (a.k.a. Cakes and Ale)**
With great energy swirling around, two priests/priestesses or higher consecrate the food and wine offerings
This is a phallic and sensual practice
This is the climax of the ritual
There is nothing inherently arousing in the version most commonly done (symbolic)
Energy from spell may be used here, or may be released externally at this time
Food is shared with full coven in the wake
“May you never thirst”
“May you never hunger”

14. Ritual Construction 101 Resolve Ritual
These steps can happen in any order:
Close circle
Ground and Center
Most go around and take the circle down the same way it was put up
Bid farewell to the deities
Bid farewell to the elements
Close the circle with the athame
Others: “the athame is not a vacuum cleaner”
–Alexandrians

15. Advanced Ritual Construction
Rituals to honor specific deities
Purpose is to bring that archetype into oneself
Invoke the energy to be transformed by it
Deities are particular
Certain deities will not allow their energy to be invoked by just anyone, as they say
Another phrasing: some people are not prepared to handle or not able to perceive of the awareness of some forces of nature because they are so great
Since language reflects subconscious thoughts and sensation affects thought at every level, certain deities require certain types of material offerings
Incense, phrasing, food, colors… associate everything

16. Example Thoth Moon Ritual

17. Drawing Down the Moon Common full moon ritual
High Priestess invokes enough Goddess energy to channel her awareness and speak directly
Purpose is for divination, blessings, or awakenings to divinity
Original Charge of the Goddess by Charles Godfrey Leland
‘Tis true indeed that thou a spirit art,
But thou wert born but to become again
A mortal; thou must go to earth below
To be a teacher unto women and men
Who fain would study witchcraft in thy school
Yet like Cain’s daughter thou shalt never be
Nor like the race who have become at last
Wicked and infamous from suffering,
As are the Jews and wandering Zingari,
Who are all thieves and knaves; like unto them
Ye shall not be...

18. Drawing Down the Moon
And thou shalt be the first of witches known;
And thou shalt be the first of all I’ the world;
And thou shalt teach the art of poisoning,
Of poisoning those who are great lords of all;
Yea, thou shalt make them die in their palaces;
And thou shalt bind the oppressor’s soul (with power);
And when ye find a peasant who is rich,
Then ye shall teach the witch, your pupil, how
To ruin all his crops with tempests dire,
With lightning and with thunder (terrible),
And with the hail and wind...
And when a priest shall do you injury
By his benedictions, ye shall do to him
Double the harm, and do it in the name
of me, Diana, Queen of witches all! …
When I shall have departed from this world,
Whenever ye have need of anything,
Once in the month, and when the moon is full,
Ye shall assemble in some desert place,
Or in a forest all together join
To adore the potent spirit of your queen,
My mother, great Diana. She who fain
Would learn all sorcery yet has not won
Its deepest secrets, then my mother will
Teach her, in truth all things as yet unknown.
And ye shall all be freed from slavery,
And so ye shall be free in everything;
And as the sign that ye are truly free,
Ye shall be naked in your rites, both men
And women also: this shall last until
The last of your oppressors shall be dead;
And ye shall make the game of Benevento
Extinguishing the lights, and after that
Shall hold your supper thus:
(a bunch of Charles Godfrey Leland hate speech propaganda)

19. Drawing Down the Moon Doreen Valiente version:
Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess, she in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven; whose body encircleth the Universe; I, who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white Moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the heart’s desire, call unto thy soul. Arise and come unto me.
For I am the Soul of Nature, who giveth life to the universe; from me all things proceed, and unto me must all things return; and before my face, beloved of gods and mortals, thine inmost divine self shall be unfolded in the rapture of infinite joy.
Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth, for behold: all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you.
And thou who thinkest to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not, unless thou know this mystery: that if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee, thou wilt never find it without thee.
For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
Doreen Valiente version:
Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who was of old also called Artemis; Astarte; Diana; Melusine; Aphrodite; Cerridwen; Dana; Arianrhod; Isis; Bride; and by many other names.
Whenever ye have need of anything, once in a month, and better it be when the Moon be full, then ye shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of me, who am Queen of all Witcheries.
There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet have not yet won its deepest secrets: to these will I teach things that are yet unknown.
And ye shall be free from slavery; and as a sign that ye are really free, ye shall be naked in your rites; and ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, all in my praise.
For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and mine also is joy on earth; for my Law is Love unto all Beings.
Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever toward it; let naught stop you or turn you aside.
For mine is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth; and mine is the Cup of the Wine of Life, and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of Immortality.
I am the Gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of joy unto the heart. Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and beyond death, I give peace, and freedom, and reunion with those who have gone before. Nor do I demand sacrifice, for behold I am the Mother of All Living, and my love is poured out upon the earth.

20. Drawing Down the Moon Coven of the Open Mind Official:
It is true that a spirit thee are Born but to again become mortal. Down to earth below, teach near and far The natural wisdom of the earth To any who would accept the toil. And be not like others who follow, Who grovel, who hope, only dreaming, Helplessly floating along, hollow. Be not greedy, not lustful, harmless, Lest to those folk whom ye find scheming. Empowered be ye! Strong minds, strong hearts Are come to those who study the craft. Awareness flows, all must play their part. Seek ye the mystery, forever Wary of fullness, of growing daft.
When I seem departed from this world, Fret not. Seek me out in need, in kind, Once in a month, when the moon is full Assemble in a deserted place. Open to me your body and mind.
Gather in forests, in rooms of books, Join ye together to adore me, The mother goddess, queen of witches! Aid will come to those who speak my name, Who seek magic, mystery revealed. In this way be your chains unbinded! Be ye free in mind and heart. Teach on The truth, be openminded. Bide the witches law, in perfect love, Perfect trust, by light of moon and sun, So shall thine will therefore come to pass The witch's rite be done! Blessed be!

21. Aspecting vs. Invocation
Aspecting is technically a form of binding
Energy of deity can be invoked, or it can simply be brought into circle and communed with
Energy can affect one’s mannerisms and divine persona
Energy if not invoked, is used to create a mask of sorts
Energy is inspirational, with an indirect affect on oneself
One is always in total control
If enough divine energy is invoked, one may be hypnotized by it and lose control to an extent
Act differently than usually, perhaps permanently
Speak differently, possibly in tongues
Have a greater awareness at all time, increase abilities

22. Rituals With No Deity Anything can be a ritual, technically
Daily morning routine to traditional holiday activities
Help us to be successful at our goals
Spellwork is a part of ritual, but rarely the WHOLE ritual; energy is always invoked
Ritual purpose could be to bring people together, or to make groups more cohesive
Substitute parts of ritual formula depending:
Invoke deity broadly and subtly to include more faiths in the ritual
Remove the Great Rite and replace it with a portion where everyone falls down from exertion or stands holding hands in silence to feel the wake effects

23. Lecture 6 Homework
Read chapter XI of Natural Magic, by Doreen Valiente
Read Witchcraft Today, chapter XIII by Gerald Gardner
Read Living Wicca, chapters 4-6, 8-10, 14, by Scott Cunningham
Read Wicca, chapters 6-9, 13 by Scott Cunningham
Read the following passages of The Gardenarian Book of Shadows:
Drawing Down The Moon
The Charge: “Lift Up The Veil”
Cakes and Wine
The Meeting Dance
The Witch’s Chant or Rune
Select a coming Sabbat or Esbat, or just choose a day of significance to you, and develop a ritual
Ritual should have associations as discussed, intent and purpose
Write the ritual in your BoS, execute the ritual, and then record any effects you notice or any feelings you had during the ritual