Purpose:
The basis of many Dragon rituals is a simple structure we have developed to be clear, intuitive and easy to understand for those new to ritual. It is ideal for public ritual but is powerful enough to be useful for any ecomagic. This ritual needs no leader, and we rarely have anyone acting as 'High Priest/ess'. Everyone is equal in this circle and everyone is involved. We have been using this ritual structure for nearly 10 years, so it has the accumulated power of repetition.

Outline

Introduction:
Before starting carefully explain exactly what is going to happen and why. Those who are new to ritual will feel more comfortable, and those more experienced will be clearer about the process.

Grounding:

You can start with a simple breathing meditation, but the moving meditation (details available shortly), based on the Dragon Rune is excellent to ground and focus the group.

Opening the Circle:

Choose an object with some magical, emotional or psychological charge that is suitable to be passed round the circle. We have used a Dragon Rune talisman (easy to make, or see Tools to buy one), a piece of chalk from Twyford Down, and a wand made from a yew tree that once grew on the route of the M11. But remember the power of simplicity; any twig or stone is sacred and will be ideal.

Pass the object sunwise (clockwise) round to circle from one person to the next. As the object comes to you visualize a cord of light passing with it round the circle. Some people may want to hold the object for a little while: Be patient, as this is a good indication that the circle will be strong and focused.

Once the object has completed the circuit of the group, the circle is cast.

Inviting the elements:

Everyone turns to the direction you have agreed to invite first. Some people call North first, others East, but follow your intuition. The attributions of the elements to compass points is also to be decided by the group. Most people use the attributes given below, but this is by no means fixed.

Invite the element of Air (East) by whistling. There are old stories of witches whistling up the wind, and sailors never whistle on board for fear of calling a storm.

Invite the element of Fire (South) by clapping sharply and out of rhythm, like the cracking of a wood fire. Dance about and whoop loudly if you feel like it. Fire is pure energy and like attracts like.

Invite the element of Water (West) by making the sound of waves or of dripping water. If you sway slowly as if you were at sea it helps too.

Invite the element of Earth (North) by drumming on the ground with your hands or stamping with your feet. Getting down on your knees & slapping the earth with your hands is great to connect with the element.

Invite the Spirits of the Place and the Fair Folk. Now the circle is cast and the energies invited, the space and the group are ready for the working.

Raising Power:

You could use the Dragon Rune as a tool to raise energy for your working. Draw the rune on the ground and circle round it with a simple chant (the are some examples in Tools). The Dragon Rune chant is very effective, but best for groups more familiar with magic.

Raising energy is a complex subject, and it's better to just do it than read more elaboration's! Basically, use movement, sound and symbol to weave your magic. Follow your intuition, and trust yourself.

See other rituals and Techniques for more ideas.

Closing the Circle:

This is just the reverse of the process of casting the circle. Turn to each element in turn, and bid them Thanks and Farewell just as you welcomed them into the circle. Your intent will be different, and you will find the sounds will tail off as you finish each quarter.

Unwind the circle in the opposite direction that you cast it, passing the object anti-clockwise.

Finish with a cheer an hug! Take time after the ritual to properly ground yourselves. This especially important if you are working with inexperienced people. Sharing food and listening to how people felt about the ritual is very valuable.

Draconic Protection Ritual

© J'Karrah EbonDragon, 1994

This ritual is to be used when someone has decided to make your life miserable.  For example if someone at work has decided they want *your* job and starts spreading malicious rumors, or if someone at school is talking about you behind your back, etc.  The purpose of this ritual is to confound their ability to cause you injury or distress. 

This ritual is *NOT* intended to substitute for taking sound *legal* action if you are being physically threatened, bullied, stalked, or otherwise harassed.  It can *help* dealing with these types of situations, but as in all things let your own common sense prevail.

Needed items:

Normal altar equipment;  

• Protection incense (or frankincense & myrrh, or cinnamon incense);  
• Protection oil (or Dragon’s blood oil);
• Supplicant candle (white or astrological);  
• Personal item to be used as a talisman

Step 1: Inscribe the candle with the following runes:

Be sure to concentrate on the need for protection as you carve the runes.  "See" each rune as a layer of shielding that nothing harmful can penetrate. 

Step 2: Anoint the candle with the protection blood oil and chant at least 4 times, or until you feel a signal to stop:

Dragons of Power, Dragons of Light,

Dragons of Wisdom, Dragons of Might,

Lend me your magic; lend me your aid,

Lend me your guidance as this spell is made!

Step 3: Light the protection incense and pass the candle through the smoke and say 4 times:

Mighty Dragons of Magic and Wisdom, I ask that you spread your wings of protection over (name).  With your great magic surround (name) with protective energy.  With your all consuming Fire sever all connections with those who bring harm or despair.

Replace the candle and light.  Add more incense if necessary.

Step 4: Pick up the personal item and pass it through the candle flame (carefully) and the smoke and say at least 4 times:

Great Dragons of Magic and Wisdom infuse this (object) with your protective magic, that (supplicant) may be safeguarded at all times.  Let those who would do (supplicant) harm be confounded by smoke, and let their harmful intentions and energies be consumed by Fire.  So mote it be! 

Add more incense if necessary and then leave all the items on the altar until the candle has burned itself out.  Return the amulet to the supplicant.  This can also be done as a house protection rite using a magic cord in place of the personal item and substituting the phrase "this house" and “those within�?in the appropriate places.

Riding The Dragon
By D.J. Conway

This ritual is for riding a Chaos Dragon. The main reason for riding a dragon is so that the magiccian can remove barriers and obstacles, inanimate or animate, that impede forward progress. However, know that a Chaos Dragon will go straight to the heart of the problem and break down the barriers, whether you really wanted them gone or not. What you think is the best solution might not be, so be prepared for all consequences. You should be able to release all negative feelings about the situation when the ride is over though.

Perform this ritual during the evening or the wanning Moon, with the New Moon being the strongest.

Supplies: Pentacle Disk, dragon Pentacle, water chalice with some fresh water in it, dish of salt, wine chalice, black or dark purple altar candles, sword, wand, incense burner, binding incense  and/or dragon's blood (basil or patchouli work well), gong or bell, staff.

Cast the Dragon Circle, useing counter-clockwise motions, and calling the elements in reverse order. When you kneel before the altar with the sword in both hands, project your interest and plea for help from the dragons of chaos and destruction as strongly as you can. Continue this for several minutes. Then say:

"Behold all dragons of darkness and change, I (magickal name if you have one), seek your dragon magick. With (name of sword) in my hand, i enter your realm, not for physical battle, but for knowledge and power. I greet you, O dragons ancient and wise. I await your presence."

Continue with the Dragon Circle until you are ready to do spellwork. Take the sword in your power hand, the staff in the other. Stand facing the altar and tap the staff three times on the floor while holding the sword pointed at the dragon pentacle. Chant in tones that vibrate through your body:

"Come, Draconis! Come Draconis, to my call! Dragons of Chaos, hear me! Draconis! Draconis! Draconis!"

Either remain standing or sit before the altar. Close your eyes and visualize yourself astride the back of a great dragon of darkness. The dragon is swiftly winging through the night, blowing great billows of smoke and fire. See him/her zooming down on your problems, scattering them, turning them into ashes. DO NOT specifically try to harm someone. Feel the excitement and rush of joy as you realize you are now free. Open your eyes, and feel within yourself the power of the dragon. Know that you are going to win over your obstacles.

Take the sword in you power hand and go to the East. While chanting, cut and slash at the East:
"The Dragons of destruction and chaos are with me. We destroy all problems and evil comming from the East!"

Do the same at the North while saying:
"The Dragons of destruction and chaos are with me. We destroy all problems and evil comming from the North!"

West:
"The Dragons of destruction and chaos are with me. We destroy all problems and evil comming from the West!"

South:
"The Dragons of destruction and chaos are with me. We destroy all problems and evil comming from the South!"

Return to the altar. Still holding the sword in you power hand, take the staff in the other. Tap the staff three times and chant:
"Transformation is my will. Use your power my desire to fill. I thank you, dragons old and wise, Of Earth and Fire, Water, Skies, for sharing wisdom here with me. As we will, so shall it be!"

Now you can close down the circle, dismissing the element dragons in reverse order.

Dragons - Meeting, Calling and Circle

Meeting Your Dragon

The first thing one should do is create an atmophere that will attract dragons. Pictures and statuary will help. The next thing is to take a good look at yourself and decide if you are ready. Do you think you have what it takes to work with dragons? They are not a force to be controlled or manipulated. They are creatures far older and wiser than us, and if you try to pull one over them, they are not gonna be happy. It is for a serious person, who wants to cultivate a friendship and partnership, not someone who just wants power. Working with dragons requires that you earn their trust and friendship by showing that you are worthy of it. This doesn't mean you must be perfect. Dragons realize that humans aren't perfect, nor is the world we live in. but, if you put some effort into it, and do what you can, you will find some great friends.

How some people greet them is by lighting a bit of sandalwood incense, because sandalwood is an incense for all dragons, as is dragon's blood. Then, close your eyes and either think or say my message of friendship to the dragons. Generally it starts off "I call to the dragons of this plane and others with this offering of incense, to extend my hand of friendship and companionship." Then, say whatever you think is appropriate. There are other ways to, like contacting them in astral travel or mediatation, or there are rituals as well.

Try not to make promises you can't keep. make your intentions very clear, that you wish for friendship and a partnership in magick, and you will become aware of their prescense. Do this a few times, I think about five, before you may feel some prescense in your room, or where you do the ritual. The dragons are probably going to check you out first, before they make any contact.

Try to set up dates where you can meet the dragons without being disturbed. Do the ritual whenever you can.

Blessed be and the best of luck to you. remember, be a friend, and you'll get a friend.

Calling Your Dragon

This is for calling a dragon's presence, but in a way that they project their presense so strongly that you know that they are there. When you use this call, treat the dragons that appear with respect. Take the time to get to know them before you ask for their help. Although most dragons are beneficial and helpful, their temperments are very sensitive, so treat them with respect.

Perform during bright noon or the waxing moon for increasing magick, with the full moon being the strongest; during evening hours or the wanning moon for decreasing magick, with the new moon being the strongest. Use in conjunction with any ritual. You will need your pentacle disk, dragon pentacle, water chalice with a little fresh water in it, dish of salt, wine chalice, black (left) and white (right) altar candles, sword, wand, incense burner, appropriate incense; dragon's blood and mugwort, gong or bell, staff. paper and pen to write down any messages.

Use the basic dragon ritual up to the point where you can insert spellworkings. Hold the sword in your power hand, the staff in the other. Stand facing the altar and tap the staff three times on the floor while holding the sword pointed at the dragon pentacle.

Chant in tones that vibrate through your body:

"Come Draconis! By your all-consuming breath, I summon you.
(tap staff three times)
By your piercing gaze, I summon you.
(tap staff three times)
By your mighty strength, I summon you.
(tap staff three times)
By your wisdom ancient and cunning, I summon you.
(tap staff three times)
By your magick deep and old, I summon you.
(tap staff three times)
Come, Draconis, to my call!"

You will feel power comming at you from all sides. Listen for any messages they may give you. You may feel their prescense by a sudden temperature change, prickly feelings, or other things.

 Casting A Dragon Circle

Have everything you need inside the working area prior to the casting. Make preparations so you will not be disturbed. If you are performing decreasing magick, any place that instructs you to use a clockwise motion, use a counter-clockwise motion instead. Set the altar center facing east. make certain that you WILL NOT be disturbed once the circle is cast. Instrumental music can be used to set the mood and mask background noises.

Begin the ritual by going to the east. With your sword in your power hand (the one you write with), "draw" your magickal circle on the ground around your ritual area. Do this by pointing the sword at the floor and seeing great flames shoot out of it. Move clockwise around the circle with this flame; end by overlapping it in the east.

While drawing the circle, say:
"By Dragon Power, this circle is sealed."

Return to the altar. Point the sword at the dragon pentacle (a pentacle with a dragon design on or around it) and say:
" Dragons of Spirit, highest of dragons and most powerful, bless this altar with your fire. Let us be one in magick, O dragons great and wise."

Set the water chalice on the pentacle. With the wand in your power hand, circle the chalice three times clockwise with the wand and say:
" Air, Fire, Earth, bring power forth. Water of land and sea, purified be!"

Hold the chalice high, say:
" Draconis! Draconis! Draconis!"

Sprinkle the water lightly around the circled area, beginning and ending in the east. Set the dish of salt on the pentacle. Circle it three times clockwise with the wand and say:
" Water, Air, Fire, hear my desire. Salt of earth and sea, purified be!"

Sprinkle a few grains of salt to each corner of the altar. Circle the incense burner three times clockwise with the wand. Say:
" Fire of dragons, Fire of Earth, you are purified, bring power forth!"

Circle the incense and herbs thrre times clockwise with the wand and say:
"Incense magickal, incense bold, awake the dragons, as of old. I call you purified!"

Put a small amount of incense onto the burning coals. Lift the burner by the chains and touch it lightly to the pentacle. Lift it high over the altar and say:
"Draconis! Draconis! Draconis!"

Then carry it clockwise around the circle, beginning and ending in the east. Return it to the altar. Kneel before the altar with the sword in both hands. mentally project your interest and love of dragons as stongly as you can. Continue this for several minutes. Then rise and point the sword at the dragon pentacle and say:
" Behold, all dragons and rulers of dragons, I am (magickal name), a magician who seeks dragon magick. With (name of sword) in my hand, I enter the realms of the dragons, not for physical battle, but for knowledge and power. I greet you, O dragons ancient and wise, and await your blessings and guidance."

Continue holding the sword outstreached until you feel the blessings of the dragons. When the flowing power of the blessing has lessened, lower the sword. Still holding the sword in your power hand, take the dragon pentacle and go to the east. Point the sword at the eastern position and hold up the dragon pentacle facing outward. Draw an invoking pentagram with the sword. (An invoking pentagram is a star drawn by starting at the top of the star, and going in a counter-clockwise motion to draw it by starting at the top and going down to the left first, then continue drawing as normal.) Say:
"From Sairys (sair'-iss), ruler of the eastern dragons fair, comes now the wondrous power of Air."

Feel the power of Air entering your body. When the flow stops, go to the South. Hold up the dragon pentacle again. Draw an invoking pentagram with the sword and say:
" From Fafnir (faf'-near), ruler of dragons of the south, comes cleansing Fire from dragon mouth."

Feel the power of Fire entering your body. Go to the west. Hold the pentacle up and draw the invoking pentagram with the sword. Say:
" From Naelyan (nail'-yon), ruler of dragons of the west, comes the power of Water, three times blest."

Draw into yourself the power of Water. Go to the North. Hold up the pentacle and draw the pentagram, then say:
" From Grael (grail), ruler of dragons of the north, the power of Earth does now come forth."

Draw into yourself thepower of Earth. Return to the altar. lay aside the sword and dragon pentacle. Add the appropriate herbal incense to the burner.

At this point in the ritual, insert the proper chants and workings for the particular spellworking or meditation you are working. This is also a good time to ask the dragons for any advice they might have for you. Listen and write down all that you hear.

When finished with the spellworking, tap the staff three times and chant:
" I thank you, dragons old and wise, of Earth and Fire, Water, Skies, for sharing wisdom here with me. As we will, so shall it be."

Always approach dragons as equals, not as a force to be ordered or conquered. Set the wine chalice on the pentacle. Circle it three times clockwise with the wand and say:
"Cup of power, cup of might, dragon magick, be here this night."

Drink the wine (or apple juice or cider), saving some to be poured outside for the dragons later, or, if not possible, leave it on the altar for at least an hour.

Now is an excellant time to chat with dragons and use free-form dancing. invite the dragons to share in the raised energy and your joy in being a magick user. This is an opportunity for close friendships to be forged.

To close the ritual, take the sword in your power hand and go to the east. Draw a banishing pentagram with the sword. (Same as an invoking pentagram, except you start at the top and go downwards to the right side of the star). Say:
"Go in peace, dragons of the east. And return again in the ritual hour."

Go to the south and draw the pentagram, then say:
" Go in peace, dragons of the south. And return again in the ritual hour."

Go to the west and draw the pentagram. Say:
" Go in peace, dragons of the west. And return again in the ritual hour."

Go to the North, draw the pentagram, and say:
"Go in peace, dragons of the north. And return again in the ritual hour."

Return to the altar. Raise both arms; say:

"Farewell to you, O dragons fair, Fire, Water, Earth, and Air.
Together we make magick well by power deep and dragon spell.
In peace go now.
Return once more to teach me magick and ancient lore.
Draconis! Draconis! Draconis!"

Cut the cicle with a backwards sweep of the sword across the boundary line. Extinguish the altar candles. Clear the altar of all tools.