Wiccans and Pagans

I’ve been to rituals where the host had a bowl of purifying herbs or salt water available for participants to cleanse themselves before entering sacred space. This is a job you can give children. Give them sprigs of fresh herbs and a small bowl of salt water. Let them sprinkle people. If special oils are being used, let children anoint each other and the adults. They can also wave incense around people.
When it’s time to purify space, children can sprinkle it with their sprigs of herbs and salt water. They can also sweep the area with small besoms and use incense. If participants don’t mind the noise, children can beat pots and pans, play drums, tambourines, bells, etc. as they walk around the circle.

Centering and Grounding
The purpose of centering is to bring our energies into our bodies and focus before the ritual. Grounding after the ritual helps us purge ourselves of all that extra energy we’re raised. We return the energy back to the earth and, well, ground ourselves. Similar techniques can be used for both centering and grounding.

When including children, it’s best to keep it simple. Use some breathing exercises, simple chants or songs, or meditation. The Tree of Life meditation is a good one. Tell the children to imagine they’re turning into trees, with roots growing out of their toes and into the earth. Take deep breaths and stretch as the tree grows tall and straight. Continue taking deep breathes as those branches (arms) grow straight out and up, reaching for the sky. Breathe in and feel the air all they way down the body and into the earth. One good way to ground is to crouch and place the palms of the hands flat on the ground, feeling the energy flow out of the body and back into the earth.

Casting the Circle
The purpose of casting the circle is to create a space “between the worlds.” Children can walk around the circle, sprinkling salt water. You can also physically mark the circle by drawing a circle with chalk or using salt, flowers, and stones to mark the circle. If your children are old enough, you can also use candles. Cast the circle hand-to-hand: the first person takes the hand of the person to the left. Then that person takes the hand of the next person and it goes around the circle until the chain of hands is completed.

Calling Quarters and Invoking Deities

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