Isaac Bonewits has an eBook out on Neopagan worship and rituals entitled
_Rites of Worship, a Neopagan Approach_ That I am recommending to
everyone. It addresses the reasons why modern Pagan worship is
constructed as it is and explains why certain aspects are emphasized or
selected. It can be purchased for a very reasonable price ($7.95)
through his website at:

http://www.neopagan.net/IB_Books.html

Go there today and pick one up. You'll be glad you did and you'll also
be helping one of the leaders of the modern Pagan movement through a
harsh winter. Why have a dull underpowered ritual when using a proven
structure and a time tested series of power building techniques will
bring things to life? Understand not only the 'whats' and 'wheres' of
ritual construction but also the 'whys' and 'howto's.

Searles O'Dubhain

I'd like to add that modern Pagan worship rituals are a communion of
spirits as deities, humans or other types of beings. The best
description I've heard of how this can best be understood is it is an
offering of hospitality as a sacred duty. One literalloy invites these
spirits into the greater communion of one's ritual space. Among Celts,
this was often a feast and perhaps a festivals of toasting, boasting and
oath making.

In former times, such gracious hospitality was offered to strangers who
were often considered and treated as if theu were in fact deities in
disguise. Many of the tales speak of this with Mannanan, Mac ind Oic,
and Lugh often being such mysterious strangers in Irish lore.

There are of course some who think that Pagan ritual is based on
Christian concepts where one must worship or be subservient to deities
and spirits. Nothing could be further from the truth for Pagan ritual
practice. Pagan ritual is based on hospitality in honor.

I heartily recommend purchasing Isaac Bonewits book about this for
adding clarity in your thinking and as a resource rather than heeding
the mistaken words of those who would be white, plastic elders. Why
limit one's practice and ritual when there is an entire universe out
there to experience? Build from a solid foundation of scholarship,
clarity and spiritual awareness. Journey beyond the tarps of
misconceptions to the Otherworldly realms where there is no mine or
yours.

Searles O'Dubhain

Journey beyond the tarps of
misconceptions to the Otherworldly realms where there is no mine or
yours.