Why Reverence the Signposts?

When we perform a ritual we Reverence the Signposts -- that is, we recognize the energies of each Signpost in a certain manner. This is important as it helps us to recognize the guiding principles which the Signposts represent. The wording of the Reverence is unimportant, but the meaning of the Signposts needs to be stated.

How do we Reverence the Signposts?

Six objects of various colors are laid out in a circle -- clockwise they are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. A white object is placed in the center. These items represent the Signposts of the Path. They are: Devotion (red), Wisdom (orange), Realization (yellow), Action (green), Compassion (blue), Celebration (violet), and Harmony (white).

[NOTE: for the hearing-impaired we recommend a small xylophone or glockenspiel. Each tone of a scale (8 notes) can represent a Signpost, with Harmony being the lowest and the highest tones.]

• First, the central object is indicated. The leader says: "This is Harmony, which is our goal."

• Next, the red object is indicated. The leader says: "This is Devotion, desire and love in its many sacred forms."
• Then, the orange object is indicated. The leader says: "This is Wisdom, learning to work with the forces of nature and sharing our knowledge."
• the yellow one: "This is Realization, knowing ourselves and recognizing our Divine nature."
• the green one: "This is Action, manifesting our beliefs and protecting the Web of Life."
• the blue one: "This is Compassion, respecting the Divine in its many forms and being a part of it."
• the violet one: "This is Celebration, celebrating the diversity in all things and practicing cooperation."
• Now the central object is again indicated. The leader says: "Harmony is the union of all these processes to create balance in the universe."
• All say: "This is our Path!"

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Example Reverences:

• Candle Reverence

• Responsive Reverence # 1

• Responsive Reverence # 2

• Simple Responsive Reverence

Created by Guides Chandonn, Hypatia X, and Sophia X Pharou

Last modified: 06/20/2009