The group straggles into the meadow, some dressed in warm robes, others skyclad, but none minding the icy cold....There is a thick blanket of snow over everything....pristine and white, it sparkles in the light of the Full Moon.... The Oaks have lost their leaves, and stand like sparkling silouettes wearing crystalline coats of ice....The pines glint a dark green shadow agains the night sky...there is a chill breeze, which is somehow warm in its caress, and the pine needles shiver in a joyous dance of winter beauty...

Midnight mingles among her beloved old and new friends, greeting all, making appropriate introductions... When all have arrived, they begin their trek to the circle through the winding forest path... there is an unearthly hush over everything, and the groups merrry voices lilt like a pure and perfect melody through the crisp air...

Arm in arm, they reach the circle space.. the stone altar carved many moons ago from the side of the mountain has been set with 2 white candles and poinsettas in full red and green bloom... The trees surrounding the area are adorned with silver and gold baubles which tinkle softly in the breeze....

With everyone in place, the group takes each others hands for a few moments of quiet centering.... warmth passes among and through them.... Midnight casts the circle, passing by the golden candle holders at the four quarterpoints....

All is silent and peaceful as she takes her place in the circle to allow Silver Wren to begin the invocations....

Silver Wren is delayed due to a prior duty to the Lady. Emmereaude steps into the middle of the circle and faces the east - She raises her arms and speaks.....

"Hail! Place of dawning, Goddess of the golden light. Lord of the rising Sun. We call the ancient ones of the east, the guardians of air to be with us here. We whisper to the great hawk of dawn and the eagle that soars. Illuminate our lives and our souls at this the darkest time of the year. Come that our lives may be enriched by your presence. Guard us and protect us in this our magical rite. HAIL!!!"

Emmereaude walks to the southern point of the circle and raises her arms, in Chalice position.

"Hail ye Guardians and Watchtowers of the South, beloved fire of transformation. Come into this circle. Light the fire within us and guide us in our transformation from dark to the light. Welcome, mighty ones. We call to the Great Stag in the heat of the chase - be with us, guard us, protect us, mold us. HAIL!!!"

Emmereuade turns to the west. As she walks to the western point, her cloak flows out from her. Emmereuade faces the west:

"Hail, mighty ones of the west. Undines, nymphs and sea sprites. Great Salmon of the pool, come - your wisdom knows the truth of all creation. Guardians of the gate of healing, all that effects the human body, we do invite you and welcome you into our presence. Come, grant us your insight, guard and protect this our magick circle in the name of the Lady and her Lord." HAIL!!!

The Lady Emmereaude turns most respectfully to the north. A chill wind springs up to greet all who are present. The Lady Emmereuade raises her arms again in respect to the place of midnight.

"Hail! Ancient and holy ones of the North. Guardians of the Earth and all that lives therein. Welcome to our cirlce. We call the old ones who toil and watch, for we know the ending of the North must be faced before we can greet the dawn. We call upon the great Bear of the Starry North and ask you to show us the way. Come and protect our circle! HAIL!!!"

Red Deer - clad in a tick wool robe the color of fresh-spilled blood, held close at his waist by a belt of iron links - moves silently from his place in the circle towards the living stone which is their altar. Body of the Earth Herself, this rock has stood constant vigil for untold millenia - here, in the place of its birth - first as mountain, then outcrop and now hand-hewn altar... through all of that time both the body of and a testament to our Mother.

Light from the gravid moon reflects upon and refracts within the amber tear about his neck. In this composite illumination, the clouds of steam from Red Deers breath hover about his head and seem to solifify into mighty antlers. As he steps, each footprint seems transmorgrified from five-toed to cloven-hoofed. The ding dong singning of myriad bells is heard throughout his journey to the northern side of the stone, and the chill breeze unwinds part of the mane braided with elder leaves and yew. Touching forehead, eyes, lips, heart and loins, Deer addresses the God:

"Papa, in this moon of the black elder month, we mourn with Your passing and prepare to celebrate Your triumphant return. From you we learn the cycles that Mother has borne - the Wheel of the Seasons taught directly in your anual birth, flourishing and fading, and the Great Wheel illustrated in your passage through death to new life."

"I honor the bravery of that deed, for you were the first to pass a turn. I accept the gift of you journey, in the comings and goings of family and friends. I feel the love from which you came and to which you return. For all this, a thousand thank yous from my lips and my heart. Father, we invite you to our circle this night to dance beneath your last full moon before passing into another year. Be with us here in the place that is no place and yet all places; in the time that is no time and yet all times. Drum and sin your final song, regenerate the Thousand Thousand Shapes. So mote it be."

Turning slowly round the circle, Red Deer addresses friends old and new here gathered. "A gift I bring to this place and to your memory of it. A gift which both is children of the Lady and Lord, and is brought here by another of their children. A gift which is no less than our own brothers and sisters." He removes three seeds from a doe-skin pouch, and raises them skyward. Then, moving towards the north, he stops two-thirds of the way to the circles perimeter to plant one seed. Several meters east and west down the perimeter of the circle he plants the remaining two.

As Deer begins back to his place in the circle, keen observers note a shimmering at the sites he has prepared. In the shifting light, glimmers of three mighty trees pirouette. Nearest to the altar, a black elder adorned with golden earth, moon, star and sun. And upon the limn of the circle, two yew. The more western bedecked with a silver earth and moon, the eastern with silver star and sun. He moves widdershins, pausing to exchange a long, warm hug with each celebrant gathered, until all have been Merry Met. Deer then retakes his place in the circle and awaits Cloud...

...who looks a long moment at Red Deer, in no small awe, before approaching the altar. Her warm black robe glimmers with sleeve embroideries, each a symbol of one who helped form her: some here in this circle, some unknown to this place, some departed. Cloud's hair reflects silver in the moonlight, and the old copper mooncrown glints back the candles, as she moves to the altar, her eyes on the Moon. Growing a little taller, perhaps, she speaks: *Mama, this night of all nights, You mother us even in our sleep. We ask You to join our circle, this night of Your fullness, and gleam in us a spark of returning light, to bring us through the dark to new beginnings. Weave us a blanket for winter, and dare us to find the sparkly threads among the dark ones; we know they are there, if we just look for them. Warm us with Your presence, Mama; light in the deepest dark, guard our circle and bless our petitions this holy night.Be here, now.*

And Cloud's eyes shine back at Her face as she reaches into a pocket and pulls out a silver flame pendant, given to a departing priestess this summer past, and adds it to the adornments on the nearest tree. She moves back to her place with a warm smile for Midnight...

Midnight steps forward, smiling warmly to Emmeraude, Red Deer, and Cloud, silently thanking them for the beauty and strength of their invocations.... The hem of her sparkling white robe stirs the luminous snow as she walks...

She raises her arms to the sky, and a light laugh escapes her lips, as the mirth of this season flows through her.... "Sisters and Brothers, beloved all... We are now in the Presence of the Lord and Lady, and our friends, the elementals, watch over us and bear witness.... Let us now each come forward with our hearts' needs and with our gifts to each other...." She takes her place in the circle to await the giving of gifts and offering of petitions...

...Eleyna moves toward the stone altar from her place in the circle, clad in a long velvet robe of Forest Green. Momentarily shivering as she notes the silvery cloud that is her breath, she is quickly warmed by the love surrounding her. With cold and warmth, her face glows, framed by the auburn hair under her hood, in the light of this evening's full moon. She places a pottery simmering pot on the huge stone in front of her and lights the candle beneath it. As the scents of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg fill the air around her, she takes a deep breath and raises her hands to the sky...

***Oh Holy Mother and Horned Consort, thank You for Your presence with us this evening. I thank You for the healing and blessings You have provided me and my family ,and would ask that You continue to guide me in the coming months so my path to Your wisdom and spirit may become clearer. Please also provide healing and support for those in need this moon...So Mote It Be***

As Elenya completes her petition, she approaches Cloud. Giving her friend a warm hug, she pulls from a hidden pocket in her robe a shining crystal sphere mounted upon a white oak base finely carved with leaves and acorns. "May this bring you ever closer to our Mother. Look here to find remembrance of the faces She shows to us, Her love the deepest light in each. Elenya gently shakes the globe before she places it in Cloud's hands and steps back. Both watch the glittering crystal. Raindrops they first perceive, before the shower subsides to reveal the Maiden standing in a meadow with an ancient forest behind her. She seems to dance, rejoicing among spring flower which reflect each color of the rainbow above them. Cloud shakes the globe again, somewhat surprised that the raindrops reappear as a swarm of bees, circling the Mother, as she gathers herbs and flowers. Smiling, Cloud shakes the globe again, and watches as falling leaves are replaced by a gentle snow settling as a blanket over the meadow. The Crone, scythe in hand, watches as a doe and stag walk to the edge of the forest, then disappear among the trees. She looks out from the sphere and smiles. Elenya hugs Cloud again, then turns to smile upon the others gathered here, before returning to her place beside her beloved Red Deer...

MagicFigures walks to the altar and offers this poem and prayer.

"Of the light and of the dark

God and Goddess never part

Cast your web of moonlit bliss

As we stand again herewith

Blessed be and never part

As we sing our glorious start

Fire water earth and air

Bring us energy to spare

To transform our journeyed souls

And lift us unto sacred groves

Forever to stand about the world

And sing and dance and give a twirl."

Everyone sings and dances for our glorious lives. And as everyone winds down, MagicFigures returns to the circle and makes way for...

Hyssop enters the circle, walks up to the altar and lays down a single white rose.

***Dearest Lunar Mother, I ask for strength and healing for a friend whose health and situation are dire. Please send her healing so that she may regain her health and lend her strength so that she may put her life in order again. Keep her safe in your loving arms and watch over her.***

Hyssop turns and walks to Willow Sage. She hands her a wreath of dried herbs grown in her garden... sage, catnip, rosemary, basil and lavender... and tied with red and green ribbons with holly knotted in the bows. She smiles warmly at Willow Sage and then joins the others around the circle and makes way for...

Red Deer, who moves back to massive altar. He removes a sprig of Mistletoe hidden in his braid, and places it among the other offerings.

"We remember the passing of the light into darkness and its return with the new year through this unique tree, who fruits in the dark of the year. Mama and Papa, this moon I thank you for the healing which I have experienced - and ask that such be shared with all who need. Great are the gifts I have recieved. May I return them all three-fold. As You will it, so mote it be."

Deer strides to where Silver Wren stands in the circle of friends. From the same doe skin pouch which held seed of future life, he removes something small and shiny, then raises his arms to place its chain round Wren's neck. Deer hugs Wren, then proceeds back to his place in the circle. Taking Elenya's hand, he looks deep into her eyes. "For ever and ever, my love." Both look to Wren, from whose direction shines a clear light, reawakened by the full moon from the tear of a primeval forest. The glowing amber hemisphere clearly illuminates its frame - two dragons, one gold and the other silver, endlessly circling. Deer smiles broadly upon all gathered, and awaits the next petitioner...

Ocean's Edge, wrapped deep in a woolen robe of midnight blue steps to the stone altar. She pauses silently for a moment, staring with wonder and awe at the beauty of the night, and the warmth of good friends. Taking a large firm pomagranet from her robe she gently slices it open with that most ingenious of devices, the Swiss Army Knife, crushing two plump seeds on her tongue she places the halves on the altar and in a lilting but deep voice speaks.

"Dearest Mother, so many blessings have you heaped upon me. So much goodness have you brought into my life. So many needs have you answered. Friends, Community, Children, Peace. And yet if you would find favour with me I would ask

Oh Isis hear my cry,

You who are godess to all

Who have lost a love.

Hear my cry O' Mother

Seek out my love,

In his wilderness,

Guide him home.

Oh Isis still my heart,

Which even now,

Quivers wih my loss.Aid your child O'Mother.Let him sleenes.

...Cloud, who carries her basket as usual. It has had added to its contents a wondrous crystal globe, and she beams at Elenya as she moves to the altar. There she gazes at the glowing moon a long moment, then takes from the basket a lovely white carved bone dove that usually sits o her altar at home. She leaves it here for now, breathing a wish for peace through this Moon at home and in the world, and after another long grounding moment walks to Emmeraude. She reaches into her basket again, and takes out a smaller covered basket of her own weaving, made from materials that span her own land's seasons: grapevines, yes, but also oregano trailers and daffodil leaves, mulberry bark and ivy...the whole Wheel in a small package. The basket can hold anything, but right now it holds for Emmeraude exactly as many grape-hyacinth seedpods as there are members in her coven, for a lovely display at Beltane, and nestled among them a chunk of unworked but polished malachite, gleaming green. The stone was blessed last summer for clear sight and true dreams, and seems to *work*. When Emmeraude picks up the malachite, she finds under it a small piece of soft red amber, practically crackling with the energy it contains. This is a gift for Astereaux, and Cloud hopes it will be passed along with her good wishes. Cloud gives Emmeraude an enormous hug, and makes way for...

Emmereaude steps into the center of the circle and reverently approaches the altar. Her black cloak flutters and the silver embroidery at the hem of her gown is revealed. She embraces Cloud, with tears in her eyes and whispers, "Blessed Be, my sister." Emmereaude takes out a small container from beneath her cloak. It is plain and unadorned. The box is so unassuming, but Emmereaude places it on the altar and humbly prays. "I dedicate this to the Triple Goddess, the Lady of the Moon. I truly appreciate where I have been and all I have been taught. I only seek to serve you and I ask you accept this small gift from my heart." Emmereaude opens the container, made of base metal. From it emits a tone of a pure, sweet quality. Emmereaude matches the tone and the sound lifts with the wind. It is the sound of gratitude and longing. It is the sound of joy and sorrow. It is the sound of the Lady's human children seeking to reach for Her, to touch Her.

The sound slowly ceases, but the vibrations remain on the altar. The glow of the love of all creation for the Lady and Her lord remains. Emmereade goes round the circle bowing deeply to each of the Lady's own. She reaches Ocean's Edge and kisses her cheek. "Dearest Ocean," she says. "You who live at another body of water and have a last name so similiar to my own, I gift you with a gift from my heart." Emmereuade pulls another, shell- shaped container from her cloak and hands it to Ocean's Edge. Ocean opens it and there emits the sparkling moonlight reflected on the Gulf of Mexico at Full Moon. "The moonbeams emit a magical quality, which heal, comfort and bless. Combine them with your moon beams and watch for the magick." Emmereaude embraces Ocean and steps back into the circle.

...Silver Wryn steps into the circle. She looks to the heavens and says: "Lady please pardon my late arrival to the circle and thank you for your healing powers that allowed me to be well enough to able to be here tonight." Silver Wryn reaches into her pouch and brings out her gift to Magic Figures. It is a Tarot deck one that she holds dear. She hands the deck to Magic Figures and says: "May this deck give you clear visions and forever bring you great joy." Silver Wryn then asks the Lord and Lady to bring each person present thier greast wish for the new year. She quietly steps back in the circle filled with great love for everyone there and making way for....

Midnight steps forward, wearing a shimmering robe of white, light but warm.... it glitters in the moonlight as the snow, and sways softly in the chill breeze.... She wears around her neck a chain of wood carved by a dear friend, bearing a heart-shaped stone... She steps to the altar, feeling the crunch of the snow beneath her white moccasins.... she places on the altar a small brown pouch, made of soft leather, containing a small green stone which bears a natural heart shape on one end...She looks to the face of the moon, and speaks... "Blessed Lord and Lady... I thank you for opening my heart and allowing me to feel once again the warm glow of pure Love.... I have nothing to ask of you, but that you guide me on my path, and keep me in the Light of your infinite Love" Midnight smiles, and looks at the snow for a moment before approaching Hyssop... taking from her pocket a bottle filled with a clear liquid... she hands it to Hyssop with a warm smile... "This vial contains the tears I have cried over the past 6 months... tears of joy and tears of pain... when you have wounds to heal, be they physical, emotional, or spiritual, use a drop from the vial..." Midnight hugs her and returns to the center of the circle...

She completes the Rite, opens the circle, and the group goes to the warmth of a nearby cabin for cakes and ale...