OK, now that everyone is done pole dancing, back to some serious Paganism. I have decided to include a self-dedication ritual to the Pagan path just in case I have converted anyone out there (Not that I am trying, mind you, but if it happens, here is something you can do about it).
The ritual is taken from the Eldritch's Cauldron web site (One of my favorites) and can and should be modified to suit the individual performing it. It is very similar to the one I used to self-initiate to this path. It's really a simple, beautiful ceremony.
BTW, I do not call the guardians of the four quarters by the names of the Archangels. It just seems not quite right to me, but the lady who wrote this ritual, Lady Morgan Crystal Moonstone, used them and I did not feel it was fair of me to alter her words while giving her credit for the ritual.
I simply call on the Spirits of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. I figure they know who they are without me assigning them names
Prepare area - gather all tools and set up altar
Bathe, add Sandalwood, Frankincense & Cinnamon. Add Sea Salt, light candles & concentrate on what is before you.
Purify space and open the circle.
Face the East, raise your projective hand (the one you write with) and point to the sky. Say:"Raphael, Angel of Air, I do summon, stir and call you now to witness this rite and guard this circle.Powers of Air, be with me as I journey between worlds."
Turn to the South, point your hand & say:"Michael, Angel of Fire, I do summon, stir and call you now to witness this rite and guard this circle. Powers of Fire, be with me as I journey between worlds."
Turn to the West, Point your hand and say:"Gabriel, Angel of Water, I do summon, stir and call you to witness this rite and guard this circle. Powers of Water, be with me as I journey between worlds."
Turn to the North, point your hand and say:"Ariel, Angel of Earth, I do summon, stir and call you to witness this rite and guard this circle. Powers of Earth, be with me as I journey between worlds."
Face the Altar, raise your hands to the sky and say:"The Circle is cast and I am between the worlds, beyond the bounds of time, where night and day, birth and death, joy and sorrow meet as one."
Ring the bell to signal that the circle is cast and to invite the deities.
Read the Charge of the Goddess.
Light the Candle and raise your hands and say:"On this night and in this hour; I call upon the ancient power of (your choice of deity) I ask that you assist me in my dedication ritual as I take a new path in my life."
"I have cast this circle this night to perform the act of dedication of my mind, body and spirit to the Goddess and God, and to the Religion and Science of Witchcraft. From this day forward, I will honor and respect both the Divine and myself. I vow to hold the ideology of the Craft in my heart and my mind for the totality of this lifetime and beyond."
Next, point to your knees and say:"Blessed be my knees as I kneel at the altar of my faith, not in supplications, but in thanksgiving."
Next, point to your groin and say:"Blessed be my womb that holds and produces the creation of the human essence. I vow to protect and teach the children of the world."
Next, point to your chest and say:"Blessed be my heart that it may beat steady and true. May the warmth of my love spread throughout the galaxy."
Next, point to your lips and say:"Blessed be my lips that they shall utter truth and purity of mind and soul. May wisdom flow for the benefit of all humankind."
Next, point to your third eye and say:"Blessed be my Astral Sight that I may see through the veil of life with the truth of the Divine."
Now, turn to face the altar, raise your hands in the air and say:"I, (your name), in the presence of the Universe, do of my own free will and mind, most solemnly swear that I will ever abide by the religion and science of the Craft. I shall neither harm my fellow human with the secrets that I learn, nor shall I flaunt my beliefs or power before them. Henceforth - from this day, I shall be reborn as (Your New Craft Name) and shall honor, respect and cherish this oath I have taken!"
Next, take the wine & say:"As I take this wine into my body, I take that of the Goddess, Earth Mother and seal my oath...forever."
Drink half the wine and hold it to the sky and say:"Accept this wine as my offering of thanksgiving."
Then place the wine on the altar and say:"I, (Your Name), wish to thank you (Your Goddess/God Name) for presiding over this dedication ritual. May we together walk within the light forever."
Close the circle, starting in the East and thank the Angel and Power for assisting in the rite. Follow with South, West, North.
Then face the altar and say:"The circle is open, but never broken."
Clean up, pour the wine into the ground.
I simply use Mother and Father when referring to the Goddess and God in my rituals, but a lot of people prefer to work with one or two specific aspects of them. The Mother frequently becomes Diana, the Goddess of the Moon, and the Father is often referred to as Herne, the God of the woods and green places. Many Pagans prefer to pick a specific pantheon of gods and goddesses to work with (i.e. Celtic, Roman, Greek, ancient Egyption, and so forth). I keep it simple because my memory for which member of the pantheon is responsible for what fails me. (Mars is the God of War and fire, Diana is the Goddess of the Moon, etc) Too confusing for me........
Bright Blessings to all of you.
Kym