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Blue/Full Moon Ritual Thursday, May 31 8:00pm PDT You will need: Two white candles (God and Goddess) and one blue candle. (substitute another color, or omit for non-blue moon esbat) Goblet or glass with juice or wine, or other appropriate drink. (no soda or water, please) Small plate with crackers, cookies, small cakes, bread, or other appropriate snack. Altar set-up with wand, athame, incense, small bowl of water and small bowl of salt. Anything else you like having on your altar. Preparation: Bath or shower. There is no need to use soap unless you wish too. This is primarily a spiritual cleansing. Spend time in the water releasing and relaxing. Let go of the cares of the day and let them flow down the drain with the water. If you don't have time for a full bath or shower, fill your sink with clear, warm water. If you have a scented oil that you like, add one or two drops to the water. Put your hands in the water and feel its soothing, cleansing properties. Move your hands through the water. Let it run out through your fingers. Relax and enjoy yourself. Splash some water on your face, if you like. Feel the water run down your face and drip off your chin. Smile, laugh and release all tension. When you are done, change into fresh clothing, or ritual robes, if you have them. Try to wear something white, or blue. I'll be wearing a white sweatshirt (which I save for ritual), and light blue sweatpants. L = Leader CIRCLE CASTING ALL: All Hail Lord & Lady, Diana and Apollo (you may substitute your own god names), you are loved and welcome. L: I ask you now to aid me in creating this sacred space. The circle is cast while chanting: ALL: Circle round and circle bright, be our place between the worlds tonight. L sprinkles salt into the bowl of water and stirs. L: Through the blessing of the God and Goddess, may this salted water form a sacred union that will cleanse, guard, and protect our sacred space. Water is sprinkled around perimeter of circle. Incense is lit and L smudges the circle with the smoke. CALLING THE QUARTERS L takes up wand and faces East. ALL: We ask the guardians of the East, element of Air and inspiration to watch over this sacred space and protect it from any negative force that may try to enter. L draws pentagram. ALL: So mote it be! ALL: We ask the guardians of the South, element of Fire and transformation to watch over this sacred space and protect it from any negative force that may try to enter. L draws pentagram. ALL: So mote it be! ALL: We ask the guardians of the West, element of Water and emotion to watch over this sacred space and protect it from any negative force that may try to enter. L draws pentagram. ALL: So mote it be! ALL: We ask the guardians of the North, element of Earth and growth to watch over this sacred space and protect it from any negative force that may try to enter. L draws pentagram and returns to face the altar. ALL: So mote it be! L: The circle is cast, the temple is built. May all who reside within feel safe and loved. Light God and Goddess candles. L: (stand with arms raised) Hail Great Apollo (or god of your choosing), bring forth your power, vitality, and blessings to this circle tonight. Apollo, welcome to our circle. ALL: Hail and Welcome! L: Great Diana, moon goddess, we invoke and call upon you as the full moon rises. As you fill the night with your silver radiance, fill us with your power and love, and grant your continued blessings. ALL: Hail and Welcome! L: We are gathered to commune with the Goddess, in her Mother aspect. She is the giver of life, and protector of all living things. Light blue candle L: Lady of light, Mother of all, Queen of the farthest stars, You call me forth from the waking world, and I gladly come To stand before You beneath the velvet black of night I seek Your mystery, the light within Great Mother, Star-eyed Wonder, on this night edged in silver, As in every moment, I reach for Your hand. (From The Circle Within, by Dianne Sylvan) Focus on the blue candle flame for a few moments, relaxing all the muscles in your body and clearing your mind. Close your eyes and think of the Goddess. Allow her to communicate with your through words, images, ideas, or feelings. Don't try to force the communication, allow it to happen. (You might feel the effects of lunar energy during your meditation - tingling, vibrating, dizziness, excess warmth. If it bothers you, focus on sending this energy into the earth through the soles of your feet and palms of your hands. Otherwise, let the energy reside within you, directing it toward healing, balancing, and strengthening.) When you are done, sit back, inhale deeply through your nose into your abdomen counting 1…2…3…up to 5 or 6. Expand your diaphragm and your lungs. Exhale slowly through slightly parted lips. Try to count to 10 (at normal speed) before your lungs are emptied. CAKES AND ALE L: Now is the time to give thanks to the gods for that which sustains us. L faces altar, takes up athame and goblet of wine. L: As the Goddess is to the God, the athame is to the goblet. In like fashion may the one join to the other and bring fruitfulness. (lowers athame into the wine) All raise their goblets. ALL: To the gods! All drink. All take up a cake. L: May the gods bless this food as they bless our daily lives. ALL: To the gods! All eat, drink and relax, and chat. CLOSING THE CIRCLE L stands and faces the altar. L: Thank you, Lord and Lady, for this time we have spent in your presence. ALL: Merry did we meet, so merry may we part. And merry may we meet again. ALL: So mote it be! L goes to the East and uses athame to cut across the lines of the circle. L: This circle is now open. |
FULL MOON RITUAL |