Rituals

HOUSE BLESSING

This might be considered more magickal than ritual by some, but I put it hear because many who are new to ritual
find all the different steps a bit overwhelming. This ritual is simple, but produces noticeable results. Hopefully,
this will encourage the timid to try something a little more complex next time. In addition, it is a good introduction
to the elements, or four directions/quarters.

This ritual will cleanse your home of negative energy and set up a protective field of energy. It should be
performed as often as you feel is necessary, but particulary at Imbolc, or after you have had a number of visitors to
your home. I think it's nice to perform this ritual before any of the major Sabbats, such as Samhain, Yule, Beltaine,
and Lughnassadh.

A word about fairies: If you've never worked with fairy folk before, you should not invite them to join you in this
ritual. Do some research and reading first. Ask others who do have experience for advice. Not all fairies are good
or helpful fairies. In the British Isles, fairies quite often considered dangerous and they aren't messed with. Look
at all the folklore about fairy protection. For instance, it is commonly believed fairies steal new born babies and
replace them with a fairy child that sickens and dies. For this reason, newborns and new mothers are never left
alone and certain protections are placed around the room and home.

If you do invite fairies, make sure you specify "helpful" fairies. It might be a good idea to look up some different
types of fairies so that you can visualize and name those fairies who are known to be good house fairies.

Preparation:

You can cleanse just one room at a time, if you are strapped for time, but it's best to do the whole house at once.
Start by vacuuming and sweeping your home. While you do this, chant or sing something along the lines of
"Negative energy be gone, only love and goodness remain." Use whatever words feel best to you. You can use a
new broom that you reserve for this purpose, but I found that my everyday broom and vacuum worked just fine.
You can also go back through the rooms with your besom after you have finished with the everyday tools. It's up to
you.

Altar set-up

Place your altar in the middle of your home. Most often this is the living room. I use one of those inexpensive
round accent tables that can be found at stores that sell goods for the home. Bed, Bath & Beyond is a good source. I
like these tables because the legs come off for easy storage, the size and shape is right and they are light weight.
Just throw an altar cloth over it, and voila! Instant altar.

You will need:

One small red candle and candle holder
One small bowl of salt (sea or table)*
One small bowl of water
One stick of Sandlewood Incense and holder**
One large quartz crystal point***
Matches or lighter

These are the minimum requirements. You can add other items that you feel are suitable to the ritual.

Light the candle and the incense. Facing the East, hold the crystal in your hands and raise it up saying something
like:

"As I bless and cleanse my home, I invite those fairies who wish to attend and aid in my work. You are welcome
because this is your home too and your help is appreciated.

As I bless and cleanse my home, I invite the Lord and Lady (use the names of specific deities if you like) to attend
and aid in my work. You are welcome and your guidance is appreciated."

Now, draw a pentacle in the air with the crystal, and visualize the glowing lines of the pentacle hanging in the air
over your altar. When you are done, place the crystal in the center of your altar.

Take the incense, and starting in the eastern-most corner of your room or home, smudge your home while asking
for the blessings of the element of air: Knowledge, intellect, positive communications, harmony.

When you have completed your circuit, return the incense to the altar, and pick up the candle. Repeat the above
procedure. Fire: love, passion, purification.

Next take the salt and make your circuit sprinkling a bit of salt in all the corners or your room or home. Earth:
prosperity, fertility (includes creative fertility), stability, success, abundance.

Finally, take the water and sprinkle around the perimeter of your home or room. Water: positive emotions, friends,
family, marriage, dreams, psychic awareness.

One thing I made a point of asking was that friends and loved ones always feel welcome and foes fear to enter.
Setting up protective energy is also part of this ritual.

When you have returned to your altar, pick up the candle and hold it just above eye level. With the index finger of
your power hand (whichever one you use most), draw a spiral in front of the flame. Start slow, then increase your
speed until your feel a ball of bright, potent energy between the tip of your finger and the candle flame. Now,
release the energy very quickly and visualize it dispersing throughout your home/room to complete the work you
have done.

Let the candle and incense burn themselves out while you relax with your version of cakes and ale.

* Some people insist on sea salt or at least kosher, but regular table salt will work just as well.

** You can also use a feather, or sage smudge stick. I know some people are allergic to incense. If you prefer cone
incense, or the type you burn on charcoal bricks, that's fine too.

*** You don't have to use quartz, any crystal that you have an affinity for is fine. The larger the better.