When one moves into a new home the first thing one should do is cleanse and bless the space BEFORE moving in. Do this after signing the lease or the mortgage but before you actually move your own things into the new dwelling. The purpose to cleanse the space of any and all energies pertaining to past owners and visitors so that only your energies and those of your family or those living with you will inhabit the dwelling. Also to bring spirituality into the home by blessing it and consecrating the space to yourself and those who will live there along with the God and Goddess.

Herbs which are included in this type of rituals are but not limited to:

BASIL--add this to the water for scrubbing and cleansing the floors and walls. AFTER moving in if possible a basil plant should be planted near the home (or inside in a pot) to bring protection and good fortune to everyone who lives inside.

BAY LAUREL--is usually hung some place in the new home, it may hung separately or with other herbs in the corners and over the doorways, in this manner it will bring protection from thunderstorms and attract love into the home.

BITTERSWEET--is hung in the home either alone or with other herbs. In this manner it protects the family and friends from negative energies. For it to be especially powerful it should be hung in secret.

CAMPHOR--is added to the water for cleansing purposes. It should also be burnt atop a piece of charcoal in as many rooms as it takes to fully envelope the dwelling in the smoke, this will cleanse and exorcise the dwelling of the strongest negative energies which have been left by previous owners or visitors.

CARAWAY--is used when first cleansing your new Sacred Space or Ritual Area.

ROWAN--a small tree should be planted on the property and allowed to grow with the family. Small talismans and amulets of protection may be made from its wood for those who will live inside the home.

SAGE--is burned in large amounts either in smudge sticks or on charcoal. Be sure and smudge ALL doors, doorways, corners and windows very well to remove negative energies collected in the house.

RITUALS OF PURIFICATION

Here they include rituals which purify, mainly, the self and the spirit. They are done to rid the self of doubts, fears, troubles, negative energies which are very strong, self-doubts and the like. They can also be done as a type of exorcism. In this area a ritual is performed to prepare the person about to be purified for the before initiation, Handfasting or some other manner.

Herbs for this purpose include but are not limited to:

ANGELICA--is used in the bath before the actual rite of purification. It may also be added to the ritual cup and incense.

ASAFOETIDA--is used to cense the Circle.

BASIL--one of the best for this purpose. Use in it the bath, the ritual cup and the incense.

ELECAMPAGNE--may be used in the incense or the cup.

FRANKINCENSE--also one of the best choices for the incense.

HYSSOP--should be used in the bath. You may also add some to wash water for your clothes.

VALERIAN--is a wonderful cleansing herb and may taken in the ritual cup. Use in moderation as it does have very sleepy side effects! You may also use it to cleanse the area before the ritual.

WICCANING/BABY BLESSING

This is one of the happiest occasion among Pagan Folke! We welcome a new member into our lives and into our Circles. The primary purpose of this ritual is not to induct the new baby into the Coven or the path but to welcome the new life into the world and to name the child.

Herbs appropriate for this include but are not limited to:

CEDAR--makes an excellent incense for this purpose. It's warming and joyful, brings good luck and helps to ensure good fortune and prosperity for child and family.

DAISIES--are used to decorate the crib as it will attract the Faeries and their blessings to the new baby.

FLAX--if possible the baby should be allowed to sleep or lay in a field of flax. In this manner it will bring beauty to the child for all the days of his/her life.

IRIS--a patch should be planted this day in honor of the child to bring him/her growing happiness.

MILKWEED--the juice may be used to anoint the child bringing the child inspiration, imagination and creativity.

MULBERRY--a leaf should be placed near the crib to bring protection.

ROSEMARY--is added to the incense so that all in attendance will remember this day.

HANDFASTING

Another joyous occasion in the pagan traditions. On this day two people come forth and ask that they be joined together before their Coven and all the Gods. In today's world this ceremony may or may not be legally binding. If you're wishing for it to be a pact between the two of you and the Gods without legal ramifications then any HP or HPS may perform the ceremony or you can simply do it alone, just the two of you. If you're wishing for it be legally binding you will need to find someone, Justice of the Peace, local reverend or an HP or HPS who is legally ordained to perform the ceremony.

Herbs for this purpose include but are not limited to:

ANISE SEED--is baked into the cake. In this manner it is said to act as an aphrodisiac but it may also invoke Apollo in thia manner as well.

BROOM--should be gathered live and tied with r ribbons into bunches. It is used to decorate the entire space and is also made into a broom which the couple jumps over at the end of the ceremony. In this manner it cleanses the space and when jumping over it brings joy and survival to the new union.

CORIANDER--add some to the ritual cup. In this manner it brings love and peace to the union and those in attendance.

LAVENDER--is also taken in the ritual cup and is woven into wreaths along with rosemary for the bride and groom.

MARJORAM--is a good herb to use in the incense. It is sacred to Venus and will bring romantic fulfillment to the union.

MEADOWSWEET--should be included in the bride's bouquet. It is sacred to the Goddess Blodeuwedd and will bring happiness to the bride and the marriage.

MISTLETOE--two berries should be added to the ritual cup and no more than that!.

QUINCE--should be included as part of the feast. Also sacred to Venus it is a token of everlasting love.

ROSES--primarily RED but any and all colors are fine to decorate the entire space with at this time.

ROSEMARY--along with being added to the wreaths, small sprigs tied with bright ribbon should be given to the guests as favors so that they will remember the occasion fondly.

SKULLCAP--a small amount should be placed in the ritual cup. In this manner it binds the couple together.

RITUALS OF THE DEAD

Without doubt losing someone close to you is one of the hardest times in anyones life. The rituals performed by the Pagan peoples have two primary purposes, one is to pay homage to the deceased person and see them safely off on their journey to the Summerland where they will await rebirth. The other is help those of left behind deal with fact that our loved one has left us.

Herbs for these rituals include but are not limited to:

ACONITE--if possible is administered in the ritual cup to the dying person, preferably at the moment death is occurring, ritually it helps to ensure safe passage to the Other Side. DO NOT administer this to anyone, dying or not, if you don't know what you're doing! This is a HIGHLY POISONOUS herb. Some of this herb should also be planted on the burial ground and may be used as incense during the ritual.

ANEMONE--flowers may be tossed into the cauldron or fire during the ceremony. It brings the wish for reincarnation.

ASPHODEL--is traditionally planted upon the grave and is used to wash the body of the decease.

BASIL--should be burned as incense during the ritual as it will bring courage and strength to those left behind.

BLUEBELLS--maybe planted upon the grave to bring peace and blessings to the deceased.

ELDER--if the body is to be cremated and your laws permit it, Elder is the best wood to use in the funeral pyre. If this is not possible place a piece of Elder with the deceased person before burying or cremating.

LOTUS--should be used liberally in the incense. It aids in the releasing process.

PENNYROYAL--long considered an herb of Immortality, the body should be washed with this as well as Asphodel.

PERIWINKLE--should be woven into a wreath and placed upon the coffin, particularly the coffins of children. It banished negativity from the site and aids in the reincarnation process.