This ritual should be performed during the waxing moon, as close as possible to the full moon. For the ritual I would suggest you be completely naked, wearing no jewelry of any kind.
Along with the rest of the altar furniture there should be a small dish of anointing oil standing between the water and the salt.
The altar is set up in the center so that, when you stand in front of it, you are facing east. The Circle is indicated (by cord, chalk or paint) about you. Sit, or kneel, before the altar with your eyes closed.
Concentrate your thoughts on seeing, in your mind's eye, yourself enclosed in a ball of white light. Direct your energies to make that light expand to completely fill the Circle. Hold it for a moment and then relax. Opening your eyes, stand and move to the east.
Point your right forefinger (left, if you are left - handed) down at the Circle, deosil, "drawing" the Circle through the power being directed down your arm and off your pointing finger. When you have been all the way around, return to the altar. Light the altar candle and the incense.
Now, take the altar candle and, moving round the altar, light the east candle from the altar candle. Continue and light the south, west and north candles. Continue on back to the east then back to standing in front of the altar, and replace the altar candle. Now, again concentrate your energies down your arm and finger and place the tip of your forefinger in the salt. Say:
"Salt is life. Let this Salt be pure and let it purify my life, as I use it in this Rite, dedicated to the God and the Goddess in whom I believe."
Now take three pinches of the salt and drop them, one at a time, into the water. Stir the water three times round, deosil, with your finger and say:
"Let the Sacred Salt drive out any impurities in this Water that together they may be used in the service of these deities; throughout these Rites and at any time and in any way I may use them."
Take the bowl of salted water to the east and, walking deosil, sprinkle it on the line of the Circle.
Replace it on the altar; take up the censer and, again from the east, go around the Circle once more, swinging the incense - burner along its line. Return to the altar and replace it, say:
"The Sacred Circle is about me. I am here of my own free will and accord, in Peace and in Love."
Dip your forefinger into the salted water and mark a cross in a Circle on your forehead, in the position of the third eye (between the eyebrows). Then mark a Pentagram on your chess, over your heart. Say:
"I now invite the gods to witness this Rite I hold in their honor."
Hold your hand, with finger pointing up, high in salute as you now say:
"God and Goddess; Lord and Lady; Father and Mother of All Life, Guard me and guide me within this Circle and without it, In all things. So mote it be."
Kiss your hand to the Lord and the Lady, then take up the goblet and spill a little of the wine on the ground (or into a libation dish) as an offering to the gods, with the words:
"The Lord and the Lady!"
Take a drink and then replace the goblet on the altar with the words:
"Now is the Temple erected. I shall not leave it but with good reason. So be it."
Sit or kneel before the altar, head bowed, and meditate for a few minutes on the God and the Goddess, the Craft and what the Old Religion means to you. Then stand and lift both hands high above the altar and say:
"Lord and Lady, hear me now!
I am here a simple pagan holding thee in honor.
Far I have journeyed and long have I searched,
Seeking that which I desire above all things.
I am of the trees and of the fields.
I am of the woods and of the springs;
The streams and the hills.
I am of thee and thee of me."
Lower your arms.
"Grant me that which I desire.
Permit me to worship the gods.
And all that the gods represent.
Make me a Lover of life in All Things.
Well do I know the creed:
That if I do not have that spark of Love within me,
Then will I never find it without me.
Love is the Law and Love is the Bond.
All this I honor above aught else."
Kiss your right hand and hold it high.
"My Lord and Lady, here do I stand before you,
Naked and unadorned , to dedicate myself to thine honor.
Ever will I protect you and that which is yours.
Let none speak ill of you, for ever will I defend you.
You are my life and I am yours,
From this day forth.
I accept and will ever abide by the Wiccan Rede:
'An it harm none do what thou wilt'.
So be it."
Take up the goblet and slowly pour the remainder of the wine on to the ground, saying:
"As this wine drains from the goblet,
So let the blood drain from my body
Should I ever do aught to harm the gods,
Or those in kinship with their love.
So mote it be!"
Dip your forefinger in the oil and again make the sign of the cross in a circle on your third eye, and the Pentagram over your heart. Then, also, touch the oil to your genitals, right breast (nipple), left breast, and then genitals again. (This last forms the Sacred Triangle, symbolizing the drawing of power up from the root of that power.) Say:
"As a sign of my rebirth, I take unto myself a new name.
Henceforth I shall be known as ..(name)..
For my life within the Craft.
So mote it be!"
Now sit comfortably and, with eyes closed, meditate on what the Craft means to you. It may well be that, at this time, you will receive some indication that you are indeed in touch with the gods. But whether you do or not, just let your feelings for them, and for the Old Religion, flow from your body. Luxuriate in the feeling of "coming home"; of having finally become one with the Old Religion.
When you have finished meditating, if you feel like singing or dancing or celebrating in any other way, go ahead and do so. Then, when you are ready, stand and raise both hands up high and say:
"I thank the gods for their attendance.
As I came here in love of them, I now go my way.
Love is the Law, and Love is the Bond.
So be it! The Temple is now closed."
