ABSTRACT
Ritual has hermeneutic primacy in Reclaiming. When a person approaches this spiritual community, she is taught their “mysteries” by being introduced to ritual and magic. This usually takes place in the introductory “Elements of Magic” class. By giving a thorough description and interpretation of the ritual proceedings in this class, as well as of the meanings implied in the basic ritual outline taught, I hope to construct a basis for analysing magical ritualizing among contemporary Witches. This account will also yield knowledge about how a person is directed into the identity of actually practising Witchcraft. But, before I carry out the goals set, it is necessary to present both the ways in which Witches understand ritual, and the theoretical perspectives I use to interpret this activity.
