The Structure of Wiccan Ritual

The following is a common format for ritual with definitions and examples of what each part can be. A star (*) indicates the parts that are the "bare bones" of ritual and are pretty much Things That Make A Wiccan Ritual Wiccan, while the others are ornamentation depending on your preferences in ritual creation.

1. Ritual Preparation

Preparation of Self: It's always nice to spend some time relaxing before ritual to make yourself feel more magickal, and to step away from the stress and worries of everyday life. This can include a ritual bath with herbs and candles, a process to ground and center, or simply meditation.
Preparation of Space: This involves getting where you are doing the ritual to feel more magickal: Setting up the altar, blessing salt and water, sweeping the area to cleanse it of negatives, lighting incense.
Gathering In: In a group ritual the participants often gather outside the ritual area, traditionally in the north east, the direction of the rising sun. The Priest and Priestess often greet each member at the edge of the ritual area, blessing and kissing them to welcome them as family to the Circle. The participants may sing as they enter (see "Witches Rune"). Traditionally the participants alternate male and female to utilize polar energies.

2. Creating Sacred Space

Casting the Circle: * The Priestess creates the boundaries of the protective space to be sacred, set apart, "between the worlds" by pointing with wand, athame, or hand and circling the area, visualizing a sphere created by the energies of Priestess and group.
Calling the Quarters: * Participants face the four directions and invoke the Element, image, energy(s) and/or spirit(s) they associate with that direction and Element. In some traditions this is visualized as the Watchtowers of the Elements for guarding the Circle; in others, it is simply bringing the balance of the Elements to the celebration or working.
Sealing the Space: One participant takes the incense, another the salted water. Each circles the ritual area, sprinkling and censing, to seal the ritual area with the elements.

3. Welcoming the Lord and Lady

Invoking/Welcoming the Goddess: * The Priestess asks the Goddess(es) to join in the ritual. In some traditions this is spoken by the Priest who asks the Goddess(es) to manifest through the Priestess. In many traditions this is called "Drawing Down the Moon when referring to a lunar Goddess.
Charge of the Goddess: The Charge is spoken by the Priestess as the Goddess manifests through her.
Welcoming the Lord: * The Priest asks the God(s) to join in the ritual. This is occasionally spoken by the Priestess who asks the God(s) to manifest through the Priest. In many traditions this is called "Drawing Down the Sun" if on a solar Sabbat.
Charge of the God: This is not standard liturgy like the Charge of the Goddess. If a Charge of the God is used by a tradition, it is spoken by the Priest as the God manifests through him.

4a. Celebration of the Season (Festival/High Holiday/Sabbat) *

On a Sabbat (the points of the Wheel of the Year) a magickal working may or may not be performed. If it is, it should be in keeping with the holiday being celebrated; if not, some ritual observance of the holiday should be performed.

4b. Power and Magick (Full Moon or other non-holiday observance) *

On a Full Moon or other non-Sabbat ritual, this is where the magick of the evening will be worked. This may include, but is not limited to, meditation, guided meditations, spellcasting, chanting, spiral dancing, drumming, tonals. After power raising the power should be formally grounded to prevent irritability due to over-energizing.

5. Feasting *

Sharing bread and wine (or juice, or spring water) is a way to join socially with the Gods and the other ritual participants, helps ground the energy raised, and is a time to give thanks to the Lord and Lady for all they give us. In some traditions, just before feasting is also the time for the Great Rite, the symbolic (rarely actual) consummation between the Priest and Priestess using the athame and cup to represent the union of Goddess and God.

6. Closing the Circle

Goodbye to the Lord and Lady: * The Priest and Priestess thank the God(s) and Goddess(es) for their part in the ritual celebration.
Banishing the Circle: * Those who invoked the Elements/Directions at the beginning of the ritual thank them for their presence as they depart.
Closing the Circle: * Some sort of observance or statement is needed to formally close the Circle, so that people do not leave feeling "unfinished".

Next, view several examples of the types of things that can be included as parts of a ritual.