Wiccan Rites--Small Rites

One of the many nice aspects of Wicca is the opportunity to add new ideas and ways of celebrating this path.  Not being locked into a structured and strict practice, one has the freedom to expand or subtract; something new and exciting, or taking away something that has become tired or just does not work anymore. As I have studied and grown on this Wiccan path, I no longer have the "fear" of doing things wrong, of being timid or hesitant to try something that in the beginning would have been out of my comfort zone. As I have said before, there are no "pagan police" patrolling the cosmos looking for infractions. It really is an exhilirating feeling to know this path will never grow stagnant or boring, useless or restrictive.

My latest daily activity pleases me very much. Often times a thought will occur to me, or perhaps I read something on line, in the newspaper or a book or have a conversation and I have the need or desire to take action. Rather than wait for an esbat (full moon observance) or wait to cast a circle at night after the household has quieted down, I have created what I call "Small Rites". Taking a few moments, I light a candle and/or incense and simply spend quiet time thinking about whatever the subject may be. Being in the moment just sending out positive energy without needing ritual tools or fancy words. A small rite that acknowledges that the Universal power is always there, always ready to be accessed.

This is a Small Rite, but not a small task. It is not small in power by any means.

I decided this morning to prepare a small tray with a candle and lighter(to represent the fire element), incense(to represent the element of air), a tiny dish of salt (to represent the earth element) and a small vase of flowers which will be filled with water from my Full Moon-charged water supply.  The tray is quite portable, so I can carry it to any location in the house. I might a few small objects from time to time to my Small Rites tray.

Now I am prepared at any given moment to honor the Goddess and God, send out comforting or healing energy, ask for help or guidance, or whatever else the subject might be.  So simple, yet so meaningful to me.