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Ritual Magick is one of the most common magicks used. Some rituals aren’t complex at all. Others are more involved. The complexity of the ritual has nothing to do with its strength. Some ritual are complex because they have years of tradition that we pull on where as others are very modern and therefore have no antiquity to maintain. There are three main steps to a ritual, opening, execution, and closing.
Opening a ritual is a vital step because it helps set the energies moving to accomplish your task. It has three steps, setting up a sacred space, cleansing and grounding your energy, evoking deities and energies. The first part is setting up your sacred space. To do this, choose a small blanket or rug that will be set aside for this task alone. You don’t need anything extremely fancy. A simple pillow case, throw rug, or small blanket works perfect. Also you can choose to use string and make a circle. Try to make a very good circle if you choose that idea. Music is another key element of setting up a sacred space. There are many cds of instrumental and chant music you can purchase. Also you can download some. The key is calm music that has no words other than maybe chanting. But remember this is a job, its supposed to be a fun and personal experience where you commune with the universe. Choose music that gets you in the mood for that.
The next step in creating a sacred space is cleansing yourself and grounding yourself. This is important because if you are misaligned within yourself then your ritual will also be misaligned. Instead of retyping how to center and ground yourself I am just going to tell you to go look at my already typed meditations. Now you’re ready for evocation. This part of the ritual is a little more dangerous because if done wrong you can invite harmful spiritis into your circle. Most rituals need you to evoke the elemental energies. To do this light a candle and slowly face north. East, south and west while calling each element to aid you. Here’s a good example:

To the north for earth:
“I call Earth to protect me”
To the east for air:
“I call Air to inspire me”
To the south for fire:
“I call Fire to energize me”
To the west for water:
“I call Water to calm me”

You can use whatever chants you want. Read my section on the four elements to learn what they are used for and that may help you devise your own evocation. But the point is that they are by far the most useful. Next you evoke any spirits you wish to have. Its good to call on your guardians and sprit totems to protect you during your ritual. Then you call any gods you wish. I would only suggest this if you have an oath to serve them. I discuss that more in my spirit magick section.

Now you’re ready top begin your ritual.

Execution of a ritual really depends on what you’re doing. This is the point at which you could do a normal meditation, shamanic journeying, or astral projection. A common form of ritual is either herbal, stones, or candle magick. Unfortunately there are too many kinds of herbs and stones for me to type up and place on this page. My best suggestion is to go rent or buy The Encyclopedia of Magical herbs by scott Cunningham or Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic also by scott Cunningham. Cunningham organizes his information in a simple but thorough way that will make it easy to understand and use. As for candles I have a page devoted to colors and their magickal significance.
Candles magick is very simple. Hold each candle and focus on your intent while sending energy into the candle (it doesn’t need a lot of energy just a bit). Then set the candle down. Do this with each candle. If you’re using more than one color make sure to have different intents on them. For instance pink draws in emotional love while red draws in sexual energy. So for the pink candles you’d put your intent on wanting emotional love but with the red candles you’d stress your desire for physical intimacy. After all the candles have been energized you may now light them saying out loud what you want.
Herbs and stones require the same energizing of intent as candles. With herbs you’d do this with each herbs separately then mix them together with a mortar and pestle or by hand. With stones, after you’ve energized them leave them on your altar for a day. This is best done at the full or new moon. With herbs there are a few ways to use them. You can make paste to be spread over your body by adding them to something like melted lard or shortening. Then once the mixture cools spread it over the body either in a specific area for healings or according to chakras, or even on your entire body. Another option is a sachet. This is simple putting the herbs in a small pouch to be hung or worn. When doing the sachets keep color in mind when picking your cloth or leather for the pouch. Another way to use herbs is to make an infusion (pretty much tea). Simply boil water and add the herbs to it. Use a pot cover to prevent steam from escaping and try to avoid metal pots because they interfere with the herbs power. This mixture can be use to anoint the body or furniture as well as used on a bath or drank as tea. Never use poisonous herbs. The last way to use herbs is to burn them as incense. Be sure that what you burn them in is flame proof.
Stones are even simpler than herbs. Once energized with your intent simply carry them with you or set them within your home. For healing stones you can lightly rub them on the pained area.
Once you have completed your ritual it is now time to close it. Closing is very similar to opening. Simply speak out loud telling each of your guardians, deities, and elemental spirits that you have accomplished your task and they may leave you now. Pack up all your tools and put them away. If you feel drained try eating something high is simple sugars. Chocolate is an excellent option.

unfortunately i havent done any other articles yet.i've been crazy busy with navy stuff these past two weeks so i'm behind on getting some threads started. as i get them done i'm going to organize them and put them all in the lessons subforum.

my apologies to anyone else looking for my other threads. i promise, they are coming

Thank you Elfshaman, I just joined this guild today and this will help me so very much. I will most likely start putting it into my everyday rituals.

This is really helpful.