Do I Have to Wear Black?: Rituals, Customs & Funerary Etiquette for Modern Pagans by Mortellus

Author:Mortellus [Mortellus]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Witchcraft, Spirituality, Occult, Magic, Esoteric, Meditation, Rituals, Death
ISBN: 9780738765402
Google: La55zQEACAAJ
Goodreads: 53475244
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
Published: 2021-02-07T23:00:00+00:00

WHEN IN ROME

Attire for Eclectic Wiccan funeral rites would be ritual garb to the extent that the individual wearer is comfortable would be appropriate. Attendees may be asked to bring a cup (sometimes called a chalice) for libations as well as an athame. Eclectic Wiccans in mourning have no color of mourning as established by liturgy, but many would wear black, and it would be an appropriate color choice for a guest.

Gifts for the bereaved might include food, wine, or flowers and herbs. Any burial good that feels right to the individual practitioner should be appropriate, though you may look to the bereaved for guidance if wishing to leave offerings or gifts for the dead.

Are there any preferred greetings? Though the origins of its use lie with British Traditional Wicca, “Blessed be” is often adopted as a greeting by Eclectic Wiccans.⁸⁰ Additionally, phrases such as “Hail the traveler” or “What is remembered lives” are common. Should anyone use them, it is typically as a call and response, so it is polite to repeat the phrase back to whoever has said it.

Guest Etiquette: Attempt to arrive early and sit as directed, as once any ritual portions of the service have begun you should not enter or exit. Guests may be excluded from the inside of the Circle, as well as from interacting with the altar. It is best that you wait and see what is expected of you, as there is always someone helpful to guide individuals through the experience that you find yourself in. In terms of participation, you may be asked to hold hands in an unbroken circle around the Circle, to hold and light a candle, and to partake in libations (which is taking a bite of food and a sip of wine) in honor of the deceased. It is always acceptable to politely decline any activity that you are not comfortable participating in.

Funerary meals may be served, and expect that a post-funeral gathering may include food served potluck style, so it is very appropriate that you bring something to contribute. Many Wiccans divide the responsibilities of their gatherings so that no single person bears the burden of responsibility—this would be no different. Alcohol may be served, and a bottle of wine or liquor makes an excellent contribution. There is normally no spoken blessing of food as in some faiths, so look to the officiant for their blessing to begin eating or drinking. Expect just as much revelry and laughter as there are tears at any Wiccan gathering.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.