Daily Paganism
Day 40: Your Sixth Ritual
by Jeffrey Pierce

We've been breaking down preconceived ideas in our lessons this week. Looking at the Goddess and the God, the celestial bodies that most influence our path, and the Elements all from a different perspective, we've opened up some new avenues of thought and pushed the boundaries of what we know a little broader than they were before.

So let's take another step.

In Week Thirty-Nine, we're going to be considering a concept known as a witness stone.

Back in 1998, I published an article called "Non-Linear Time" in which I wrote:

As we explore this path together, we'll knock down the preconceived ideas that limit us and restrict our ability to embrace deeper and deeper magick. One of these concepts is time. One of the tools that we use to step beyond the boundaries of linear time is a witness stone. Don't worry about how to use it. We'll get there - or you're welcome to explore the possibilities on your own. Simply having it already created will help align you with its energy and the concepts it represents.

This is a scan of my own witness stone. It looks much the same today, although most of the grooves have been worn smooth.

Jeffrey's "witness stone"

To complete this rite, you'll need a piece of paper, something to draw with, and an item that you would like to turn into your "witness stone." It doesn't have to be a rock. You can use a pendent, a lucky charm, a ten-sided die, an old coin - whatever works best for you. However, if you use a pendent, I would recommend removing it from its cord or chain first. Should you work the rite on both of them together, if the cord breaks, the spell breaks. If you work it on just the pendent, you can move it from chain to cord and back again without influencing the rite.

The first thing you will need to do is draw three overlapping circles like so:

the ritual circle

The easiest way to do this (depending on the size of your "stone") is to use a coin, can, or bottom of a glass to trace around to make your circles. Feel free to start over if you don't like how they look. (If you want to add a little extra magick, draw your circles clockwise, but it's not necessary to do so.) This is still the "setup" phase, so you won't influence the rite if it takes you more than one try.

Once the circles are drawn, take a deep breath and slowly let it out. I do this once, but if you still need to calm and center you can do it up to three times. (Any more than that won't mess up the rite, but tends to leave me feeling a little light-headed.) Place your "stone" where the "x" is shown in the center of the three circles. Your "stone" should be completely contained in the middle "x space" without touching any of the lines.

Begin with the lower left circle. Use the index finger of the hand you write your signature with and start at the top (point farthest from you) of the circle. Trace the circle clockwise three times. The first time say, "What," the second, "Once," and the third time, "Was," to complete the phrase, "What once was."

Move to the circle at the top of the page (farthest away from you) and use the same technique. This time say the phrase, "What now is," one word at a time as you trace the circle three times in a clockwise manner.

Move to the remaining circle and in the same manner, trace the circle with your finger and say, "What may come," as you compete each of the three tracings.

With the same finger, lightly touch your witness stone and say, "What once was. What now is. What may come."

Close your eyes with your finger still touching your "stone." Take a deep, slow breath and let it out once more.

Say, "As I speak, so shall it be."

Lean forward and whisper two words to your stone.

"Thank you."

Pick it up and hold it close to your heart for a moment.

Your rite is complete.

Don't forget to ground!

Thoughts? Comments? You can contact us at connect@oldways.com or interact with Jeffrey, Briana, and the Old Ways community on our Facebook page.