Another place to hunt for magickal supplies is the great outdoors. In a busy modern life full of computers, mass transit, and hustle and bustle, this may be easy to overlook. Mother Nature provides us with all the magickal trees, plants, and objects we could desire. Take a walk or hike through local woods, parks, or other areas. You may find a fallen branch that’s perfect for a staff or wand. Perhaps you’ll catch a leaf falling from an oak tree, which is said to bring good luck. Or maybe you’ll happen upon a rock or stone that calls to you for use in magickal work. Just be sure that it is permissible for you to remove the objects from the area in which you are hiking; many nature refuges, preserves, and sanctuaries have rules regarding this.
I should, of course, give an obligatory mention that any magickal supplies or tools, whether handcrafted or purchased (especially if they are second hand) should be cleansed and consecrated to remove any energies from previous owners or contact from previous shoppers. After all, you’re probably not the only one who admired that beautiful goblet you bought from the flea market to use as a chalice. Give it a quick rinse in salt water, pass it through sage smoke, or leave it in the windowsill in the moonlight.
I always recommend trying to support your local Pagan and metaphysical vendors. If you are not lucky enough to have one nearby, don’t fret; magick is still all around you. You simply have to engage your creative muse and explore the abundant existing resources in your area. You’ll do fine—Pagans have a wonderful reputation for seeing the magickal amid the mundane.
Blake Octavian Blair’s bio appears on page 122.
Illustrator: Christa Marquez
Rituals for Open Circles
Ann Moura
What makes a public ritual workable for the experienced witch as well as for the newcomer to Wicca, or even for the merely curious? Having attended numerous open circle rituals for Esbats and Sabbats and having facilitated many in conjunction with spiritual groups, Pagan gatherings, and metaphysical shops including my own, I have gained some important insights from observation and participation. These experiences have taught me to address the comfort level of the attendees and ensure that everyone understands what is going on and what is expected of them during the ritual. As I proceed through a ritual, I provide a basic explanation of what that ritual is about and what I am doing so everyone in the circle grasps the significance of the ritual and how it relates to them personally. Most important, the attendees are able to keep up with the actions taking place and are brought into an active participating role rather than standing silently as observers. I consider open circle rituals of any kind to be a golden opportunity for education tied together with spiritual communion and community bonding.
Comfort and Setting
An open ritual begins with planning and setup, which includes location. If you don’t have a large enough indoor space for your ritual, you may consider outdoor spaces. For large groups, renting park or campsite space is another expense to be considered, but generally the guests are charged an attendance fee in these cases.
The length of the ritual is another factor to consider. If outside in the sun or in the black of night, think about how the weather will affect the group and the ritual. Also remember to account for changing weather if your ritual is particularly long; if your ritual begins at sundown on a fall day, temperatures will drop quickly as the sunlight fades.
With small groups outside, the ritual area can be prepared with a canopy for shade if tree shade is not sufficient. If you are outdoors at night, you have the additional problems of people stumbling or falling in the rough terrain, insect control (or lack thereof), lighting for the ritual so people can see what is happening, and sound amplification to allow people to hear over the crickets and frogs. With so many factors involved, taking on the responsibility for outdoor rituals involving hundreds of people is not for the faint of heart and requires many helpers.
Another matter to consider with public outdoor rituals is the reaction of passersby, which should be kept to a minimum so as not to interrupt the ritual. Unless working in a secluded area, I find that taking a less formal approach allows me to breeze through a ritual without any fuss from neighbors or people walking by. Be considerate of the comfort level of the people at the ritual, especially in regard to public places. Indoor rituals are a good way to avoid that concern, but if the indoor space is too small to accommodate the number of guests, go outside with a confidence that will reassure your guests. For outdoor rituals, I have an altar set up and include customary activities such as jumping the cauldron of burning woods or herbs, but I keep the attire basic and simple. Keep the ritual spiritual, using drumming or music only if it is appropriate and unlikely to be a nuisance to the neighbors. My rituals last no more than half an hour to a maximum of forty-five minutes in order to keep the energy flowing to a strong and satisfying conclusion.
Another variable for public ritual involves standing, sitting, or a combination of both in the circle. Some gatherings attract hundreds of people, so participants are allowed to bring their camp chairs into the circle to accommodate age, health, and fatigue while waiting for everyone to be smudged and enter the space. During this time, it is important to tell people to move deosil/clockwise around the circle and to keep them moving. You can prompt people along, or have helpers (usually stationed at the quarters) to keep the crowd moving until the circle is filled without glaring gaps. Some folks want to be the first in line to enter the
