Intoxicated at ritual circle, right or wrong?

[SilverBird]

Ok so first I am going to apologize. I am not making this post to endorse drugs by any means, as I know people have strong opinions on marijuana, my question is geared to how to handle this issue involving it. I checked the rules, I didn't see the prohibition of it specifically, but I know this is a family forum, that being said this isn't drug speak, please read on, because this is more of how to handle a situation where a friend does and wants to come to the circle.

So I have a friend who's down here, and we're supposed to do a ritual on the beach, so she texts me what time, she's smoking with a friend (meaning smoking weed), and like I'm not against it, but idk it seems so disrespectful to come to a circle high, so I moved to cancel the ritual, because I'm not comfortable with it, like I get you like what you like, and I mean I'm not against it, I'm ok with it, but not right before the ritual.

She understood though, yet my thing is on the other hand was I being less open minded? Because I try to be so open minded and accepting, yet this was idk the very notion of it seemed really disrespectful, like we're about to have a ritual and you're off getting high, I can't do a ritual like that, because I always felt it would be disrespectful to the deities we invoke. Again no offence to people, I know some people may smoke and do ritual, and more power to you, just I'm not comfortable with it.

So my question is, was I being closed minded by not having the ritual, or did I do the right thing by calling it off?

Also for the reschedule date, she's like so no smoking that day, and I don't know how to answer that, I don't want to tell you what to do, so I'm trying to be like don't smoke before the circle without saying it.

Again I don't like being judgemental, I mean I'll drink during rituals, but it would be the same thing I wouldn't come to one drunk or drink enough to intoxicate me during a ritual

But again, no offense to anyone for or against, sorry for my drug references, I'm just not sure how to handle this. Do I have a ritual if she is intoxicated to be open minded, or do I say no you can't come to the circle high out of my own views of respect.

Oh if my reference to drug is too much, I'm so sorry, feel free to remove it if this post causes harm in anyway or violates rules

Thank you so much for reading this

Blessed Be

[Firebird]

It's ok we can discuss this here.
I think if you wish to have a circle that is substance free, that's your call. I would not have canceled though, I would have said sorry this is sober space you'll have to catch the next meeting.
You have a couple choices,
You can just live with it, knowing she has her own higher power and the benefits of sacred space will be lost to her if she is out of sorts because she has been smoking.
You can also lay down the law and say this circle is drug free. Do not come if you are partaking.
I don't know that it is disrespectful to the Gods but it is if others in the circle are uncomfortable with it.
Bb, Firebird

[planewalker]

I'd say you answered your own question by stating how very uncomfortable you are with it. You can couch it in those terms, then it's about you, not them. "I get really uncomfortable when someone at the Circle is using an intoxicating substance. I'm afraid I'll make a mistake. It will mess with my intent and concentration."

[SpiritTalker]

If you're uncomfortable for any reason, you have a responsibility to respect yourself. That is not being judgmental, it is being honest, and honesty is part of a good relationship. Some people do treat circle as a reason to get high.

I make no apologies. I am against public use of drugs, as it is just as irresponsible as drunk driving. What someone chooses to do in private on their own turf is their own business. Don't make it mine, or use my ability to focus, or direct power to the circle so they can get a lazy high. Everyone participating needs the presence of mind to contribute their share of energy to the circle. And if they are high, they can't contribute; they just use everybody else. I don't play that game. So as i see it, smoking before a group circle is insulting, and disrespectful to deity, to coven mates, and to oneself.

And that being said, if the group agrees to use hallucinogens within the circle for specific purposes of aiding soul flight or whatever, then this is known and accepted ahead of time as part of the plan. It's not an excuse to get high and shirk responsibility. It serves a sacred intent and is done with consent and supervision.

[Xiao Rong]

I would agree with the others here. It's your circle, and you have a right to say that it's substance free. Ritual requires a certain frame of mind that intoxication from alcohol or marijuana can negatively affect. It can be disruptive to the circle, and depending on the content of the ritual, intoxication could put them or others at risk. And yes, I would say that it's disrespectful, for the same reason it would be disrespectful to show up to church drunk. My own coven has a strict policy against substances in the group, including alcohol.

As SpiritTalker said, some rituals might use substances, but usually in a sacred (NOT recreational) context. Shamans may also use substances, but they are often highly trained for years and do not do it for fun!

My main suggestion is that you speak with your friend directly, rather than try to beat around the bush. This is a reasonable boundary to set and it's probably better for both of you to address it directly (e.g. "For this ritual, please do not smoke beforehand. I need everyone be fully present and in the right state of mind.") If this is unacceptable for her, then she shouldn't come (and if she shows up anyways high, then you have every right to tell her to leave -- hopefully it won't come to that, though.)

[SnowCat]

I think it would be a potential safety issue too. One is not always as cognizant of safety when impaired. If everyone has agreed on a ritual using some sort of intoxicant, the safety measures can be formulated beforehand. It seems disrespectful, to me, to arrive unprepared for the circle.

Snow

[Shekinah]

I would consider use of drugs in Circle as at least disrespectful and at most unbecoming a Witch. Wondering what the Great Goddess might think of such a student considering our body is our temple. Not kool to trash it especially in the presence of Divinities. In the presence of the Gods we should have clarity and acuity of mind and a serious demeanor. Do drugs in a University lecture and see how far it gets you. Most likely out the door.

[Firebird]

I would suppose it depends on the Gods you honor, Shiva is most fond of ganja.

[SilverBird]

Thank you all for your responses

I think I should have specified it before hand, I may have assumed she would not smoke right before the ritual, and she is normally Solitary, yet I have rescheduled the ritual and she won't smoke before it.

I was bothered by it, but I don't think she realized it was a big no no.

Thank you again so much everyone

Blessed Be

[Corbin]

(Personal opinion)

A ritualistic observance out of the circle as part of a celebration? Hard to stop a party commencing - just take some personal responsibility for the "act" and the dregs of the day after.

But in a circle? Raising energy? Calling quarters? Evoking or Invoking? Casting? That kinda stuff? Not the kind of environment for intoxication.

We are of course talking about being influenced, not merely "invigorated" - lika a single shot of something with "spirit"; the difference between very light and heavy use.

I won't work within the circle when I'm angry, sad, unfocused or in a bad frame of mind. Intoxication and being "under the influence" lowers inhibitions - and not all inhibitions are inappropriate; many are a clarion call from the spirit- mind / conscience - bad advisers to shut out.

At the heart is some simplr common sense; when people are intoxicated or "under the influence" they are more likely to do stupid things - that's not judging, that's a fact and a ritual circle is a really bad environment for "doing stupid things".