What are Devotions?
Devotion of the Witch's Pyramid
Devotion to the Ancestors
Morning Devotion to the Sun
Evening Devotion to the Moon
Practicing the Presence of the Goddess
Daily Devotions are brief rituals performed throughout the day in order to reconnect and/or commune with Spirit. The most common times to perform devotions are:
Whereas it may not be possible for anyone to spend a great deal of time on performing devotions each day, it can be done. Devotions should not be rushed. Although some are quite brief, they must include enough time for you to ground and center, perform the devotion, then ground and center again.
In performing your devotions, it is important to remember that you are controlling the energies around you and are not to use your own energies. Devotions should always raise your energy level and leave you feeling refreshed.
This ritual accomplishes the same purpose as that of Casting the Circle and Calling the Quarters, and can be performed prior to workings of magick, meditations, path-working, or devotions. In addition, it can be performed as a devotion in and of itself.
To begin, face East, touch your forehead and say, "To Know."
Touch your solar plexus and say, "To Dare."
Touch your right shoulder and say, "To Will."
Touch your left shoulder and say, "To Keep Silent."
Bring your hands together as in prayer and say, "Love is the Law, Love Under Will."
Facing East, use your athame and draw an invoking pentagram in the air and say, "Air."
Draw a line to the South, draw an invoking pentagram in the air and say, "Fire."
Draw a line to the West, draw an invoking pentagram in the air and say, "Water."
Draw a line to the North, draw an invoking pentagram in the air and say, "Earth."
Face East again, ground and center, then say:
"Before the Winds of Knowledge
Behind me the Springs of Eternal Love
On my right hand the Flames of Power
On my left hand the Mountains of Manifestation
For about me flames the pentagrams
and within me shines the light of God"
To begin, face East, touch your forehead and say, "To Know."
Touch your solar plexus and say, "To Dare."
Touch your right shoulder and say, "To Will."
Touch your left shoulder and say, "To Keep Silent."
Bring your hands together as in prayer and say, "Love is the Law, Love Under Will."Standing at the shrine, ground and center. Light the candle and say:
“May this light now race,
across time and space;
drawing from both far and near,
those spirits whom I hold dear.”
Hold up the glass of clear water and say:
“This water so pure this water so clear,
now washes away all doubt and all fear;
it removes the bonds of time and space,
& brings its blessings to this place.
Ground and center again. Take a deep breathe. Hold your arms out with your elbows slightly bent and palms up. Say or think:
“I now call forth from space & time,
those who share in my bloodline;
I welcome you into this sacred space,
To share your wisdom, love, and grace.”
See also The Ancestors and The Ancestral Shrine in the Section on The Dead
If possible, perform this devotion standing at a window which faces East. If you do not have such a window in your home, it can be perform at your Shrine or Altar, or by simply facing East, regardless of the alignment of your home.
To begin, ground and center by taking several deep cleansing breathes. Remember to breathe in your nose and out your mouth. Slowly relax your body a little at a time, beginning at the head and working your way down to your feet. When you are completely relaxed, say or think:
"Hail and welcome, bringer of light,
You of beauty, grace and might.
As I go about my day,
Shower me with your Golden Rays,
Make me a vessel of your energy,
that cleansed and blessed I may be!"
Continue to take deep breathes in your nose and out your mouth. As you do, focus on the energies of the rising Sun. Visualize the Sun coming up over the horizon, 'see' it's light grow, 'feel' it's warmth on your skin. Allow this power to energize you, preparing you for the day ahead. Envision a 'bright' future for yourself.
When you are done, open your eyes. Bring your hands together before you as in traditional prayer and bow slightly to signal the devotion has ended.
Again, perform this devotion standing at a window which faces West. If you do not have such a window in your home, it can be perform at your Shrine or Altar, or by simply facing East, regardless of the alignment of your home.
To begin, ground and center by taking several deep cleansing breathes. Remember to breathe in your nose and out your mouth. Slowly relax your body a little at a time, beginning at the head and working your way down to your feet. When you are completely relaxed, say or think:
"Hail and welcome, lamp of night,
You who glows with silvery light.
As I lie down, perchance to dream,
Shower me with your Radiant Beams.
Make me a vessel of your energy,
that cleansed and blessed I may be.
Continue to take deep breathes in your nose and out your mouth. As you do, focus on the energies of the Moon, visualizing it before you. Allow it's energy to wash over you bringing a sense of peace and tranquility.
When you are done, open your eyes. Bring your hands together before you as in traditional prayer and bow slightly to signal the devotion has ended.
A Simple Meal Devotion
The wisdom of our ancestors tells us that what we put into our bodies becomes a part of us, and remains with us on some level. This includes the air we breathe, and the food and drink of which we partake. No one can deny the connection between body, mind, and spirit; therefore, as witches we do not consume anything that is unfit for our consumption (or, at least, we attempt to do so.)
The Meal Devotional
As Goddess of the home and hearth, Hestia is associated with the element of fire. As such, the presence of fire in any place can actually be considered the divine presence of Hestia herself. When one’s table is set, and the meal is ready to be served, a candle is lit in the center of the table to invite the presence of Hestia, saying or thinking:
“Goddess of the sacred flame,
I light this candle in your name;
to bless this bounty of the earth,
which I prepared upon my hearth;
& for those who died that I may live
if offended, please forgive.”
EXERCISES
