Feasting During Ritual – Otherwise Known as Cakes and Ale

Raising energy during ritual for magickal work can be draining to the participants of the ritual.  Eating and drinking helps ground everyone and begins the journey back to the real world.  Yet this phase of the ritual, often referred to as Cakes and Ale, can ruin a perfectly crafted and executed ritual.  I've seen it happen way too often.  Attendees can be on top of the world after a successful energy raising, or reflective and deeply connected to deity after a meditation, only to be handed a paper cup of a kids drink in a color unknown in nature.  This is presented in conjunction with a mass produced confection containing only one pronounceable ingredient: water.  As if on cue, the reverent attendees turn into a cackle of school children, discussing everything "under the moon" including their last date with the plumber who helped them with the broken toilet.  Spare me!

If your group is going to incorporate Cakes and Ale as part of the ritual, be sure that everyone understands that this is truly PART OF THE RITUAL and that you are still in sacred space.  A predetermined set of guidelines helps to keep everyone focused on the task at hand with the right mindset.  These guidelines will help you keep the mood on the sacred.

  

1)        Have a Blessing.  It can be as simple as having the participants pass the items around the circle with the familiar words “May you never hunger, May you never thirst.”  Or the High Priest/Priestess can bless the offering much more elaborately.  Either way, participants should get the idea that this is a sacred act.

2)      Keep in mind the size of the ritual.  It is fairly easy to pass out cakes and ale in a timely manner when there are 13 or less participants; not as simple when there are 30.  Figure out ahead of time how to quickly distribute the items in order to keep everyone engaged.  This also includes planning for any necessary cleanup before the ritual continues (what are the participants suppose to do with those paper cups?)

3)      Ask yourself if after the blessing whether or not everyone should remain silent.  If you do allow talking, keep the subject matter on the ritual.  A passing comment such as “Look at the beautiful full moon!” or “Does anyone else notice the interesting shapes being made by the incense smoke?” may even enhance the ritual experience, especially if folks may find silence unsettling.  Save the talk about the dog’s fleas to after ritual.

4)      Carefully choose what you are going to serve to compliment the ritual.  There are lists of food correspondences for each Sabbat readily available, and often food items can be paired with the magical working. 

5)      Be considerate of dietary needs.  In a small ritual where everyone knows all the attendees it is fairly easy to accommodate the group – but even then sometimes things change.  Be sure to always announce prior to the start of the ritual exactly what is being served and any other information that if withheld, could literally mean life or death.  “The muffin contains eggs and milk.”  “I used peanut oil to bake this.”  Remember that not everyone can or wants to drink alcohol, even if it’s just a sip.  Water is usually a safe bet.

6)      If as a participant you find that you are not going to be able to partake of Cakes and Ale, say nothing.  There is no reason to put the host on the spot by proclaiming “I can’t eat that!” in front of the crowd.  Just accept the offering during the ritual, hold it to the heavens indicating you are offering it to deity, or close your eyes and hold it close to your heart.  Then simply pass it along to the next person.  It is respectful and keeps with the sacredness of the moment.  Afterwards a few words to the host, especially if you are going to circle with these folks again, are warranted.  “The cake looked delicious, but unfortunately I’m allergic to lemon” is all that is needed.

7)      The High Priest/Priestess should keep a close watch on the energy levels of the group.  When everyone has partaken of cakes and ale, move to the next part of the ritual quickly.  It goes a long way in keeping everyone on track.

If all else fails and you still feel that Cakes and Ale disrupts the flow of the ritual, drop it.  There are other ways to ground after energy raising if it’s immediately necessary. Hug a tree.  Get down on the ground (kneel, sit, lay) and press the palm of your hands flat against the ground or floor and reconnect with earth.  You can also raise both hands and give any excess energy to the sky.  Pat yourself down, clap your hands, stomp your feet, wiggle around.  Leave the feasting to after ritual where folks can laugh, tell jokes and discuss the cute plumber.