Ritual: Burn the Patriarchy

a ritual for solitary witches or groups

The patriarchy is causing a lot of harm not only to women and femmes (cis and trans), but also to nonbinary people, trans men and other queers, and espcially BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour). One might argue that is also causes harm to cis men (for instance by promoting toxic masculinity), but the focus of this ritual is not about them. However, if you are in group which includes cis men, of course they can participate too, if they want to burn the patriarchy as well.

Of course, this ritual cannot replace activism against the patriarchy, but it can enhance this kind of work.

This spell can be done alone or in a group. You can do this on any day. If you want to use a more female adjacent energy, choose a Monday, because it is associated with the moon.

You need:

• A fireplace, an open fire or some black candles and a fireproof container. (see footnote 1) Please take all safety precautions when working with fire. If the area you live in is very dry and there is a heat wave, do not use an open fire. Work with candles and a fireproof container instead.

• Pieces of paper

• A pen

That is the basis.

• Optional: An incense blend associated with banishing (see footnote 2)

• Optional: objects to represent the four elements and spirit.

Preparation:
Take the pieces of paper and write on them what you would like to banish – one per piece, harmful things from the patriarchy. Here are some suggestions, you can use these or others which come to your mind when thinking about the patriarchy.

• Sexism

• Racism

• Misogyny

• Rape Culture, sexual harassment, assaults, abuse or violence

• financial cuts by the goverment to child-care, education, social services, health services

• anti-abortion laws

• anti-queer laws

• anti-trans laws

• gender pay gap

• white supremacy

• trad wives or other harmful trends

The Ritual

1. Cleanse the space you work in. Salt water is a good choice, because salt is associated with banishing harmful or negative energies or entities.

2. Bless it in a way you are used to (for instance with incense, drumming, chanting … ).

3. Cast a circle and welcome the elements into it. If you are in a group, take turns with this.

Optional: Welcome deities, spirits or other entities into the circle whom you are used to working with, preferably some who are associated with banishing or social justice. Deities who are associated strongly with queer people, women, pregnant people or women’s rights may be a good choice. Do avoid male, rather patriarchic deities, like Jupiter or Zeus. (3)

4. Light the candles or the fire. If you have a fire, wait until it burns properly. While you wait, you can sing a song or chant. If you have trouble with the melody or lyrics, you can also play the song for instance on a smartphone or another device, and sing along. (4)

5. Look at one of the pieces of paper and say out loud:
„I/We banish [insert phrase or word from the paper]. I/We burn the patriarchy!“
Throw the piece into the fire. Continue with all the pieces of paper until they all have burned. Then repeat 13 times: „I/We burn the Patriarchy!“ (5)

If the wording seems too simple for you, feel free to write a more elaborate spell in which you can also include deities, spirits or others entities.

6. Watch and tend the fire until it burns down. If you are in a group, while the fire is still burning, you can share stories and experiences that you have had with the patriarchy.

7. The end: If you are alone, let the candle(s) burn down, if you can do so safely, or extinguish the flame(s).
If you have had an open fire, please make sure it has really fully burned down and is taken care of, to avoid a fire hazard.

8. Thank all the elements, deities, spirits or other entities that you have invited into the circle and open the circle. You can end with the classic lines: „This circle is open, but unbroken.“

9. Clear the space that you have worked in. If you have done the ritual outdoors, make sure not to leave any litter behind (bring a litter bag).

Footnotes:

(1) If you cannot get black candles, use plain white ones instead.

(2) If you want to create a banishing incense blend of your own, here are some plants that are associated with banishing: Angelica, basil, bay leaves, black pepper, cinnamon, dragon’s blood, garlic, lavender, lemon balm, lilac, mugwort, oak, pine, rosemary

(source: https://www.wikihow.com/Banishing-Herbs)

(3) Some deities who came to my mind regarding these topics are Hekate, Brigid, Hestia, Justitia, Lilith or the Mexican folk saint Santa Muerte. I am sure there are several more with whom you could work. But please do only choose one or more who you know well and with whom you have already worked with.

(4) Some recommendations for songs that match this occasion:
„Respect“ by Aretha Franklin

„Run the World (Girls)“ by Beyoncé

„What’s up?“ by Four Non Blondes (Linda Perry)

"Power & Control" by Marina

Check out the album „Awakening“ by Lavender Witch, a queer feminist witchy grunge band from Belgium:

(5) I chose the number 13 because it has such bad vibes for the general population (in Western societies), but many witches have reclaimed it.

© Andrea Grünbaum

Feel free to copy this ritual text and use it for a ritual alone or in a group (or a group event). Do not use it commercially and please credit me. If you like, you can link my linktree: https://linktr.ee/siochanta

Thanks!

This ritual has been inspired by the queer-feminist nonfiction book “Sexual Revolution: Modern Fascism and the Feminist Fightback” by Laurie Penny