RitualCraft: Creating Rites for Transformation and Celebration

by Azrael Arynn K, Amber K

You can change yourself and your world with effective, focused rituals. This book by renowned Witches Amber K and Azrael Arynn K shows you how to craft powerful and meaningful rituals for your life, your family, and your spiritual community. The authors share their vast knowledge of ritual planning and performance, providing a framework for creating your own successful rituals. They illustrate the principles of ritual crafting with stories from their own experiences as they explore a variety of topics, including rites of passage, esbats and sabbats, seasonal celebrations, rites for personal transformation, and rituals done simply for the fun of it. You'll find information on all aspects of ritual including correspondences, timing, environment, attitude, music, meditation, altars, tools, costumes, and safety. This comprehensive book also offers worksheets, outlines, suggested themes, sample rituals, and a guide to teaching others. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned practitioner, this comprehensive guide will help you take your own Witchcraft to new levels of significance, celebration, and personal transformation.
"This is a wonderful book, and is highly recommended to anyone doing ritual."―Lisa McSherry, FacingNorth.net Winner of the 2007 COVR Book of the Year award

Genres: Paganism, Wicca, Witchcraft, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, New Age

624 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Azrael Arynn K is a third-degree Wiccan Priestess and High Priest of the Coven of Our Lady of the Woods, and has also held offices in the Covenant of the Goddess. She resides in New Mexico, where she is both Facilities Director and Dean of the School of Sacred Living at Ardantane Pagan Learning Center. She co-authors books on the Craft with Amber K, and travels and teaches widely throughout the United States.

Reviews

[David Salisbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most notable thing I can say about this book is that I kept finding myself thinking “Hm, I’ve never thought of that before”! They really take serious thought to things that so many Wiccans do as tradition, but aren’t really sure why they do it “that certain way”. They break apart best and worst ritual practices, and are particularly good at pointing out the depth of common practices. I will dare use our lovely coven as an example here for one thing I noticed:

Amber talks about the passing of ritual cakes and ale with reference to the words used. Most commonly, the coven uses “may you eat and never hunger” (as we do). They point out that saying “never hunger” enforces a negative thought pattern (hunger), rather than enforcing a positive (being full). A basic quantumphysical concept but one widely overlooked in basic Wiccan liturgy. It makes the participant-however quickly-flash to thoughts of hunger, even if they don’t notice. They suggest instead saying something like “may you eat and be nourished.”

The book itself is smartly divided into sections that concern aspects of ritual like environment, participants, costume, invocation, etc. From the view of our coven, I was particularly interested in the section about participant dynamics and observance of the flow of energy in groups. I actually think (if Iris agrees) that we should make copies of these short chapters and have everyone read them. It really did make me think hard about the various roles we have within our system and if we are all using the full advantage of our wonderful and diverse skills. As an example: Amber suggests that the role of the Priestess should be aspecting the Goddess, or directing the point of energy solely. While the Summoner would be the one to announce the next steps of ritual, explain the workings, attend to collection of materials, etc. Currently, Iris does most of that-possibly hindering her ability to connect our sacred space with the holy communion of the divine as best we can.

Aside from evaluating group ritual practice, the book is packed to the brim with really wonderful and interesting ritual ideas designed to engage both “Younger and Higher Self”. This is done from taking tips and ques from Pagan religious traditions around the worst and incorporating them into a neo-pagan frame.

RitualCraft is interesting and light-hearted, with inserted amusing “ritual blunder” stories to break up the serious study.

In general, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in pursuing clergy work eventually or ritual facilitation. Otherwise, the only parts I would recommend to the general person would be the ones I listed about participants and energy flow.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I use it frequently. This is the authoritative refrence work for all types of pagan (not just wiccan) ritual writing, ideas, planning, structure, etc. There are books that attempt this subject matter to varying degrees of success, but none can match Amber K's tomb of wisdom.

Whether you want to conduct a solitary ritual, a small group ritual, or a grand scale ritual for a festival...... what you need to remember, know, and think about is here!

This book should be in every witch's library.

[Asani Brewton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone who is writing rituals, no matter the size of the group. I have been reading pagan books for 15 years and this book by far surpasses all in practical how-to, do's and don't, and suggestions than any book I have ever read. Not only that, it is an easy read due to the authors' incredible writing voice. I would sink into it for hours, only to put it down reluctantly to get sleep for work. I think this book should be on EVERY witch's shelf.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fantastic for anyone who wants to design effective, powerful rituals. Even if you're not Wiccan, you could learn something from this book. The powerful passages contained herein are excellent material for anyone who wants to create effective liturgical design.

[W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every one can learn something from this book.