The Opening Ritual of a coven
© Janet and Stewart Farrar
The High Priestess and High Priest kneel before the altar, with him to her right. The rest of the coven stand outside the north east quadrant of the circle. The HPS puts the bowl of water of the pentacle, put the point of her athame in the water and says:
‘I exorcise thee, O creature of water, that thou cast out from the all the impurities and uncleanliness of the spirits of the world of phantasm; in the names of Danu and Cernunnos.’
She lays down her athame and holds up the bowl of water in both hands. The high Priest puts the bowl of salt on the pentacle, puts the tip of his athame in the salt and says:
‘Blessings be upon this creature of salt, let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth hencefrom, and let all good enter herin; wherefore do I bless theee, that thou mayest aid me in the names of Danu and Cernunnos.
He lays down his athame and pours the salt into the bowl of water the HPS is holding up. They both put their bowls on the altar and the HP leaves the circle to stand with the coven. The HPS draws the Circle with the sword, leaving a gateway in the north east. She proceeds deosil from North to North saying as she goes:
‘I conjure thee, O Cirle of Power, that thou beest a meeting place of love and joy and truth; a shield against all wickedness and evil; a boundry between the world of humans and the realms of the Mighty Ones; a rampart and protection that shall preserve and contain the power we shall raise within thee. Wherefore do I bless thee and consecrate thee in the names of Danu and Cernunnos.’
She lays the sword down in front of the altar and admits the HP with a kiss...he in turn admits a woman and so forth until all are in the Circle. The HPS closes the gate with the sword and replaces it in front of the altar. She then names three witches to strengthen the circle, by carrying around the altar candle, the salt water and the incense. When this is finished all pick up their athames and face East with the HPS in front, the HP to her right. She says:
'Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, Ye Lords of Air, I do summon, stir and call you up to witness our rights and guard the Circle.’
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