Ritual Witchcraft in American Neopaganism
Ritual witchcraft as performed by modern, American neopagans is a sacred rite that can take many forms. Rituals are conducted in a scared, liminal space through the casting of a circle in which the ritual is performed. Typical neopagan rituals can be categorized as the following: year-cycle rites (sabbats), life-cycle rites, and rites of crisis. Neopaganism has many different traditions and sects, also known as "paths", but they all practice ritual. Ritual witchcraft is less about what those outside the practice perceive as "magic" and more about the intentions, artistry, and performance of the practitioners.
What is American Neopaganism?
Beginning as an idea adapted from the British revival of Wicca around the mid-twentieth century, American Neopaganism expanded and has exponentially grown in the United States over the past decade. Neopaganism often and mostly borrows from pre-Christian pagan religions which include a polytheistic belief in several gods and goddesses (referred to as deities). I'm sure you remember learning about different Greek and Roman gods and goddesses in mythology at least to some degree. However, Greek and Roman are not the only pantheons by any means. There are also many neopagans who believe in no particular higher being at all. Some believe in nature or "Mother Earth", one higher spirit, Universe, Great Divine, or another chosen identity. Modern Neopaganism is much like a buffet. You can take what you want and leave the rest. This is why it has grown so much in recent years as this is a more appealing practice of religion to many Americans.
sabbat rituals
Sabbat rituals are based upon what is referred to as the Wheel of the Year (as seen below). The Wheel consists of sabbats, also known as seasonal transitions, solstices, equinoxes, or holidays. The Pagan year is centered around Samhain which is also known as the post-Christian Halloween. October 31st marks the end of a year and November 1st begins a new year. Probably one of the most recognizable sabbats seen here is Yule. The word "yule" is often still used in modern Christmas references such as "burning the yule log" which is actually a Pagan Yule ritual that dates back pre-Christian centuries. This eight sabbat wheel is the most widely used set of ritual beliefs in American Neopaganism. Each turn of the wheel begins a new cycle (sabbat) of the year and each has its own set of rituals and rites.
Typical Sabbat Rituals:
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Samhain - communication beyond the veil between the living and the dead; Spells for to focus on resolutions for the coming year.
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Yule (Winter Solstice) - decorate home with pine and holiday greenery (this is also a pre-Christian ritual); Harvesting, dressing, and burning the Yule log which is made of the wood of nine sacred trees with the central element being an oak log.
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Imbolc - "seed planting" candle ritual which involves "planting" nine candles as if they are seeds starting in the middle and circling out in a clockwise direction. Candles are then lit and visualizations of rebirth and new beginnings are summoned with each one.
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Ostara (Spring Equinox) - ritual egg decorating, consumption, and shell disposal; Egg cleansings.
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Beltane - prosperity magick; fertility rituals; sex magick; decoration of the Maypole; offerings of food and wine to Mother Earth and nature spirits.
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Litha (Summer Solstice or Midsummer) - feasting, music, dancing, and thanksgiving; sharing bounties with animals and Mother Earth.
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Lammas or Lughnassadh - bake fresh bread or brew beer and share with friends (place a dried bean in the bread dough and whoever gets the bean is granted a wish); create a Sun King doll from corn, wheat, or straw and burn in fire as an offering to Mother Earth.
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Mabon (Autumn Equinox) - spells and rituals specifically for energy balance; solitude and socializing in equal portions; spells that involve decrease or endings.
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Life-Cycle Rites or Rites of Passage
American Neopagan rites of passage typically recognize transitions in the life-cycle such as birth, puberty, marriage, and death. These transitions are specially ritualized by adaptations of previous religious affiliation or rituals pertaining to a specific neopagan path of belief. One of the most common American Neopagan rites of passage relates to a handfasting ritual in wedding ceremonies. In this ritual, the hands of the future marital partners are bound together (usually with some kind of decorative rope or ribbon) to symbolize the spiritual binding of the two beings in marriage for the rest of their lives. Some families may celebrate a girl's puberty in the form of a "first blood" party or ritual when she experiences menarche. There are also special birth and funeral rites of passage that are usually specific to a person's chosen path. Certain covens and neopagan spiritual groups have initiation rites as well as rites of passage when transitioning into a higher position within the group. These rituals can consist of many things, but are usually sacred and only known within the group itself. American Neopaganism also affords the freedom to create one's own rituals for certain aspects of the life-cycle.
Rites of Crisis
Rites or crisis are just as they sound; rituals that take place during times of crisis or spiritual imbalance. The purpose of these rituals is to create significant change as it pertains to either an individual or perhaps an entire community. These rites are considered to be the most "magickal" and usually enlist the help of deities or other spiritual entities. These rites are meant to affect the material world or to alter the natural order of things by way or ritualistic intention. Examples of these rites are healing, love, prosperity, punishment (curses or hexes), binding, protection, or cleansing rituals among many other possibilities. A common healing ritual is to receive reiki or chakra cleansing healing. This involves energy or chakra manipulation and intention (usually by an experienced practitioner) is focused on the areas or corresponding chakras of the ailment(s).