This ritual appears online as an abbreviated version of the entire ritual published in our print magazine. It is intended solely for the adept and skilled magickal practitioner. We suggest that you read through the ritual offered here, and perform it. Should you feel that your skill and experience warrants the more in depth ritual, please send a letter of request along with a brief description of your experience in the Craft or on the Path. We will send a copy of our print magazine to experienced Witches or Shamans. E-mail your request and mailing address here.

RITUALS, MEDITATIONS, EXERCISES...
What a journey it has been... And yet you are aware that in many ways, you have only just begun. There is no end to the means by which you might continue to grow and expand. For you realize that in order for your spirit to truly grow and progress, the journey to acquire wisdom insight, and the powerful work required to fine tune your abilities, never ends. Here then, find a ritual or exercise to assist you as you walk this, the most sacred of paths.

{ Attributes and Energies of the Wolf }

1.  cunning ... known for escaping hunters ... ability to pass by dangers invisibly ... known for outwitting those who mean harm ... avoids confrontation but will fight fiercely when necessary.

2.  Sometimes an astral wolf will lead us to a spiritual teacher.  Energies associated with the wolf are wisdom, hunting, seeking, magick, dreams, introspection, intuition, listening, death and rebirth, transformation. 

3.  Wolves also represent strong protection, spiritual guidance in dreams and meditaitons.

PREPARE BY SMUDGING YOURSELF AND THE AREA
Begin by smudging yourself with sage. This is an important step; in Native and indigenous tradition, sage exudes powerful cleansing and purification properties, believed to possess the ability to both cleanse the person's aura but his or her entire spiritual essence. Smudging with the traditional white sage also serves to align us with our ancestors, who too purified themselves in this way and performed many such rituals as the one below.

You will need to cast a circle in which to perform this ritual but first, create sacred space using all of the elements. Beginning in the North, walk clockwise with a small bowl of salted water. Say: "I walk this space and cleanse it, utilizing creatures of earth and water. Be this space purified and cleared of any but positive energy." The water and salt represent the elements of earth and water but also combined serve as powerful cleansing tools.

Next, smudge the area in which you will work; this represents air. Say: "As the sweet fragrance of this ancient herb fills the air about me, it cleanses and consecrates this space, making it holy and sacred."

Finally, walk the circle clockwise with both a candle and a crystal or wand to complete the casting of your circle. The candle will represent the element of fire while the crystal will serve as the conductor and projector of the energy required to secure the casting and sealing of your circle. Once again, begin your clockwise walk in the North. Say: "The hedge is woven between the worlds, magick within now unfurls. This circle is sealed! So mote it be!"

Now, refer to the Directional/Astrological and Elemental Wolf tables and descriptions below to determine which is yours. Your Direction will be determined by the time of year you were born; your Elemental Wolf will be determined by your Direction.

NORTH     December 22 - March 20                 
EAST         March 21 - June 20
SOUTH      June 21 - September 21
WEST        September 22 - December 21

Sit within your cleansed area, facing your direction. You may choose to set items before you that you feel will attune yourself with the energies of the wolf, or with the direction you are facing. For the North, consider stones (river rocks are particularly good, or those which you have collected while hiking in the woods, or at a park), a green candle, sticks or dirt. For East, consider a feather, some incense, a yellow candle or a wand. For the South, you might light a red candle or choose a piece of red jasper. For the West, a bowl of water, any divination tool or light a blue candle.

Ground and center. This means to simply calm down, relax and allow your heart-beat and breathing to become steady and even. When you've done this, imagine that you are firmly connected to both the Earth upon which you are situated, and the Universe, from where you come. Once grounded and centered, you feel relaxed, at peace, one with all and empowered.

Next, conjure a circle of power and protection in the manner that you prefer.

Now, imagine your elemental wolf approaching you from the shadowlands of the direction you are facing. What gender is your wolf? It's eyes are the color of your direction; green eyes for the North, yellow eyes for the East, red eyes for the South and blue eyes for the North.

Your wolf enters the circle and sits across from you, soundless. It's eyes gaze intently into yours and seem to pierce your very soul.

Listen, now. Open your mind, heart and spirit to the words of wisdom this creature will impart. Ask questions if you like. Ask assistance with areas in your life that are in need of support, help, development or transformation.

BE AWARE!
If all is in harmony with your Highest Good, what you ask of this Wolf will come to pass so do not ask for that which you will be unprepared to receive.

Know that gifts, assistance and blessings must be received with a thankful heart and in honor.

BE PREPARED!
Interesting things have been known to happen during this ritual. Be aware that to work with wolf energy is to work with powerful, primal energy. Some who have performed this ritual say they felt the wolf's hot breath upon their face; others report the presence of pups along with the wolf. One person smelled the unmistakable odor of thick fur on a hot summer's day; another reported feeling chills and shivering as the wolf who arrived for her was an Arctic wolf.

Be prepared for the unexpected and above all, be certain that your intent is pure. Be aware of all that you feel, sense, smell and hear. Everythng that transpires within this ritual has meaning.

BIDDING FAREWELL
When the ritual has ended, you will know. Your wolf will likely depart without much fanfare, abruptly. Do not be surprised as this is often the way with wolves, both earthly and otherwordly.

Bow your head and bid your newfound friend farewell, sending him or her to their home-realm in light and love, in honor and beauty.

COMING BACK TO REALITY
Sit for a while, integrating the experience and allowing the imparted or residual energies to meld with your being. When the time is right, open your eyes and slowly begin to stretch a bit. Stand and in due time, take down your circle.

Clean up the area. Keep the directional-offering items with you, in your work-space or on your bedroom nightstand. The memory and benefits of this ritual will linger and continue to feed your soul over time.

PLEASE NOTE:
This ritual, in it's entirety, is intended for the Adept, skilled magickal practitioner. Should you fall into that category and wish to receive detailed information on this ritual, please send a letter of request along with a brief description of your experience in the Craft or on the Path. We will send a copy of our print magazine to experienced Witches or Shamans. E-mail your request and mailing address here.

Source:  Earth Medicine: Revealing Hidden Teachings of The Native American Medicine Wheel, Kenneth Meadows (Earth Quest)