The main purpose of Magickal ritual is to cause changes in consciousness. Magickal power comes from the person (or people), not from the superficial decorations of ritual.

The tools and symbols used in ritual, the pentagram, water, salt, incense, wand or athame have no Magickal power of their own, but are used in ritual to aid us in focusing our attention to help bring about the shift in consciousness that is needed. The shift in consciousness bring the tools and symbols to life, by directing that power from within through the tools. The power is drawn up into the person holding the athame or wand and directed out through the athame or wand.

The key to magickal ritual is the shifting of consciousness, and without that shift it is merely drama, void of any magickal energy. There are many ways to achieve this shift such as dance, drumming, fasting and other forms of deprivation, sex, meditation and ritual.

The word “Ritual” implies that it is a set pattern, or way of doing things. The repetitive nature of ritual is necessary to bring about this shift in consciousness. Why then do so many of us try to change up our rituals, make them different or better than the last one? If you succeeded in making that shift in consciousness then you need not change a thing. Here is a list of definitions of the word ritual and you’ll see that this is so.

1. an established or prescribed procedure for a religious or other rite.
2. a system or collection of religious or other rites.
3. observance of set forms in public worship.
4. a book of rites or ceremonies.
5. a book containing the offices to be used by priests in administering the sacraments and for visitation of the sick, burial of the dead, etc.
6. a prescribed or established rite, ceremony, proceeding, or service: the ritual of the dead.
7. prescribed, established, or ceremonial acts or features collectively, as in religious services.
8. any practice or pattern of behavior regularly performed in a set manner.
9. a prescribed code of behavior regulating social conduct, as that exemplified by the raising of one’s hat or the shaking of hands in greeting.

Secondly, and no less important, Magickal Ritual is to worship the Gods and Goddesses and celebrate the seasonal changes. This is done in Magickal Rituals known as Esbats and Sabbats.