How to do ritual is not carved in stone, but there are some general components that you will find in most Wiccan rituals. 
 
If you belong to a coven, you will learn from others how to do rituals and likely how to write your own. How rituals are organized and performed will differ from tradition to tradition, and from coven to coven. If you are a solitary, then it is up to you to learn about doing ritual.

You can just limit yourself to pre-written rituals, but you will likely want to start creating your own at some point. Even the pre-written ones can seem intimidating until you grasp the overall basic strucutre of a Wiccan ritual. Not all rituals need to have all these components, but this is a good outline for a basic ritual.

Cast the Circle
The first thing you need to do is cast your circle. The space within your circle is sacred, and considered to be 'between the worlds'. Not only does your circle keep out unwanted energy, it also serves to keep your energy in. You may want to cleanse your space with a ritual sweeping or with some incense before you begin.

Call the Quarters
The Quarters (also sometimes called Watchtowers) are the guardians of your circle. They are usually directional and/or elemental in nature. The exact wording on how to call the quarters is varied, and can be adapted to your needs. You might consider these Watchtowers to be the solid corner-posts of your circle.

Invoke Deity
If you are not familiar with any specific Gods or Goddesses, you can always just call on the Lord and/or Lady. Over time, you can research the various pantheons and learn about the different Deities out there. You may invoke certain Deities just get to know them better, or choose Deities that represent the energies you want for your ritual. You should always be respectful, and ask Deities to join you.

Raise Energy
If you are performing this ritual with a specific goal in mind (a spell), then you need to raise energy before you do that spell. It's your energy and will that drives a spell. If your ritual is to celebrate the Sabbats or to give thanks to the Gods, then you may not feel the need to raise any power. Methods for raising energy could be dancing or chanting.

Purpose of Ritual
This is the central part of the ritual process. If you are working a specific spell, now is when you do that, using the energy that you've raised. Worship, celebration or giving thanks could also be part of your ritual.

Ground Your Energy.
You raised energy earlier, and now you must ground it. Release the remaining energy down through your body and out into the Earth. Even if you are indoors, and your feet aren't truly touching the Earth, you can still visualize your energy dispersing this way. Depending on the nature of your spell, you may find that most of the energy is used up in your spellwork.

Thank Deity
I'm sure this part is obvious. If you've asked a Deity to join you in your circle, you must then thank them when the ritual is complete.

Release the Quarters
Similar to thanking the Deities. You've called the Quarters to assist you, and when you are done, you should thank them and release them.

Release the Circle
The step will return your ritual area back to 'normal space'. Most circle casting techniques that you will find are written with both an opening and closing portion to the text.

Cakes and Wine
It's traditional to eat after ritual, and this can be a social part of the ritual if you are working in a group. It doesn't have to literally be 'cakes and ale'. You may choose to use foods that suit the nature of the ritual. This is another aspect of the grounding you did earlier. By eating and drinking, you can focus yourself back to the physical world.

This is only an outline, to help you put the features of a ritual into context. You can find more details in our Circle Casting section, on how to call the Quarters and cast the circle.

Most importantly, don't be afraid to be creative and to experiment. The best way to become comfortable in ritual is to "just do it".

 [ send green star]

Cleansing for Rituals
Written by Faren

Begin by emptying your mind of mundane concerns and worries,
then have a ritual bath.

Draw a warm bath and add scented bath salts or oils which are
appropriate for the task at hand. If the rite is to be held near
water, this may take the form of a quick swim. Light blue or white
candles and burn incense containing rosemary, frankincense,
sandalwood, or cinnamon. If you are unable to burn incense, try
anointing the candles with frankincense, myrrh, or sandalwood oils. 
Try to clear your mind while soaking in the water. Imagine the water
washing away the negativity of everyday life. Use the time to center
and calm yourself.

Once you have dressed in ritual garb, use a purification incense to
smudge yourself. This reinforces the initial cleansing as well as
making it plain to yourself that this is a special occasion. Getting
in the right frame of mind is the most important part of ritual
preparation.

 [ send green star]

Needed:
Holly sprig
Mistletoe sprig
Black votive candle
Green candle
White candle
Gold candle
Cauldron

Place the gold God candle at right top of altar, and the white Goddess candle at the top left. Place your Cauldron to the right of the altar, with the black votive candle, Holly sprig around it, inside. Cover cauldron with lid or cover plate. Place the green candle and mistletoe where they will be behind you at the beginning of the ritual. Cast the circle.

"From the darkness is born the light,
From void, fulfillment emerges.
The darkest night of the year is at the threshold,
Open now the door, and honor the darkness."

Take the lid/plate off the cauldron and light the black votive candle inside. Give silent honor to the Holly King, the ruler of the dark half of the year. Meditate on the seasons of the past year, and how their lessons have brought you to where you are today. When ready, begin again:

"Dark my surroundings, and cold be this night
But Your labor, Blessed Mother, has reborn the sacred Light.
The child divine, the most honored Sun
Shall return with the sunrise again; Two will be One."

Remove the holly from around the black votive candle. With your projective hand (right if you're right-handed, left if you're left-handed), present the holly to the four elements. Then place it behind you, to signify the death of the Holly King. Turn back to the altar. With your receptive hand, reach behind you, and bring forward the mistletoe and the green candle. Present them to the elements, slide the mistletoe over the green candle and place the candle in the cauldron. Light the green candle with the black votive candle and say:

"Behold the rebirth of the King of the Woodlands!
Behold the Oak King, strong and vital he rises!"

Snuff the black votive candle and with your projective hand, place it behind you. Turn back to the cauldron, close your eyes, and silently honor the Oak King. Begin again:

"Awake now Your Mother, Your Lover, Your Lady
Awake now the Goddess of Life, Death, Rebirth."

Take the green candle out of the cauldron and light the white Goddess candle on the altar. Put the green candle back into the cauldron. Take the white Goddess candle with both hands and hold out at arm's length over the cauldron:

"Awaken, my Lady, look upon Your divine child,
His rebirth while You slumbered was subtle and silent.
The Stag King, the Green Man, Lord of Fertility,
He awaits Your wakening, gentle and benevolent."

Place the white Goddess candle back in its holder. Assume the Goddess position. Say:

"All hail the Oak King; His rebirth, a promise.
All hail the divine child, Giver of Life.
All hail the blessed Sun, reborn to the Mother
For He retakes His throne at the end of Solstice Night!"

Meditation. Cakes and Ale.

Face the cauldron and the green candle still burning bright.

"Before my circle tonight, I close with blessings
I ask for this house and my kin.
Tomorrow at daybreak, when I arise
A special flame I will carry within.
And a gold candle upon my altar I'll light
Adding my will to the Sun King's intent
To climb aloft in the vaulted skies.
And for strength back to me; the strength I've sent."

Snuff the green candle. Place the mistletoe on the pentacle. Close the circle.

Leave the gold God candle on your altar to light upon rising in the morning.

 [ send green star]