I first preformed this ritual outside in the cold using stones on the ground and placing them directly on top of burning coals. The ritual had much less structure than the one presented here, but the result was both inspiring and effective. Thus the Hot Stone Winter Ritual was born. The ritual can be preformed either inside or outside, and I have provided instructions for both. Preforming the ritual outside is the preferred method as the contrasting sensation between hot and cold has an intensifying effect on the energies involved in the working.
Outside: Use the Earth as a vessel for the fuel by digging a small hole into the ground and placing the fuel into the hole and lighting. Fuels that work best for this are wood, charcoal, and coal. Using a gas or oil stove works too, but its not quite the same. The charm of this ritual is the primitive nature of directly working with the elements. For example, it would be better to light the fire using a primitive method as opposed to using a lighter. Place the vessel holding the water to be heated on top of the fire. Place all of the stones into the water. Inside: Use a stove and pot to heat boiling water and pour the water into an appropriate vessel. This would be the perfect opportunity to add any herbs into the heated water that will aid in the working. The structure of the ritual is from the Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard with additional content sourced from an introduction to herbalisim class that I had taken from Witchschool. The stones described below can be found on the Healing Crystals website.
I. Ritual Bath
SPELLWORK:
Bath Cleansing (Asperges) *1
You will need:
Water
Herbs of Choice
Sea Salt
Water Vessel
This ritual is used for the same reasons as smudging.
To complete this ritual of cleansing, you need: water, herbs of your choice, and salts (sea salt or a mixture are typical choices), as well as a vessel to hold the mixture, size depending on what you intend to cleanse (bathtub for yourself, bowl for crystals or totems, etc.).
For yourself:
Fill a bathtub with comfortably warm water. Mix in the herbs and salts. Bathe in the water, washing it over every part of your body. Concentrate on areas of inbalance or places in need of healing. When finished, stay in the bathtub until it drains, negative energies flowing away with the bath water.
For objects:
Make the water, herb and salts mixture in a bowl. Place crystals, totems, bones or other items to be cleansed in the bowl, leaving them overnight. Keep the items in the bowl until you have drained it.
For environment:
Sprinkle water, herb and salts mixture over area to be cleansed. Allow to dry on its own.
Sprinkling water or the water mixture over all the people and items and space involved also works, similar to smudging.
Blessed Be
Rev. Wendy Eversen
First Degree Priestess
Correllian Clergy
II. Grounding: Use the Bloodstone representing the Earth to ground yourself. When this is done, place the wand back into the hot water.
III. Casting a Circle: Visualization: Use the Emerald stone representing the Air to cast the circle. When this is done, place the wand back into the hot water.
IV. Calling the Quarters using stone wands: Use the appropriate stone that has been warmed by the hot water to call forth the desired energies using which ever method works best for you.
Earth: Bloodstone
Air: Emerald
Fire: Jasper
Water: Ruby in Furchsite
V. Invoke the Deities: (Same as above)
God: Red Jasper (Yang) Use the Red Jasper stone representing the God.
Goddess: Black Agate (Yin) Use the Black Agate stone representing the Goddess.
VI. Statement of Purpose: This ritual can be preformed for any purpose.
VII. Working: Use which ever stone is appropriate for the energy in which you wish to work with.
VIII. Power Raising: (Chanting)
IX. Communion: (Cakes and Ale)
X. Hiatus: (Meditation / Silence)
XI. Thanks and Releasing of Elements and Spirits: Use each appropriate stone to thank the spirits using which ever method works best for you.
XII. Opening The Circle: Use the Emerald stone to open the circle.
Work Cited:
Everseen,Rev. Wendy www.witchschool.com
Introduction to Herbalism Bath Cleansing (Asperges) *1
Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon Grimoire For The Apprentice Wizard 2004 pg. 174
https://www.healingcrystals.com
