Thanksgiving – After Feasting and Nourishment

Thanksgiving Closure

There are three elements to opening up the sacred space after a blessing and nourishment: Thanksgiving to the Cardinal Points and lastly, Thanksgiving to God and Goddess energies. Placing the circle energy back in the ground. Take a moment to describe what will now follow.

Thanksgiving is THE MOST POWERFUL PART OF RITUAL are the moments of gratitude. This is when powerful magick occurs. It is where we will things to be and see them as already done.

The Leader shares:

“We are sometimes filled with false feelings of failure and empty of energy.
“Now we full of readiness to reassess and realign our lives and…
“We are emptied and ready for new nourishment of Mind, Body, and Spirit.
“Bless this food to our use.”

All share honey wine and/or caked seasonal treats. And at this point participants converse freely and discuss desires for the coming months. If there is anyone who wishes to recite a special seasonal reading, they should do it now.

If someone needs to the leave the circle, the ritual must be finished first, because the circle must not be ‘broken.’

1) Closure and Thanksgiving –
Thanksgiving to Cardinal Points

Leader begins Thanksgiving:

“Now we will take our tools back to altar and thank the spirits who have held us safe and lifted us up.
“We wish for whatever transformation has occurred within us personally to expand and multiply beyond our circle to the whole consciousness of humanity and to all walks of faith.”

East – To Know (Masculine)

1) Individual walks from his position in the Circle COUNTER-clockwise to the East.
2) Lifts the Incense to the heavens and recites the following invocation:

“Thank you guardian of the East, blessed spirit of air, for witnessing and protecting our ritual.
“May there be new understanding on earth, new awareness, and knowledge of Mother Earth’s and each other’s needs.
“We know this is possible.”

3) Makes a full pass around the Circle COUNTER-clockwise and places Incense back on Altar.

East – To Will (Masculine)

1) Individual walks from his position in the Circle COUNTER-clockwise to the South.
2) Lifts the Candle to the heavens and recites the following invocation:

“Thank you guardian spirit of the South, blessed spirit of fire, for witnessing and protecting our ritual.
“May we be willing to actively practice joy and participate fully in our lives.
“We will this happen.”

3) Makes a full pass around the Circle COUNTER-clockwise and places Candle back on Altar.

West – To Dare (Feminine)

1) Individual walks from her position in the Circle COUNTER-clockwise to the East.
2) Lifts the Chalice to the heavens and recites the following invocation:

“Thank you guardian spirit of the West, blessed spirit of water, for witnessing and protecting our ritual.
“May there be peace and balance on earth and may we do what is needed to make it come to pass.
“We dare to speak up and contribute.”

3) Makes a full pass around the Circle COUNTER-clockwise and places Chalice on Altar.

North – To Listen (Feminine)

1) Individual walks from her position in the Circle COUNTER-clockwise to the East.
2) Lifts the Crystals to the heavens and recites the following invocation:

“Thank you guardian spirit of the North, blessed spirit of earth, for witnessing and protecting our ritual.
“May we possess the quiet inner calm so that we can listen to our hearts and to each other.
“We listen and hear without need to respond.
“May we possess the quiet inner calm so that we can listen to our hearts and to each other.”

3) Makes a full pass around the Circle COUNTER-clockwise and places Crystals on Altar.

2) Thanksgiving – Thanksgiving to God and Goddess

Leader concludes Thanksgiving.

“Now let us once again bow our heads…
“Thank you God and Goddess for your presence at our Ritual and your continued presence in our lives.
“And once again we thank our ancestors and friends who have gone before us for contributing to our lives and well-being.
“Bless and protect us always.”

3) Thanksgiving – Open the Circle and Concluding Remarks

Leader begins to release the circle and all follow his/her lead: Starting at north compass point on the circle, walk counterclockwise around 3 times, imagining the wall of blue/white light surrounding the circle evaporating.

Chant the following over and over as the circle is released:

CHANT: “Our circle expands to all earth – As we proclaim our own rebirth.”

Take a deep breath and raise the hands to heaven

“Now we all will raise our hands to heaven and take a deep breath.

“Feel the energy and light of the Circle drawing into your body.”

Allow time for this to occur.

“Now as we place our hands on the ground, imagine the energy we’ve raised returning to the earth.
“The energy is there whenever we need by remembering this night, what happened here, and when we let it live on in our hearts.

“Thank you all for coming.”

[REFER TO SPECIFIC RITUAL FOR REMARKS]