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Traditional Witchcraft Rituals

Laying a Compass Round

The compass round, often just called a "compass", is an device intended to create a separate space, a personal or group temple. It is important to understand that in the Traditional Witchcraft of the British Isles, we consider all the land and the space above it to be sacred. Therefore, the creation of the compass does not make a space sacred, but rather it creates a separated and protected place dedicated as our temple. This temple has a psychological effect of aiding in the creation of ritual consciousness.

You may want to use the following:

Altar - a table or trunk.
Matches or lighter. Wooden matches are preferred.
1 or 2 candles and holders for indoors (if outdoors, use a lantern, or similar secured light source). White utility candles are best.
Incense and holder for purification.

Optional:

Ritual Dagger - You may use any knife preferably with the black handle. consecrate all tools before laying a compass.
Wand (or use your hand - some never use a wand).
4 candles with candle holders, or 4 stones any size, or 4 of any small item that is handy. To be used as a visual sign of the north, east, south, west boundary of the compass.
Salt (in shaker is fine, small bowl is better).
Water (in small bowl).
Besom (many don't use a besom).

If you have a Wine Ritual:

Small glass or cup. If metal, include in Tool Consecration.
Wine, beer, fruit juice, water, or any preferred liquid.

Check your FIRE EXTINGUISHER and make sure it is fully charged and you know how to use it. If outdoors, carry a FIRE EXTINGUISHER with you to the ritual site.

If you are inside, I suggest you may feel more comfortable if you lock the doors, turn off your cell phone, unplug the house phones, close the draperies (if daytime), or turn off the lights (if night time) and have only dim lighting. Leave some type of light on, if you must, then turn it off after you light a candle (not an altar candle).

Before you begin any ritual or magic working, you should always Ground & Balance yourself. Better yet, it is highly recommended you perform a Glowing Ball Meditative Ritual, found in Mini Course Lesson Three.

Ritual:

Take the dagger*, bow to the altar. Stand and focus until your mind is quiet. When ready, begin in the north, scribe deosil 3 times around while saying one time at the beginning:

I draw this compass round.

Set-Up the four directionals with candles, rocks , or other items. Do not light candles yet.
Set-up altar (candles, incense, and ritual tools).
Light the altar candle(s). Look at one candle's flame for one minute. You may also close your eyes if you prefer. After about one minute say the following:

Candle flame that flickers bright,
Rid negative energy with your light.

O power of fire,
Work my will by my desire.

Light the incense.

Depending on your tradition:
1. Stroke the incense back and forth in the four compass directions, as you turn widdershins, and Say (can be said once or once in each direction):

Herb of healing,
Herb of hope,
Herb FOR strength,
Energy of Air and Sacred Smoke,
Drift away all negative energy with each stroke.

And/Or,
2. Sweep compass area with besom, symbolically sweeping from the centre out (keep broom about 3 feet above floor as you sweep air) while going widdershins, and Say:

Only the positive shall remain,
To live and breathe and be sustained.

With dagger*, pass the dagger from left to right over the altar, and say:

I bless this altar and ritual tools that they may aid
the energy flow as magic is made.
Tools are now of magic, with power and might.

Place dagger* on the alter. (Note: This is not the full consecration that should have been performed.)

Light the Four Directionals (if you use candles).

Compass Round Consecration:

Take the water, salt, or the incense and while beginning in the east, going deosil, sprinkle either the water or salt or pass the incense smoke along the circumference of the compass while Saying:

I consecrate this compass round.
It is conjured, purified, sealed, and sound.

Consecrate everyone in the compass by sprinkling or touch them with the sacred water, salt, or by passing the smoke so that the smoke touches them. Do oneself last. Return salt or incense to altar.

If you used water, REMOVE it from the room. Water becomes impure during the purification ritual and can no longer remain.

Calling the Spirits:

Traditional Witches often call upon friendly spirits. You may do so in your own words. In more serious situations Elementals (Directionals) can also be invited to aid in ritual and magic. NOTE: We never have any form of knife in our hands when we invite and receive friendly spirits. Leave the dagger on the altar during invocations.

Bow to altar.
Hold the wand* in power hand and I suggest you say something like the following:

[Great Elemental Forces of the East, South, West, and North,
Come, witness, and aid me in this compass round.]

I call upon my Spirit Guides, land spirits,
And all other friendly spirits that may wish to attend,
To come, witness, and aid me in this compass round.

If doing spellwork, add:

Friendly Spirits, light my way,
Aid the magic cast this day.

Continue:

Visualize the compass flaming around you as you Say:

Throughout and about,
Around and around,
With the negativity withdrawn,
The compass is draw,
The compass is cast,
The compass is sound,
The compass is bound!

~ This Ritual Has Ended ~
~ Continue With The Next Ritual~

Notes:
dagger* When the use of a dagger* is stated in ritual instructions, this means you may use a dagger, any other knife, athame, sword, wand, staff, stang, croomstick, or your power hand (right hand if you are right-handed, left if left-handed).

wand* When the use of a wand* is stated in ritual instructions, this means you may use only a wand, staff, stang, croomstick, or your power hand during this part of the ritual. This is because it is NOT traditional or appropriate to use a dagger, knife, athame, or sword during this part of the ritual.

A sword, staff, stang, or croomstick may be more appropriate for use out-of-doors.

For a Full Moon compass (or any time), you can plan for a Wine Rite, which is the last ritual before Closing the Compass.

The compass is now prepared. Use a compass as often as you like. Just remember, when you are finished you MUST close the compass before you leave. This is very important. You should not just leave it up.

Rituals

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