Try to time this ritual so that it occurs during a time of balance. That can be at the part of the day equally between day and night, or on an equinox, or a time when it is half day and half night (like dawn and twilight). The ritual should be done skyclad unless it is inappropriate to do so, and after fasting and/or purification. Anoint your body with both God and Goddess oils if you are doing the ritual solitary, to symbolize Their union, but if you are "playing" the God or Goddess in a symbolic or actual Great Rite union, anoint yourself only with the energy-appropriate oil.

Decorate your altar with any symbols of union of the God and Goddess. If you have statues of Them, put them very close together; blend herbs representing Them both and use them as incense, or use a candle with appropriate colors twined together. Even your food can be symbolic of Their union: Try blending tomato and carrot juice, or eating eggs with homemade bread.

If you throw herbs in your circle, use rose petals and rosemary, and lemon tea. Now cast the circle in the normal fashion, and when you are ready to invoke Them, use this or similar words or sentiments:

Lady and Lord, join me in this place beyond space and time. I welcome you. Today I celebrate you as a whole being, neither male nor female, but the best of both. Within this union all things in the universe were made; and to it all things shall return. Come, now, and bless this effort . . .

At this point you might elaborate on why you are symbolizing Their union in your circle; it might be just as simple as stating you wish to honor Their union at Beltane or Litha, or you might have something specific that requires Their assistance. Now do the following or other similar meditation:

See yourself as you stand right now in your mind's eye. Above you is a glowing yin-yang symbol, one half is colored silver and the other half is gold. The light is brilliant, refreshing, and inviting. Reach your arms upward to embrace it and pull the symbol into yourself, letting it rest at your womb or phallus level, blending with your own femaleness or maleness. As the light settles into your being, notice how blanaced and symmetrical it is. There is no pushing or pulling-no weakness in being intuitive and no greatness implied by rationality. Both are important, and both are part of you and the divine. Take as long as you need to focus on the dichotomy of God and Goddess united, yet still retaining Their individuality. Think about this polarity in yourself and welcome both halves as part of your wholeness.

When this reaches peak, open your eyes and continue with the ritual: Enact the Rite. Hold the cup in your left hand and the athame in the right (if it is two people doing this, just have the male hold the athame and the female hold the chalice). Slowly lower the athame and point it into the chalice, and announce it with these or similar words or sentiments:

Let your powers combine for the sacred dance that began Creation. In this moment, the God and Goddess are of one mind, one heart, one spirit . . . coming together for [rite's purpose]. May Your wisdom and power lodge where most needed for the greatest good, and harm none.

After this is complete, meditate on its meaning for as long as needed, or continue to work on the ritual's purpose, the spell, feasting, or whatever else is going on. Partake of Their union energy. When this is finished, remove the athame from the chalice as a symbol of Their removal back into more distinguishable characteristics, and let yourself cool down. Remember to thank Them for whatever they give and to close the circle.

Of course, if you are enacting a group rite or even an actual sexual union, quite a bit of this will not be appropriate. It is left up to you and your partner(s) what will be the purposes and procedures of the ritual.

Source: This ritual's main outline and selected text is © 2000 by Patricia Telesco in Advanced Wicca. Notes, suggestions, and rewordings are original text.