Here is the Protection Ritual we used at tonight’s Welcoming Circle.

PROTECTION RITUAL

ANOINTING FOR PROTECTION [David Taliesin)
7-9 drops of Hyssop Essential Oil
1/4 cup olive oi

May the Divine Presence protect you
and keep you safe from all harm.

CASTING THE CIRCLE—Protection Prayer

The Light of the Divine surrounds us
The Love of the Divine enfolds us
The Power of the Divine protects us
The Presence of the Divine watches over us
Wherever we are, the Divine is. All is well.

CALLING THE QUARTERS – Face each direction as you speak. [David Taliesin]

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Spirits of Air, we ask for your protective energies to be with us in our circle tonight. Protect our spirits from negative thoughts that rob us of our power, and hostile words that leave us feeling weak and defenseless. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Spirits of Fire, we ask for your protective energies to be with us in our circle tonight. Protect our minds from conflicting voices that make it difficult for us to discern the way forward, and bad advice that is disguised as truth. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Spirits of Water, we ask for your protective energies to be with us in our circle tonight. Protect our emotions from misdirected anger that can harm the wrong person, and media hype that leaves us in a continual state of panic. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Spirits of Earth, we ask for your protective energies to be with us in our circle tonight. Protect our bodies from people who seek to do us physical harm, and disease that robs us of health and vitality. Hail and welcome!

Divine Presence who is known to us by many names, we ask for your protective energies to be with us in our circle tonight. We seek to serve you, to make this world a better place, to be agents of change in a troubled world. Shield us from everything that prevents us from doing this sacred work. Hail and welcome!

PROTECTION MANDALA (Handout for everyone)

The protection mandala you have in front of you is governed by the element of air. Notice the hatched cross barrier. It is like an army of crossed swords and the heart center is well guarded by a unified group of individuals, symbolizing both warrior and nurturer traits.

This mandala carries the spirit of the bear. She brings her protective nature; she stands her ground; makes her presence known. She reminds us to also know instinctively when to retreat and how to best prepare for any periods of waiting.

As you contemplate upon this mandala, take the time to color it if you like. Allow it to speak to you. Your spirit may be asking you to be selective with your power. You must always trust your instincts, listen to whether your heart is telling you to stand up for yourself and your beliefs, or when to stay away from conflict, for it will not benefit you in any way to always be on the defensive. Protect your heart, but also know when to fight for it.

ENERGY RAISING TO EMPOWER THE MANDALA

CLOSING THE CIRCLE [David Taliesin]

Guardians and Spirits of the North, we thank you for your protective energy and caring presence in our circle this night. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the West, we thank you for your protective energy and caring presence in our circle this night. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the South, we thank you for your protective energy and caring presence in our circle this night. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the East, we thank you for your protective energy and caring presence in our circle this night. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Divine Presence, whose energy fills and directs everything, we thank you for your protective energy and caring presence in our circle tonight. As we leave this place give us the wisdom to know when to fight and when to retreat; when to speak up and when to remain silent. We bid you farewell.

The circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.

Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

Original portions of this ritual Copyright ©2017 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com