Basic Components Of A Ritual

Classic ritual contains what is termed legomena and dromena; that is, ‘things said’ and 'things done’, and usually follows a traditional structure. As a result, the most effective rituals encompass such elements as special dress, the altar and its working tools, chants, prayers, mystery dramas, song, and dance.

These elements all adhere to a prescribed formula determined by the purpose of the ritual, though not all elements are present in every ritual. Generally, however, there are the nine basic components of Wiccan and NeoWiccan ritual:

1. Purification of self
2. Purification of space
3. Creating the Circle
4. Invocation of the Elements and the Divine
5. Ritual observance (on Sabbats and Esbats)
6. Energy Raising (during magic)
7. Earthing the power
8. Thanking the Elements and the Divine
9. Breaking the circle