Spell True Will

The Rite of Balance

The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP) is probably one of the most common techniques for preparing sacred space that you'll encounter. Often in the course of magical working or day-to-day life we have use for methods of grounding and centering. While many of us learn the LBRP as a traditional technique for this, as well as many other purposes, the LBRP is not exactly the most obvious statement of Wiccan theology or philosophy. It

is compatible, but why not use something that is derived directly from a Wiccan outlook and expresses a distinctly Wiccan philosophy? Here is one alternative technique that is based on a Wiccan approach to the same task.

Below is the basic form of this rite, which can easily be adapted to suit your particular tradition or style.

The Rite of Balance (Basic Form)

Face north. Reach upward and feel yourself making contact with a powerful, brilliant source of light beyond the Sun, Moon, and stars. Say:

"From the heavens above I call down the light. Cleanse me and purify my soul that I might enter the circle."

Pause. Feel. Reach down to the Earth below and extend yourself into the core of the world to touch the heart of the planet. Say:

"From the depths below I call upon the spirit of the land. Fill me with vitality and strength that I might serve the old gods."

Close your eyes and look deep within. Extend your right hand toward the east. Say:

"With my right hand I reach out to the new dawn and welcome the wind to walk with me, that I might know the Mysteries."

Extend your left hand toward the west. Say:

"And on the left, I reach out to the crashing waves of the sea, mother of all life, that I might dare to dance with life's tides."

Pause. Feel. Breathe. Say:

"Behind me, I acknowledge the flames of my passions and drives, the forces of ecstasy and creativity, of rage and chaos that have shaped my life. Now I begin to shape their influence upon me, as I will."

Pause. Feel. Breathe. Say:

"Before me is the dark, fertile soil of my future. I stand upon a foundation built by my ancestry. I am a child of the ancient ones, and I would bring life, light, and love into the world whether through my words, my deeds, or my silence."

Pause. Feel. Breathe. Say:

"I stand between wisdom and understanding, that I might pursue truth. I share the gifts of compassion and discipline, that I might respect myself and others. I embrace sensuality even as I pursue knowledge, that I might truly taste and partake of life in its fullest. In my heart I seek beauty and glory, that I might create balance and harmony in all that I do."

Pause. Feel. Breathe. Open your eyes and proceed.

Simple, yet effective, the Rite of Balance is useful for grounding and centering in a group context, preparing for ritual work, or even after driving home in rush-hour traffic. The words can easily be replaced with others of similar intent. Ideally, you should modify this rite to be more appropriate to the way you do magic. Think of it as a framework on which to

create your own, unique structure.

Once this basic form has been mastered, you might consider adjusting and elaborating on it to create a wide range of special versions specifically for self-purification, consecrating tools, performing spell-work, or in healing.

Use your intuition and imagination. More advanced forms of this Rite could be used in initiations and special observances such as eldering. Again, take what works and run with it--an it harm none, do as you will!

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