Contents
List of Illustrations … xi
Acknowledgments … xiii
Acknowledgments to the New Edition … xv
Foreword by Thorn Mooney … xvii
Introduction to the New Edition … 1
Chapter 1: The Wiccan Circle Step-by-Step … 7
The Steps of Ritual … 9
Alternate Steps of Ritual … 10
Chapter 2: The Four Elements … 13
The Universe in a Nutshell … 13
The Qualities of the Elements … 14
Where Do the Elements Come From? … 22
Alchemy and the Elements … 24
Is There a Fifth Element? … 24
The Elements of Religion … 27
Elemental Structure of This Book … 28
Chapter 3: Preliminary Steps … 31
Alternate Order … 31
Preparation … 31
Grounding and Centering … 74
Declared Opening and Stated Purpose … 82
Chapter 4: Making the Ritual Space … 87
Alternate Order … 87
Sacred Preparations … 87
Casting the Circle: Making the Space … 103
Calling the Quarters … 119
Chapter 5: The Center … 143
Alternate Order … 144
The Steps … 145
Invoking the Gods … 145
Giving Offerings to the Gods … 173
Raising the Cone of Power … 195
Cakes and Wine (Receiving the Blessings of the Gods) … 198
Using the Blessings … 233
Chapter 6: Closing the Circle … 243
Alternate Steps … 244
When to Close the Circle … 244
Thanking the Gods and Dismissing the Quarters … 244
The Final Steps in Closing the Circle … 254
After the Circle Is Over … 261
Chapter 7: A Ritual Script … 265
Preparation … 265
Grounding and Centering … 266
Clearing the Space … 268
Declared Opening and Stated Purpose … 268
Sacred Preparations … 268
Casting the Circle: Making the Space … 270
Calling the Quarters … 272
Invoking the Gods … 274
Giving Offerings to the Gods … 274
Cakes and Wine (Receiving the Blessings of the Gods) … 276
Using the Blessings … 278
Thanking the Gods … 279
Dismissing the Quarters … 280
Uncasting the Circle and Declared Ending/Reconnecting to Earth … 281
Conclusion … 283
References and Bibliography … 285
Index … 289