The Great Rite
The Great Rite is associated with the hieros gamos, the Sacred Marriage or Holy Matrimony, in which a mortal is united with the deity or godhead. The hieros gamos was part of pre-Christian women's mysteries in Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, in which women sacrificed control of their feminine power to the Goddess to be renewed by her. In the Roman Catholic Church, nuns are united in marriage to Christ.
It is believed that the Great Rite releases enormous power, which may be directed for magical purposes.
The Great Rite is performed in the Circle at some Sabbats and initiations, depending on the tradition of the coven. Ideally, it is performed by a High Priest and High Priestess who are already sexually intimate, except in the rite of handfasting, where the bride and groom, who may not already be intimate lovers, perform the rite. Today, the rite is seldom performed in actuality, but may be performed symbolically; when the High Priest plunges the athame, or ritual knife (the lingam), into a cup or chalice (the yonil) that is filled with wine and is held by the High Priestess. In some covens, after this rite is performed symbolically it is later performed in actuality by the High Priest and High Priestess. In this case the coven members leave the circle (Though in some covens, they merely walk to the edge of the Circle and turn their backs. When the Rite is consumated between the High Priest and High Priestess,, they will ring a bell to call the coven members back to the circle.
GREAT RITE LINKS
The
Wicca Great Rite - The Magick Wicca
[This is the authentic Great Rite. ...
both breasts, and the lips, starting with the right of each ...
Search Engine will only search the spells and Wicca Information. ...
www.magicwicca.com/wicca/greatrite.html
The
Temple: Library: Sex, Wicca and the Great Rite
In Alexandrian/Gardnerian Wicca, one aspect of
getting to Third ... Both have the right to refuse. ... be
theoretically willing to perform a physical Great Rite, it
is ... www.wildideas.net/temple/library/greatrite.html
Sex
and the Great Rite
... Within Wicca sex (consensual and in
private) is sometimes used within ritual ... the Divine nature of
ourselves and manifesting the Mystery of the Great Rite. ...
www.thewellhead.org.uk/GP/Gay2.htm
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... and the lips, starting with the right of each ... If the Great Rite being performed is Symbolic only, the Priest ... circle and the Community of the Wicca, together we ... www.fortunecity.com/marina/pontoon/2457/id167.htm Celtic Sacred Sex & the Great Rite
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