The air is clean and crisp.. the stars are seen in the sky above, glowing with joy, energy and Power...The Moon.. a silver disk shimmering in the night sky. Breck looks about her.. the forest, the ground, the very Earth is aglow with energy.. a stream trickles somewhere.. the sound fills the area about the folks gathered here... She picks up her drum and begins to beat a heartbeat rhythm.. And with a nod she leads the group into the ritual room, the very first room.. where Goldenwolf led the original Full Moon ritual these many months ago... She looks again at the stone walls, the old and worn altar.. seemingly carved of a single piece and holding such energy as few people have ever seen... She turns and looks at each face here.. memorizing and holding onto each one... "It is a season of Beginnings and Endings...As we join here tonight let us not forget those who worshipped here before us and let us add our energies for those who will come after us. "

She turns back to the plain, empty altar and places a cloth upon it.. a black cloth, embroidered with a design of Moons and oak leaves, and a Pentagram in the center of the cloth.. all worked with silver and green threads. On this cloth she sets two candlesticks, a silver Moon and a golden Oak leaf.. Placing a white candle in the Moon and a Red candle in the Oak leaf, she turns back to those with her. "We are joined here tonight to Honor our Mother.. She who guides us and lends us aid...We Cast this circle within Her love and create Her sacred space that we might do Her work with Love and Care. Tonight We go forward to the next day.. and as we go, we leave behind all that was before.. Remember" Tears streaming down her face, Breck picks up her drum and leaves that altar, nodding to...

Avalon, who steps up to the altar. She is dressed simply in her flowered green robe, and in her right hand she carries a burner of smoking sandalwood incense. Setting down the burner, she turns to the East, and raises her arms and speaks:

"Spirits of the East, of wind and of air,
Be with us now-- hold us close and dear,
Share with us your knowledge and knowing,
Birth, life anew, all that is growing,
We call to you now to lend us your power,
Be with us now-- guide us in this hour!"

She steps back into the circle to await...

Red Deer, who steps to the altar, turns to face the South, bows low and then intones:

"Lords of the South, Masters of Fire, Flame and Glowing Ember,
I invite you now to come among our circle.
Take us in your arms,
Temper us for the coming Turn of the Wheel,
Prepare us for Samhainn visions.
Ward well your Quarter, that all harm be held at bay
for those who meet in perfect love and perfect trust."

Deer smiles broadly at all gathered, then returns to his place in the circle to await...

...Sharon, who steps forward and faces west. She raises both arms:

"O Guardian of the West, be present with us this eve.

We recognize You, cloaked in black and wearing the guise of our sister Raven.

During this time, when the veil between the worlds is thinnest,

You teach us of the wonder and appropriateness of death.

Guide us this night with all Your wisdom.

Welcome to our circle!"

She bows for a moment, then steps back, making way for...

...Cloud, who steps to face the North. She raises her arms, and after a pause in which her feet seem to grow roots into the stone, she speaks:

"Hail, Powers of the North, first earth of Earth,
be with us in this time when so much is ending.
Remind us that it takes an earthquake to make a mountain,
and that the seemingly solid underfoot turns.
Come to us, join with us, keep us strong through out changes
Be here, now".

She places a stone on the altar, and steps back to make way for...

...Apollo, who enters the circle dressed in his green robe, from it emanates the colors of white and gold. He looks around the circle and bids all a welcome.

He approaches the altar and on it he places his favorite burner, in it burns the incense of new beginnings, surrounded by marigolds and circled with frankincense and myrrh.

"Before I invoke the God, please allow me to say to my dear friend Breck; May the Goddess and God grant you the courage to plant seeds of joy and love in the coming year banishing misery and teaching you the secrets of wise existence. As in all from this day forth, transform all that may be plaguing you. May the energies be reversed. From darkness, Light. From bane, Good and From death, Birth. --- So mote it be!!!"

"Oh great God Pan, of many names
Shepherd of goats and Lord of the land
I call you to attend our rites, this night.
God of the wine God of the vine,
attend our circle with your love,
and send your blessings from above.
Help us to heal, help us to feel,
help us to bring forth love and good will.
Be with us this night as our magic is made.
And may this ritual not reverse nor put upon us any curse.
So Mote it BE!!!"

Apollo, with a sense of loss, quietly exits the circle and makes way for...

...Elenya who enters the circle and quietly walks towards the altar. She wears a white robe and in her hand clutches a silver pentagram for strength. She is saddened this eve, as two of our fold will soon be taking their leave, and blinking back tears, she approaches the altar and places there a crystal of rose quartz, then turns and begins to speak:

"Holy Mother, whose soul of nature is the life of the universe,
please honor us with your presence this evening.
This moon we are acutely aware that the wheel brings us to and from one another.
As we gather in this sacred space,
allow us to see what will be, is and what was, will be.
Shine upon us gathered here, and in your silvery light
unlock the gates of our dreams.
In this enchanted hour, we ask that fortune's favor fall upon us,
Oh Lady Moon, and guide us in the work we do in this rite."

Elenya returns to her place in the circle, wiping back the tears that are flowing freely now...

And Breck enters back into the center of the circle.

"Now comes the time of petition and remembrances... dancing and singing.. raising of energy and releasing of same to help, heal and cause wonderment in the Universe. With Her blessing we do continue this work, where ever we may go... She changes everything She touches, And everything She touches, Changes...."

Again, she exits the center.. allowing the petitioners to enter...

Breck re-enters the circle yet again...

"I have just heard from a friend who is in DIRE need.. she has severe breast cancer and will be in surgery this coming Weds in LA, Oh Dearest Mother who guides my words and meaning.. Lend her aid and strength in her time of need...for this I ask in her name."

Breck leaves yet again, making way for...

...the energy of the circle assembled, and the power of this
place, to spiral together in one strong ray of force, sent
through Breck to her beloved friend. May she find healing
and strength in her need. So mote it be.
And the next comes forward...

NightShade steps into the circle. She wears a simple, long-sleeved black gown, the hem of which glides along the ground as she walks. Her only jewelry is her silver pentagram ring and Solomon's Seal necklace. She carries a basket of pumpkin-nut cookies, baked fresh that morning. Moving around the circle, she gives a cookie to each celebrant. Moving to the altar, she places the basket upon it. Raising her arms and face to the sky, she speaks:

"Blessed Mother, at this time of year, the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. It is a time for remembering our departed friends and loved ones. I wish to remember my grandparents and my uncle. I miss and love them. I will always keep them close in my heart. Blessed Mother, we are here tonight to mark the end of the old year, and the beginning of the new. You have given me aid over this past year when I needed it; You have taught me critical lessons; You have given me comfort; You have shown me love. I thank You for all You have done for me."

"As the Great Wheel begins its turn into the new year, guide us through the challenges we face; help us forge a strong bond of community, healing the rifts that tore into us this past year, so that we may present a united front to those who would hurt us; embrace us and keep us safe in Your love. SO MOTE IT BE!!!"

NightShade lowers her arms and returns to her place in the circle to await...

...Elenya, who enters the circle and approaches the altar. From the pocket in her robe, she brings forth a handful of mushrooms and a small pumpkin and places them on the altar.

"Lady and Lord, this moon I ask that you watch over our sister Breck and our brother Apollo and allow them peaceful travels as they leave this circle of friends. Though we will be apart, we will be forever together in your spirit. Merry Meet, Merry Part until we Merry Meet again."

Elenya steps back into the circle, and awaits...

...Red Deer, who moves toward the altar. Barefooted, he wears a chunk of golden amber around his neck. While face and body are bathed in the soft honeyed glow of the stone, brilliant moonlight plays upon hair which the autumn breeze swirls gently about his back and chest. Deer winds cat-like around the circle, going widdershins, greeting each and every celebrant. Pausing for an eternal moment to exchange longing looks with Elenya, who still in his eyes wears the veil of She Who Dances Among the Stars, he then moves on to the old altar at the heart of this room.

Looking up to a ceiling which seems to have vanished, Red Deer sees instead a sky filled with stars. Among them the Dancer - Her gravid belly brimming with light of the Son yet to be born - smiles, framed within wings of the ancient oak-dragon who wards the door to their home. Entranced, he stands in awe of that which binds him to these two, and drinks deeply of the strength received from his Lady and Lord.

As he does so, the amber takes on a deeper glow. Red Deer lifts it up to the night.

"Mother and Father, come Samhainn I this will have worn for a year and a day. A tear shed in the primeval forest, from a tree which lived sixty million years before we wore these forms. The very essence of sunlight, of moonlight, and of elder trees. From the heart of the past, it has come to lie against the beating heart within me, and will have become attuned with me through an entire Turn. Fill it with your light, with your spirit and with your strength. Make of it a steady tool, upon whose energy I resolve to draw in lending assistance to all in need that I may meet upon this path."

"As we prepare to pass across the year's threshold, bring to each that which meets their needs. Bring healing to the ill family and friend. Bring happiness, and love to us all. Bring satisfaction from passing another turn, and strength for moving on to another."

Replacing the solidified life blood of trees at his breast, Red Deer lifts hands to his neck and removes a torq of braided bronze and copper from about it. "A gift to the night, and to the coming morning. A gift to this place, which has seen so many friends come together. A gift for the spirit which has arisen within the four sacred things, and which nourishes us." He places the torq upon the altar, then returns around the circle - deosil this time - to his place. Rejoining the circle, Red Deer smiles at all present, whispers mournful farewells to those who will be soon departing, and awaits...

...as Breck enters again, this time with apples, fresh from the orchard and offers one to each assembled here...

"As we walk into the future, let us NOT forget the past and those whom we hold so dear.. I honor my father who left this plane so long ago and far too soon... Now, Mother, I do have another favor to ask... I am headed into unknown waters.. and I KNOW I take your love with me, but I need reassurances that I am doing the right thing and following the right path for me... the man I love is a wonderful gift and I have fears and doubts... Please help me alleviate these.."

Looking yet again at the faces of her friends, Breck makes way for...

Avalon, who steps forth once again to the altar. This time, though, she carries a basket of pine cones and sets them upon the altar, and begins to speak.

"Mother Goddess, Great Spirit, again I come before you, my heart heavy and full of sadness. My petition is known to you, and I ask for your comfort to help me through this difficult time, and your wisdom and guidance to help me do what must be done. For this and all the blessings bestowed upon me, I thank you."

Avalon walks back to her place in the circles and awaits...

...Willow Sage, whoshe enters the circle with a rose... she places it on the altar... with no words to say and only tears to sacrifice she silently asks the gods and goddesses or whatever may be out there for help.. then she returns to her place in the circle....

Sharon reenters the center of the circle, the black Raven of the West perching on her shoulder. She turns slowly so that each member of the circle is visible to her. When she has gazed at each face, looked into each pair of eyes and watched emotion dance across everyone's features, she speaks:

"Mother gives us this time to learn. To be still inside and out and to absorb Her wisdom. Listen to the wisdom of Darkness, to the truth of death and the necessity and grandeur of change. Through this learning, we *can* be at peace with all that is and all that is to come." She pauses for a moment. "Tears and feelings of fear are all right. But they are not forever. Only love is. As you go forth from this place, remember that."

She reaches up and strokes the inky feathers of the Raven. Small, soft feathers cling to her palm. She crosses the circle until she reaches Breck, and starting there with her dear sister, she presents a tiny black feather to each person, murmuring a word here, giving a touch there, until the circle is covered. Then she returns to her place, giving way for...

...Cloud, who holds her black feather for an awe-struck moment as she gathers her thoughts. Finally, she tucks the feather in her hair, and steps forth to the altar, bearing a basket of bright chrysanthemums. The best few she leaves there, and then rounds the circle to give everyone a bright bloom. These flowers are special for this time, coming so late in the season, and because they come back from seeming death every year serve, perhaps, as a reminder of returnings. When she returns to the altar, Cloud raises her eyes and arms to the moon for a long moment, then speaks:

"So many endings this year, mama, it's hard to remember at times that nothing ever really ends. I ask strength for the young group I work with, that they may know their ability to continue through changes; and for all of us here, especially those who are moving on, the knowledge that though Your love is all we need, we also are forever part of each other."

For Breck, Cloud has an enormous hug and a teary smile, and a copy of the bright pentacle pendant she hung on an oak tree in the Grove last June; for Apollo, one extra sun-colored mum and a kiss. For all of us, she quietly begins a chant that seems appropriate, the one she who is leaving Cloud's group at home chose for her last ritual with them:

"We are a circle, within a circle, with no beginning, and never ending"... and as other soft voices begin to pick up the sound, she leaves a sprig of rosemary on the altar, and steps back to make way for...

Shannon enters the circle. She is adorned in a white moonlight dress trimmed with silver rays, and a brown robe; bringing herbs grown in her own moon garden, along with incense of spirit-world. she sprinkles some of the fragrant flora in a large silver chalice, and with blessings of divine and of her own , she sips as do all one by one... for the goddess' blessings fill us and our petitions. now she returns to the alter, reveals a white-gold ribbon...much like her strawberry-gold locks that tumble in the wind.

"I invoke the goddess of wisdom and love, inside me and of the earth. I invoke the god of strength and confidence, inside me and of the earth. bless me , teach me, be with me... in my search to find myself, love myself, trust myself. In all my love for all, guide me in my quest for independence. May this love I contain be worked into helping my friends, and reflect to you, and to my energy for discovery. this shall be. In you and me. so mote it be, blessings."

She ties the ribbon around her ankle. a vow is taken, and a smile to soothe, there are far so many tears. stepping back she makes space for...

...SilverFire, who enters the circle.. and walks to the altar... he is wearing the full robe of the fall... silk red of the fire.. and a silver head band... with a sapphire flame in the center.. raising his hands to the sky...

"My friends... I ask that you all think of those that are not of you family. those that need the help of your powers but do not know how or are afraid that no one will understand their feelings. and give them the help that they may need but can't ask for..." reaching into his robe.. he takes a large bag of sun oil... and moon incense... then lights the coal of the altar... and places them to burn... "Mother I say that I have received all that I have asked for the love of a wonderful Woman.. and the gift of people that understand me... I can ask for no more than that...but I ask for the families of those that have passed into the next world of Summerland that they be comforted in the fact that they are at peace and are with our Mother and Father... and wait for us to join them in the life of the sweet nectar and wine.. I ask that the wishes of all here be granted to the best of your abilities... and to harm none in the way to the end of these wishes..." kneeling to the ground... "O' Mother... give me the power to live in your way....O' Father give me the power to follow them... I ask for all here as well... So Mote It Be!"

Standing, SilverFire takes his wand of silver and flame and turns to all standing in the circle. allowing the beam of light to touch all and covering all with its great power... "take the power I give and use it to help others. and yourself... give of yourself to those that need... and do as our Rede asks... Harm none in the work of your craft..."

Bowing to all... SilverFire returns to the circle and waits for the next...

...and Apollo reenters the circle.

"Oh Gracious Lord and Lady, grant every wish here this eve and blessings to all in attendance for now and always. You have more then answered my requests on more then one occasion but now I ask for special help in these areas."

"#1-For my son, whom is away at school, that he have extra mental powers to concentrate and study and grasp that which is at hand that he may do well in school."

"#2-For my self, I seek guidance as the time has come for me to move on."

#3- For all present here this eve, that they may be strengthened with your powers and might that they may see the truth in your wisdom and that for some, they may see beyond the here and now and understand as you have shown me to look beyond, and in our working of magic, to be sincere and honest as possible, as we don't always know who has the gifts of many (ie) empath who can look beyond our words and yes even in the electronic world, vibes do travel and say much."

Lord and Lady grant all the wishes here this night and BB to all whom I have come to know and consider as friends. Apollo looks around the circle and , words fail him at this point, to all of you Thank you."

"Merry Meet and Merry Part Until we Meet Again. Please remember me from time to time in your future FMRS. Blessings to All.

Midnight steps forward, wearing a black robe, feet bare against the cool ground.... The smell of fall is in the air as it lifts strands of her long brown hair.... She steps forward to the altar, bringing an arm full of pine cones gathered from outside her home... With quavering voice, she looks to the night sky...

"Silver Lady, and Horned One... Look upon us all tonight in our time of change... Look upon us with your infinite and eternal Love... help us to accept it and learn to return it to the earth and your other children... Let your love erase from our hearts all doubts and fears, that we may move forward on our paths with confidence and joy.... Let every Heart here give up the old tired refrains of the past, and learn a new a glorious Song of Life, Light, and Love...Watch over us and protect us in your love, as we forge our ways into the unknown, and guide us with your wisdom... So Mote It Be..."

As she says these words, Midnight's voice gains strength and clarity.... she looks around the circle... and begins to hum a soft tune, which she has never heard before... others join in the tune.... the sound stretches out to the sky and slowly tapers off.... all in the circle smile to each other... Midnight returns to her place and makes way for...

Sharon, who nods to Breck as she prepares to close the ritual. "This is your ritual, dear sister," she says. "I am only standing in for you."

Then she begins to step slowly to her left in a dance pattern. All follow until soon the entire circle is dancing Someone begins a chant, and we all take it up. The energy level in the ritual room rises higher and higher, grows more and more powerful, until we seem to be flying in the pattern. Suddenly, we all stop and raise our arms. A bright pulsation of light fills the room. "SO MOTE IT BE!" we all shout. And the energy shoots skyward, taking our prayers, dreams and needs to Mother...

That done, we feel exhausted and lower our arms, palms facing downward, releasing any excess power to the earth. We all sense a sweet relaxation coming over our bodies. We sigh or smile or ease our muscles a little. Sharon steps forward. "Great Ones," she says, "Powers and Guardians of East, South, West and North, we thank you for being here with us, for helping us and for joining your strength to ours. Go now, or stay, AS YOU WILL, and may there always be peace and love between us." She pauses for a moment. The Raven fluffs her wings and flies off, disappearing into the darkness above the room. Sharon speaks again: "Mother and Father, Lady and Lord, we know You are with us always, and we thank you! May there be peace and love between us forever!" Again, she pauses, and there is a sense of a Great Presence in the room.

"The circle is now open, yet unbroken," she says. "Merry met and merry part, until we meet again!"

She steps away from the center as the group begins to move into conversational groups. And Cloud takes over, guiding us all outside to the lavish picnic dinner prepared for our enjoyment!