a folk-pagan approach for outdoor ritual
- I posted this as a comment in a thread in nonwiccanwitch.
Personally, when performing Craft indoors, I can't imagine not casting at least a simple circle. However, when I'm working outside, I prefer NOT to cast a circle. The reason is pretty straightforward: A circle is cast to separate you from your surroundings. If you are going outdoors for the purpose of connecting to your surroundings, casting a circle strikes me as counter-productive.
Having said that, I strongly recommend some form of creating sacred space. Since ritual appears to be meaningful for you, it would follow that you would probably work best by creating sacred space in a ritual manner. However, the ceremonialist-derived circle-with-elements-at-the-quarters doesn't seems to be speaking to you. Since you are being drawn to the outdoors and to the natural environment around you, you might find a more folk-pagan approach more to your tastes.
The following is one approach, based on the traditional Indo-European tripartite division of the cosmos. In that model, there are beings in the Living World (us, plants, animals, spirits-of-place, etc.); there are also beings in the Spirit World (ancestors, ghosts, various underworldy powers, etc.); and there are beings in the Shining World (gods, angels, etc.). Each of those three worlds, and the corresponding three kindreds, deserves our attention. The most traditional way of connecting with them is by offerings. Personally, I offer something living (usually fruit or flowers, sometimes baked goods) to the Living World, spirits (usually Irish whiskey) to the Spirit World; and something shining (usually a candle) to the Shining World.
Working outdoors, I begin by sprinkling some cornmeal on the working space and especially on the "altar" space. Next, I light some incense or smudge stick to establish that this is sacred space and time. Then I make the offerings the the Three Kindreds, one at a time. Then do whatever ritual and/or work you want. End by verbally honoring any specific Powers you called on, and the Three Kindreds. (You don't dismiss them, since you didn't summon them.) Formally declare the rite ended.
Feel free to snag and adapt any parts of that that make your heart sing.
Note: The terms Living World, Spirit World, and Shining World are my shorthand for these three domains when I want to avoid using the specifically Irish terms Land, Sea, and Sky. The concepts are the same, but this language can work as well for Hellenists or Heathens.