My personal ritual outline:
Set Up
– Collect any supplies you need (candles, herbs, crystals, bits of paper, etc), and light candles needed for illumination. Set up altar.
Cleansing
– Cleansing bath/shower with oils/herbs (optional or depending on ritual type). Dress in any ritual wear needed/wanted. Sit/stand/kneel at altar. Cleanse sacred space. I use sacred water (salt and water mixed together and consecrated). Sprinkle water over work area and sacred space. Use whatever cleansing chant you feel fits.
Centering and Grounding
– Center and ground to focus your mind on the coming ritual and your purpose. Use whatever grounding method/exercise you prefer.
Casting the Circle
– Cast your circle. I find it very hard to have very much room at all to work, so I generally just sit in front of my altar, sprinkle salt in a small circle around me, and visually call a circle around me. I do not have the room to get up, walk around, and physically cast the circle with salt, candle, incense, and water as well.
Invite the Gods
– Invite your deities, the elements, faeries, angels, etc if you want/need.
The Message/Purpose
– Each ritual or spell has its message or purpose. Now is the time to state it and get down to business.
Raising Energy
– Raise energy in your preferred method (chanting, music, dancing, etc).
Releasing Energy
– When the energy reaches a dramatic crescendo release it out into the world with all your focus on your purpose or your message.
Cakes and Ale
– Celebrate your finished ritual/spell with cakes and ale, and leave some for whomever you invited to the circle to show your appreciation.
Closing the Circle
– To close your circle, dismiss and thank anyone you invited to the working, release any leftover energy, and drop your circle.
– Alfrún