OPENING CEREMONY FOR A SOLITARY PERSON

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

NOTE: Everything within parenthesis are directions for action. What is outside of parenthesis are the words to be spoken. In order to give the ceremony the feeling it requires, it is necessary to memorize it. After all, it is very difficult to read in candlelight.

1. (Walk from the Northwest to the area where the circle is to be formed. Stop on the west side of the altar and turn to face the East.)

2. (Perform 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. So mote it be.

3. (Perform the gesture ‘DEVOTION OF THE WHOLE PERSON’ and then the gesture ‘TO KEEP SILENT.’ Walk sunwise to stand in the West facing the center of the circle or altar. Give the gestures ‘PRAISE THE GODS’ and then the ‘SIGN OF AIR.’ Pick up the Dagger with both hands, and turn to face the West.)

4. (Raise the Dagger towards the heavens.) In the name of the Divine Lord and Lady (Lower the dagger to shoulder height with the arms outstretched.) 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. (Hold the Dagger out in front of you.) 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 my permission. As I will, so mote it be.

5. ( Turn and place the Dagger back on the altar.)

6. Continue the circuit sunwise to stand in the North. Give the gestures ‘PRAISE THE GODS’ and then the ‘SIGN OF WATER.’ Pick up the Cup with both hands, and turn to face the North.)

7. (Raise the Cup towards the heavens.) In the name of the Divine Lord and Lady (Lower the Cup to shoulder height with the arms outstretched.) 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. (Hold the Cup out in front of you.) 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 my permission. As I will, so mote it be.

8. ( Turn and place the Cup back on the altar.)

9. Continue the circuit sunwise to stand in the South. Give the gestures ‘PRAISE THE GODS’ and then the ‘SIGN OF FIRE.’ Pick up the Wand with both hands, and turn to face the South.)

10. (Raise the Wand towards the heavens.) In the name of the Divine Lord and Lady (Lower the Wand to shoulder height with the arms outstretched.) 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. (Hold the Wand out in front of you.) 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 my permission. As I will, so mote it be.

11. ( Turn and place the Wand back on the altar.)

12. Continue the circuit sunwise to stand in the East. Give the gestures ‘PRAISE THE GODS’ and then the ‘SIGN OF EARTH.’ Pick up the Pantacle with both hands, and turn to face the East.)

13. (Raise the Pantacle towards the heavens.) In the name of the Divine Lord and Lady (Lower the Pantacle to shoulder height with the arms outstretched.) 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. (Hold the Pantacle out in front of you.) 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 my permission. As I will, so mote it be.

14. ( Turn and place the Pantacle back on the altar.)

15. (Continue the circuit sunwise to stand in the West. Recite the poem ‘THE CIRCLE,’ move freely about the circle and make gestures as you feel appropriate.)

16. (Standing in the West.) In the Name of the Divine Lord and Lady I now declare this circle to be properly formed and sealed, and ready for Work. So mote it be.

NOTE: This ceremony is used either when alone or when opening a circle for people new to the Craft and unfamiliar with the Group Opening.

The ritual forming of the Circle is a moving meditation which allows an easy transition between two states of mind. Those two states are ordinary mundane awareness and that heighten sense of awareness in which the divine nature of all things is perceived. The act of forming the Circle will lead you naturally from one to the other.