Spirited (19 page)

Your oral invocation should come from you, either spontaneously and in the moment or previously recorded. In the case of the latter, it's best to memorise the words beforehand so that your awareness is not on reading the text but on the meaning of the words. As you call out to the deity, visualise him/her completely, from head to toe (if that is conceivable). You will find that you will not have to make much of an attempt at creating an image. Now make clear your intentions of uniting with the deity, remembering to respect the energy you are about to receive. The deity may not wish to cooperate, and if you do get the cold shoulder, simply acknowledge the deity and thank her/him. Generally, if you exude sincerity, the deity will want to work with you. Visualise the deity approaching you and entering your physical being.

Once you feel the being is within you, disperse all restrictions and respond to the impulses the deity provokes. Release inhibition, and with the knowledge that you are safe, do as your body feels, and embrace the words, sensations, and visions that are liable to ignite.

Note:
For those of you who, like me, are naturally open to divine forces and who have experienced untagged or spontaneous possession, it pays to be necessarily cautious of the gods or forces you consciously bring into yourself. Practise exercises that affirm your personal authority over your body, your temple. Periodically perform aura and chakra cleanses to ensure that there are no beings or energies attached to your etheric skin that shouldn't be there. Paying close attention to yourself spiritually, if cultivated appropriately, can ensure that you will remain safe.

Gnosis

Gnosis is integral to all methods of transformation. The concept of gnosis in Pagan philosophy is the attaining of pure knowledge of and union with the divine by embracing the Self. The Gnostic sects of Europe perceived this transformation as a means of spiritual alchemy that strips away the outer manifestations of form and unites the individual with their divine spark. The Christian belief that the flesh is inherently sinful is irrelevant to Paganism, however. Gnosis, or complete union with the divine, is achieved by means of invocation, which is then extended through embracing the material personification of spirit, our bodies.

Pagan gnosis is a melding of body, mind, and spirit. Creative expression is central to its efficacy, and ecstasy is its success. Gnosis is heightened through trance. Gnosis is both conscious and unconscious, in that you are the instigator and benefit immediately from its implementation. To achieve such a state, it is important to acknowledge and move through the levels of awareness as one that is simultaneously present in all.

In any case, know that this is a moment of the Self (self to Self) and its divinity. Through invocation and ritual, you have altered consciousness, and gnosis is simply the next step—a spiritual progression or deepening. Perceive no binding, except to yourself and thus to your spiritual seed. Let it unravel, too, when the time comes.

An Exercise in Gnostic Union

Prepare yourself and your space as usual. Breathe deeply, focusing on the moment, the unlimited expanse of reality. Find that void within your mind and exist there. Call out to the divine (or your god/s) and attune yourself to the energy without visualising anything. Just know that they are there and surrounding you completely. Feel that sense of spiritual immersion within the essence, and embrace the union. Forcing yourself to experience with mental aggression will not result in success; this is the delicate line between the world of consciousness and the hidden planes of the unconscious. Feel the dance of energies as you are inspired to move, chant, or whatever. Gradually you should feel a lifting sensation. When you are in the midst of this sensation, throw yourself into the channel and know that you are completely present, joined eternally with the divine. This is your gnosis, and it is here where the structure of human mentality disappears and communion with the universe/the Self happens.

Celebration

Now comes the time to let go completely and to rejoice in the freedom of Pagan revelry. Of course, there is no need to resurrect the Bacchanalia; simply loosen your inhibitions and enjoy yourself.

Celebration is possible in both solitary and group environments, as the gods are ever-present within the circle. In fact, the senses are heightened in ritual, intensifying the connection between the Self and Deity. Do everything in fervour and abandon. Do as ye will, an' harm ye none.

Winding Down

Winding down involves the consumption of the blessed feast. This is a period of peace and mirth as the crackling energy of the ritual recedes. Winding down can often take as much time as the ritual itself. Once you are ready, you may open the circle and clean up.

Opening the Circle

Refer to the Quick Circle described on page 141 or go about returning your consciousness and circumstance to the mundane in whichever way draws you.

Grounding

If you still feel on edge or nauseous after ritual, then you will need to ground.

Crouch down and place your forehead directly on the earth, and focus on sending any excess energy back into the earth. Feel it drain from you as it is reabsorbed into the Mother, who will then neutralise it and make use of it herself.

Spend as much time as you need, as it is vital that your energy rides with the vibrations around you. You will affect others if you haven't properly grounded. Once all is well, eat and drink something.

Ritual usually requires an assortment of materials and a basic understanding in correspondence. To have this knowledge at hand is generally thought of as necessary for the average Pagan. However, it is not essential to dress up or colour ritual in order to experience a successful outcome. If you are able to dispense of the trappings and still effectively raise energy and invoke, then that is a path I would suggest exploring.

Ritual is a joyful experience. It is also serious by nature and requires a mature mentality. Once again, balance is the key. Work with your intuition and acknowledge matters of practicality, and you will go far.

The Drama of Ritual

Drama is an art that inspires and provokes our emotions in order to convey archetypes that resonate with the human experience. It is an ingenious method through which to access the hidden realities of the subconscious.

The ancient Greeks were renowned for their dramatic flair. Their skill at moving large crowds to respond to an emotional evocation expressed through scenario, gesture, and costume was highly refined. In fact, Western theatrical drama is thought to have descended from the wild Dionysian rites held away from the public eye in which alcohol, comedic masquerades, and sexuality pervaded. When Peisistratus, a popular Athenian tyrant, came to power in the sixth century BC, he introduced the Dionysia, a religious festival devoted to the god of wine and revelry, Dionysos. The festival involved the performances of comedies and tragedies, and characters were personified through masks.

Pagan dramatic ritual reflects the Dionysian rites. It is wild, sexual, and flamboyant. Participating in such a ritual stimulates the unconscious and awakens the serpentine flow of energy through the body. Dramatic ritual often involves bright colours and elegant dress against a theatrical background.

Below, you will find the discussion broken into three sections: Scenario, Gesture and Movement, and Costume.

Scenario

No one can deny that performing rites and casting spells within a hidden forest alcove is alluring. Humans respond on a subconscious level to the evocative language of setting and atmosphere. It thrusts us into ecstatic communion with our surroundings. To enhance ritual through drama, the first thing is to locate a place of natural beauty.

Public parks and gardens are the best places, as they are open to all and require no prior organisation with the councils, unless the ritual is publicly advertised, in which case insurance is needed. Perhaps you know a Pagan temple in your area that may allow you to use their land. If you desired, you could even dress up your backyard or room. For example, you could make your own elemental banners to hang on the wall corresponding to each direction, and mark your circle with the cards from the Major Arcana.

I once held a group Litha ritual in my backyard under a pavilion-like tent that was enclosed by sheets and curtains tied around the poles. The altar was set up in the centre and decorated with various objects that represented summer to the participants. It looked magnificent! Later on, my mum helped me to build a small fire, and after having raised energy by all dancing deosil and singing, we gathered around it and threw symbols of things we wanted gone into the flames. Across from the ritual site was a feast my parents had graciously prepared.

When focusing on scene, begin with the altar. Altars corresponding to seasonal imagery and mythological symbolism help to stir the primal mind. At a Yule open circle I held in 2003, I indulged heavily in altar decoration. On the altar was a cauldron with a star candle in it; a beautiful wooden statue of a deer, which had been covered in cloth since Samhain, as a representation of the Horned One (the cloth was removed later); candles and oil burners; incense; tarot cards; chalices; and a tall sun candleholder. I also wrapped ivy around the table legs. Decorating altars is a lot of fun, but remember not to go overboard!

Decorate the space with ribbons, candles, paint, vegetation/foliage, crystals/stones, and even food, if you like! If you are using a lot of fire in your ritual, remember to always keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher close by in case of an emergency.

Gesture and Movement

Ritual gestures help to express the meaning and significance of each stage of the process. They are physical signs that communicate a particular energy to both the invited gods and spirits and the other participants. They can be elegant and poised or simple movements used to imitate a natural entity or process, e.g., fire.

The traditional Wiccan God and Goddess postures taken by the high priest/ess in the Drawing Down the Moon ceremony are prime examples of Pagan gesture. Generally, the priestess stands in what is commonly referred to as a “power stance” and holds up her arms as if surrendering, palms facing outward (the Goddess pose). This is symbolic of the goddess's receptive and yet firm, powerful nature. The angle at which her legs are spread and the composure of the upper torso communicate a sense of balance and understanding. When she crosses her arms over her chest, imitating an Egyptian mummy, and draws her feet and legs together (the God pose), the priestess seals the invocation. This is personified gesture.

In order to integrate gesture into your rituals, an awareness of the links between ancient symbols and their physical expressions needs to be gained. It is possible to physically represent symbols that personify a particular emotion, power, or characteristic. Think of the pentagram and the famous da Vinci portrait of the Vitruvian Man. The spread-eagle posture taken by the body to imitate the five points of the pentagram is a clear example of an occult symbol taking on a physical form. This can further be developed into group formations performed during coven workings and other group situations.

Physical movement composing the entire body or at least a greater portion of it also adds a beautiful quality to ritual. An example of this would be the cone of power. Calling the quarters can also benefit from theatrical movement.

The whirling dervishes are renowned for their orchestrated rhythms of spinning that allow the dancers to experience the divine. Spinning on the spot while using the feet to pivot the body can be applied in Pagan ritual too. At each direction, after the formal invocation is made to the particular element, the individual can then spin deosil with arms spread and head slightly tilted back while envisioning the buildup of energy. Eventually gnosis with that particular element takes place. Obviously you need to be careful, as spinning could throw you off balance and make you feel ill.

Remember to always maintain the original significance of a symbol if used in ritual. As with sigils of power, the associations work on a subliminal level. Then again, some ancient symbols owe their power to a buildup of energy that courses along hidden lines. These gossamer trails are open to all those who genuinely seek to ally themselves with the power of symbols.

Costume

To wear a costume does not always require clothing; a costume is simply an outward expression that communicates a specific idea or theme. However, at all times the costume must be “worn” on the body. Paint, robes, garments, masks, and jewellery are all valid options.

Classical Hellenic descriptions of the festivities that occurred at the Dionysian revels paint a picture of drunken humour, sensuality, and the complete release of inhibitions. Costumes allow us as individuals to break free from the molds of society and to embrace the stream of pure unconsciousness.

Often in ritual I paint symbols on my skin to honour the Old Ones. Headdresses and other decorative accessories also help to arouse the intended feelings. Why not go all-out in an avid return to Mother Nature? Have a mud bath, wear a few flowers here and there, and go for it!

Spontaneous Ritual

Practice random acts of kindness and senseless beauty.

—Unknown

Spontaneity is a wonderful thing. Without spontaneity, our lives would be void of substance and our emotional rivers would run dry. Being spontaneous is what separates us from routine. It thrusts us into the arms of chance. When this happens, we are truly tested. Our fears and hopes become one, and we dance to a rhythm that is undecided but pulses on.