Religion & Spirituality

Articles Index

How To Perform a Self Dedication Ritual

Many modern Pagans and Wiccans choose not to be part of a coven or group. Because one of the benefits of joining a group is initiation, if you're practicing as a solitary you may choose to perform a self-dedication rite as a way of declaring yourself to the deities of your tradition.

How To Hold a Family Yule Log Ceremony

If your family enjoys celebration around the holidays, this Yule Log ceremony is a simple one you can perform with or without kids. Welcome the sun back into your lives as you burn your Yule Log.

How To Keep Your Tarot Cards Safe

Now that you've found the Tarot deck that's right for you, there are a few things you should do to keep your cards not only physically safe, but also to shield them from negative energy.

How to Hold a Rededication Ritual

Are you looking for a simple ceremony to help you rededicate to the gods and goddesses of your tradition? Try this basic rededication rite, and show your deities that you're ready to continue honoring them.

How To Make a Soul Cake for Samhain

Soul cakes were traditionally given out on Samhain to anyone who came tapping at the door. This was one of the origins of today's Halloween trick-or-treating. Make your own soul cakes for your Samhain rituals.

How To Celebrate an Autumn Full Moon - Group Ceremony

Instead of a regular Esbat rite, some Wiccan and Pagan groups tailor their full moon celebrations to the season. This ceremony is designed for a group of at least four people, and can be held during any of the autumn harvest months.

How To Hold a Naming Ceremony for Your Baby

Few things in life are as important as one's name, and for Pagan families, a naming ceremony is a joyful alternative to traditional baptisms. It's a chance to welcome your child into the community of family and friends, and to bless them with the name you have chosen for your new baby.

How To Protect Your Legal Rights

Can you lose your kids, your job, or your home just because you practice an earth-based faith? Believe it or not, you have the same rights as everyone else in this country. Learn what you can do to reduce the chance that you'll be a victim of religious discrimination.

How To Cast a Circle

We've all read about the idea of Casting a Circle, but what does it really mean, and how is it done? What is the significance of the Circle in Wiccan and Pagan worship?

How To Interpret the Tarot Cards

Once you've got a pile of Tarot cards down in front of you, how do you interpret the messages within them?

How To Honor Lugh of the Many Skills

August 1 is known in many Pagan traditions as Lammas, and is a celebration of the early harvest. However, in some paths, it's a day to honor Lugh, the Celtic god of craftsmanship. Celebrate your own talents and skills on Lughnasadh by honoring Lugh with a rite that can be held for a group or a solitary practitioner.

How To Make a Book of Shadows

In Wicca and Paganism, it's traditional to create a Book of Shadows, which is a notebook containing information regarding your tradition, gods and goddesses, correspondence tables, sabbat and esbat rites and rituals, magical recipes, and more. Learn how to make your own BOS here.

How To Honor the Harvest's End - A Samhain Ritual for Wiccans and Pagans

Samhain falls on October 31, and is known as the Witch's New Year. You can celebrate it as the end of the harvest, and honor the return of the King of Winter.

How To Host a Drum Circle

A drum circle is a great way to celebrate a Sabbat -- it's a chance to bring friends together, let off some steam, and raise some amazing energy. Here are some tips on how to have a successful (and fun!) drum circle.

How To Hold a Hearth and Home Rite for Mabon

Mabon is a time of balance, and a good time to celebrate the stability of the hearth and home. This ritual is a simple one designed to place a barrier of harmony and protection around your property. You can do this as a family group, as a coven, or even as a solitary.

Dedicate a Ritual Space (Group Ceremony)

If you have an area of your home or property designated for ritual work, it's not a bad idea to ceremonially dedicate it as ritual space. A formal dedication ceremony turns that space into more than just a room or a patch of grass - it gives it the feeling of being sacred and magical. Dedicating a ritual space is a good idea if you've recently moved into your home, or if you have a new group of people coming over on a regular basis to celebrate the Sabbats.

How to Find a Reputable Psychic

Finding a psychic can be a tricky thing. Whether you're looking for a Tarot card reader, a medium, someone to give some basic advice, or just entertainment, it's hard to tell who's good at what they do, and who's just out to take your money. Here's how you can find a psychic who's honest and reputable.

How To Celebrate Beltane with a Maypole Dance

The tradition of the Maypole Dance has been around for a long time -- it's a celebration of the fertility of the season. If you have a big group of friends and a lot of ribbon, you can easily hold your own Maypole Dance as part of your Beltane festivities.

Perform an Earth Meditation Ritual

As the Wheel of the Year turns, many of us choose to perform meditation rituals that tie in to the different elements -- earth, air, fire and water. This meditation is a perfect one to perform to help you reconnect with the energies of the earth each spring, or to help rejuvenate yourself at other times of the year.

How to Take a Cleansing Ritual Bath

Imbolc is known as a time of purification and cleansing. A great way to incorporate this into your magical practice is to take a ritual cleansing bath. The purpose of a ritual cleansing is to not only clean the body, but also to cleanse the mind and soul.