The idea of eating and drinking a sacred liquid in celebration of one’s deity choice is another practice we find in antiquity and does not belong specifically to any particular religion. In the modern Craft there are two kinds of communion—that which we celebrate in circle with each other (meaning communion of fellowship) and that which is given to the gods in offering of thanksgiving. The act of communion (food and beverage offerings to the gods) can be done by the solitary Witch or can be celebrated by a group of Witches. Many traditions have special chalices and plates that are set aside only for the rite of communion. This rite is often called “cakes and ale.”
For ritual purposes, breads are made in the likeness of women, animals, flowers, and birds; examples have been found as early as 5000 b.c. According to Marija Gimbutas, a prominent women’s studies scholar, the bread oven itself was a prehistoric symbol for the incarnation of the grain mother.10 Today, sabbat cakes used in ritual communion may be in various shapes, the most prevalent being the crescent moon and stars, though there is no end to the imagination of the baker! Many groups no longer use wine or ale in respect for those who may be battling alcoholism or because the laws in the United States do not permit children to drink alcoholic beverages (if children are present in circle) and prefer fruit juices instead. If alcohol is used, as each member only takes a sip of the drink, the possibility of creating a bunch of drunk Witches over communion is highly unlikely. Everyone with half a brain knows you cannot do adequate magick if you are inebriated, as alcohol impairs your ability to mentally and physically function. You can’t focus on a single candle flame if you are seeing twenty of them spinning around your head.
Solitary Communion—
Cakes and Ale
Originally called cakes and ale, the Wiccan communion rite is normally done after any operation of magick or ritual drama/celebration. It is the last major block of activity before the circle is closed. The tradition of the participants usually decides which item is blessed first, the cakes or the ale/juice. Depending on the tradition, the high priest may bless the cakes, and the high priestess the juice, or they may switch, or do the blessings together. The activity of blessing the food is meant to put you in sync with the divine.
The tray containing the cakes and juice is usually set out of the way of the working altar until you are ready to perform this rite. Most Wiccans cover both the chalice and the cakes with a white cloth until they are ready to use them. When you are ready for the rite, set the tray on your altar and remove the cloth coverings.
Hold your hands over the chalice (or cup), and say:
From the sun to the vine
from the vine to the berry
from the berry to the wine
this brew is blessed in the sacred names
of our Lord and Lady.
So mote it be.
As this is said, the Witch visualizes the energy of the sun feeding into a vine, which grows into the berry, which in turn becomes the juice.
In most traditions, the athame is now lowered into the chalice, and the Witch says:
As the rod is to the God
so the chalice is to the Goddess
and together they are one!11
The Witch visualizes divine energy pulsating from the blade into the cup, and the entire cup filling with white light.
When taking a drink from the chalice, visualize pure, divine energy entering your body, pushing out any negativity. When you are finished, say: “May you never thirst.” If someone is in circle with you, repeat the statement as you pass the cup to them, and they are to answer with the same blessing—“May you never thirst.” In this way, you are passing the positive energies of Spirit on to the next person. If you are alone, you are affirming that you have taken this blessing for your own.
Next, hold your hands over the cake(s), and say:
From the moon to the stalk
from the stalk to the grain
from the grain to the bread
this bread is blessed in the sacred names
of our Lord and Lady.
So mote it be!
Take a bite from the cake (or eat the entire cake). When you are finished, say: “May you never hunger.” If someone is in the circle with you, say the blessing as you pass them the cakes, and then they are to repeat the same sentence back to you, acknowledging the blessing.
In some groups everyone waits until all have the item in hand—for example, the cup of juice. When the high priestess raises her cup to drink, then everyone takes communion at the same time and says “May you never thirst” in unison. In other groups the high priest holds the cup for the high priestess while she takes a drink, and she does the same for him. Again, practices differ, so if you are visiting a group for the first time, don’t assume anything. Watch. Listen.
The next part of the ceremony is the Offering to Spirit.
Giving the Offering
There are several types of offerings, including that of the libation performed in the communion rite. If the ceremony is held outside, the libation is given to the gods near the end of the rite by pouring some of the juice and scattering a bit of cake on the ground. If you are indoors, the remainder of the cakes and juice are poured in a cleansed and consecrated libation bowl, then carried outside after the ritual is over and poured on the ground. You may speak your own words of thanksgiving, or you may use the following:
I honor the spirits of the north.
(hold the bowl to the north)
I honor the spirits of the east.
(hold the bowl to the east)
I honor the spirits of the south.
(hold the bowl to the south)
I honor the spirits of the west.
(hold the bowl to the west)
I honor the spirits of my ancestors.
(hold the bowl out in front of you)
I honor the Lord and Lady.
(hold the bowl slightly above your head)
I honor the spark of all life.
(hold the bowl out in front of you)
From perfection to perfection
this gift is given.
So mote it be.
Bring the bowl down to the ground and pour out the contents.
Those Wiccans following a more shamanic path may give food offerings when petitioning the gods in spellworking. Write your request on a piece of paper and place it underneath the dish containing the food. Set a white household emergency candle firmly upright in the center of the food dish. If the candle burns clean with little mess, it is believed the offering has been accepted, and the food is then removed in twenty-four hours. If the candle does not burn well, then the food is immediately removed and something else is put in its place. Although the Santerían and Voudon belief systems have a list of what types of food their deities require that includes various taboos, Wicca has no such list and you are free to choose what you feel will meet the needs of the gods should you incorporate this practice into your work.
Food offerings can also be given to the ancestral dead. In this case, the foods chosen would match what they enjoyed the most while living on the earth plane.
Moon Cookies Recipe
These may be used as cakes in communion. Bless all ingredients before using. Hold your hands over the ingredients while visualizing purifying white light, and say:
Golden energy of sun-kissed grain
precious drops of cleansing rain
beams of moonlight from stem to bud
bringing joy from up above.
Blessings of the Mother
strength of the Father
unity of Love
so mote it be.
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Powdered or colored sugar
Cinnamon
Cream shortening, sugar, eggs, oil, salt, and vanilla together. Mix flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar in a separate bowl. Add slowly to wet mixture until thoroughly mixed. Roll into one-inch balls, then shape into half-moons or stars. Flatten a bit with fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. After cookies have been baked, sprinkle with powdered or colored sugar, and top with cinnamon. Makes 8 dozen.
Silver’s Witch’s Brew Recipe
This may be used as ale in communion.
1 gallon apple cider (love)
1 orange (love)
1 apple (love)
3 cinnamon sticks (love, psychic powers)
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (fidelity)
1 handful rose petals (love)
Pour apple cider into a large kettle. Peel orange, reserving the peel, and squeeze its juice into the cider, discarding the pulp. Tear the orange peel into one-inch strips and add to mixture. Core apple and cut into 1/4-inch slices. Add to mixture. Break the cinnamon sticks in half. Add to mixture with nutmeg. Warm over low heat for two hours. Do not bring to a boil. Sprinkle with rose petals before serving.