Ritual Writing
by Monica R. A.
I have been both solitary and a covener. When working as a solitary one usually does ritual by instinct, not writing a lot of things down, which can be bad at times because sometimes wonderful ritual is lost to the winds of the Universe. When I was in a coven, and you are dealing with multiple people in ritual you need a "script" so everyone knows what they are doing and to keep things on track and coordinate the ritual parts. I've been to many open rituals and what I don't like about most of them is what I call the "audience factor." I don't like to attend a ritual where there is an imaginary line in the sand, with the HPS and HP or a small group doing the ritual and everyone else an "audience member" or a minor participant. The coven I was in was non-hierarchal which meant no HPS/HP and that each person had an active part of ritual to play. Sometimes we would rotate in leading ritual but no one was relegated to "audience." After the coven separated, I became even more convinced in the validity non-hierarchal groups. Is it tricky? Yes. Does someone invariably feel that one person or another is trying to take control?--sometimes--but usually those people are the insecure ones. They sit back contribute little and then have a fit if someone rises to the occasion. In life, there are people who are born leaders and there are followers, it is the nature of people and of animals. In hierarchal groups, the secret is to give each person their chance to lead, to shine. When referring to circles, groups, and covens, I don't really like using the word "leader," I like the word "facilitator." So a non-hierarchal group can have one or multiple facilitators without jeopardizing the non-hierarchal nature of a group. For a non-hierarchal group to work successfully, I believe all members must play an active role in ritual, this gives each member a unique and personal experience to have during ritual and to take home with them afterwards. If you are considering starting a non-hierarchal group it may be difficult to find already written, "canned," rituals so be prepared to write they from scratch, but I believe that makes them much more personal and magickal because your energy went into writing and choosing the words and actions.
Monica, this is a very important topic. One of my favorite things is spontaneous ritual when I feel the magick in the air and flow with it to make a change within me or outside of me. Though both are usually affected.
MaseryI am also one of the Myrddin's of the Elodrym, an organization of magickal and mystical folk. We are lead by organized mages so we are an egalitarian group with titles. The titles though are there to honor people's years of experience and their choice to take on leadership responsibilities.
I've lead group rituals for over eleven years now. For our festivals, I ask Elodrym members to attend a planning session. We brain storm the intent of the ritual, plan an activity for raising energy, and a way for each person to participate when we focus on the intent. There are other ways for people to participate: calling the elements or spirit, blessing of the cakes and ale, and taking the remaining food and drink to the spirits after the ritual. Everyone can participate at the level they are comfortable in.
If people feel called to stand in the center of the sacred space and take on a more active role, they are welcome too. However, at this time my husband and I tend to be the only ones willing to. But we don't see our lead role in rituals as a spot light. We are doing what we were called to do and we encourage everyone to participate in a way they are comfortable with.
At the event, the written ritual is used as a guideline. We flow with what feels right at the time, so we are open to improv, and there is always a point in the ritual where people can say if they feel anything else needs to be said or done before we dismiss.
Again, thanks for your post. Rituals were everyone has a chance to participate allows people to take an active role in their spirituality.
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