4A. Purify the space - Asperges

The purification has two parts: the Earth and Water purification called Asperges, and the fire and Air purification called Incensing.

We do this purification counterclockwise (widdershins) because it is a casting out of unwanted influences.

The Asperges begins in the north with the call to the earth elemental represented by salt, it is honored and consecrated. Then the water elemental represented by a bowl of water in the west is called, honored and purified. Then the two are joined together and sprinkled over the participants and the space. The Purification is counterclockwise and can either be done by one officiant sprinkling the participants, and the space, as they walk around the group or by passing the bowl widdershins around the Circle and letting everyone purify themselves or their neighbor and the space around them.

Now we call upon the elemental spirits to carry away our fears and anxieties that blind and inhibit us. As we call each elemental we give it a gift of our energy to thank it for it's help.

"Spirit of Earth we charge and consecrate you

that you will free our bodies from injury."

"Spirit of Water we charge and purify you

that you will free our emotions from inhibition."

"Salt and Water, outer and inner,

body and soul, be cleansed,

cast out all that is bad and hurtful,

take in all that is good and healing.

So mote it be."

All: "By the Earth that sustains us, and the water that renews us, we bless and consecrate this Circle."

4B. Purify the space - Incensing

The purification has two parts: the Earth and Water purification called Asperges, and the fire and Air purification called Incensing.

We do this purification counterclockwise (widdershins) because it is a casting out of unwanted influences.

The Incensing begins with the call to the fire elemental in the south represented by the candle, it is honored and consecrated. Then the air elemental represented by the incense in the east is called, honored and purified. Then the two are joined together and wafted over the participants and the space. The Purification is counterclockwise and can either be done by one officiant wafting smoke over the participants, and the space, as they walk around the group or by passing the incense widdershins around the Circle and letting everyone purify themselves or their neighbor and the space around them.

Now we call upon the elemental spirits to carry away our fears and anxieties that blind and inhibit us. As we call each elemental we give it a

gift of our energy to thank it for it's help.

"Spirit of Fire we charge and consecrate you

that you will enlighten our spirits."

"Spirit of air we charge and purify you

that you will inspire our intellects."

"Fire and Air, breath and spark,

intellect and spirit, be cleansed,

cast out all that is bad and hurtful,

take in all that is good and healing

So mote it be."

All: "By the Fires that arouse us, and the Air that inspires us, we bless and purify this Circle."