Hundreds gather in a haphazard circle in Salem Massachusetts. Some are experienced witches on a pilgrimage, many are curious vacationing onlookers, others are new witches eager to learn, and a few are protestors. The locally famous Priest, Priestess, and/or Priestex in the center throws their voice, makes dramatic gestures around an altar, and gives a performance called ritual.
A performance is the best any witch can offer to a crowd of hundreds with vastly varying beliefs and levels of experience. Yet circles of shuffling bystanders waiting to be entertained has become the norm at even small gatherings. This hasn’t been the way of pagan rituals previously, nor has it always been the way in theater.
LOST WAYS
Unlike modern performance etiquette, and services in many churches, where one is expected to sit quietly watching and listening to those on the stage, theater historically involved active audience participation. From the elaborate festival performances of the ancient Greeks, to the heckling that occurred in Shakespeare’s plays, and the 1970’s cult classic Rocky Horror Picture show, the audience has traditionally been an important element of the whole.
Due in part to the pandemic, the paywall limiting education, generation gaps, and other factors pagan rituals are losing that element of audience participation. It is time for things that once went without saying to be said.
How are witches meant to participate in rituals?
TRANCE
It is expected, and encouraged, that witches attending ritual will be experiencing trance states. In these altered states of mind we can connect with our subconscious, sense energies, and learn from symbolism, spirits, and deities.
The reason that pagan gatherings have always been accepting of substance use and kink practices, such as drinking or flogging, is because of the altered states of mind that are achieved through these practices. Witch history is full of good examples, and bad examples, of substances and physical activities that can aid with trance. Meditation practices being perhaps the safest and best known.
All well designed rituals contain methods to help with trance, and with grounding again. Things like chanting, and passing around little cakes. So let your third eye open when in circle.
CONTRIBUTE ENERGY
The doorbell rings and a friend joins the house party. The host may have invited them, but everyone present now greets them.
In addition to raising energy for a magickal purpose in ritual, while a Priestex call elements, spirits, and deities witches are expected to be contributing. Lending their energy to whatever task the leader is directed the group’s focus to.
That might sound like chaos, every person attending the ritual channeling all at once, but any experienced Priestex has developed the skills to handle it. From the group chaos they create purposeful magick.
USE YOUR VOICE
Pagan rituals typically contain chants as well as call and response opportunities. Mindfully speaking or singing these phrases also contributes energy.
A ‘call and response’ is when the facilitators say or sing something, and then the attendees are supposed to give back a known response. “Hail and Welcome” is a common response given after an element, spirit, or deity is called upon. Witches are meant to repeat phrases and chants with authentic intent and enthusiasm. Put power behind those words.
PRACTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”
Excellent rituals are co-created when witches bring their various skills together. Those who can drum should bring drums. Those who can cook should bring food. Those who brew their own mead should bring it. If you can chop wood and tend fires, then do that. If you have access to a venue or private outdoor space, then host rituals.
A Priestex probably don’t know the skills of everyone attending, so it is important for witches to offer practical help according to their ability. While it may not be direct, experienced magickal practitioners can confirm that a witch who gives what they can to ritual will get back something that they need.
RITUAL TEAMS
Ritual teams are becoming less and less common, and that’s a shame. While a Priestex can create and facilitate rituals on their own, they will be limited. Rituals have the potential to involve a wide range of different roles and activities. Assistance from a team greatly expands the possibilities of what can be done in a ritual.
Directly involved in managing the group and in the magick, ritual team members typically need a few years of experience. Don’t let that keep you from reaching out to ritual leaders and getting involved though. If you feel ready to dive deeper into the magick, helping to build and facilitate rituals will be a whole new perspective.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION MATTERS
WIthout active participation, pagan Priests, Priestesses, and/or Priestex end up offering ritual monologues to circles of empty faces. More importantly though, witches attending those rituals aren’t getting the full beautiful depth of experiences that they could be.
Perhaps you were taught once that silent observation was a reverent attitude, but I’m here to tell you that in pagan ritual and theater, it isn’t the way. Ritual isn’t a show. If ritual has never shaken you to your core, then you can and should be getting more out of it.
Article by Katarina Elaine © 2024