How to Perform a Ritual of Gestures

Wicca is believed by many of its followers to have descended from the matriarchal pagan religions that existed in pre-historic Europe. This claim cannot be verified, and Wicca may only date back to the 1920s. Either way, Wicca has gained more followers since the 1950s. The ritual of gestures is a gesture that anyone can perform. It requires no ceremonial materials. There are also no words uttered during this ritual. It is said that all Wiccans should experience this ritual firsthand at least once in their lifetimes.

Instructions

1. Choose an area in which to perform your ritual. An area within nature may help to clear your mind so you can better perform the ritual. Stand in the area that you chose to perform your ritual in. Clear your mind. Take deep breaths for about 30 seconds, or until you are calm and composed. Begin thinking of your deities.

2. Face towards the north. Hold out your hands at waist level with your palms facing downwards (parallel to the ground). Press your fingers together, keeping your palms facing down. Your hands should now form two flat, solid planes. Allow yourself to sense fertility, foundation and solidity. Using this gesture, invoke the powers of the Earth.

3. Turn to the east after a few moments. Raise your hands about a foot higher with your palms pointing away from you. Your elbows should be bent slightly. Spread your fingers out and maintain this position. Allow yourself to sense communication and movement. Use this gesture to invoke the forces of Air.

4. Face towards the south after a moment. Place your hands completely above your head. Your elbows should be straight, fully extending your arms. Close your fingers into tight fists. Allow yourself to sense power, creation, force and destruction. Use this gesture to invoke the forces of Fire.

5. Turn towards the west after a moment. Lower your hands down about a foot. Bend your elbows and turn your palms upwards. Cup your palms and press your thumbs against your forefingers. Allow yourself to sense fluidity, liquidity and the ocean. Use this gesture to invoke the force of Water.

6. Face towards north again. Lean your head back so that your face is facing upwards. Raise both hands up towards the sky. Your palms should be pointed up and your fingers should be spread. Take in the essence of The All (The One), the ultimate source of all that is. Allow yourself to sense all of the mysteries that are in the universe.

7. Lower your projective hand (which is the hand you write with, or use most). Keep your receptive hand (the hand you use the least) where it is above you. Press your middle, ring and pinky fingers of your receptive hand against your palm. Form a crescent shape with the thumb and forefinger of your receptive hand. Allow yourself to feel the Goddess and sense her reality. Allow yourself to sense the love, fertility, and compassion of the Goddess. Feel and sense the powers of the Moon. Use this gesture to feel the presence of the Goddess, and to feel the force of all the eternal seas.

8. Lift your projective hand, which is the hand you had lowered, towards the sky. Simultaneously, bring your receptive hand down. Bend the middle and ring finger of your projective hand down into your palm. Use your thumb to hold them down. Raise your pinky and forefinger towards the sky. This will create a horned shape. Feel the reality and presence of the God. Use this gesture to feel the energies of the woodlands and power of the Sun.

9. Bring down your raised hand (projective hand). Lay flat on the ground. Spread out your arms and legs so that you form a pentagram pattern. Feel all the power of all of the elements running throughout your body. Feel the elements coalesce and run through you. Feel the elements as emanations from the God, Goddess, and The All.

10. Meditate while laying down. Communicate and commune with The All, Goddess and God. Stand up when you are finished. The ritual is complete at this point.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that an area within nature is best suited for this ritual.