Queer Rites

Enfys J. Book is a nonbinary, bisexual clergy member within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, and the High Priest of the Fellowship of the Ancient White Stag coven near Washington, DC. Enfys has been studying Qabala since 2012 and teaching classes on magickal practice since 2015, including presenting at the Sacred Space Conference. Visit them at MajorArqueerna.com. Ariana Serpentine is a multi-traditional witch, polytheist, and animist. She is transgender and queer and has worked in political trans activism, raising awareness for the needs of her community within Pagan and other circles.

• ContentsForeword – xvIntroduction – 1Part 1: What Goes Into a Ritual?Chapter 1: Ritual Basics – 7Chapter 2: Performing the Ritual – 27Part 2: The RitualsChapter 3: Personal Rites for Identity Exploration and Affirmation – 43Sexuality Exploration Ritual – 44Gender Exploration Ritual – 52Sexuality Affirmation Ritual – 59Name Change Ritual – 65Pronoun Change Ritual – 74Ritual for Taking on a Drag or Gender-Bending Persona – 81Ritual for Empowering a Sex Work Persona – 88Chapter 4: Rites for New Experiences – 95Protection and Blessing Ritual for Someone About to Come Out – 96Ritual for Gender Transition Milestones – 103Ritual for Your First Visit to a Queer Space or Event – 110Ritual for Entering Into Your First Queer Relationship – 119Ritual for Attending Your First Political Action – 125Chapter 5: Rites for Release and Healing – 131Rite to Bury False Oaths – 132Funeral for Your Deadname – 142Ritual to Sever Ties from Unsupportive Family and Friends – 147Ritual to Reconnect with Family and Friends – 155Chapter 6: Celebrations – 161Chosen Family Hearth Ritual – 162Rite of Infinite Hearts: Handfasting Ritual for Two or More – 170Coming Out Celebration Ritual – 181Gender Affirmation Celebration for Transgender and Nonbinary People – 187Conclusion – 193Acknowledgments – 195Glossary of Terms – 197Further Reading – 201Queer Support Organizations – 205Bibliography – 213Contributors – 217About the Author – 219

"[A] rich collection of 20 rituals commemorating queer rites of passage." them magazine"Queer Rites is as magic and special as they come. The market is far from cornered on topics of queerness and magic, but the rites outlined here would be relevant and unique no matter what."—Cassandra Snow, author of Queering the Tarot"In an age wherein personal milestones have devolved into notch-marks of capitalist accumulation, Queer Rites reclaims the sacredness of the stages of life unique to the queer experience of our modern world."—Tomás Prower, author of Queer Magic"With a friendly, warm, and encouraging voice, Queer Rites is the wise friend a queer Witch needs to help them navigate the greatest moments of a magickal life. No matter how they identify, there are crucial things for a Witch to utilize within these pages."—Courtney Weber, author of Sacred Tears "I came out as a witch and as a queer man in the 1970s and I can only imagine how much my life would have been enriched if Queer Rites had been available then."—Ivo Dominguez Jr., author of the Witch's Sun Sign series"Queer Rites addresses the demand for rites of passage that speak directly to the experiences of LGBTQIAP2S+ people. An invaluable resource, empowering queer magickal practitioners to embrace their true selves with confidence and spiritual depth."—Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch"An incredible and must-have resource of rituals for the queer practitioner...and a necessary addition to any library for those seeking to understand and create more inclusive rites for their greater community as well."—Laura Tempest Zakroff, author of Sigil Witchery"A compassionate, encouraging guide to the ritual expression of queerness in all its forms. Enfys speaks to the reader as a wise and trusted friend."—Jack Chanek, author of Queen of All Witcheries"Incorporating concepts from modern Pagan religions, queer history, mythology, Hermetic Qabala, and Tarot, Enfys has crafted a truly necessary and practical guide."—Thumper Forge, coauthor of Virgo Witch"An incredible map through the evolving spiritual experience of queer people. This collection of rituals, ideas, and activities offers potent and profound ways to approach the different crossroads of life, from identity celebration to community involvement."—Irene Glasse, author of Blackfeather Mystery School"Enfys has taken the elements of Queer life that for so many have gone unnoticed and uncelebrated and offered a cohesive, powerful, and magical way to ritualize them. This is a handbook for individuals, groups, and communities alike."—Kristoffer Hughes, author of The Book of Druidry"You will find rituals to honor, celebrate, and sit with the various milestone experiences unique to, or common within, the queer community. In these pages, you will find a friend to help you navigate your own, fabulous path of self discovery."—J. R. Mascaro, author of Seal, Sigil & Call"Queer people have experiences that are so unique to our lives, we deserve to mark them with equally unique rites. From supporting challenging times to celebrating queer joy, Queer Rites will be known as an essential grimoire long into the future."—David Salisbury, author of Witchcraft Activism"An essential library component for those of us who've had little to no precedent up to now for our personal paths and passages as Queer-identified practitioners."—S. J. Tucker, musician and witch