|
A
good magician
has to be a good astrologer. If a magician performs a ritual at the wrong
time, the experiment fails. But performed during what the Egyptians called the
Kairos, the "auspicious moment," a successful outcome
is likely assured. As modern, although unconscious, magicians, we can
fail in our intentions because we choose the wrong moment. Success depends
on understanding these potent times.
What
is Ritual?
A
ritual is an action for a specific purpose performed with intention. All
of us perform unconscious rituals daily, such as what we do from waking
up to getting out the door. Or we consciously participate in cultural
rituals such as birthdays, marriages or funerals. Were you part of the
millions watching and celebrating the birth of the millennium last New
Year’s Eve? Then you were part of the largest collective ritual in our
history. And did you know that last New Year’s Eve was a highly auspicious
time for such a global celebration? Venus was conjoined with Chiron and
Pluto in Sagittarius sextile to Neptune and Uranus in Aquarius. Translation?
Our collective intention of love, harmony and connection truly had a magical
effect that is continuing to unconsciously influence us today.
Why
is ritual so important? Essentially, ritual acts as a conduit, a sort
of tuning radar that is both a sending and receiving channel to cosmic
energy. Ritual is important because it tunes us into and connects us to
these universal archetypal energies. When we focus our intent at the auspicious
moment, genuine magic and change is possible.
An
Auspicious Time
The
next ten months offer us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform ritual.
For example, Neptune and Uranus, currently in Aquarius, the sign of group
consciousness and mind moving, will trine Saturn and Jupiter in Gemini,
the sign of personal communication. Saturn and Jupiter, in turn, will
be in opposition to deeply cathartic Pluto in Sagittarius. This means
there are many Kairos moments coming between September 27, 2000 (the New Moon
in Libra) and June 21, 2001 (the Summer Solstice).
Steps
for Creating a Ritual: Choosing the Time
Find
the best time. This is the exact moment that you should be focused on
the intention of your ritual. Be alert for times when the planets associated
with the goal of your ritual are in positive aspects to each other—sextile
or trine—and when they are in positive aspect to the Moon. Because most
of the outer planets are in either Aquarius or Gemini, this next ten months
is the time for ritual intent focused on the element of air. Now is our
chance to identify and consciously release old ideas, thoughts and habits
that have outworn their usefulness. Aquarius/Gemini planets are potently
stimulated by the upcoming New Moon in Libra cycle between September 27
and October 13. The September New Moon in Libra creates a grand air trine
with the outer planets. Rituals held at this time might focus on Libra
themes such as love and beauty.
Setting
Up Your Ritual
Now
choose the place to hold your ritual—one that is large enough, comfortable
and safe from intrusions. Either an outside sacred place with privacy
or an enclosed indoor space will work.
Select
the elements, or physical focus points for your ritual. The psychological
benefits of ritual arise from carefully-chosen symbolic objects and actions.
For example, if you choose Mercury as the focus, select objects and colors
that are associated with it. You might use the color yellow or a bird
wing. Rosemary oil, also associated with Mercury, is helpful for clearing
the mind for a ritual to bring good mental health.
Next,
create a plan, with each step flowing smoothly into the next to progressively
deepen your concentration and meditative state. Keep your ritual simple.
Your strong intention and concentration will ensure success.
Orient
yourself to the Earth by locating the four cardinal directions. Mark them
on the ground. Create a simple altar for each direction with appropriate
elemental offerings.
In the east, the symbolic point of Aries, place a symbol of fire (a lit
candle); at the point of north, or Capricorn, a symbol of earth (a rock
or pot of soil); in the west, the point of Libra, you might place a bird
wing symbolizing air; and at the point of Cancer or south, a bowl of consecrated water.
Performing
the Ritual
Use
a circle to create an enclosed and sacred space. Draw a circle (in your
imagination or with chalk or string on the ground). Leave the two ends
undone until your ritual begins and you step into the circle. Once inside,
tie up the ends, closing the circle. In your mind's eye and with your
focused will, imagine you are drawing a protective circle around your
sacred space. You might write the names of various protective powers on
slips of paper and place them around the circle.
Next,
call in the power of the cosmic
energy by saying the name of the planetary energy either
out loud or silently. If you don’t have a name for this energy, refer
to it as “spirit.” Imagine energy drawn in from the cosmos, circulating
down toward you in a clockwise direction. Use affirmation, visualization
or quiet meditation on your ritual elements to direct the power. When
your energy is focused, the ritual begins.
The
key focus of your ritual might be prayer, meditation on an object, following
a formal ritual process, ecstatic dancing or drumming. This is the time
to concentrate your mind and willpower on your intention. Listen. Receive.
The height of ritual is somewhat like multi-tasking. While you send your
energy toward your intended goal, also be listening and pay close inner
attention. This is the co-creative moment.
When
you are through, imagine the energy moving counterclockwise and dissipating
back to the cosmos or deity. Close your ritual by thanking spirit and
the elemental energies and taking up the circle. Put a clear end to your
ritual by “grounding” so you don't wander away still in a trance state.
You can do this by standing barefoot on the Earth and feeling your connection
while allowing any excess energy to drain from your body and into the
ground. Eating something substantial is another way.
How
effective your ritual is can be measured by how you feel in the hours,
or weeks afterward. Do you feel flooded with feelings of well-being and
clarity? Or renewed with vital mental energy? Intentions seeded near the
New Moon will often come to fruition at the next Full Moon, so note the
character of events in your life. Sometimes, your ritual may seem to have
no results. All ritual works, though it may not work immediately or in
the way you have imagined. The most important function of an astrological
ritual is the creation of meaning. If what you do makes meaning, you have
succeeded.
Further
Reading
Here
are some resources for those interested in creating their own rituals.
Cunningham,
Scott. Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic. Llewellyn
Publications. Rituals and magic using earth energies.
Cunningham,
Scott. Earth, Air, Fire and Water: More Techniques of Natural Magic.
Llewellyn Publications. More rituals and magic using earth energies.
Daniels,
Estelle. Astrologickal Magick. Weiser
Publications. Using astrology in magic and ritual.
Owens,
Elizabeth. Women Celebrating Life. Llewellyn Publications.
Rituals for women’s rites of passage.
Renee,
Janina. Tarot Spells. Llewellyn Publications. Rituals using
astrology and tarot.
Simms,
Maria Kay. The Witch’s Circle: Rituals and Craft of the Cosmic Muse.
Llewellyn Publications. Rituals that incorporate astrology.
Notes
A
magician, in this case, is a person
who performs rituals to create change, not a stage illusionist.
If
you choose to call in the cosmic energy
by a specific name, especially a deity name, research the deity and its
culture of origin (if it’s not yours) before the ritual. It’s important
to make sure that who/whatever you ask for help is compatible with the
focus of your ritual, and to honor the tradition from which it came. If
you have never performed a ritual before, it is wise to forego calling
a specific name in favor of calling on “spirit” or just “god.”
In
the Western magical traditions, it is common to use a different system
of attributions for the elemental offerings:
air in the east, fire in the south, water in the west and earth in the
north. Choose which makes most sense to you symbolically.
|
