“Are there red flags when a coven screens prospective students and members?” one of my readers asked.
Here are considerations that covens I know consider:
Is the person …
On time? Does the person get to the meeting place a bit early? Being late is disrespectful to the coven leader and wastes their time. This gives everyone a bad feeling. Be a bit early.
Reliable? Does the person bring the items he or she is supposed to bring? In a coven, we rely on each other to bring those items we need. How can you do a candle ritual without candles? Fulfill your commitments.
Trustworthy? Does the person own up to his or her mistakes? A person who cannot admit a mistake is not trustworthy. How can they improve if they cannot see the error? Admit mistakes, resolve to improve and make amends.
Hard working? Does the person complete homework and other assignments? Make sure you demonstrate your commitment by completing assignments.
Dedicated? Does the person take the class and the information seriously? Do they study hard and treat the subject with respect? This is how you demonstrate that you really want to be a priest or priestess.
Ever get sick? Not just a cold. I mean, have you been really sick?
When I’m in such a tough time, I make space to get more rest (during which I ask for the Gods’ healing). Then there’s chicken soup—lots of it.
When I’m really physically ill, I ask for my coven’s help.
A Spell of Healing
What you will need:
One Blue Candle
Healing oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
Candle Holder
Three Stones (your choice) – Moss Agate, Axinite, Beryllonite, Crocoite, Red Jade
Your Ritual Tools
Chamomile Tea
The Sick Person
Chicken Noodle Soup (or other appropriate soup)
Warm freshly laundered blanket to be blessed
Rattle
On your altar, place the Blue Candle. Add healing stones around the candle in the form of a triangle. Put the warmed-up soup on the altar next to the candle on the left. Place the blanket on the right with the rattle on top of it and the Chamomile Tea behind the Blue Candle.
In your Circle the altar will be in the north section. The sick person sits in the middle of the Circle.
Cast your Circle.
Bless the rattle, stones, tea, Blue Candle, soup and blanket by holding each in turn saying:
I do bless this (name of item) that it may heal by the Gods’ hands.
Dress your candle with the healing oil, rubbing from wick to base.
And say:
I pull healing energy to (Name of Person).
Light the Blue Candle and say:
I now heal (Name of Person).
Shake the rattle above the sick person’s head while they take a sip of the soup. Next, with the soup, you walk widdershins (the opposite of clockwise) around the cast Circle’s edge.
At each quarter, say:
West: With this soup, I banish all illness from the blood
South: With this soup, I banish all illness from the spirit
East: With this soup, I banish all illness from the breath
North: With this soup, I banish all illness from this body! So, Mote It Be!
Bring the soup to the sick person. Have them partake of the soup again. Shake the rattle over the sick person’s head, as the person eats the soup, and say:
I cleanse you of all illness.
Go to the alar and pick up the cup of tea.
Have the sick person take a sip of the tea. With the tea, you walk widdershins (the opposite of clockwise) around the cast Circle’s edge.
At each quarter starting with the West, say:
West: With this tea, I banish all illness from the blood
South: With this tea, I banish all illness from the spirit
East: With this tea, I banish all illness from the breath
North: With this tea, I banish all illness from this body! So, Mote It Be!
Bring the tea to the sick person. Have them partake of the tea again. Shake the rattle, as the person drinks the tea, and say:
I cleanse you of all illness.
At the altar, hold your athame over the blanket and say:
I call all healing energies to infuse this blanket.
Let it heal the body as well as the soul.
Wrap the blanket around the sick person saying:
You are healed with the Gods’ love.
Do the Cakes and Wine Ceremony.
Close your Circle.
Give the person space to rest and recover.
May this rite bring healing to you or someone dear to you.