Once you have determined where and how to mark your Sacred Space you need to bless, dedicate and consecrate it. This is done in several steps. Firstly, before you start any work on the area, ask the blessing of the Goddess and the God. Secondly, as you work, dedicate your efforts to the Goddess and the God. Thirdly, perform a Ritual to consecrate the space. The best time of year to do this would be Spring, when nature is ready to put fresh effort into growth. But there is no reason why you should not commence at other seasons and continue the work thereafter. Chapter 8 gives advice on the seasonality of sowing, planting and reaping.
SEEKING THE BLESSING OF THE GODDESS AND THE GOD
Work for this should commence prior to the New Moon as you will need to collect about a pint of rainwater. If your area is very arid then try to collect water from a stream or river and bring it back to your garden. If this really is not possible then you will need to take tap water and place it in a sealed jar in the light of the Full Moon for three nights and then wait for the next New Moon to continue. You will also need to make an asperger. This is done by taking a few thin twigs about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in length and tying them at one end to make a sort of ‘mini-broom’. If you can, gather these twigs from fallen wood found in your own garden, otherwise collect them from a nearby wooded area.
At the New Moon, the time of fresh starts and new beginnings, take your water, asperger and some salt outside into the garden. In the centre of your future Sacred Space, kneel and call, using visualization, each of the elements coming from their appropriate directions. Next, visualize the Goddess and the God and invite them to be with you. When you are sure all is in place, take a pinch of salt and add it to the water, saying, in your head:
‘I call upon the elements and upon the Old Gods to consecrate and bless this water. May it drive out all impurities and may it bring the love of the Goddess and the God to this place. Blessed Be.’
Now with your asperger, sprinkle a little of the water around the outside edge of your Circle. Be sure to start at the north-east and to proceed deosil (clockwise) around the Circle until you have overlapped at the north-east. Return to the centre, once again visualize the Goddess and the God, and say:
‘I call upon the Goddess and the God of life and all things living, to grant that this may be a place of growth, for all the life that shall use it. May it ever be a place of joy, love and magic. May it aid me to honour the Gods and the Craft. Blessed Be.’
Remain a while and visualize the area as you hope it to be, and visualize yourself using it. When you are ready, thank the elements and the Goddess and the God. Where there is more than one of you taking part, everyone should perform the same actions, one after the other.
DEDICATING YOUR SACRED SPACE
This is not a Ritual but rather an ongoing process which takes place whilst you do the work on your Sacred Space.
Over the next two weeks, and indeed any time you need to tend your area, always start by visualizing the Goddess and the God. Ask their blessing and state that you are dedicating this work to them. An effective way of doing this is to gather any gardening tools together into the centre of your space and then to close your eyes for a moment.
Visualize the Goddess and the God and say:
‘I call upon the Old Gods to witness this work which I do in their honour. May they guide and support me in this as in all things. Blessed Be.’
Then continue your work. If you are simply making a few changes or additions to your existing garden then do not forget to tend other plants; dead-heading flowers past their best, removing dead wood or weeding between existing plants. For most people, the two weeks between the New and Full Moons will be sufficient for them to carry out the work in the garden. But if your plans are more complex, you are planting many new plants or your workload is heavier, then you may need to continue to work through the next lunar period, before consecrating your Sacred Space at a subsequent Full Moon. It is more important to be thorough than to hurry, as you are creating a permanent Sacred Space, and besides, nature, like the Goddess, takes her own time.
CONSECRATING YOUR SACRED SPACE
The ritual of Consecration could take place at the next Full Moon, but it is important that any plants have had time to establish themselves as it can be very disheartening to find that perhaps one or two specimens were not as good as you hoped and wither or die just after your Ritual! So if you are not sure they have had time to settle in it might be better to wait until the following Full Moon.
Once all is in place and you are happy that any plants are established, it is time to hold your Ritual. You will need: A small glass containing some wine or fruit juice.
Start at the east and say, either quietly or in your head:
‘I call upon the element of Air. Mighty winds and gentle breezes be present here, each in its turn and in its season. Watch over this space, those that live, work and play in it, and all that takes place in it. May the Air of thought and inspiration be ever strong here. Blessed Be.’
Move to the south and say:
‘I call upon the element of Fire. May the Sun which warms and lights all life be present here, in due course and due season. Watch over this space; those that live, work and play in it, and all that takes place in it. May the Fire of passion and enthusiasm be ever strong here. Blessed Be.’
Move to the west and say:
‘I call upon the element of Water. Great storms and gentle rains be present here, each in its turn and in its season. Watch over this space; those that live, work and play in it, and all that takes place in it. May the Water of joy and emotion be ever strong here. Blessed Be.’
Move to the north and say:
‘I call upon the element of Earth. Strong rocks and life-giving soil, be present here, in the land and in ourselves. Watch over this space; those that live, work and play in it, and all that takes place in it. May the Earth of our bodies be ever strong here. Blessed Be.’
Remain at the north point, visualize the Goddess and the God, and say:
‘I call upon the Mother Goddess, giver of life, death and rebirth. I call upon God the Hunter and Hunted, spirit of the Land. Be with this place, with all that grows here and with all who pass through it. Guide us, guard us and protect us in this and all we do. This place is Sacred to you and a marker of love to you. Blessed Be.’
Now take the glass of wine (or fruit juice), hold it up to the Goddess and the God and say:
‘This wine is my offering to the Goddess and the God. As it pours onto the earth may their love flow also into the