This ritual should be performed during the waxing moon, as close to the full moon as possible.
For the ritual I would suggest you be completely naked, wearing no jewelry if any kind.
Along with the rest of the altar furniture there should be a small fish of anointing oil standing between the water and the salt.
The altar is set up in the center so that, when you stand in front of it, you are facing east. The circle is indicated (by cord, chalk or paint) about you. Sit or kneel, before the altar with your eyes closed. Concentrate your thoughts on seeing, in your mind's eye, yourself enclosed in a ball of white light. Direct your energies to make that light expand to completely fill the circle. Hold it for a moment and then relax. Opening your eyes, stand and move to the east. Point your right forefinger down at the circle line.
Walk slowly around the circle, clockwise, "drawing" the circle through the power begin directed down your arm and off your pointing finger. When you have been all the way around, return to the altar. Light the altar candle and the incense. Now take the altar candle, and moving round the altar, light the east candle from the altar candle. Continue and light the South, west and North candles. Continue on back to the east then back to standing in front of the altar, and replace the altar candle.
Now, again concentrate your energies down your arm and finger and place the tip of your forefinger in salt. Say:
"Salt is life. Let this salt be pure and let it purify my life, as I use it in this rite, dedicated to the God and the Goddess* in whom I believe."
Now take three pinches of the salt and drop them, one at a time, into the water. Stir the water three times round, clockwise, with your finger and say:
"Let the sacred salt drive out any impurities in the water that together they may be used in the service of these deities; throughout these rites and at any time and in any way I may use them."
Take the bowl of salted water to the east and, walking, clockwise, sprinkle it on the line of the circle. Replace it on the altar; take up the censer and, again from the east, go around the circle once more, swinging the incense burner along its line. Return to the altar and replace it. Say:
"The sacred circle is about me. I am here of my own free will and accord, in peace and in love."
Dip your forefinger into the slated water and mark a cross in a circle on your forehead, in position of the third eye (between the eyebrows). Then mark a pentagram on your chest, over your heart. Say:
"I now invite the gods to witness this Rite I hold in their honor."
Hold your hand, with your finger pointing up, high in salute as you now
Say:
"God and Goddess; lord and lady; father and mother of all life,
Guard me and guide me within this circle and without it, in all things.
So mote it be."
Kiss your hand to the lord and lady, then take your goblet and spill a little of the wine on the ground (or into the libation dish) as an offering to the gods, with the words:
"The lord and lady!"
Take a drink and replace the goblet on the altar with the words:
"Now is the temple erected. I shall not leave it but with good reason.
So be it."
Sit or kneel before the altar, head bowed, and meditate for a few minutes on the Gods and Goddess, the craft and what the old religion means to you. Then stand and lift both hands high above the altar and say:
"Lord and lady hear me now!
I am here a simple pagan holding thee in honor.
Far have I journeyed and long have I searched,
Seeking that which I desire above all things.
I am a trees and of the fields.
I am the woods and of the springs;
The streams and the hills.
I am of thee and thee of me."
Lower your arms
"Grant me that which I desire.
Permit me to worship the gods
And all that the gods represent.
Make me a lover of life in all things.
Well do I know the creed:
That if I do not have that spark of love within me,
Then will I never find it without me.
Love is the law and love is the bond.
All this I honor above aught else."
Kiss your right hand and hold it high.
"My lord and lady, here do I stand before you,
Naked and unadorned, to dedicate myself to thine honor.
Ever will I protect you and that which is yours.
Let none speak ill of you, for ever will I defend you.
You are my life, and I am yours, from this day forth.
I accept and will ever abide by the wiccan rede:
'An' it harm none, do what thou wilt'.
So be it."
Take up the goblet and slowly pour the remainder of the wine on the ground, saying:
"As this wine drains from the goblet (horn),
So let the blood drain from my body
Should I ever do aught to harm the gods, or those in kinship with their love.
So more it be!"
Dip your forefinger in the oil and again make the sign of the cross in a circle on your third eye, and the pentagram over your heart. Then, also, touch the oil to your genitals, right breast (nipple), left breast (nipple), and then genitals again.
(The last forms the scared tringle , symbolizing the drawing of power up from the root to that power). Say:
"As a sign of my rebirth I take onto myself a new name.
Henceforth I shall be known as ..(name)..
For my love of the craft.
So mote it be!"
Now sit comfortably and, with eyes closed, meditate on what the craft means to you. It may well be that, at this time, you will receive some indication that you are indeed in touch with the gods. But weather you do or not, just let your feelings for them your body. Luxuriate in the feeling of "coming home"; of having finally become one with the old religion.
When you have finished mediating, if you feel like singing or dancing or celebrating in any other way, god ahead and do so. Then, when you are ready, stand and raise both hands high and say:
I thank the Gods for their attendance.
As I came here in love of them, I now go my way.
Love is the law, and love is the bond.
So be it! The temple is now closed."
