I thought this would invite people to express and learn what the difference between a Spell and a Ritual are...[rolleyes]

I am a Ritual Witch...spells to me are fun but limited. Where ritual is all encompassing.[grin]Before I put forth what I think...I invite others to share knowledge and experiences![bounce]

I love Ritual. It feels more powerful to me. Not that doing spells just for the sake of the spell is not powerful, but it seems to be more profound if it is surrounded by the added energy of Ritual.[grin]

Ohhhhhh! This is a great topic Fate.

To me a ritual is an elaborate series of tasks (or steps) which are conducted in the same manner each time to achieve a desired effect.

A spell for me simply put is an active form of prayer (either to deity or just to the universe) which may or may not include items of magickal purposes.

You can perform either of these without the other. I personally prefer to conduct a full ritual if I am going to perform a spell. The purpose for me doing this is to begin engaging my subconscious to let it know that it is time to commune with deity.

The only commonality I find between the two is they both involve magick on some level.

JMO

bbg_1980 wrote:
To me a ritual is an elaborate series of tasks (or steps) which are conducted in the same manner each time to achieve a desired effect....

Tommy, I hate to disagree with you, but to me a ritual doesn't have to necessarily be elaborate or done in the "same manner each time."

For me, a ritual is a celebration or honoring of an event or an occasion and can be very simple or very elaborate. Personally, some of my favorite rituals have been simple ones without much preparation or props when I've been able to flow and commune with and follow the lead of the God and Goddess. Perhaps this comes with practice or experience through the years. Sometimes I do spellwork during a ritual, and sometimes I don't depending on my needs at the time.

A spell, on the other hand, is an organized wish or thought that carries with it the power to manifest a desire or goal. A spell is a means of taking action to bring about changes or to better our lives or those of others around us.

I recently wrote this article about spells for Cauldron Living that some of you might find of interest: http://www.cauldronliving.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewnews&id=161

Even though we hate disagreeing, it only goes to show how two friends of the same path can have completely different views of the same subject. I do however agree with you that most rituals are for celebrating or honoring a deity or an occasion.

The word ritual invokes for me the images of ancient times when certain cultures would take days to complete a ritual. I also see the elaborate rituals of Freemasonry, the Ordo Templi Orientis, and the Golden Dawn, since most of what Wicca is based on comes from these groups.

The best thing about this group is most everyone here understands that the Pagan path is multi spectrum.

A Spell by fate...[lol] Get the tools ready, incantations, light the fire and Go for it! Just Make sure you know what you are doing...opps[lol] I didn't mean for *that* to happen![confused]

A Ritual by fate....[cool] Altar ready, Circle cast...*Where's the North*? Directions called ...yooohooo? Earth?...Air? Stoke the Fire, Water in Chalice, Offer virgin to Gods....? are there any virgins in this circle? [lol][lol][lol] Nix that one.... OK...Raise Energy...Yippee my favorite![bounce] Raising energy ~ swirling in circle...*falls on ground from dizziness* is that what they call *grounding* [lol][lol][lol] Stirs the cauldron...*what is in it*? peeks in the cauldron....crap forgot to take the candles out of it...melted candles! [oops] How to include *melted candles stuck on the bottom of the cauldron* in the ritual? Ask the Fire Gods to *Cool it*? [lol][lol]

Now the Heart of the Ritual... *Pass the Doritos and M&M's* [lol] Aren't we suppose to do something with all this energy stirring? [rolleyes] I got a Joke?... No I mean Magically? Let's levitate Debbie in her chair? No Magically?....*blank stares* What? OK...Take your *wish list* and toss them into the fire! Lois your robe sleeve is on fire![bounce] Tosses the chalice of water on the sleeve.... Let's Consecrate our magical tools and jewelry...*This is where I get all the *loot* from the Circle* ...No Alison you can't lay on the altar...*just take off your necklace and lay *it* on the altar*! Where's Robin going?....*to pee* Who cut the door?...He just *poofed out*[grin]

To Close the Ritual....Finally![rolleyes] Say *bye bye* to the Directions... Fate walks around the Circle...*to the left fate*! *We thank the God and.....*fate trips*....Holy Crap I tripped! the groups says *Holy Crap I tripped*....[lol][lol] Whatever... Blessed Be![cool] Till next Circle.....[lol][lol]

rotflmao[nonsense][nonsense][nonsense]
fate, you're awesome! that was just the pick-me-up i needed...[grin]

hmmm...doritos and m&m's....could that be modern cake and ale? [lol][lol]

phoenix24 wrote:
rotflmao
hmmm...doritos and m&m's....could that be modern cake and ale?

Yup!...that *is* our cake and ale!....what is really funny...is that this does happen in our Circles![lol][lol][lol]

i love it! sounds perfect....although why does it remind me of high school sleep-overs......[lol][lol][lol]
(not that that's a *bad* thing)

I can personally attest to that Fate.
As I am the Debbie I assume you were levitating...Our circles are the best, and yes they really are that crazy. I know for a fact that God/Goddess has a sense of humor for our circles bring great results....[llama-banana][llama-banana][dancing-banana][grin][grin]