Chapter Eight of the Red Witch Tradition
Self Dedication
The Beginning of A Year and A Day
Silverstar Red Crow © 1998/2007


It is time to take the plunge; to dedicate yourself to the workings of the Goddess, forming an eternal link with you and The Divine. Today, you take control of your own life. This does not mean that you must rebel from excepted authority. It means that you will begin the process of building a life that is based on personal empowerment, not fear. Through respect and silent courage, you will learn to walk quietly on the Mother, to live a life that works with nature, not against it. You will learn to embrace responsibility of self and stewardship of faith in The Divine and of the planet, realizing that She is the link to human enlightenment. Through the process of personal inventory, you will gain the knowledge and skill to forge a new life free from dependence and defeatist behavior. You contain the divine spark that is life.
This is the beginning of your serious spiritual education and magickal life. It is time to dress in the black robe of the Craft Practitioner. I recommend a full-length cotton robe that is easy to get in and out of. Make the sleeves three-quarter length or close to the body, to avoid possible fire hazards. I prefer an all cotton robe, it feels smooth on the skin and is easy to launder. Make eight sashes to correspond to the Sabbats: green for Yule, cobalt blue for Imbolc, red for Ostara, white for Beltane, pink for Litha, purple for Lughnassadh, burgundy for Mabon and black for Samhain. Have the sashes ready to take into Circle with you during this ceremony. They will be consecrated during one of the most important rituals of your life; other than the sashes and a silver Pentacle, the Craft Practitioner, whether Solitary or Covener, wears no other adornments in ritual.
You come to The Divine as a new being, a child of Earth and Heaven. You wear no make-up, jewelry or hair adornments for the Self-Dedication Ceremony. As a Solitary, for this ceremony only (if you choose to wear clothes during ritual usually), you present yourself to the Goddess and the God naked, symbolizing your lack of pretension and your innocence.
You have gathered several notebooks or journals to keep a record of the spiritual journey that is unfolding: one to record dreams, one for questions, one for feelings, one for visions and still another for goals. Chapter Six offered an idea to consolidate all the notebooks into one large black 3-ring notebook or scrapbook. Each separate notebook becomes a chapter in this larger workbook, clearly defining the steps to your growth. This is a Book of Shadows, a complete record of your magickal workings, experiences and feelings. Eventually, you will have chapters called Spellwork for Esbats, New Moon, Full Moon, Sabbats, Personal Rituals and Oracles. You might have particular attractions to herbs, stones and artistic projects that enhance ritual; these chapters belong in your Book of Shadows, too. Creating a Book of Shadows is an important step to be included today, since you are officially beginning the Year and A Day commitment. As a Craft Practitioner, use the color of your degree for the book. Good record keeping is a must and will be necessary at every turn of your magickal development.
Besides the Book of Shadows and a favorite pen, gather the following items for the ceremony:
1. Kosher Salt
2. Fancy Water (sparkling water)
3. A Nice Wine Glass
4. An Individual Cake
5. A Nice Plate for the Cake
6. A Shallow Bowl (preferably gold colored glass)
7. Anointing Oil—either Amber or Dragon’s Blood
8. Candle Snuffer
9. A Smudge Shell and 4 Sacred Herbs
10. 1 Red Votive Candle in a Clear Glass Votive Holder
11. Soothing Music
12. Clear Quartz Crystal (about 2” to 3” long, small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, but not too large that handling and pointing is uncomfortable)
13. 1 Blue Glass Container with Lid (to be used to store Holy Water that you will create in Circle)
14. A Silver Pentacle (on a black cord or ribbon)

Everything that is used for the ceremony will become a part of the permanent Altar. Consequently, you should take great care in gathering these items. They are magickal extensions of your being and by using them in this ceremony; they will be consecrated for magickal use.
THE SUN GREETING
The greeting of The Sun should be practiced on the morning of any important ceremony, but particularly on the morning of a self-dedication. The Sun Greeting can provide a boost to our vital energies (remember that before important ritual, you will have been fasting) and honors all who have walked this path before us and who will in the future. It ties us to The Sun, the giver of vital energy and puts us in contact with our muse, since the rising of The Sun represents inspiration.
 Consult a farmer’s almanac and determine the exact time of sunrise. Awake prior to the sunrise and determine the ideal place to view it. If the weather is inclement, continue the process as dictated, just greet the coming of light, rather than The Sun.
 Clear, Center and Ground. Smudge. Hold the smudge shell chest high until you see the first rays of sunlight break the horizon.
 When The Sun rises high enough to see it in entirety, raise the shell over your head as an offering and say,
“Great God,
through You I call the Spirits
of my ancestors
to support me in my quest.
Thank You for the blessing of Your light.
So Mote It Be!”
 Take 3 cleansing breaths. Continue the chores of your day, returning to your bed, if you must.

SELF-DEDICATION CEREMONY
This ceremony personalizes your ties to the Goddess and the God through private oaths of love and loyalty. The self-dedication serves to ground you in the importance of ritual and it helps define your goals for the next year and a day.
 Make sure that you are completely alone and will not be disturbed for at least 2 hours.
 Smudge your room, your spiritual tools and Altar thoroughly. Make sure all of the tools and supplies are carefully laid on the Altar, including the silver Pentacle and the eight Sabbat sashes. Follow the directions for a Purification Bath in Chapter Three.
 Select and play a piece of music that grounds you to the Earth, that is soothing, low-key and flowing.
 Immediately after your bath, stand at your Altar (skyclad = without clothes); Clear, Center and Ground, and raise a Power Cone.
 Then, honor all 5-Directions: North, East, South, West and Center (Spirit), by slowly raising your arms overhead and holding your hands together, then making a slight bow. This bow is not the act of subjugation, but is an act of honor and respect.
 Say a heart-felt prayer in every direction; do not clutter your mind with too much content and form. Emotion is the key.
 Take a lit red votive candle in a clear glass votive holder and place it on the Altar. You will be lighting the taper candles from this votive, with the help of a wax wand or small birthday candle.
 Place a shallow bowl in the center of the Altar. Place a quartz crystal in the center of the bowl and pour Fancy Water over it until it is completely submerged. The clear quartz crystal will eventually be used as a wand, but for now, it is used to amplify energy to create Holy Water.
 Holding a large pinchful of Kosher Salt in your hand, make the sign of the Medicine Wheel over the top of the bowl (make the motion in the air, without making a physical circle), then gesture 5 spiral swirls, clockwise.
 Now add 5 large dashes of salt into the water. As the water bubbles, imagine yourself under a waterfall in a lush forest of green. Feel yourself completely cleansed and refreshed. Wash your fingertips and face in the salt water. Offer the water to the 5-Directions, depositing 3 sprinkles for each Direction.
 Beginning and ending in the North, trace a Salt Circle clockwise, making sure that your Altar is within the Circle.
 Light the black candle, then the white candle.
 Standing in the North, facing South, with amber oil, anoint yourself, first in the center of your forehead, then your left wrist, left ankle, right ankle and finally your right wrist.
 Within the Circle, lie down on the floor on your back, with your head in the North. Stretch your arms and legs out to their sides forming a 5-pointed star. You are a living Pentacle; the sign of your faith. The Pentacle represents the 5-Directions, 5 Elements and how we experience life through our 5 senses. Feel Above meld into Below, becoming One. Close your eyes and imagine your body becoming a wheel, spinning in a clockwise manner, faster and faster until you have blended with the Goddess and God Energies, becoming a Triad.
 After a time, open your eyes and focus on your surroundings. Stand and face North.
 Declare aloud,
“I promise to feed you, Mother Goddess.
I promise to feed you, Father God.
I promise to care for you, Earth Mother.
I promise to care for you, Sky Father.
I promise to love you, Divine Mother.
I promise to love you, Divine Father.
As you have fed, nurtured and loved me;
Caressing my aches when I’ve lost small battles.
I shall be there to soothe your pain,
Caused by neglect and misunderstanding.
You are the desert rose that opens at sunset,
Washed by the mist of gentle tears.
You are love everlasting,
Supplying strength to withstand any fear.
I join You now,
With arms wide open.
Help me to prepare for a life filled with power,
Of my own making.
I promise to honor myself
As a living temple,
Devoted to the Old Ones and the unfolding of the Natural World!
Blessed Be!”
 Rise and stand at the Altar. Place the silver Pentacle around your neck.
 Pour the Fancy Water into the glass and say aloud:
“In Perfect Love,
in Perfect Trust,
I drink You Great Mother”.
 Drink the water, saving a healthy swallow to give Mother Earth as a sign of your devotion to Her. Say aloud,
“In Perfect Love,
in Perfect Trust,
I eat You Great Father”.
 Eat the cake, saving a large bite to give to the creatures of the Earth as a token of your lasting bond.
 Thank the Goddess and God for Their blessings. Sense Their majesty filling you with the knowledge that you are joined by millions alive and those who have gone before, in the worship of personal divinity, everlasting and forever growing in you.
 Beginning in the North, with your activated right index finger, in a counter-clockwise motion, trace a sweeping motion until you reach North again.
 The Sacred Circle is now open.
 Snuff the candles. Clean the area thoroughly and place the salt that casted the Circle in the Burn-Bury container so that it can be buried or burned at an appropriate time.
 Once the Altar area is cleaned and reorganized to accommodate new supplies, adjourn to a feasting area (regular dining area is fine, or in your private space, if you prefer) or outdoors and enjoy a simple feast.
 Prepare a plate filled with a bite of Sacramental Cake and a bite of every food that you consumed during your feast. This is called a Spirit Plate. Spirit Plates have been used for countless years by tribal peoples throughout the world, to thank the Spirit World for Their blessings on the living. It is a sign of great respect to offer personal bits of food from your plate, indicating the preciousness of your sacrifice to the Spirit World. For some, even in modern society today, it is still a struggle to feed one’s self properly. Go to the Northern point of your property, outside, and pour the sip of Fancy Water that you saved from the ritual and pour it onto the bare ground. When it is absorbed into the Earth, place the Spirit Plate over the wet ground. Leave it there. It will be consumed by the creatures of the Natural World that will see you as friend, now.
 Thank the Goddess and God for the wonderful bounty that They have shared with you and commit yourself to a life filled with strong seeds and good earth.
THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
From this point on, begin your day at least a half an hour earlier. Upon rising, center yourself quietly. Before entering your morning bath, silently ask the Goddess and God to protect, guide and love you throughout the day. After your bath, dry yourself, and then anoint yourself on the 5 points, dress and go to the Altar.
Face North. Clear, Center and Ground and raise a Power Cone. This will become second nature to you, because you will complete this procedure every time you work with personal spiritual energy or Sacred Space; turn-on your psychic energy and fill-up. Light the candles on the Altar, the black candle of the Goddess, then the white candle of the God. Take the dream journal that is within the Book of Shadows and writing implement off the Altar and sit in a comfortable meditative position on the floor or on a chair in front of the Altar. Begin conscious breathing, counting the four-eight breath, as learned in Chapter Two. Once you have entered a meditative state, ask your Higher Mind to recall the lessons from your dreams the previous night. Give yourself permission to travel into your dreams, recounting as much information as necessary. Once the dream journey is complete, come back into corporal reality and write the dream events in the journal. Be sure to date it and write the time that you had the dream if you remember it. I have a glowing digital clock beside my bed. Often I awake out of the dreamstate and notice the time. Sometimes, certain dream patterns become evident, which can be valuable information later, particularly if your dream is prophetic in nature.
Once the recording process is complete, prepare for your day in your usual fashion. Eventually, you will add the use of the Tarot to your morning routine. Morning spiritual routines are vitally important, because they set the tone for the entire day. Making the workings of the Natural World and the Spirit Realms a part of your normal day takes a bit of conditioning. It also internalizes the ritual process, so that it loses its supernatural qualities. Miracles occur everyday, impacting our lives profoundly, but you must begin to expect miracles. Living the magickal life needs to be real, not based in an imaginary world. Consequently, you must start breathing in the extraordinary, until it becomes ordinary. This does not lessen the pleasure of profundity of experience, it makes it uniquely yours and attainable.
Very recently, I was in the main room of my Temple/retail space, re-recording the message on the answering machine, when I saw a small nondescript person cross the front window. I could not tell if the person was a large child, a small woman or an older woman. She was dressed in a gray blue outfit, of no particular distinction and her head was covered, possibly with a shawl. There is a large sign directly in the middle of the window, which blocks about four feet of glass from view. The figure was curious looking, so I stood waiting for her to walk out from behind the sign. I waited and waited; no figure moved. This is not that unusual, because I display some of my paintings, from time to time, in the front window and interested lookers study them. I watched for people crossing the street, or turning direction, and still nothing. I finally became worried, thinking that the figure had become ill and collapsed on the sidewalk. I moved across the gallery, opened the door, looked behind the sign and found no one. But, I spotted a rich color in the center of the sidewalk. I moved over to it and discovered a perfect freshly picked deep pink rose. The knife mark was still on its stem. I breathed in the wonderful aroma and thanked Spirit for the exquisite gift. Miracles do happen everyday!
In the evening when you are ready to retire, retreat to private space. Clear, Center and Ground. Raise a Power Cone. Light the Altar Candles. Take yourself through the basic Relaxation Meditation. Once you feel completely free of your daily struggles and your body has released its stress, concentrate on your spine. Find the 7 Chakra points, feel their power and colors, realize they all fit together as one working unit. As described in Chapter Two, take yourself through the entire activation process of the Chakra Exercise. Make this a part of your evening ritual process. End your meditation where you began. Feel your body and mind clean and clear, ready for sleep and dream-work. Make a notation in the dream journal outlining the desired lessons that you want to cover in the dreamstate this night. Be specific if necessary.
You are building a communicative relationship with your subconscious mind, a relationship not had by many. The subconscious realm is often negated as separate and inconsequential to daily corporal reality. But for me, it is an active workshop that deals with the complexity of the entire intake and outgo of information that is gathered each and every day. A couple of years ago, I read that reading a Sunday New York Times newspaper, cover to cover, equaled the total mental input of an average sixteenth-century European. To transform a communicative relationship with the subconscious mind into a working partnership, equips the human mind with an extraordinary amount of usable knowledge, not to mention the valuable insight of an “objective viewer”. The subconscious mind records, just like a movie camera, the events of our lives. Once we have the ability to clear away our psychological discomfort and fears, we have an objective account of the events that shape our lives. This presents an exciting opportunity to know ourselves, all the motivations, fears, logic, abilities and talents, weaknesses. The more knowledge we have of self, the more power we can manifest.
I talk a great deal about the generation of power and control. This should not be misconstrued as power or control over others. It is about self. To have knowledge of self, leads to gaining control over the actions of self, which leads to taking responsibility for one’s actions, which leads to the ability to change how the self reacts, which leads to inner reward. Knowledge is power. Power is Magick.
The average person has no idea why he acts the way he does; things just happen to him. Or so he thinks. Life becomes a series of random events that just happen, with little meaning and sometimes devastating events. Those events form the individual, abuse, pain and sorrow, wounds that never heal. To develop conscious awareness of one’s choices, the self has the opportunity to free itself from the process of negative conditioning and begin shaping a life that has the possibility of positive outcomes. This might sound like behavior modification, or a sophisticated brain washing technique to some. But, in reality, we are building a life that is based on our consent, rather than the wishes of others. That is Practical Magick. Random events become acts of synchronicity.
Be prepared to put aside an hour a day; a half an hour in the morning and another half an hour in the evening, for your rituals. Eventually, you may naturally increase the time spent; including detailed personal inventory, creative spiritual projects, research and networking. These activities play important roles in your magickal routines and practice. You will start putting a larger picture of your personal destiny together as you uncover the memories of your past lives and all the places, people and power you experienced and are able to experience again!
Finally, keep a detailed record of your experiences and thought journeys in your Book of Shadows. This will encourage discipline in record-keeping. Thoroughly documenting your experiences is very important, it will become one of your most valued allies. Every success as well as failure shows through on paper. Journaling is an indispensable tool, used to trace your mistakes, so you do not need to keep repeating them, and to trace the goals you have accomplished.
CELEBRATING THE ESBATS AND THE SABBATS

Celebrating the Esbats and the Sabbats without missing any, for a Year and A Day is one of the personal pledges made to the Goddess, before performing the Self-Dedication. As a Solitary Practitioner, undertaking personal worship without exact form may be intimidating, but there is little need for discomfort. After all, you have just celebrated the first of twenty-five Esbats (12 New Moons and 13 Full Moons in one calendar year) by performing the Self-Dedication; it was on the New Moon, one down. Do not forget the eight Sabbats, too.

Esbats

Review the explanation of the Esbats in Chapter One. Be clear on their meanings and why Nature People embrace them as special events. This is the time to really study the new Daily Planetary Guide and if need be, cheat a little bit a read some of the next chapter about astrology. This is a time of growth, not of overload. Your routines of ritual worship will grow in complexity, with the gaining of knowledge. Do not pressure yourself with lots of form, now. Try to have an open mind and the rest will unfold, as it is needed.

The New Moon

The New Moon signals the beginning of the Natural Month, twenty-eight days and nights. The New Moon rises at dawn and sets at dusk, making its Zenith (its most powerful time) at noon. Consequently, mid-day is the best time to soak in the power of the New Moon. This is the time that the Goddess Diana is in Her glory. She bestows humankind with vital energy, similarly to the God. She is powerful and strong; the Great Huntress, providing sustenance for all. Since you are not concerned with the astrological intricacies of spellwork, at this time, set your sights on a ritual at noon, Diana’s hour.
If you are like the majority of people in this country and work 8 to 5, arrange to take your lunch break at noon. Pack a normal lunch, perhaps a little fancier than usual, including some food that is in season; this will be your feast. Include in the lunch preparation, a small piece of cake and a small sparkling water. Regardless of weather or season (dress appropriately), take your break out of doors, hopefully to a park or a tree lined street. If you have the luxury of working at home and have a personal outdoor area, all the better; take a leisurely walk, soaking up the feelings of the day. Whether it is cloudy or clear, observe the light and absorb the energy of newness around you. Breathe deeply, enjoying the aromas of the Natural World. If your job does not afford you the opportunity to leave the sight, or if its located in an industrial area and it is undesirable to be outside, search out a window that you can think quietly in front of.
In the quiet of your mind, thank the Goddess and the God for their blessings of new life and adventure. As a token of respect for the Natural World, if you are outside, pour a portion of the fancy water unto the Earth and leave a bit of cake over it. As you do this, say,
“I drink You, Great Mother.
I eat You, Great Father.
We are One.
Blessed Be.”
Eat your feast and enjoy the walk back to work.
This routine is not complicated or threatening. It gives you an opportunity to break the monotony of the day and de-stress. As a pre-spellwork ritual, this does quite nicely. Eventually, when performing more complex ceremonies, use Black as a decorative color for the New Moon, because the sky is devoid of moonlight at this time.

The Full Moon

During the Full Moon we experience The Moon at her Zenith, halfway through the monthly cycle of 13 Moons of the Natural Year. This is the night to line your windowsills with quartz crystals, allowing their collected poisons to be lifted from them and allowing them to be charged with fresh energy. We as humans are no different in utilizing the power of The Moon; She charges us, cleans our auric fields and inspires us to continue the cycle of transforming energy into action.
The Full Moon rises at sunset and sets at dawn. To experience the full effect of The Moon’s power, regardless of the season, venture outdoors shortly before Midnight. On a clear night, everything, human, animal, rock, flower and water, glows with the reflected light of The Moon. Nature becomes a wonderland, glowing blue. There is a special hush that comes over the planet during the Full Moon, an expectant state. It is as if Nature knows something is about to happen. She opens Her enormous arms and waits for The Moon to fill Her with purpose. Because of the intense brightness of The Moon at this time, the color for the Full Moon is white, which can be used as Altar cloths, candles, Altar decorations or ritual sashes, if any are being used.
This is the time of the Goddess Selene; she rides Her chariot from one side of the heavens to the other, lighting the Earth as She travels. This is the cycle of expanding our emotional capabilities for the work that awaits us in the month ahead. And it is the time of banishing all things unwanted from our environments, bodies, hearts and minds from houses that we have outgrown, to lovers who have fallen out of favor. At this time of the month, we have the ability to both expand and contract, just like the tides themselves. Our dreams are filled with messages and our minds are filled with schemes and plans. This is the Esbat that legend is made of; dark cloaks, dancing around blazing bonfires, the aromas of smoldering herbs and the sound of chanting in rhyme.
Plan for the weather; if the weather is stormy, you may need to wrap yourself in a warm blanket or coat and plan to have your Sacrament on your porch. If it is a clear and warm night, you will need only a picnic basket or tray, with the Sacramental Water and Cake. Depending on weather, say your prayers at the sight of the outdoor Altar. Then, go to the Northern point of your property and pour the Sacramental Water unto the ground and say your Sacramental prayer, the same one said on the New Moon. Follow with the Sacramental Cake. If you live in an apartment, say your prayers at an opened window and save the Sacraments to be placed outside later. Pay attention to the glowing world. Open to The Moon, enjoy the feelings that She produces. This is the Full Moon, empowering and romantic.
Sabbats

The celebrations of the Sabbats will grow with your knowledge and understanding as with the Esbats, so do not pressure yourself unnecessarily; when physically preparing for the Sabbats, read about the changes in the Natural World and the “Visions” of the Sabbats in Part Four: “A Facilitator’s Guide”, in this book. Do not overwhelm yourself with details yet, leave that for the Sabbats following the Year and A Day commitment.
Take a long walk, enjoying the changing colors, temperatures and wildlife of the Natural World. Gather wild flowers, fallen leaves, interesting pieces of wood fallen during storms or cultivated fruits and vegetables to decorate the Altar. Prepare an Altar cloth, which matches the color of the sash that corresponds to the particular Sabbat you are celebrating. Then arrange the fresh offerings atop it. It is always pleasing to human and Spirit alike, to adorn Altars with beauty from nature. If the weather is mild, celebrate at the Altar out of doors.
As with any ritual or magickal act, Clear, Center, Ground and raise a Power Cone, before recreating Sacred Space. Decide the best method to cast a Simple Circle, making sure that you have readied all the desired tools and supplies and have placed them appropriately, so they will be in the Circle when cast. Follow the directions in Chapter Five, “Creating Sacred Space”. When the Circle is cast, be sure to thank the Goddess and the God and all 5-Elements for their blessings and assistance. Do not concern yourself with “calling” or “invoking” anyone or anything. Take the ritual experience one step at a time. Light one candle in the center of the Altar, which corresponds with the particular Sabbat color. Light incense that you feel is appropriate for the Sabbat. Before partaking in the Sacraments, take five to ten minutes to quietly meditate about the changing season that you are a part of now. Breathe deeply, smelling seasonal aromas, listen carefully to the wildlife that surrounds you; feel the temperature of the Natural World on your exposed cheeks. This is what Sabbat celebration is all about, worshipping The Divine by enjoying seasonal splendor.
Sometimes, it is inappropriate to do any spellcrafting on a Sabbat, since it is a time of worship and thanksgiving. Many Witches, me included, leave spellcraft for the Esbats; there are always emergencies, though. Do not make any definite dos and don’ts outside of basic good ritual form, following tenets, practices and rules. Remember this is a time of knowledge accumulation. You need to stay as flexible as possible, without sacrificing integrity.
Once you have consumed the Sacraments and have offered a bit of them to the Natural World, open the Circle by repeating the casting process exactly, but doing it in reverse, counterclockwise. Remember to thank The Divine and the Elements for Their protection and blessings, especially during this time of learning. Another good thing to remember is to not rush. Put aside the demands of everyday existence for a while. A simple ritual like this, when properly done, should take at least an hour. If it is taking fifteen minutes, it is a good indication that not enough time and preparation has gone into the ritual. Monitor yourself closely. Though your ceremonies are straightforward and uncomplicated and your prayers are short, each syllable should be said slowly and contemplatively. Each bite of Sacrament should be savored, each sip of water cherished. It is up to the seeker to manufacture the “rush” of ritual. It is not the responsibility of the Natural or Spirit Worlds to put on a good show for you!
Not too long ago, our Grove had its special Beltane Eve Balefire Ritual, which invites friends and family members of the Grove and a few V.I.P.S. (very important Priestesses). The invited group is a diverse mix of ages and belief systems, some uninitiated members of other religions. We had a wonderful turnout and the Natural World gave us a wonderful gift of beautiful clear, warm weather; a sometimes-difficult feat in May in the Northwest. A wonderful time was had by all and some commented that is was the best public ritual that they had ever attended. There was one attendee that did not agree with the others. She enjoyed the party atmosphere, the company, the food; but felt there was no real spiritual edge or meaning to the evening.
At first I was a little perturbed, taking this observation as a criticism. Then I realized that this person was heavily burdened emotionally and physically, as of late, and had not centered totally and “been in the moment”. Consequently, she had not felt anything magickal about the evening’s activities. This was her unfortunate loss. This is why it is important to take rituals slowly, giving yourself the time and space to savor the great gifts of life that surround you.

Fulfilling Your Pledge, Even when Illness Strikes
Regardless of how well we treat our bodies, minds and spirits, we are human and sometimes fall to the whim of a virus or bacteria. We are all fallible. Do not fight it…relax. Rely on your medicine cabinet (magickal and corporal) and on your supplies and realize that Spirit knows best! Perhaps you are a typical overachiever and you need a rest; no matter the reason, be prepared to pamper yourself.
I find that a stock of “Xena” reruns comes in handy, not to mention a few tasty magazines. Being a text-book overachiever myself, I hate to waste time. So, naturally, I think, “Ah, good time to catch-up on my reading.” But this is not the time for magickal or research reading. Your mind is equal partners with your body and soul. Consequently, if your body is screaming out and demanding a rest, be intelligent and give the same reward to your mind.
Unfortunately, our body’s time-clock does not always match the calendar’s. Sooner or later, it is bound to happen; we eventually become sick on an Esbat or Sabbat. Although an illness can cramp one’s style, prepare as usual for ceremony. Take a cleansing bath, anoint your body with oils, but dress in warm cuddly clothes instead of remaining skyclad or donning traditional ceremonial robes. Prepare a simple Altar away from your Main Altar. Dress it with an Altar Cloth, corresponding with the Moon Phase or Sabbat, set-up a solitary candle, have the Sacramental Drink and Cake on a special plate. This is when Gesturing becomes a wonderful ally. Gesture in the 5-Directions, as described in Chapter Five, light your candle, say a simple prayer, partake in the Sacraments, Gesture out the 5-Directions, snuff your candle. This is when a fifteen- minute ritual is perfectly acceptable! Celebrate the event by having a simple feast of soup or simply go back to bed. Have you cheated by celebrating so sparingly; definitely not! You have kept your bargain of celebrating the events of the Natural Year, while remaining kind to your body.
I find it a great help to have Sacramental Cakes in the freezer, Fancy Water in the pantry and soup on hand, exactly for times like these. Though some may think this attention to detail is a bit paranoid, perhaps they have not yet had the flu on an important Sabbat. BE PREPARED is the Witch’s motto, too.

MOONTIME
Moontime is the tribal word for the menstrual cycle. This is the time when women of childbearing age are reminded of their role in the Life-Cycle as the bearer of life, a most sacred deed expressed only by women. During this period, women are at their zenith, full of power and passion. Through working with the forces of the Natural World, women can learn to harness this power and make it work for them. Once we have learned to rise above the pain and the social taboo, we can discover that Blood Medicine should be cherished and fondly remembered. Through the process of celebrating the Esbats, many Witches’ cycles will change and become more in sync with The Moon, which also curbs much of the discomfort of menses.
Now that I have personally entered the Crone phase of my life, I look back to the years when I became so caught up in the pain and the mess of my Moon, that I lost track of any personal power. I also look back with fondness at the memories of harnessing that power and enriching my life. Crone women can harness their Blood Medicine by simply remembering. Women do not need to completely end that phase of life; the memories can be brought back into the present and future. Nothing has to be wasted in this life!
In times past, women were sent to the Moon Lodge to wait out their Moontime only in the presence of other women. What a powerhouse that must have been! The women were segregated because many tribal people thought the Moontime was a time of over-exaggerated power, a time when the spiritual balance of calm and purpose was upset. Some tribal people maintain that belief to this day. It is not my desire, nor my place, to re-educate anyone. Nor is it my wish to snub tradition that is respected and practiced in the past. If you have questions regarding your Moon because you have been invited to a traditional tribal gathering like a sweat lodge, do not hesitate to consult an Elder.
There is a beautiful ritual to further link earthly women to the Divine Feminine. When you feel your Moon coming on, remove all your underclothing and go to the sight of the outdoor Altar. Bring a bottle of fresh filtered water with you. Find a clear area of dirt or grass in front of the Altar, and remove all small debris like leaves, pebbles, small sticks or insects. Then hike up your over-clothing and sit directly on the Earth. Relax. Take several deep cleansing breaths and say,
“Take a bit of my life blood into You,
Great Mother.
Let my juices blend with Earth and root and weed,
Making sacred power.
So Mote it Be!”
Then, take the bottle of water and pour a portion to the North, then to the East, South and West. Finally, sprinkle three amounts of water on your body, one on the head, one over the heart and the Solar Plexus, representing body, mind and soul.
Sometimes the most profound magickal experiences are the simplest. I remember practicing this rite as a young woman. It inspired me to hold the Divine Feminine always in my heart, the foundation of my faith and root of my power.
I include this small ritual to help women empower themselves, not to alienate men from the art of Magick. This information is particularly important for single fathers who have taken on sole responsibility of raising daughters. It is up to these fathers to educate the young women in their lives to be grounded and secure. By teaching young women that their menses is a glorious occurrence of potential power, gifts them with the understanding of their true magnificent worth.

RITUAL CLOTHING

When choosing clothing for ritual, the primary consideration is what works. Practicality should be equal to aesthetics. For example, all clothing should be loose, but not dragging on the ground or with too long of a sleeve; no one wants to catch on fire. It is important to be able to move freely within the confines of clothing. You have discovered that certain pre-ritual exercises require flexibility. In ritual, we are reaching for Inner Earth and the Heavens! Clothes that bind will not work.
Be aware that ritual clothing can become a significant expense. Before making a large expenditure, decide on a style and pattern that will fit your needs completely. For your first year as a Craft Practitioner, keep your ritual wardrobe simple; a black robe with eight colored Sabbat sashes. Once you become 1st Degree, you can afford to experiment a bit more, both financially and educationally. You will be wearing the white robe of the Witch, but be prepared for seasons and times of the day or night, which means you might have several white robes of different weights and fabrics. A single winter-weight outside black cloak does nicely for any degree; just accent it with a patch or piping of your present degree. And, be conscious of the fit! A simple piece of fabric that is belted at the waist works well and is attractive, too. Also, if you plan on becoming a member of a coven, or starting one of your own someday, dress code is an important factor. Some traditions center their rituals around certain time periods. Often, groups will dress alike, since a combined color or style reinforces spellwork. Remember that when doing Coven work, you are working in a unit. You are raising one Power Cone for all members. It can disrupt the flow of energy if one person in the group is constantly stumbling and threatening the boundaries of the Circle. Efficiency is also an important ingredient in ritual form.
It is important to understand if the choice is made to be a Solitary Practitioner of the Red Witch Tradition, that there are two kinds of Solitaries. The first is a Solitary practicing during the Year and A Day commitment (that wears a black robe) and the second is the Solitary that has completed the Year and a Day commitment (that wears the white robe). It is not fitting to call one’s self a Witch until the Year and a Day commitment is completed. As a Solitary practitioner, whether new or seasoned, the choice has been clearly made to stay alone is one’s faith and forfeits the Degree System. The Degree System only applies to people who choose community-oriented Coven life.

Reading List

FICTION:
The Lady of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
NON-FICTION:
The Book of Goddesses & Heroines by Patricia Monaghan. Llewellyn Publications,1993.