By
Earth Runner
http://members.tripod.com/~mystweaver/ba00023.html
This really grieves me to
have to write something like
this, but it comes down to
a discussion I had with Lady
Starfire about Circle Etiquette.
I've heard so many complaints
lately that I couldn't resist
bringing this subject up to
her. I
thought it was a local thing
because of the recent complaints
where I live. But she sure
disabused me of that real
quick! I've been in the Craft
a long time and this may sound
stupid but I honestly thought
that everyone knew how to
act in a circle any circle,
even if they were just starting
out.
People,
people please! There are many
paths out there and many ways
of doing circles. Have you
ever thought that one way
is not the only way of comporting
yourself in a circle. Think
about it theres Norse, Dianic,
Egyptian, Celtic, Medicine
Wheel and walking circles
excetra.
Everyone
has a different way of conducting
a circle, some solemly, some
joyously, some with pomp and
circumstance, some with lively
joking and even straight all
business. Even going occasionally
to a friends Church for something
special in their life, you
don't see people disrupting
a religious service, unless
it's a crying baby and that
can't be helped.
The
point I'm trying to make is
that when your invited to
participate in a circle any
religious circle ask what
the standard is for that circle.
Think about it, when a circle
has been closed whether you
see the energy glow or not,
you just don't go walking
in or out of that circle without
making an opening and closing
it behind you!
You
don't start yapping your mouths
and making comments unless
it's the norm for that particular
group. You also don't start
critiquing how they do things
during the circle, because
there way is obiously different
than yours. And if you do,
it only shows how rude, inconsiderate
and ill mannered you are.
When
you've been invited to a circle
and you're late you wait for
someone inside the circle
to let you in!! In some cases
you aren't allowed in after
the circle's closed! Just
the same if your out communing
with nature and you come across
a circle in progress that
you weren't invited to you
quietly leave and don't disrupt
their ceremony. Here's
a few suggestions for circle
etiquette:
1. "Keep mouth shut,"
until you observe and find
out how they handle themselves
in a circle.
2.
Wait to be let in.
3.
Watch, learn, experience a
new way.
4.
When invited bring a small
gift, it can be anything ,
a single flower, cake, or
some incense.
5.
When you come across any private
religious ceremoney (uninvited)
leave immediately, because
you would want the same consideration
when doing yours.
Unfortunately
if your actions are considered
rude and disruptive you could
be censured in many ways publicly,
privately, silently and quite
frankly next time you might
not be invited to come back!
I'm
sure others like myself have
experienced a time or two
situations and I'd really
like to see in print other
people's suggestions on etiquette
and how they took care of
it. But
I'd like to make this last
statement: "Remember
all ways are beautiful whether
you understand each other
or not, just plain common
curtsies during a religious
ceremony (any religious ceremony)
is really appreciated. No
matter what religion you practice!"
Open
Circle Etiquette
http://moonpathcuups.org/etiquet.htm
Here is a tongue-in-cheek
guide of common sense and
courtesy.
"In
ritual, we 'suspend disbelief'
as in a play. Casting the
Circle is an enacted meditation."
Arrive
on time. Once the Circle cast,
crashing into it produces
a distracting array of sparks
and blue light.
When
invited to attend a private
ritual, it is not OK to bring
along an uninvited person.
Bring
your own cup. This simplifies
the sharing of the Cakes and
Ale.
An
athame (ceremonial knife)
is optional. You can use your
two first fingers to direct
your personal power. The resulting
little burn marks will quickly
fade.
A
Circle is a sacred religious
event. Everyone participates.
This is not a spectator sport.
Dress
in either robes or comfortable
clothes. Your body should
be clean and your mind clear.
Barefeet bring you closer
to the Earth. Save skyclad
for private occasions. A clown
costume is hardly ever appropriate.
Do not bring your dog.
A
Circle is a time of reverence,
not a social hour.
Enter
the Circle and proceed clockwise
as far as possible. When you
stop, ground and center yourself.
Lower your head and focus
your thoughts inward for a
while.
Turn
off your beeper and cell phone.
Do
not take pictures.
Do
not touch other people's altar
tools or open their books
without first asking permission.
You
are in the Goddess' and the
God's presence in Perfect
Love and Perfect Trust. Enjoy,
be reverent and joyful, and
be full of hope and wonder
at all there can be.
The
best protection, when learning,
is a sense of humor.
You
will likely be told who to
watch and how to make yourself
comfortable.
There
is usually open flame at a
Circle. Be aware lest you
set yourself on fire. If someone
else sets themself on fire,
it is not part of the ritual.
Put them out.
A
chant may be used to raise
power. When the chanting is
done, everyone touches the
ground to drain off excess
energy.
During
Cakes and Ale, do not eat
everything you are given.
There might be a libation
dish into which you are expected
to return a small offering
back to the Goddess and the
God.
Stay
till the Circle is opened.
Do not crash out early.
Afterwards,
ask questions about the meaning
of what you saw and did.
Later,
do not tell outsiders who
else was at the Circle. Do
not greet publicly someone
you see again with reference
to the Circle gathering. Respect
their privacy. Persecution
really does happen.
Useful
tips and Circle Etiquette
Author
unknown
Never
summon anything you can't
banish.
Do
not blow your nose on the
sleeve of your neighbor's
robe
Do
not attempt to walk more than
10 paces while wearing all
of your ritual jewelry, medicine
bags and crystals at the same
time.
When
proposing to initiate someone,
do not mention the Great Rite,
leer, and say, "Hey,
your trad or mine?"
Never
laugh at someone skyclad.
They can see you, too.
Never,
*ever* set a witch on fire.
Avoid
stenciling True Names on underwear
and personal effects.
Looking
at nifty pictures is not a
valid path to mastering the
ancient grimoires. Please
read thoroughly and carefully
from beginning to end so that
your madness and gibberings
will make some sense.
Never
put asafoetida on the rocks
in a sweat lodge.
A
good grasp of ritual and ritual
techniques are essential.
In the event of a random impaling
(see next rule) or other accidental
death amongst the participants,
a quick thinker can improvise
to ensure successful completion.
Make another sacrifice. Demons
like those.
Watch
where you wave the sharp pointy
bits.
Avoid
walking through disembodied
spirits.
Carry
an all-purpose translators
dictionary in case the ritual
leader begins talking in some
strange and unknown foreign
language.
Avoid
joining your life force to
anything with glowing red
eyes.
If
asked to sign a contract or
pact and you are experiencing
doubts or reservations, sign
your neighbours name. Malevolent
entities rarely check for
proper spelling.
Blood
IS thicker than water. Soak
ritual garments an extra 30-45
minutes.
While
drunken weaving may be mistaken
for ecstatic dancing, slurring
the names of the Dark Lord
is generally considered bad
form.
If
the ritual leader should ask
for a volunteer, resist the
urge to raise your hand. While
volunteering will likely gain
you stature and prestige amongst
the group allowing you to
advance quickly through the
ranks, it is equally likely
to get you strapped to a table
and eaten alive by a drooling
demonic hoarde.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DaughterOfTheRaven/
