The basics of any spell casting is to understand how to create a sacred space in which to work. These can be broken down into several steps: Cleansing your space, Creating your sacred space, Performing your spell work, and Reopening your sacred space.

We start with cleansing your sacred space. Be it a room, a corner of your room, an entire building, or a circle out under the stars. Most practitioners prefer the last prefeered locaton, the lady Moon smiles upon those who work the craft in her sight.


Materials needed:
One candle, white
One candle holder
Stick incense, Sandalwood
1/4 cup sea salt
1 cup of distilled water
small bowl (ceramic, wood, bronze or copper)
a small table, bench or chest
A silk scarf to use as a table cover

The Main Ritual will rid each person (who makes an effort to participate freely) of things they no longer wish to have in their lives such as things that cause them pain or disharmony, bad habits, lack of confidence, problems, etc., and replace the space those things took in the spirit and in the body and daily lives with positivity, love, prosperity, strength, power and being able to tap the source of universal energy that is available to all of us. The goal is for them to FEEL their power of goodness and beauty, ending things negative or no longer of use to them and offering them rebirth of what they want in their lives.

Giving and receiving is an essential part of the ritual so those putting it on should give wonderful gifts to all the participants prior to the ritual. All participants should be encouraged to use their own words and should not be given scripts to memorize. No one who asks to be in the ritual should be left out. That is an important part of the ritual. It is another form of giving and allowing.

Prior to the procession, paint will be made available in the pavilion (or for vendors who cannot leave their booths, paint will be taken to them for their convenience). Everyone will be asked to decorate themselves with images of strength and power and boldness: things that would be meant to frighten “the enemy� which is any thing that could work against them in any way (such as poverty, pain, illness, hurt, etc.).

written by John Shepard

Materials required: On the altar there are brown candles; a Tootsie Roll (the great big one-as the athame); a large glass with milk in it, (the chalice); a small dish of Nestlé's Quick and a spoon; a small dish of chocolate sprinkles; a plate of cupcakes and some Yoo-Hoo along with a goblet.

CLEANSE THE SACRED SPACE: (Take the small bowl of chocolate sprinkles) Chocolate sprinkles where thou art cast No calories in thy presence last. Let no fat adhere to me And as I will So Mote It BE! Nestlé's Quick where thou art cast Turn this milk to chocolate, fast. Let all good things come to me, and make my milk all chocolaty!

CAST THE CIRCLE (using a tootsie roll): CALL THE QUARTERS: Mousse of the East, Fluffy one! great prince of the palace of dessert. Be present, we pray thee, And guard this circle from all moochers Approaching from the East. Fondue of the South, Molten One! Great prince of the palace decadence. Be present we pray thee, and guard this circle from all diet Approaching from the South. Cocoa of the West, Satisfying One! Great prince of the palace of thirst. Be present we pray thee, And guard this circle from all carob Approaching from the West. Rocky Road of the North, Cold One! Great prince of the palace of crunchy. Be present we pray thee, And guard this circle from all cheap imitations Approaching from the North.

Written by Dianne and the PhoenixFestivals Staff

NARRATOR: Scene 1 Arthur and The Black Knight
Arthur circles outside of ritual circle to entrance - East - stops in front of BLACK KNIGHT: None shall pass.
[pause]
Arthur: I am Arthur, King of the Britons.
BLACK KNIGHT: None shall pass.
ARTHUR: What?
BLACK KNIGHT: None shall pass.
ARTHUR: I have no quarrel with you, good Sir knight, but I must enter this circle.
BLACK KNIGHT: Then you shall die.
ARTHUR: I command you as Queen of the Britons to stand aside!
BLACK KNIGHT: How did a woman become named Arthur?
Arthur: It came with the title.
BLACK KNIGHT: I move for no man er...woman.
ARTHUR: But you have no arms!
BLACK KNIGHT: 'Tis but a scratch.
ARTHUR: A scratch? Your arms are gone!
BLACK KNIGHT: I've had worse.
ARTHUR: You liar!
BLACK KNIGHT: Come on you pansy!
ARTHUR: What?
BLACK KNIGHT: Have at you!
ARTHUR: You are indeed brave, Sir knight, but the fight is mine.
Black Knight[Headbutts Arthur in the chest]
ARTHUR: Look, stop that.
BLACK KNIGHT: Chicken! Chicken!
ARTHUR: What are you going to do, bleed on me?
BLACK KNIGHT: I'm invincible!
ARTHUR: You're a loony. Look, I'll have your legs. Right!
BLACK KNIGHT: Right, I'll do you for that!
ARTHUR: Come, Patsy.
BLACK KNIGHT: Oh, oh, I see, running away, 'eh? ... You yellow bastards! Come back here and take what's coming to you.... I'll bite your legs off!


Narrator: Scene 2 Peasants at Fire
[clop clop]
ARTHUR: Old woman!
Man: Man!
ARTHUR: Man, sorry. Whose circle is this?
Man: I'm thirty seven.
ARTHUR: What?
Man: I'm thirty seven -- I'm not old!
ARTHUR: I did say sorry about the `old woman,' but from the behind you looked--
Man: What I object to is you automatically treat me like an inferior!
ARTHUR: Well, I AM queen...
Man: Oh queen, eh, very nice. An' how'd you get that, eh? By exploitin' the workers -- by 'angin' on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the economic an' social differences in our society! ....If there's ever going to be any progress--
WOMAN: Dennis, there's some lovely filth down here. Oh -- how d'you do?
ARTHUR: How do you do, good lady. I am Arthur, Queen of the Pagans. Who's circle is this?
WOMAN: Queen of the who?
ARTHUR: The Pagans.
WOMAN: Who are the Pagans?
ARTHUR: Well, we all are. we're all Pagans and I am your queen.
WOMAN: I didn't know we had a queen. I thought we were an autonomous coven.
ARTHUR: Please, please good people. I am in haste. Whose circle is this?

*CIRCLE SETUP*
Bill the Cat altar in the center of the circle or near fire pit.
At the west place a partially full bottle or can of beer (the worst you can find, enough to anoint your initiates). At the north place an ashtray filled with sand. Near the altar place a spittoon (optional).

*ALTAR SETUP*
Bill the Cat icon, statue or image
Cigarettes and lighter
Lit candles
Several unopened bottles or cans of beer, Mountain Dew, Jolt cola, Pepsi Free or purple flavorored anything (or diet chocolate fudge soda)
Mayonnaise mixed with tuna juice or peanut butter (optional)
Brazier with charcoal
Catnip (for incense)
Plate of Goldfish Crackers in cat food bowl
Kitty Litter or Pet Fresh Carpet Deodorizer

Designated Virgin Rule

Sometimes you just need a virgin to sacrifice. But virgins are getting very hard to find in the pagan community. What are you going to do? I think I've come up with a solution to this age old problem. It also takes the concept of recycling to its natural conclusion. I call this "solution" the "Designated Virgin Rule"

Come, kinderlech, come, nosh a bissel, sit and listen to your Mama, She Who Knows Best--what do you mean, why do I know best? Because I'm your mother, that's why! Now sit and listen, after all the aggravation I've had with you! Oy! But you're a good kid, so I don't mind all the tsoris. Of course, it would help if you were going to school for a real degree...

Oy, what was I going to say? You made me lose track. Oh yes...Sit and listen to your Mama, who has been known by many names, oy, so many names, if I sat here and listed them all, we'd be here all day, so I won't bother you; after all, why should a mother ever bother her children?

Tune: "Beverly Hillbillies" By L.Flatt & E. Scruggs Lyrical Adaptation by Hare

Now listen to the words of the Great Star Mother, In days long past called by one name or t'other, "I am your Mammy, Queen of Earth, Air, Fire, Sea, So you better quit your yappin' an' listen to me."

[Isis that is, Astarte, Cerridwen]

THE (Tastefull) CHARGE OF THE GODDESS
as recited in the circles of the CRAFT OF THE NON-ICKY

Listen to the words of the Tasteful Mother, who of old was called Martha Stewart, Betty Crocker, Miss Manners, and by many other really nice names.

Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month (but not *that* time of the month, as that would be icky) and never with your mouth full you should assemble in some tasteful place and adore My spirit, I who am Queen of All Plastic Slipcovers. You should not be icky in your rites, and as a sign that you be not icky, you shall damn well keep your clothes on.