The Basics

Terms and Definitions:

Altar- a stand used for rituals and magical practices. The altar should be any type of wood (though oak is preferred) and can be any shape or size (tree stumps make great altars). Altars DO NOT need to be easily recognizable as altars either, as I have seen kitchen tables, dressers, coffee tables, and even chairs used as altars. An altar should, however, be dedicated to its purpose. It should face to the North, however, any direction will work according to the magician's desired form of outcome (see Elemental Magick). The Altar is a God/dess tool.

Athame- a double edged all metallic knife, with a black handle, that is used primarily for magical working. The blade should be at least 3 ½ inches in length (that is the sharpened portion of the blade). It should be stored in an all leather sheath (black) when not in use. Any black handled knife may be used, however, such as a small folding pocket knife that can be carried at all times for “on the spot” rituals. The Athame is a God tool.

Besom or Broom- this is a broom or small hand broom comprised of three components (ash, willow and birch) for ritual purposes only. Traditionally, it is made from a four foot ash limb (the broomstick), small willow strands (for binding the broom end to shaft), and brush from a birch tree for bristles. [See the instructions for “Creating Your Own Tools” at the end of this Chapter] A besom may be quickly and easily substituted with an ordinary broom or birch branch.

Bolline- any knife with a white handle used for cutting. A good bolline is a folding pocket knife with a white handle where the blade is at least 3 ½ inches in length. Don't worry, you can use a Swiss Army Knife too (if anyone argues tell them that the handle is actually every color but red, therefore it could be considered white- [see Color Vision- Wikipedia] ) The Bolline is a God tool.

Book of Shadows- a book of a coven, witch, or wizard's personal rituals, spells, and similar information. Usually the Book of Shadows (or BOS) is bound in black, gray, or white, but there is no need for a specific color. It can either be handwritten or typed, but some pagans believe handwriting enhances the power of their spells while others believe typing enhances the power of their organization, efficiency, and ability to duplicate. This wizard leaves handwriting to each specific magical practice and types the rest. Typing is also much easier to read by candlelight or moonlight. The Book of Shadows is a God/dess tool.

Calling Corners- to evoke or invoke the four corners or elementals (see Elemental Magick).

Candle- this may be any color or size and used for magical purposes, or to honor the God/dess, God, Goddess, or any deity. The God ritual candle is typically green, the Goddess ritual candle is typically white, and the God/dess ritual candle may also be white. Note: a campfire may be used as a multi-purpose candle. The Candle is a God tool, though it is found on all areas of the Altar.

Cauldron- any three-legged metallic kettle used in ritual. It can be black, brass, bronze, stainless steel, or any color, shape, or size. Though typically, the mouth of a cauldron is smaller than its base. Normally, it is used for burning, boiling, or cooking, but it may also be used for decoration. I'd recommend the cauldron be a reasonably small size so it can easily be transported. The Cauldron is a Goddess tool.

Censer- any object used to hold or transport incense. This can be the kind with a chain to hold, a wooden box, a tray, or even a makeshift device such as a cut aluminum can (for cone or block incense) or an empty bottle (for stick incense) where the stick is angled and held in and out of the top.. The Censer is a God/dess tool.

Chalice or Cup- any cup, glass, chalice, or beverage holder used specifically for ritual purposes. An aluminum can or glass/plastic bottle will even do, though I'd recommend recycling it afterwards! The Chalice is a Goddess tool.

Deosil- to move clockwise in the northern hemisphere, or to move counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere. Deosil is the direction the Sun, Moon, and Stars move through the sky.

Elemental Symbols- any object used to represent the elemental spirits and/or directions. Natural symbols should be sought out to locate naturally magical areas, or objects can be placed to create magical or ritual spaces.

Evocation (evoke) - to call spirits or entities to attendance, but not to offer them entry into your body. An example of evocation is to call a friend over to your home.

Focusing Energy- this is the act of taking raised energy and channeling it into a focal point (like a magnifying glass) through any of several acts, such as: visualization, physical action, symbolic action, direct action, verbal statement, and designation.

Grounding- this is the act of balancing oneself by displacing excess or unwanted energy into the earth by means of visualization, breathing, and/or meditation. There are many methods available, choose what is best for you (hint: it is usually your “release”)- simply sitting, walking, or watching nature works best for me, but all people are different. Proper grounding results in what is referred to as “centering”.

Incense- a specific herb or herbal mixture that is burnt to cleanse and purify, or honor the deity(s). Incense is a God tool. Invocation (invoke) - to call spirits or entities to attendance and offer them entry into your body. An example of invocation is to call a friend over to your home and offer to make love to them. Like sex, invocation can be a wonderful and powerful experience, however, it can also leave one's will quite compromised without all the proper considerations and precautions.

Offering Dish- any dish used in ritual for cake or food offerings. Offerings should be eaten, buried, or given to the animals of the earth (be careful what you feed animals). The Offering Dish is a God/dess tool.

Pentacle- a symbol of a star upright or inverted within a circle that is sat upon the altar during ritual and also used for protection. It can be drawn on paper, stone, wood, etc, or crafted. Pentacles have even been shaped out of pebbles and change for ritual purposes. A pentacle painted on a stone and carried in the pocket is great for “on the spot” rituals. The Pentacle is a Goddess tool.

Prayer Box- a decorated box of any kind that sits upon the alter and contains written prayers to any deity form. The box should typically be no larger than the size of a box of checks and contain a lid that may be tied shut or fastened. When a prayer box is filled it should be buried and replaced. Prayer boxes are for indoor rituals only! The Prayer Box is a God/dess tool.

Raising Energy- an act of pulling energy in from the surrounding areas and the cosmos in order to channel and focus it outward according to a specific desire. Raising energy can be done in several ways such as: dancing, singing, grooving to music, physical activity, sex, or simple verbal discussion.

Releasing Energy- an act of taking raised energy that has been channeled and focused and displacing or releasing it toward its desired objective or goal. Releasing energy can be done in a number of ways such as: falling, motioning, visualizing, destroying or creating (symbolic), or speaking. See the section on “Types of Magick” for more ideas.

Ritual Bowl- any bowl used specifically for ritual. The ritual bowl usually holds salt (sea), water, or any substance used in ritual. Such substitutes as salt shakers, salt packets, and water bottles or canteens may also be used. The Ritual Bowl is a Goddess tool.

Ritual Drink- any drink used in ritual. The ritual drink is usually alcoholic such as ale, beer, or wine, but can be any liquid beverage. The ritual drink is to be poured in the ritual chalice, cup, or glass and then drank or poured out, but any container is acceptable for “on the spot” or informal ritual [see Chalice or Cup] The Ritual Drink is a Goddess tool.

Ritual Herb- any herb used for ritual as an offering to the God/dess, or gods/goddesses. This can be incense, tobacco, or even cannabis dependent on the individual's tastes and desired ritual form. Ritual herb may be smoked, burnt, consumed, or applied. The Ritual Herb is a Goddess tool.

Ritual Music- any music that you feel appropriate or comfortable with for ritual (or before/after ritual) if you so desire. Focus, concentration, meditation, and mood are not necessarily obtained by silence. Ritual Music is a God/dess tool.

Ritual Pipe- any pipe used to smoke a ritual herb that is to be consumed in this manner. Ritual pipes should be immediately put away in an enclosed casing after their use, and should never be carried in worn clothing. Ritual pipes should be transported in their enclosed casing and inside a hiking pack, purse, or pouch along with other ritual items such as candles. The Ritual Pipe is a God tool.

Robe or Cloak- the gray magician's robe or cloak (should they choose to wear one) is normally either wool or silk (cotton is also acceptable) with a hood, and may be practically any color though black, white, and gray are recommended. If you are adept at making your own garments a reversible robe or cloak is an excellent idea! In the 'Gray Tradition' elders typically wear gray, adepts wear black or white (dependent on the times of the year), and less experienced magicians will wear green (males) or purple (females).

Staff (wand) – the staff should be any stick that feels comfortable to the magician and of any length that feels appropriate (usually the length of foot to shoulder). It should be fashioned and decorated according to the magician’s elemental sign (i e Wood-burned designs if fire, etc.). Common woods used (but not necessary) are: ash, birch, hazel, oak, and willow. Wands (the short staff) are commonly the length of the middle finger to the crook of the elbow and the same woods apply. Staffs may also double as homemade hiking sticks. The Staff is a God tool.

Sky clad- the most free and fundamental expression of one's natural existence. Sky clad is ritual nudity (which can be quite fun) though it is most often used only for sex rituals or “special” rites (such as the formal Great Rite). This wizard recommends every go sky clad under the light of the full moon at least once and/or as a solitary if anything for the taboo of it all! Let's face it, there's no other experience quite like the feeling of a gentle summer breeze on your newly bathed sky clad body as you dry beside the campfire on a moonlit night. REMEMBER: IT IS HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE TO GO SKY CLAD AROUND OTHERS WITHOUT WARNING, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHILDREN- HAVE SOME RESPECT AND ACT RESPONSIBLY!

Widdershins- to move counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere, or to move clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Widdershins is the opposite direction the Sun, Moon, and Stars move through the sky.

                                                                                   Altar Arrangement (as if standing in front of)

                                                             Altar set-up is my own and does not constitute an absolute proper method 


     The Cauldron should be placed either on the Goddess portion of the altar (the left) or sat somewhere to the left or front left of the altar. The Staff should be placed either on the God portion of the altar (the right), for the smaller wand, or laid or leaned somewhere to the right or front right of the altar, if a staff. The Book of Shadows should only ever be placed on the altar when no Offering Dish is used or when it is necessary for the magical or ritual operation. All other items may be placed on the altar according to their necessity, element, polarity, and purpose.

     It is important for the magician to remember that tools are just that, tools, and they ARE NOT a necessity for magical practice. Tools are symbols utilized for symbolism and personal “faith” (for lack of a better word) and hold no necessary power for the magician to perform their work. While magical tools do hold power, it is wise for the magician to remember “where” the power within those tools originated and not be held to the limits of tools and symbols. An experienced magician can perform nearly any magical operation with simple visualization and energy work, much like an experienced carpenter can build a house without touching a single tool, but by verbal command alone. The magician should not see themselves as within the room, but as if the room is around them; this is the Way of the Gray Wizard.


                                                                           Rites and Rituals of the Gray Craft

     These are the rites and rituals of the Gray Craft, as observed by Mandrake, the Wizard of the Fire. These rites and rituals need not be all-inclusive to the Way of the Gray Wizard or the Gray Craft, but may be used as a guideline for personal practice. These rites and rituals include (but are not limited too), the Greater Sabbat rites, the Lesser Sabbat rites, the Rite of Esbats (full and new moons), the Blue Moon Esbat rite, the Black Moon Esbat rite, the Holy Day rite (birthdays), the Hand-fasting rite, Circle Casting ritual (formal and informal), Dedication rite, Circle Closing ritual (formal and informal), Consecration ritual, Passing Rite, and the Great Rite (formal and informal).

     Every ritual is comprised of six parts: the cleansing and purification, the opening or circle casting, the observance, evocation/invocation or designation of purpose, magical workings (if necessary or desired), the closing or circle release (along with grounding), and the celebration or confirmation party.

     As will become very clear, I am one for the saying “keep it simple” and it has served me quite well. As for my way of doing things? Some will say my way is incorrect, but to them I ask, “how many ways are there to separate a single piece of paper, and how many fragments should one have left”? One can not truly comprehend the whole coin until they have stood it on its end. Is it “heads” or is it “tails”, or are both the same coin? Is the truth of the coin held in its center or on its outer edge? These are the questions of a gray magician (ask deeply, and answer simply)...


                                                                                            Circle Casting (informal)-

                                                                                                     Locate and arrange your altar,

                                                          Cleanse the ritual area/space using the incense, salt, besom, or simple visualization,

                               Locate and designate the four quarters (directions) of North, East, South, and West using either symbols or natural anomalies,

                                                                                                      Meditate, ground, and center,

                                                                    Now clap your hands (this states the beginning of your ritual/rite),

Using the forefinger of the projective hand (or the athame/wand/staff) begin casting the circle beginning in the North and moving deosil (or widdershins if the moon is new or waning- except on Sabbats) until a circle has been completed moving from North, East, South, and West (or
          backwards beginning with the North on new and waning moons). This may be done once, thrice, or several times until it feels right,

Say the words: “I cast this Sacred Circle in the Name of the Father God and the Mother Goddess, not but love may enter, not but love may leave
                                                                                                           according to my desire!”

                   Visualize a circle of energy forming around you (the color of the energy depends on the mood or desire) as you do this,

                                                     Call (evoke or invoke) the God/dess, God and Goddess, or deity(s) of your preference,

Call the Quarters using the Evocation of the Elements [See the Evocation of the Elements in the Chapter on Spells, Chants, and Prayers] and by use of the hand gestures (receptive) or athame/wand/staff beginning in the North, then moving clockwise (or counterclockwise if done on the new or
                                                                                                 waning moon- except on Sabbats),

                                      Visualize and feel the Elements arriving one at a time (however you may visualize them) as you call them,

                                                                                                             Begin Observation


                                                                                             Circle Casting (formal)-

                                                                          Take the ritual bath to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit,

                                                                             Set-up and arrange the altar with all needed supplies,

                     Cleanse the ritual area/space using the incense/salt (incense is a personal choice, but I use sandalwood or sage) and
                                                                                               besom along with visualization,

                               Locate and designate the four quarters (directions) of North, East, South, and West using either symbols or natural
                                                                                                                    anomalies,

                                                                                                   Meditate, ground, and center,

                                                                Now clap your hands (this designates the beginning of the ritual/rite),