OPENING CEREMONY FOR A GROUP

(To read this rite for the Southern Hemisphere, click here.)

PRIEST: Why do we here meet?

PRIESTESS: To form the Circle.

PRIEST: Why is the Circle to be formed?

PRIESTESS: To aid us in our search for Light.

PRIEST: How is the Circle to be formed?

PRIESTESS: In the Name and with the help of the Divine Lord and Lady.

PRIEST: How many form the Circle?

PRIESTESS: Four or more, and One at the center.

PRIEST: Who stands in the West?

WEST: I stand in the West.

PRIEST: What is your duty there?

WEST: To see that the gate herein is guarded; to aid the Divine Forces manifested in the element of air to join our circle.

PRIEST: By what name are you known?

WEST: I have been known by many names.

PRIEST: By what name shall we know you?

WEST: ***

PRIEST: Blessed be *** the Ruler in the West.

PRIEST: Who stands in the North?

NORTH: I stand in the North.

PRIEST: What is your duty there?

NORTH: To see that the gate herein is guarded; to aid the Divine Forces manifested in the element of water to join our circle.

PRIEST: By what name are you known?

NORTH: I have been known by many names.

PRIEST: By what name shall we know you?

NORTH: ***

PRIEST: Blessed be *** the Ruler in the North.

PRIESTESS: Who stands in the South?

SOUTH: I stand in the South.

PRIESTESS: What is your duty there?

SOUTH: To see that the gate herein is guarded; to aid the Divine Forces manifested in the element of fire to join our circle.

PRIESTESS: By what name are you known?

SOUTH: I have been known by many names.

PRIESTESS: By what name shall we know you?

SOUTH: ***

PRIESTESS: Blessed be *** the Ruler in the South.

PRIESTESS: Who stands in the East?

EAST: I stand in the East.

PRIESTESS: What is your duty there?

EAST: To see that the gate herein is guarded; to aid the Divine Forces manifested in the element of earth to join our circle.

PRIESTESS: By what name are you known?

EAST: I have been known by many names.

PRIESTESS: By what name shall we know you?

EAST: ***

PRIESTESS: Blessed be *** the Ruler in the East.

PRIEST: (Performing the gesture ‘PRAISE THE GODS’) Divine Lord and Lady we ask your help in forming this Holy Circle and in accomplishing the task for which it is made. In your Name we pray, amen.

ALL: So mote it be.

PRIEST: Let the circle be formed.

ALL: (Walking sunwise around the circle.) Blessed be this circle and all therein. (Repeated for three circuits then stop so everyone is standing in their original places.)

PRIEST: *** you will perform your duty in the West and see that the gate therein is properly sealed and guarded.

WEST: (Performing the gesture ‘PRAISE THE GODS’ facing the altar, then make the ‘SIGN OF AIR.’ Pick up the Dagger and turn to face the West. Raise the Dagger towards the heavens.) In the Name of the Divine Lord and Lady (Lower the Dagger to shoulder level.) and by the powers of air (Trace the Blazing Star in the air before you.) I do hereby banish and eliminate all evil and contamination from this circle. (Make three banishing gestures.) Be gone, be gone, be gone. Watcher in the West guard well this gate and allow none to pass except those who are truly dedicated to the Great Work and have permission. As I will, so mote it be. (Turn back to face the altar and place the elemental tool back on it.)

PRIEST: *** you will perform your duty in the North and see that the gate therein is properly sealed and guarded.

NORTH: (Performing the gesture ‘PRAISE THE GODS’ facing the altar, then make the ‘SIGN OF WATER.’ Pick up the Cup and turn to face the North. Raise the Cup towards the heavens.) In the Name of the Divine Lord and Lady (Lower the Cup to shoulder level.) and by the powers of Water (Trace the Blazing Star in the air before you.) I do hereby banish and eliminate all evil and contamination from this circle. (Make three banishing gestures.) Be gone, be gone, be gone. Watcher in the North guard well this gate and allow none to pass except those who are truly dedicated to the Great Work and have permission. As I will, so mote it be. (Turn back to face the altar and place the elemental tool back on it.)

PRIESTESS: *** you will perform your duty in the South and see that the gate therein is properly sealed and guarded.

SOUTH: (Performing the gesture ‘PRAISE THE GODS’ facing the altar, then make the ‘SIGN OF FIRE.’ Pick up the Wand and turn to face the South. Raise the Wand towards the heavens.) In the Name of the Divine Lord and Lady (Lower the Wand to shoulder level.) and by the powers of Fire (Trace the Blazing Star in the air before you.) I do hereby banish and eliminate all evil and contamination from this circle. (Make three banishing gestures.) Be gone, be gone, be gone. Watcher in the South guard well this gate and allow none to pass except those who are truly dedicated to the Great Work and have permission. As I will, so mote it be. (Turn back to face the altar and place the elemental tool back on it.)

PRIESTESS: *** you will perform your duty in the East and see that the gate therein is properly sealed and guarded.

EAST: (Performing the gesture ‘PRAISE THE GODS’ facing the altar, then make the ‘SIGN OF EARTH.’ Pick up the Pantacle and turn to face the East. Raise the Pantacle towards the heavens.) In the Name of the Divine Lord and Lady (Lower the Pantacle to shoulder level.) and by the powers of Earth (Trace the Blazing Star in the air before you.) I do hereby banish and eliminate all evil and contamination from this circle. (Make three banishing gestures.) Be gone, be gone, be gone. Watcher in the East guard well this gate and allow none to pass except those who are truly dedicated to the Great Work and have permission. As I will, so mote it be. (Turn back to face the altar and place the elemental tool back on it.)

PRIEST: (Recites the poem ‘The Circle’ moving freely about the circle with appropriate gestures.)

PRIEST: In the Name of the Divine Lord and Lady I now declare this circle to be properly formed and sealed, and ready for Work. Amen.

ALL: So mote it be.

Note: This opening requires the cooperation of a group of people to be done properly. It is very good in promoting a feeling of belonging. It will require time and practice but will return unforeseen benefits in the long run. Some of these include better concentration, improved memory and a psychological bonding very rare today. Remember, it should not be rushed and patience is a must. Also, the Priest and Priestess roles are reversed depending on who is occupying the East at the time.
 When the question is asked and the reply is given "four or more," the four being referred to are the Rulers of the Quadrants. So, no matter how many people are physically present, there are always "four or more" within the Circle.

LIGHT is the most important symbol in the Lycian Tradition. Our understanding of this symbol influences our attitudes, decisions and actions, not only in the rituals, but in life.  

"The Blazing Star"

The four tools which are on the altar are symbolic of those tools which we enter life in possesion of. The dagger is symbolic of the mind. The mind is an instrument of division, much as the dagger is. In order to grasp the "idea" of something then it must be divided from its surroundings. The act of defining is a setting apart, and then comparing of, one thing to another. The mind can only grasp small units of information at a time, so it must "cut" larger concepts into smaller more manageable pieces.

The cup is a symbol for the intuition, emotions, psychic abilities and other things of our subconscious lives. The cup holds liquids. Those liquids have a reflective surface which obscures what is beneath it. The mass of any liquid in a container lies below the surface and so represents the larger part of our minds, which lies hidden in the subconscious.

The wand is symbolic of the will. It is much like a scepter or teacher's pointer in that it directs us toward a particular direction or goal. It is also like a walking stick that supports us on the way to a destination, especially when the incline is steep. The strength of the will is what gets us through the hard times and obstacles that keep us from our goals.

The pantacle is representative of the body. The original form of the pantacle was most probably a slab of wet clay into which were drawn symbols. The body being composed of dense matter is then related to the earth and therefore this object of clay. If one person wanted to show another where something was, then a map could be drawn in the dirt, or on a slab of clay which would then dry and be carried. The map, symbolic of the land on which we travel, is a series of signs which represent where we wish to go. Today's pantacles carry on them spiritual symbols which then makes of them maps of a spiritual journey, with spiritual goals.