Ritual Etiquette

… or How to be a Welcome Guest

We welcome any honest spiritual seekers to join us in circle and celebration, but we ask those who attend Temple events to follow a few simple guidelines to make the experience a positive and pleasant one for everybody. Please keep these guidelines in mind when you attend and, if you have any questions or concerns, send them to us via our Contact page. Blessed be!

  • Please observe our COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for the well-being of all.
  • Please silence or turn off all electronic devices (phones, pagers, etc.) so they do not disrupt the ritual.
  • Please, no talking during ritual unless you are called upon to do so. During lulls in the ritual, please take the opportunity to be in the moment and sit or stand in silent meditation or prayer.
  • Please take note of the exits from the ritual space, should they be needed.
  • If you must leave the ritual space for any reason, please do so quietly and respectfully, but be sure to see to your own needs and safety first. This is more important than any potential disruption of the ritual. Likewise, if you return to the ritual space after leaving, please do so in the least disruptive manner possible.
  • It is customary in our tradition to respond to “hail and welcome,” “hail and farewell,” “so mote it be,” and “blessed be” in kind (that is, to echo the same phrase back) but you are not required to do so.
  • Although ritual clothing (such as robes) is common at our rituals, there is no “dress code” beyond common decency at our events. Basic black is preferred, but please dress for your comfort.

Children

We welcome families and their children to attend Temple events and believe families should have the opportunity to celebrate our holidays together! Children under the age of 6 may enter Temple events for free but must be accompanied by an adult. We ask for a donation of $5 per child aged 7–12 attending events. The Temple does not provide child-care before, during, or after events.

  • We ask that children never be left unattended for safety’s sake; they should not wander around the ritual area before, during, or after ritual.
  • Children are expected to observe the same ritual etiquette as adults. If your child cannot do so, please reconsider bringing them to ritual, as it is unfair to subject other attendees to a child’s discomfort with our requirements.
  • As meditation and journey-work are often elements of our rituals, please consider your child’s ability to sit quietly or participate in these activities without disrupting the experience of other attendees.
  • If dancing or other physical activity are part of a ritual, please keep your child’s limitations and safety in mind at all times to ensure they can participate, but will not be disruptive.
Temple of Witchcraft