A lone figure stands at the edge of the lake, gazing at the reflection of the full moon at the lake. She is short and slightly built, with brown curly hair and wears a green flowered gown and leather sandals. Behind her she can hear the sounds of her brothers and sisters approaching the circle. Some walk alone, others in groups, some are new to the circle, for others this is a chance to get together with friends. No matter the reason for their attendance-- for festivity or petition (or both)--she is pleased that once again all have gathered to celebrate the full moon, and silently gives thanks to Mother before turning to join the assembled who stand in a circle around the driftwood altar. "Thank you all for joining us this moon. For those of who do not know me, I am Avalon. I have brought you to my place of celebration-- this lake, this shore where I have spent so many other happy occasions and rituals. I am pleased to have you with us. Please stay afterward for refreshment and festivity." She motions to an area off to the side of where they stand where there are drinks and food. "Since we have assembled into a circle around the altar, we can begin the ritual. Blessed be, siblings." She steps back into the circle as Red Deer steps forth....

and bows low to the Lady Avalon. "We are blessed indeed to return with you to this shore of a mountain lake, shadow of the Eternal Ocean realized upon the Earth." Red Deer then moves to the driftwood altar, where he momentarily places his right had first above, then below and finally within the sacred table. "Blessed Be...bough and trunk have you given sisters and brothers, to frame our altar this night. May the echoes of your lives within this wood call your spirits here to celebrate the Circle that never ends, that is everywhere and nowhere, that joins the many to the One with us this night." Bowing low to place his forehead upon the ground at the eastern side of the altar, he intones, "Witness this ancient ones, our devotion to the Lady and the Lord. Bend your energies to the blessings of water, fire, incense, and salt. Call with me the Guardians to ward our Circle." Arising, Red Deer removes his feathered cape and spreads it over the altar. He then places there a small earthenware bowl, a large beeswax candle, a bronze censer, and a crystal vial. Barefoot and clad only in short buckskin breeches, he slowly begins to dance - unbound his hair accentuates, the spiral turns of his path. Thrice round the altar he moves, with each turn touching the water and sprinkling it above, below and within. Then, taking up the bowl, he moves to the eastern quarter - nearest the lake. Thrice deosil he goes, sprinkling the ground and those within the circle. As he steps, those watching become aware that the circle through which he moves has begun to glow with a faint lavender-blue light. Red Deer returns the bowl to the altar and takes up the crystal vial. Again 'round the circle he goes, casting salt upon the Earth and those assembled and again they see a faint light, verdant green, spread with each step to weave about the lavender-blue. With a third trip to the altar, he takes up the censer and loads it with patchouli resin. Thrice again he makes the round, censing the circle and smudging the assembly. Again the light changes, and brilliant red shot through with orange and yellow entwines the lavender-blue and green. Red Deer returns to the altar and invokes, "Spirits of the high places, I have collected your last flowers of the season - Pasque, Rock Moss and Fireweed. Of them have I woven our circle this night. I ask you come, dance the round and weave our circle into the color of oneness." Even as he speaks, the shades of mountain spirits are perceived in grand processional - taking up the threads of lavender-blue, green and red to weave them into a circle of purest white. Yet even within the white, each color is still singly apprehended. Red Deer takes from pockets within his cape a copper bowl, a silver dagger, a black walnut staff and a bronze torq. He places the torq about his neck, the staff under his arm, the dagger in his belt, and - filling the bowl with water from its earthenware sister upon the altar - takes it up in both hands.

Returning to the eastern point, nearest the lake, he places the bowl there. Above it, with the little finger of his right hand, Red Deer traces in the air the sign of Water. "Ladies and Lords of the East, Ancient Guardians of the Waters, I ask you ward this quarter of our circle. Watch over us as we move from the Here and Now to the Center of All. Seal this quarter that only those with bright intent may enter, and that all darkness be set Round he goes, and approaching the western point he places the staff there. Above it, with the little finger of his right hand, Red Deer traces in the air the sign of Air. "Ladies and Lords of the West, Ancient Guardians of the Air, I ask you ward this quarter of our circle. Watch over us as we move from the Here and Now to the Center of All. Seal this quarter that only those with bright intent may enter, and that all darkness be set aside."

Round he goes, and approaching the northern point he

removes the torq from his neck and places it there.

Above it, with the little finger of his right hand, Red

Deer traces in the air the sign of Earth. "Ladies of the

North, Ancient Guardians of the Earth, I ask you ward

this quarter of our circle. Watch over us as we move from

the Here and Now to the Center of All. Seal this quarter

that only those with bright intent may enter, and that all

darkness be set aside."

Red Deer then completes his final curcumabulation at the east, and returns to the altar. "Thrice cast is the circle, and the Guardians invited to their Watchtowers. The spirits of Mountain and Lake, Meadow and Moonbeam, Flower and Tree have joined in the raising, lending their voices to ours. Let us sing with them of the Lady and the Lord, as each of us knows Them, and complete the raising of this sacred space - into which our sister Cloud will invite Their participation. Touching the altar a final time, he returns to the circle...

...and Cloud steps forward, in awe of Red Deer's powerful casting. She swirls gold this time, for the season of abundance, and her copper moon crown catches a glimmer of the light of the circle. She places her basket on the altar and pauses a moment to greet the present powers, then turns to smile at those assembled. *By mind, will, spirit, and body, ours and more, this Circle is cast. We are between and beyond, above and below. We are home again. Blessed be* and she seems to hear some voices repeating her words, as she stands motionless at the still center and casts her call to All That Is. *We call you, Father and Mother, Ground and Grain, Moon and Sun, Seed and Harvest. Though You are never gone, we ask Your presence with us here as we celebrate Your bounty at this time of approaching Balance* Perhaps we hear a sound in the distance, far hoofbeats or rain on thatch. Perhaps it comes nearer. Perhaps it was never far away. Cloud continues: *We ask Your blessing on this Circle, Nameless and Thousand-Named Ones, and on each of us here. See with our eyes, hear with our ears, speak with our lips, rejoice with us, as all your gifts come to wholeness* Perhaps the sound was always the water on the shore. Perhaps it is the footsteps of Those who join us here. Perhaps, just perhaps, it is our own many heartbeats. Cloud stands a little taller as she circles with the basket, offering each a small sunflower in token of the power of the season. Even in this time when both God and Goddess show most the power of the Sun, each contains all, even as these flowers contain the elements of creation and the seeds of a new life..... ...and each of us receives a blessing of the Sun, and each of us feels a little more the part of the Whole that we are meant to be. Cloud steps back, the glow of the Moon in her eyes, and signals Avalon to continue....

...Who steps into the center of the circle. She has no words to describe the beauty and the power of the invocations she has just witnessed and can only smile at RedDeer and Cloud, and then at each participant assembled. After a few moments, she gathers her thoughts and begins to speak, her arms raised to the night sky: **Mother, Father, Guardians of the Quarters, we welcomeyour presence here with us tonight. We gather this evening with joyous heart, and good intent to celebrate with you the moon in all her full glory. Hear our petitions, and grant us our wishes and desires. So mote it be!** On the altar, she places a gift of tobacco, and continues speaking... **Blessed Mother, Great Spirit, first I thank you for keeping my family safe while I was away from my home, and for your guidance and comfort while I was gone. I have no petition this moon, but I offer the tobacco as a symbol of gratitude for all the gifts I have been given over the past moons. I have found that I have all that I need, and I am coming to the peace and serenity I have been searching for so long. My life feels complete. I am your child, and that brings such joy to my heart.** Avalon, steps back into the circle, to make way for...

Midnight steps forward into the circle of ones she holds dear, wearing her robe of blue etched with silver stars ....she smiles warmly to Avalon, silently thanking her for the beauty of the place she has chosen for this night.... Moonbeams glint off her hair as it cascades down her back...the sound of the breeze singing softly caresses her soul... Carrying the sunflower from Cloud, she steps to the altar and places a tiny golden ankh upon it.... "Sweet mother Goddess, beautiful father God... I come this night again into your presence... after one full turn of the wheel since finding this circle of your children... I look back on all that has happened during this time, and am awed at the power of the changes.... I have discovered things that I did not want to know... and things that I would not have thought possible... I have found how much I do not know, and yet in the not knowing have found myself..... My eternal thanks.... I ask only on this night, that you be with me on my journey... remind me when I try to forget... take my hand when I am weak.... give me the wisdom to keep my sight clear and my feet steadily on the path which is before me...." Midnight takes in a deep breath, and releases it, smiling radiantly... and returns to her place, making way for....

...Cloud, who places a perfect ear of corn on the altar in gratitude for the blessings of the season. She smiles as she thinks of a bountiful harvest, and silently gives thanks for unknown blessings, already on their way. With a glisten of gold and moonlight, she makes way for...

SilverFire steps to the altar... and places upon it a Deep red rose... and a pristine white rose... and turns to the circle... and says....." O Mother of us all and Father of much forgiveness... I ask for nothing this Full Moon... but am here to thank you for the petitions of the past... You have given me the newness that I need in my life.. and I bow to you wisdom of the many life times that you have looked over... this one and the past..." taking a leather bag from under his robe of silver.. he opens and takes a hand full of dream dust and spreads it across the circle..." I can only say... that dreams do come to those that wait... and I thank you for giving me the power to wait..."removing a white > candle from his robe... he wipes oil of love incense upon it's surface.. and lights it and places it on the altar... " O Goddess of the white and large moon... I ask that you use this candle to follow our path till the next Full Moon... and Father of the Horns... stand beside me in my time of need and the understanding of your ways...and to trust all that you do..." Taking his wand from his robe.. and waving it around the circle... SilverFire.. says" I wish all the petitions to be granted as mine have.. and wish you the Roses and Sunshine to line your path of the days to come... " SilverFire... moves to the circle... and waits for......

...Coyolxauhqui moves into the circle. She wears a white robe, trimmed in silver at the hem and at the long full sleeves. She wears a silver wreath upon her head. "I honor you, All-dewy Sky-sailing pregnant Moon, who shines for all who flows through all. Light of the world which is yourself. Maiden, Mother, Crone, the Weaver, The Green One, Isis, Astarte, Ishtar, Coyolxauhqui, Aradia, Diana, Cybele, Kore, Nut...See with our eyes, Hear with our ears, Touch with our hands, Breathe with our nostrils, Kiss with our lips, Open our hearts, Come into us! Touch us, change us, make us whole." The rest of the circle replies, "So mote it be" "Mother, I ask a healing for Paul and for Flora. I ask that You be with me and help me become a better teacher. Help me teach my children to love and honor Earth. Give me the words to open their young minds to Your ways. As I stand here overlooking this beautiful lake, I make an oath to bring You into my classroom each day, Your teachings about life will be taught each day. I shall begin by using a something as simple as a moon calendar, where the children will see and begin to understand your many different faces each night. Mother, I give thanks for all that You have done for me." Coyolxauhqui places an obsidian mirror on the alter and moves back into the circle, to make room for...

Breck, who sets aside her drum and enters the circle. Her hands are full with loaves of bread from the first grain harvests of the season... "Mother, Father..I place this bread here as thanks for all the wonders you have worked so far. But also as an offering for my requests this night of nights in the month... 1.My Mom has MUCH need of Your healing powers although she has done well and come far, she has fears and pain that still need attention and soothing peace...Please give her rest as she recuperates and recovers help her recover her inner strength as she gains the physical as well... 2. I need You both right now I am facing such a difficult time now...I need to know there is an end in sight and that there will be good from all the pain and 3. I thank You for Ian there has not been such joy in my heart in so long. He is a gift the value of which cannot be measured and for him I bring you these...." So saying she places 3 perfect roses on the altar one white, one pink, one red. Smiling she returns to her drum making way for....

Phoenix stepped out of the shadows of the circle. She had been watching with increasing apprehension, not knowing if she had the courage to join in. Her apprehension was illogical though, in the warm caring circle of the people who were gathered there, and the love of the Goddess that she could feel emanating around her... She stepped forward holding a small cedar box filled with wild rose petals. She was wearing a simple white shift, with no decorations except a silver pentagram that she held clutched in her hand. She set the box before the alter and said.. "Great Goddess, Great God, you who have guided me, loved me through the past year, who have led me to the path that I am walking now, I give these rose petals in tribute to you, to your love and wisdom and guidance to me and those who are very dear to me...I thank you. The rose petals stand for the love that surrounds us all, the love that I wish to bind me to another...The box stands for craftsmanship, the craftsmanship of family. I thank you for my family, and the fact that we have been able to work out most of our differences. I ask of you this moon, for 2 things...1. that you protect my parents, they are getting old and their health is getting bad. Heal them Great Mother, Great Father...2. My second request is for love. I am lonely, and long for a life mate, to share my thoughts and feelings with... Thank you Great Mother, Great Father, and let your wisdom guide us all... Phoenix steps back into the shadows, making way for...

Willow Sage enters the circle a little late but very grateful for this chance to petition in her mother's circle.. she steps up to the altar barefoot in tattered jeans & a tattered T-shirt w/ her beloved guitar strapped to her back.... "Goddess, might i comment on your ever beauty tonight shining on us.. & i am so grateful for the time you gave me at Wellesley college.. though i may not have realized it while i was there, it was so nice being away from home for so long.. :) however, Nate's still in Ireland.. i know he must really need to be comforted right now, & i hope he's doing okay... i hope he had a good trip there, & he's having a good time, despite this horrid loss we're suffering, & i hope he has a good trip back on the 20th so i can see him well again... now for the song part...." she tunes up her guitar a little & starts playing a little tribute to Jerry..

"When the last rose of summer pricks my finger

& the hot sun chills me to the bone

when i can't hear the song for the singer

& i can't tell my pillow from a stone

i will walk alone by the black muddy river

& sing me a song of my own

i will walk alone by the black muddy river

& sing me a song of my own

when the last bolt of sunshine hits the mountains

& the stars start splatter in the sky

when the moon hits the southwest horizon

with the scream of an eagle on the fly

i will walk alone by the black muddy river

& listen to the ripples as they moan

i will walk alone by the black muddy river

& sing me a song of my own

black muddy river roll on forever

i don't care how deep or wide if you've got another side

roll muddy river, black muddy river, roll

when it seems like the night will last forever

& there's nothing left to do but count the years

when the strings of my heart start to sever

& stones fall from my eyes instead of tears

i will walk alone bay the black muddy river

& dream me a dream of my own

i will walk alone by the black muddy river

& sing me a song of my own

sing me a song of my own"...

She finishes the song & finishes her petition "thank you so much for giving us the talent of Jerry Garcia that he could share with the world & which could unite so many people & grant him a fair passing into Summerland.... We love you Jerry!!" she steps back & joins the circle & awaits the closing of the circle

...Red Deer returns to the altar... "I have nothing to ask, for I have received beyond my measure from You, Mother and Father. I have just spent three wonderful days alone with my beloved wife in the Appalachian Mountains. Other than the beautiful children we returned to, there is little more I could desire. Thank You again for all Your blessings!" Red Deer sweeps the circle with a smile broad as a mountain valley, and returns to the circle...

Avalon looks around the circle with raised and questioning eyebrows-- would anyone else like to petition?-- and seeing no one step forward, hugs Willow Sage close to her for a moment, and steps to the altar. She raises her arms to the night sky and speaks... **The circle is now open, but never unbroken. Merry meet and merry part until we merry meet again.** And with those words the ritual ends. She walks around the circle, with a hug and a kiss for all those who participated, and invites them to stay for food and festivities. The group breaks up and walks to the bonfire, talking and laughing all the while.