Phase Three: The Major Gifting of Mana
Descriptive Invocation of the Deity(ies) of the Occasion
This has two primary purposes: to invoke the attention of the god(s) and/or goddess(es) who are the focus of the rite, and to describe him/her/them to the worshippers clearly enough to enable everyone to get a psychic fix onto whom they will send their energy. This descriptive invocation can take the form of a simple prayer, a song, a chant, a litany, a poem, a prose description, a dance, or a story. The richer the multisensory images, the more effective this will be.
Preliminary Power Raising
Now is the point in the liturgy where the participants will generate as much mana as they can, in order to give it to the one(s) they are worshipping. Remember that this can be accomplished through almost any activity that is capable of getting the participants excited. In Neopagan ceremonies the commonest techniques are to use songs, chants, drumming, poetry, music, dance, and ritual drama. [See Chapter 9, Raising and Focusing Mana.] Some liturgies stress building up the mana to a peak, others the creation of multiple waves of power. [See Chapter 9, Masculine vs. Feminine Spell/Prayer Casting.] Either way, this step will blend into and/or culminate with the sacrifice.
The Sacrifice
The Sacrifice is the point at which the mana raised is symbolically (and therefore magically and spiritually) gathered, focused, and sent as a gift through the gates to the deity(ies) of the occasion. Usually special prayers, chants, and gestures are used to ensure that all present coordinate their actions. While there may have been lesser sacrifices or offerings to the spirits earlier in the preliminary power raising step, this is the major one for the liturgy: [See Chapter 9, Sacrifices.]
Next: Phase Four: Receiving and Using the Returned Power
Last updated on Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
