MY USUAL LUNAR RITUAL
I don't use the normal ritual as outlined in most books on Wicca, because I came into the religion after discovering my own ways of reaching into my inner self and tapping into the energy of the world. This way may work for some of you, but to most it will seem strange.

The best way to describe it is to focus on what I learned before coming into Wicca. I learned to focus my energies (ki) in martial arts training, and while doing so became aware of a concept of energy control that I have never seen in print before. Simply put, energy is what runs our bodies, through our nervous system and brain. I figured that if our bodies already know how to manipulate energy through this system, why not use this ability with the power outside of ourself.

I have never been gifted with sight, or the ability to see auras, but I can feel the flow of energy around me and through my body. Have you ever walked out under an old oak tree and noticed a sudden change in pressure or a tightning of your skin? If you have, you might be able to use this technique. Just like Obi Wan said in Star Wars, "feel the force flowing through you."

I am fortunate enough to have several large oaks growing on my land, so I do my ritual under the canopy of two ancient trees whose branches overlap each other. One of these trees feels like a dynamo, sending dynamic energy out to all the area it covers, the other is more soothing, a calm relaxing energy that allows one to relax and focus. I stand at the nexus of these energies and cast my circle there.

For me, casting the circle is not apparent or visible to outsiders, for I simply expand my center all around me in a circle. This is the ki center I learned in Martial Arts, the center of your energy and core of your power. I envision it expanding and becoming a filter, forcing negative energies away from me and allowing positive energies to flow in, but not back out. Instead of dancing, I use isometric exercise techniques (resisted movement) to build my own energy, while those lovely oaks continually feed their excess energy into my circle.

For ritual objects, I use a chunk of quartz to focus my concentration, and my athme to direct the power I build up. I also make my own mead wine, and use some of it with a cookie or piece of cake for my offering tokens. Other than that, I presently use no other objects.

Once the powers are built up, and I am in the proper mental state to commune, I offer thanks to the gods for all they have given us to work with. If I have any needs, I then focus the energy mentally into an arrow and send it out of my circle to seek an answer to my need. I then send the remaining power built up to the gods as thanks for listening to my prayers, eat the food, and bury some of it near the oaks to nourish them and repay their help.

Closing the circle is as simple as retracting my center back into my body and returning it to normal operation as my balance and strength center, then simply walk out from under the trees. I know that seems boring and different from many ritual forms, but hey, it works for me. The main thing I want to point out here is EXPERIMENT!! Try something new and see if you can find your own perfect way. After all, individuality is one of our greatest gifts. It was born into us for a reason, and we should use it with joy. Blessed Be all.