What is Wicca?
in Spirituality ·
Joshua Patel6 said:I always perform my rituals in my bedroom. That way, I have enough privacy and can truly set the mood properly.
In the early stages of my practice, setting up the physical space, preparing the tools, and creating the atmosphere meant much more to me than they do now. Back then, I had this habit of lighting dozens of candles—I’d illuminate the entire room using nothing but candlelight. I’d have an altar candle, four candles at the edges of the circle (one for each cardinal direction), a candle for the essential oil stand... It looked absolutely beautiful, but since I have carpet in my room and some pretty long curtains, there was always that nagging fear that a candle holder might tip over or something similar might happen. Because of that, I don't light all those candles anymore—for lighting, I just use a soft glow from a small lamp in the corner, and I represent the fire element with a single wand instead.
Before starting, I move my desk and chair out of the way so I have plenty of room to move. For an altar, I use a storage box where I keep most of my supplies, which is quite practical. I prefer working while sitting on the floor. Once, I tried sitting in a chair, but it just felt completely wrong. I sit in chairs constantly—on the subway, while eating, studying, reading, or grabbing coffee... but when I sit on the floor, I feel like what I am doing is something special and sacred.
I always perform my rituals in my bedroom. That way, I have enough privacy and can truly set the mood properly.
In the early stages of my practice, setting up the physical space, preparing the tools, and creating the atmosphere meant much more to me than they do now. Back then, I had this habit of lighting dozens of candles—I’d illuminate the entire room using nothing but candlelight. I’d have an altar candle, four candles at the edges of the circle (one for each cardinal direction), a candle for the essential oil stand... It looked absolutely beautiful, but since I have carpet in my room and some pretty long curtains, there was always that nagging fear that a candle holder might tip over or something similar might happen. Because of that, I don't light all those candles anymore—for lighting, I just use a soft glow from a small lamp in the corner, and I represent the fire element with a single wand instead.
Before starting, I move my desk and chair out of the way so I have plenty of room to move. For an altar, I use a storage box where I keep most of my supplies, which is quite practical. I prefer working while sitting on the floor. Once, I tried sitting in a chair, but it just felt completely wrong. I sit in chairs constantly—on the subway, while eating, studying, reading, or grabbing coffee... but when I sit on the floor, I feel like what I am doing is something special and sacred.
Thank you for such a thorough description! 🙂
For me, for instance, it was vital that my ritual space be separate from where I sleep, but that wasn't something I could afford to do. I didn't like the idea of the ritual energies lingering, regardless of how positive they might be. I want to sleep in a space that is completely neutral in that regard.
Do you perform your rituals with a specific purpose in mind, or are they primarily acts of gratitude and conversation with God or the Goddess?
Thank you for such a thorough description! 🙂
For me, for instance, it was vital that my ritual space be separate from where I sleep, but that wasn't something I could afford to do. I didn't like the idea of the ritual energies lingering, regardless of how positive they might be. I want to sleep in a space that is completely neutral in that regard.
Do you perform your rituals with a specific purpose in mind, or are they primarily acts of gratitude and conversation with God or the Goddess?
I perform rituals mainly to honor the Goddess and God and to express my gratitude for everything I have—though if you're asking whether I perform actual magic, then yes, occasionally, as part of my rituals for the Sabbath or an esbat.