10a. Great Rite
10a. Great Rite
The Great Rite is the Ritual sexual union of the God and the Goddess as
represented by the practitioners. The sexual union of the masculine and
feminine forces of the universe is the central theme of Witchcraft.
If you have a working partner to assist you the Great Rite can be a powerful
religious experience. It is rarely done in its literal form. The symbolic form is
much more common.
The symbol we use for that declares the Chalice to be equivalent to the female
and the Wand to be equivalent to the Male and joins the two in a sexual
manner.
The two officiants each hold a Wand in their Right hand and a Chalice in their
Left hand. They stand facing each other holding their Wands over their
partners Chalice, and alternately saying the lines.
"Be it known that no man is greater than a woman."
"Nor is a woman greater than a man."
"For what one lacks..." "...the other can provide."
"As the Wand is to the Male.." "...So the chalice is to the
Female."
"And when the two are joined..."
(lowering the wands into the Chalices)
"...They become one in truth."
(Simultaneously)
"For there is no greater magic
in all the world than that of love."
10b. Wine and Cakes
This is the sacred feast where we are honoring and identifying with the
sacrifices that are made every day so that we may live.
Plants and animals die so that we may live, at this time we accept that sacrifice
and the blessing of the Deity in providing it. We also accept that we will do the
same for others.
When we have acknowledged the sacrifice, we share the blessing with each
other. Sometimes we pass the food and drink with a kiss. Sometimes we
merely feed each other to symbolize our interdependence.
Good bread has the salt taste of your hands,
after a hard days work.
The salt taste of your mouth
It smells of its own death.
Lift these ashes to your lips,
to know what you devour is to consecrate it.
All bread must be broken to be shared.
Together we eat this earth.
Good drink has the sweet taste of your lovers lips,
after long absence.
The sweet taste of your mouth.
It smells of its own creation.
Lift these juices to your lips,
to know what you devour is to consecrate it.
All drink must be shared to be savored.
Together we drink this life.
-derived from "All bread" by Margaret Atwood
