Within Wicca sex is sometimes used within ritual. When it is used it has several roles such as raising energy, expressing love as a sacrament, reflecting the divine nature of ourselves and manifesting the Mystery of the Great Rite. In this the Great Rite is only one of a number of roles that sex can have. However, although the Great Rite involves sexual symbolism, all sex in ritual is not the Great Rite.

Wiccan beliefs hold that the Great Rite is the ritual enactment of the creation of the universe by the union of the God and the Goddess. Although the focus of the rite is the union and integration of the inner selves, its physical and magickal expression is through the union of polar energies. In other words it's the opening of the gateway to the womb of the Goddess that the self may be reborn. As we are all born of sexual union then any physical ritual must involve the union of the phallus and the womb.

Although the Great Rite can be symbolically enacted (in token) using the chalice or cauldron and the athame or wand, any physical enactment (in true) has to be between male and female. Therefore gay couples cannot sexually enact the Great Rite although they can symbolically. Gay sex for any other reason (raising energy etc.) is not an issue.

The Great Rite is always performed within the Magick Circle and is usually enacted by the High Priest and High Priestess. This is not always the case though. It is also used in a third level initiation in Gardnerian and Alexandrine traditions. In these initiations the Great Rite is performed between the initiate and the High Priest or Priestess depending on which is applicable. This can be done in token or in true.

A little thought needs to be given here with regard to third level initiation as to which way it should be performed. The chances are that the two will not be a couple. If one (or both) of them has a significant other then their partner's feelings need to be taken into account. If a significant other is also Wiccan then it probably won't be a problem. But it might be. Wiccan or not, not everyone is happy with the idea of someone having sex with their partner. If the significant other is not Wiccan it may be a very real problem.

Additionally, there are many family based covens nowadays and this raises a whole new list of problems. Sex with a family member is incest. Sex with a family member who is a child is a no-no. Even if the initiate is not family, if he or she is a child then it is absolutely wrong. Both morally and legally. Symbolic enactment has to be the choice here.

Further complicating matters nowadays is the ever present threat of sexually transmitted disease. Be very sure you know what you are doing if you opt for sexual enactment.

The Great Rite is a magickal experience whichever way it is performed, though for the sheer magickal energy involved the sexual enactment really can't be beaten.