Practioners gather in groups called Covens or Clans or alone in Solitary practice. Each group may have it's own unique practices or rituals. Covens range in number of members, but traditionally have a maximum of thirteen which is the number of transition. When the number of members in a coven exceeds thirteen, the common belief is that the coven should split, to continue the self-perpetuation process.
Practioners do not have specific structures of worship, though some find the means and finances for constructing indoor altars, some call them temples, while others practice their rituals at outdoor altars. In reality, any place in contact with the Earth will suffice. Rituals are practiced in Circles representing the cycle of life, energy and the ever ending cycle of divine energy. Group Circle Gatherings are similar to Setting Circles for solitary practices. The area is purified by the Four Elements and then the Circle is cast , usually by a leader of the coven often known as a Priest or Priestess who walks clockwise along its perimeter and drawing an actual circle. Sometimes with a wand or athame which are two common tools, a rope made of natural fibers, a vine or drawing in the dirt. After this, many Covens call forth the four cardinal directions and are greeted and invoked, according to the tradition and preference of the practitioners.
Other neo pagans practice entirely without formal circle-casting. Some Celtic reconstructionists worship in a Nemeton, as they believe the ancients did, within a ritual framework based on elements earth, wind, fire, water. Others have adapted Native American practices and invoke the directions, including Above and Below. And some, meld all these aspects together and work with the directions and the elements.
Practioners conduct sacred rites within the Circle, invoking the names of the Goddess and God along with the essences of nature. Once the Circle has been cast, the space within represents an altered consciousness that is "between worlds." The Circle also serves to contain energy that is built up during the rites until it is ready to be released in what is known as the Cone of Power. When the Cone of Power is released, the energy goes into the purposes that the practitioners have set forth in their ritual.
Rituals often also include an honoring of the God/Goddess with wine and cakes. A goblet of wine is raised and an Athame is dipped into it to represent the union between the Goddess (the goblet) and the God (the athame). The cup is then passed around the Circle to be drunk by the practitioners. The ceremonial cakes are then passed around as well, to complete the socializing and fellowship that is present in the circle. Sometimes rituals are also conducted skyclad (naked) or in special costumes, depending on the tradition. The purpose of both these practices is to increase the unity with nature.
Practioners have a set of tools commonly used for casting circles and during rituals.
* The broom, serves the purpose of purifying a space before casting a circle.
* An altar where the rite is focused.
* The wand and athame which are masculine tools.
* The cup and broom which are feminine tools.
These objects also represent the elements, fire, earth, water and air. In some traditions, the wand is the symbol for air and the athame a symbol for fire. The practioner (if a solitary) or the priest/priestess stands in the center of the circle to represent the 5th element, the divine spirit. This combination of elements and nature perfectly complement the image of the Goddess and God during the ritual.
Some Wiccans have alternate associations with elements and directions, especially those based on Norse or Welsh covens. The Athame in some groups is a white-handled knife used in ritual, the black handled athame might be used outside the circle for magically related work such as gathering herbs or cutting candle wicks. Another tool used for these purposes is the boline, a crescent shaped knife.
There are three types of gatherings: Sabbats, Esbats and special purposes. In a special purpose gatherings, a coven meets to deal with a common goal or issue that needs immediate attention, such as casting a health spell to aid a sickly friend. Most magikal rites are performed at Esbats, which are small gatherings that correspond to the phases of the moon.
Sabbats or Holiday festivals also take place during the year. These holidays are divided into the sections of the seasonal year, spring, summer, fall and winter. They are also divided into
Quarters and Cross-quarter ceremonies.
Spring
Imbolg
Ostara
Bealtaine
Summer
Midsummer
Fall
Lughnasadh
Mabon
Samhain
Winter
Yule
Quarter ceremonies,
these are also called the Fire Festivals.
Yule
Ostara
Midsummer - Summer Solstice
Mabon
Cross Quarter ceremonies.
Imbolg
Bealtaine
Lughnasadh
Samhain
While many traditions use Initiations to acknowledge the progress of a practioner through knowledge and learning, not all traditions follow this concept. Initiates are considered to be priests/priestess after a full cycle of learning is acquired. Often, a Priest/Priestess takes on the role similar to other clergy, performing blessings, weddings, eulogies and so on. Many practioners are fighting to gain state recognition for their status as clergy within the pagan community.
Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):
Michael Harrison - The Roots Of WitchcraftGeorge Lyman Kittredge - Notes On Witchcraft
Alexander Roberts - A Treatise Of Witchcraft
