Paganism is (and
always has been) a very diverse religion and there are many distinct though
related traditions, so forms of ritual may vary. This means that ritual and
worship may be collective (in groups) or solitary, consist of informal prayer
and meditation or of formal structured rituals through which participants
affirm their deep spiritual and magical connection with nature, whilst
honouring their Gods and Goddess.

Unlike many faiths,
Pagan’s have no public buildings set aside for worship, and most believe that
ceremonies and rituals are best conducted outdoors. This is thought to be so
that the magic embedded within Nature itself is easier to access and unite
with, allowing people a deeper and stronger magical connection. Rituals often
take place in woods, caves, on hilltops or along the seashore, it really
depends on where the Priests and Priestesses feel that the magic is strongest
and where there is a greater spiritual connection – the greatest places of
worship are those not built by human hands but instead given to people by
Nature itself. If a ceremony is not outside, they are often preformed at stone
circles, in parks and private homes and gardens, though these ceremonies are
usually smaller. Though women and men almost always worship together, in
certain paths women may take the leading role as a representative of the
Goddess who (in most forms of Paganism) is considered the reigning deity.

It is thought that
these rituals and rites allow Druids, and Priestesses (more commonly known as
Wizards and Witches) to draw upon an outside power to aid their own magical
core, or to cast spells that would otherwise prove impossible for one magical
being to achieve.

Ceremonies usually
begin with the marking out of a ritual circle, a symbol of a sacred space that
has neither beginning nor end. Since the beginning of time and culture, the
idea of a circle has fascinated people and it often thought to have magical
properties. A representation of the ongoing cycle of life and death it has
always been important in ritual, and within one all stand as equals. At the
four point of the compass the five elements are invoked, acknowledged and bid
welcome. Air is usually the first summoned, and is placed facing East, Fire at
the south, Water in the West and Earth at the North point, with Spirit (or
magic) in the centre. Sometimes these elements are personified through the use
of coloured candles, with yellow for Air, red for Fire, blue for Water, green
for Earth and white for Spirit. Once all five elements have been invoked the
ceremony begins.

It is thought that these
five elements are called, as they are the five things most prominent in nature.
Without Air we would not breath, without Fire we could not cook or stay warm,
without Water we would not live, finding ourselves parched and without Earth we
couldn’t grow food to be eaten. Without these four things life as we know it is
unachievable and therefore we must thank them and draw strength from them – it
is thought that all four of these elements which are summoned contain some form
of pure magic. The last element invoked is Spirit, this is thought to be an
acknowledgment of our own inherent magic and is powerful as a force in itself.
Our Spirit (or magic) is what makes us who we are and without it we couldn’t
live the way we do, therefore it is important to recognize the power of magic
within ourselves and within Nature itself. Spirit is believed to be Magic in
it’s purest form and is what binds the circle together.

After the circle is
summoned, there may follow (according to the purpose of the rite) meditation,
chanting, music, prayer, dance, the pouring of libations (a drink poured to
honour or respect a deity), recitation of poetry, and the sharing of food and
drink. Finally the circle will be formally unmade, the elements and forms of
magic called upon thanked and released as the rite ends. This is done as magic
cannot be held forever and once you are finished you must release it back to its
purest form. If you do not yourself and others will not be able to call upon it
again in future rites.

Pagans do not believe
that they are set above or apart from the rest of nature but rather believe
they are a part of nature and it’s magic. One should understand magic to be
immanent, woven through every aspect of the living earth and oneself. Thus
Pagan ritual is mainly concerned with the connection to, and the honouring of,
immanent magic. The rituals are akin to a symbolic language of communication
between human and magic, so that one may draw upon the magic that exists all
around us.