The Full Moon shines brightly in the cloudless sky, bathing everything in its silvery glow. NightShade stands under the canopy of branches of a large oak awaiting for the participants to arrive. She wears a long gown of deep emerald green. Silver crescent moon earrings dangle from her ears. Her wrists are adorned with wide silver bracelets engraved with moons and stars. About her neck she wears a silver pentacle necklace, and on her fingers two silver rings....a pentagram and a Goddess. Greetings and hugs are exchanged as the participants arrive. Finally all are present, and NightShade leads them into the woods following a barely visible path.

As we walk, the dry leaves and twigs of winter crackle and snap beneath our feet. Silvery moonlight trickles through the skeletal branches of the trees, lending a magickal quality to the forest. Out of the corner of your eye, you glimpse something. An animal? Or perhaps a faery? You turn to look, but it is gone. Still, you feel something is there....a presence, as if someone were watching. We continue to walk, and the feeling persists. There seems to be movement about us, but we cannot see anything. Faint sounds of music and laughter reach our ears, seeming to be all around us, but there are no signs of the festivities. On and on we walk, the sounds following us, until at last the forest opens into a large clearing.

In the center of the clearing, four large stones sit in perfect alignment with the quarters, forming a circle perimeter of perhaps 30 feet. In the center stands a stone altar. The stones and altar are weathered with age, yet retain their sense of majesty and power. The altar is covered with a cloth as green as a forest in spring, with a silver pentacle embroidered in its center. Upon the altar is a silver censer, the glowing ember within it visible. Next to the altar rests a large basket. Trees surround the clearing, protecting us from unwelcome eyes, yet leaving us in full view of the sky. Dew has already begun to form, and everything seems to sparkle in the moonlight. As you look at the trees, you see movement so quick it leaves you wondering if you saw it at all. It is here, surrounded by the trees and bathed in the light of the Full Moon we will hold our ritual. NightShade beckons all to form a circle, and she steps into the center. As she does so, the distant sounds of the unknown festivity suddenly stops.

"Welcome friends. I am honored to be leading this month's ritual, and happy all of you here have joined me. Tonight we are one turn closer to the rebirth of Spring, the return of the fertility of the earth. Ostara approaches, and soon the land will be covered with new growths and blooms, new generations of wildlife will be born, and the days will grow ever warmer and longer."

"Once again we have gathered upon the Full Moon to weave our web with deity and earth. We gather to give thanks, to ask for help, and to lend support. For those who have had to leave our community, we wish them well and that they find continued happiness on their new paths. For those who are just joining us, we wish them well and that they find the guidance, knowledge and community they seek."

Walking to the altar, NightShade removes a small container from the basket. She opens it and gently taps it over the censer. As its contents fall onto the glowing ember, the scent of bayberry wafts through the air. Picking up the censer, she faces East and lifts it to the sky.

"Hail and greetings to the Guardians of the East, you who are the elementals of Air. Whether as gentle sylphs that barely stir the air, or as raging winds that bend and break, you are always with us. Invisible, yet real, without you we would perish. You bring a freshness to our lives and our minds. I call upon and ask you to watch over this circle. Be with us and lend us your energy as we celebrate the coming of spring. Protect this circle, our sacred space, and all within from harm."

Placing the censer back upon the altar, NightShade takes a red pillar candle from the basket. She lights the candle and faces South as she lifts it to the sky.

"Hail and greetings Guardians of the South, you who are the elementals of Fire. Your energy, in its varied forms, is always with us. Always present in nature, we see you in lightening, sun and stars. Destructive, yet cleansing, your energy transforms the old into the new. I call upon and ask you to watch over this circle. Be with us and lend us your energy as we celebrate the coming of spring. Protect this circle, our sacred space, and all within from harm."

Placing the candle upon the altar, NightShade removes a bottle and a small crystal bowl from the basket. She opens the bottle and pours clears, fresh water into the bowl. Picking up the bowl, she faces West and lifts it to the sky.

"Hail and greetings Guardians of the West, you who are the elementals of Water. You are our lifeblood, the element which brings all life. Always present in nature, we see you in both simple and mighty forms, from dew to vast oceans. Cleansing and healing, you are the energy within us. I call upon and ask you to watch over this circle. Be with us and lend us your energy as we celebrate the coming of spring. Protect this circle, our sacred space, and all within from harm."

Placing the bowl, upon the altar, NightShade once again removes an item from the basket. In her hand she holds a large piece of obsidian, which she lifts to the sky as she faces North.

"Hail and greeting Guardians of the North, you who are the elementals of Earth. You are our source of nourishment, for it is your fertility and abundance which feeds us. You are manifested in many forms, from a single grain of sand to the highest mountains. You give us stability and keep us grounded. I call upon and ask you to watch over this circle. Be with us and lend us your energy as we celebrate the coming of spring. Protect this circle, our sacred space, and all within from harm."

Placing the obsidian on the altar, NightShade returns to the center of the circle.

"The circle is cast, our sacred space created. We are within and between time and space. Let none brings us harm while we weave our web. SO MOTE IT BE!"

NightShade walks to the circle and takes her place and awaits...

....SongSpring, who steps out from her place in the circle pausing a moment to give her dear friend NightShade a hug and her thanks for bringing them to such a wondrous place. SongSpring moved towards the altar. Flowing about her were her green robe and cloak which she wore this evening in honor of the Maiden, whom she represented this full moon. Upon her neck there was a sliver necklace from which there hung a sliver disk bearing a pentacle that rested between her breasts. Upon her left wrist she wore a sliver bracelet upon which were fashioned a myriad of spiral patterns reminding her ever of the spiral dance of life. On the bracelet was affixed a black opal. This bracelet was never removed and was a constant reminder to her of who she was and of the Goddess whom was with her and within her always. Raising her arms skyward, SongSpring looked towards the heavens at the full moon above them, drinking in its sweetness and power. The light of the moon seemed to swirl about her as she began her call.

"Blessed Maiden, we call upon you this eve to enter our circle and lend to us your power. Bring upon me now the essence of your being, that of the untamed virgin. May I now be a vessel of your nature as I become one with thee."

SongSpring pauses for a moment, lowering her arms. She closes her eyes as a warm, nurturing smile emerges upon her lips. She again raises her hands, but this time they form silent words, sign language. She circles her open palm about her face slowly to form the sign of beautiful, then as she closes her hand to the right of her face, she moves her hand to softly stroke her cheek in a slow downward motion forming the sign meaning girl or Maiden, as her hand draws down, she opens her palm, facing her fingertips upward while touching her thumb to her chin, the sign of Mother, then she fluidly closes her hand again while drawing her hand down and ever so slightly moving it from side to side, tracing a very long, imaginary beard, forming the sign meaning age... representative to her of the Crone. She finished off the sign for the Goddess which she now again formed, as was her tradition, by raising her arms to the heavens, inviting the Maiden within her. SongSpring paused a moment, eyes closed, arms still raised skyward. The light of the moon now seemed to shine from within her. She and the Maiden were now one, as she turned to face those within the Circle.

"I am She who is the Maiden. I come now before you in the vivaciousness of youth and the newness of Spring. I come now to herald before me the coming of the new season. As the wheel turns, so the seeds of Spring shall be planted and come forth from the newly awakened earth."

SongSpring turned again towards the altar, picked up the Chalice and began to walk deosil about the circle slowly as she continued speaking. "Within this Chalice I do hold the sacred water. This Chalice is like unto the Maiden, whom doth hold within her the sacred waters of life."

SongSpring returned to the altar, and stepped back to await Her consort, Chalice in hands, cradled in front of her.

Cu Dub MacArtuir strides forward to the altar, with a crown of brass on which the antlers of a stag are affixed upon his brow, wearing a saffron robe with woad blue trim. Around his neck, adorning his chest, is a carved boars tooth with the Horned One depicted. A Dirk upon his side, Cu approaches the center of the circle with arms skyward. With eyes to the Moon in splendor, Cu intones a call...

" Hrrnne, Hrrnne, Hrrnne.". The sounds of the stag in challenge." I call upon thee, Lord of the Hunt and of the fertility of the land. Come to this your servant and priest and imbue me with thy virtues and aspects of the Consort of yon Maiden. Bless this rite and gathering of the children of the land with thy presence. Lend strength to these rites and bring the seed to bear with the fulling of Spring." Cu then drawing in the essence of the Young Stag King with Dirk pointing to the sky, and slowly inverts the tip above the Chalice in the hands of the Maiden Spring. Calls in deep earthy tonals , " So the Blade is to the God...." .

SongSpring moves forward as she hears the call of Her Consort... "As the Chalice is to the Goddess"

Cu slowly dips the blade tip into the Chalice, and in unison they intone, "Ever joined become One." He withdraws the blade , reversing the blade back skyward and kisses the Dirk and resheathes it. Meanwhile, SongSpring raises the Chalice above her to honor the Maiden once more before replacing it reverently upon the alter. As the God form arises in him, heathen reaches his hand out to the Maiden and upon Her accepting it, embraces Her and kisses the Fivefold Kiss upon Her. The Stag then declares," Here is the Maiden. She has returned to bring life and fullness to our realm. Give thanks and bring thy petitions nigh."

Gazing once again into one another's eyes, now as the Maiden and Stag, SongSpring and Cu return to their place within the Circle making way for...

....NightShade, who steps into the circle once more. She can feel the energy of this place, and of those around her. She looks about the circle, and beyond, toward the trees. A faint smile comes to her face as she speaks.

"Friends, the circle is cast, and we are in the presence of the Maiden and her Consort. I now open this circle for your petitions. Weave your webs and share what is in your hearts."

She returns to her place in the circle to await...

....Flute walks into the circle, wearing all white with garlands of green hanging around her neck...Emeralds and crystals are her ornament. She greets the Lady and offers her poem for blessing.

SPARKLES OF SPRING

Sunlight breaks through the clouds

Refreshing the sparkle of hope

Dark shadows back into shrouds

Vanishing and mourning.

Slender rays of sunshine widen

vibrant colors brighten.

Welcoming light and butterflies

to renewal and dawning.

Warmth penetrates the day

Bringing back the joy

Of budding flowers dancing

Celebrating each new morning.

Flute steps back to await....

....RhiannonAriel steps into the center of the circle and pauses to feel the energy the beautiful invocations have raised. She proceeds to the altar and places on the altar two candles--one white with a schematic house carved into it, and one green with a dollar sign. She takes a small vial of sacred oil and anoints each candle, visualizing her goal--the sale of her house in Virginia. She "sees" the buyers getting their loan and all of them signing the closing papers. She "sees" the new family moving into the house and the check that she will receive from the sale that is intended for a down payment on a new house in Pennsylvania.

After anointing the candles she places them in the candle holders and raises her arms to the Goddess and the moon. She speaks...

"Beautiful Goddess, giver of life, I honor and beseech thee to look kindly upon me and my family. Please aid us in our time of need by facilitating the sale of our house so that we can find a new home in our new town where we can dedicate our lives to your worship. Powerful God, please add your power to our desire, and use your unlimited power to aid us in this sale. I bless you both and give you my adulations and power. I ask this in the name of the Earth Goddess and the Fire God, in the name of the Lady of the Moon and the God of the Winds."

RhiannonAriel now proceeds to light the candles, starting with the white, representing the house, then the green, representing her proceeds. She stares into the flames for a few moments, again visualizing her goal. In silence, she lifts her arms again to the moon, then bows and kisses the altar. From her robe she removes a single red rose and lays it between the candles as a gift for the Deities who will grant her petition. She then turns, regards the circle, and bows her head to them. Stepping down from the altar, she returns to her place and meditates on her petition, feeling the power of the ritual growing within her...

....The man steps closer to the circle and the group. He is average in height with Celtic dark eyes and black hair. Those eyes look up toward the Goddess's symbol, the full moon, as it lovingly and magically looks down upon the humble and wise gatherers. There is a sense of mystery about him, as he stands there in a robe, holding a wooden walking cane. He is almost the image of the Hierophant and the Fool, or maybe the Hanging Man and the Mage. But, he is still young and insecure, even if he had traveled over many lifetimes across the modulating Mobius strip, from Earth to Avalon, back to Earth, and again ... Yet through the ages, he is still a child in many ways with many miles to go ... .This insecureness is quite evident as he smiles and nodes with slight embarrassment toward the invokers: from NightShade to SongSpring to Cu Dub MacArtuir. He looks as if he is about to doff a hat in greeting, but realizes just before hand, that he is not wearing one. As such, his hands brush through his black hair and he smiles with a warm, lopsided grin.

The man walks even closer, he looks upon the altar and the stones with amazement and with tenderness, as if their powers were touching deep into his heart and soul, lending him strength for all he is to do and see. The invokers are now able to gain a better light upon their visitor. Around his neck is a small necklace that ends with three humanoids tied together in an embrace. Looking even closer, all can see these miniatures are to represent the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. The visitor himself now looks to be in his mid-twenties, but his eyes, his eyes shine in the moonlight, as if the pupils were hyperspheres delving deep into his psyche. But there is still the sense of uneasiness, that insecurity that holds him back fully for what the world offers toward those who willingly listen to the beauty and the splendor and the wholeness of the Goddess and the God, the Lady and the Lord.

"Greetings to you all," the man says, "this is an extremely beautiful sight chosen for the respect toward the Lord and Lady, the Maiden and the Consort, this March Full Moon. There is energy within this sacred region beyond the space- time barrier, a gentle and steadfast power for those who are willing to accept it." He brings forth a rose and a stone with the God symbol (circle with a "U" above), almost magically appearing in his left hand, and places them upon the alter. "I realize I am new, so please pardon my inexperience, I have no particular 'petition' toward the Lord and Lady and the Elements ... from what I have ascertained at this point in my life, they have all blessed me. For this time, I am content. I should just like to confirm to everyone ... to you NightShade and the rest ... those of you who have walked far longer than I have with the Lord and Lady ... ." The man pauses for a moment, as if to listen to the whispering of the faeries and spring's rebirth of nature, "my own gratitude for Them and for the way They have touched my life. Through good and ill, I have felt their guiding hands, their gentle presence. I am loved and I love. My name is Gelehrte, the Professor. Merry Meet. Thank you for this opportunity."

He steps back ..... allowing the next visitor to bring their own petition on this sacred gathering ...

....Boudica takes a step into the circle. She is dressed in a long sapphire blue gown, decorated at the neck, cuff and hem with gold embroidered runes and Celtic symbols. Around her waist is a knotted cord. On her arm is Owl. She raises her arm and Owl takes flight, perching above the gathering in an oak tree.

In the other hand is a wooden bowl with fruit, honey and nuts. She places it on the altar, bows, and speaks:

Greetings to you, gem of the night!

Beauty of the skies, gem of the night!

Mother of the Stars, gem of the night!

Foster-child of the Sun, gem of the night!

Majesty of the Stars, gem of the night!

For me and mine, I ask nothing. You have been kind to us, and we do not want. I seek guidance in things I must make a decision on soon. Grant me insight in these matters.

There is one who has touched my life, he is in need. Please help him find what he seeks, as he is special to me. There are two who have touched my life, who are ill. They are both terminal. Grant their families strength to cope with what comes, and may they all not suffer long, for they are special to me.

She stops, and turns, and looks at all who have gathered.

These are all who have touched my life. I am thankful, and ask your blessings, and a gift, to all, for their generous friendship, and love, for they are all, now, very special tome.

She smiles at all gathered, raises her arm. Owl drops quietly from the tree, back to her arm. She takes her place again in the circle, making a place for...

....Tyr steps up to the altar, she is wearing a simple robe in shades of browns and oranges. She has a small silver necklace on with the face of the Green Man in it.

"I also have no wants at this time, I merely came to thank the God and Goddess for the family that I have been blessed with. Two wonderful little girls that are growing up knowing the Goddess and a husband that is supportive of my chosen path."

She takes a white rose from her robe, one that she has grown and tended and places it upon the altar as an offering of her love. She steps back to make room for...

....Cloud, who takes time to round the circle, greeting new friends and old, and placing offerings at the stones: At the East, a spray of last year's baby's breath, at the South a string of last year's hot peppers... at the West, a bowl of snow, and at the North a handful of crocus bulbs. She moves to the altar, gazes at the moon for a breath or two, and speaks: *Mother, the winter seems longer this year. It seems I need a little extra patience while awaiting the blessings of Spring. Help, please* Cloud feels a burst of extra energy, and bows her thanks. She lights a yellow candle on the altar in aid of a student who is working especially hard right now, smiles again at all this wondrous assembly, and returns to her place to await...

Wildswan steps into the center of the circle, she lifts her silver chalice to the Full Moon, it is filled with rain water she wishes to send her love to a friend from whom she is separated...

Goddess hear me this night of the full moon

protect and guard my friend, let no harm come to her

Many blessing on you Mother, show us the way to

serve you best and bring peace to this world

Wildswan steps back.....

....a small figure cloaked in her black velvet cloak. Deosil she walks, silently... mysteriously. Her hardened hands remove a small package from within her wraps as she steps up to the altar. She raises it upward in salute to the full moon, and doing so the hood of her cape falls back revealing a wealth of raven hair and dark eyes glinting in the silver light. Lionflower holds the package to her breast and pours her prayer within, eyes tightly shut now, and deposits her gift upon the altar. She thanks the Goddess as Maiden for her new-found strength as she sways in the movement of her prayer-dance. She leaps! and runs around the weathered stone giggling and playful and hugging and kissing everyone. Her eyes shine brightly as the cougar spirit enters her. She grabs her sister Boudica and dances around. Leaves fly every which way and get caught in their hair... and then she stops, hugs Boudica, and revels in the chilly spring breeze that has been graced by melting snow. The power of the wind fills her and all others present. This is her gift to the community. She steps back to her place in the circle. She whispers a small greeting to ...

....SongSpring, who walks silently up to the altar. She stands there quietly for a moment before placing a small piece of rose quartz upon the altar. Upon her face there is both a smile and tears as she begins to say something in sign language. Her voice is heard saying only "Blessed Lord and Lady, I have so much to say and so many questions. Winds of change blow... I am resolved to the change and welcome, but the time shall not be easy for myself or anyone else involved...." Her words faded off as she communicated to the Goddess in the best way she could, in the silent, expressive, and emotional language of the hands. After several minutes of this silent exchange, Song stepped away from the alter appearing a bit more confident and resolved. She walked back to her place in the Circle beside Cu and embraced him leaving way for the next petitioner to enter before the altar...

....Before approaching the altar, Elenya, wearing a hooded robe of midnight blue with silver trim, pauses a moment to greet her friends, both old and new with a warm hug, then stops to breathe in the crisp, clean air surrounding her before approaching the altar. Feeling calm and centered, she brings forth a rose-coloured candle, lights it and places it upon the altar. Her arms outstretched to the sky, she begins to speak. "Mother and Father, I come before you with thanks this moon. Your healing energies have touched those close to me, and each day brings them closer to recovery. I ask you to guide me in the coming weeks to be there for them, and give me the strength to perform the extra duties I have taken on in their absence." Elenya lowers her arms and softly whispers "So Mote It Be", as she makes her way back to her place in the circle beside her beloved husband, Red Deer. Taking his hand in hers, she thanks him for his love and support, and awaits...

....NightShade steps into the circle once more. Going to the basket by the altar, she removes a smaller basket. She goes to each participant, giving them a gift....hollowed out eggs, dyed the vibrant hues of spring and inscribed with magickal symbols.

"My friends, keep these eggs as a symbol of the fertility of the Earth. Call upon their magick when you have need for it."

She returns once more to her large basket, and removes another small basket....this one filled with dyed hard-boiled eggs, which she lifts to the sky.

"Maiden and Consort, accept this gift which symbolizes your fertility, the fertility of the land as Spring once more comes to us. The winds of change have been blowing this past moon, and continue to do so. Grant me guidance and wisdom to deal with what these changes bring. Thank you for being with me, for my life is good. I know improvement is yet to come, and I thank you for it."

"One final thing I ask of you. Ever since my marriage broke up 3 years ago, my ex-husband has been harboring negative feelings and emotions. Time has not lessened, but increased them. They have reached a point where he is doing things he is not even aware of, much less intending to do. Help him find peace and the strength to let these negative feelings go. Give him the guidance he is much in need of. Thank you."

Placing the basket of eggs on the altar, NightShade returns to her place in the circle to await...

Red Deer, who breaks from the circle this cold spring night wearing the amber, the Celtic knot and the antlered pentagram of his faith. Deer passionately hugs his mate, Elenya, before turning to smile at each of those gathered. Moving deosil about the circle to a rhythm he clangs from two odd looking cymbals, Deer exchanges ritual greetings with each of those gathered here. To his old friend Nightshade, he murmurs "Here we have stood before, and shall again. Its age forever calls us, as we forever answer." Then, turning to Song and Cu, he commends "Lady and Lord - Thee I thank for coming so among us, and for inspiring this pair to such a beautiful drawing down and drawing in."

Completing his circuit, Deer moves to the east side of the altar, where he pauses - head bowed. He raises his cymbals to the sky - then striking them thrice against the ground intones, "Father, a gift from my daughter I bring. The training wheels she has learned to ride without, she asks that I leave upon the altar in hopes they may assist another child who has need." Grinning, Deer places them upon the stone.

He then removes two red sprigs from his hair, which he holds up towards the night sky and the full moon. In the light, the feathery sprigs show themselves as branchlets - ripe with the energy of spring about to burst from the forests' heart. "An offering from the red maples you garden in our yard - which even now prepare for the seeding of spring with new life."

"Much have You given me. I am blessed. For all this I give thanks, yet on this night seek Your aid. There is a new position for which I have applied - one working as a Nurse Practitioner at the Hospitals. I feel many things from this potential change, from the loss of old colleagues and happiness in my work to the challenge of expanded practice in a new setting. Guide me in this, and may the outcome be that which is best for my family, as You will. So mote it be."

Red Deer thrice circles the altar, before returning to his place in the circle of friends, taking Elenya's hand and awaiting...

....As Red Deer returns beside his Lady Elenya Cu slowly glides deosil around the Circle of friends, all new save his beloved Song, and greets them all with a kiss. He them complete a second deosil circuit calling out ," I thank thee Old Ones for joining in the Dance and witnessing our rites. as my gift of thanks I bring saplings of Oak, Ash, and Thorn in remembrance of the paths that Thee and we share in the love and honouring of the Land and our responsibility to be good stewards so that we the first and second born of the Land may live in harmony. I thank thee for allowing cold steel and iron into your sacred forest and now avow that I shall plant three live plants for each one that I take from>the earth in preparation of my homestead." Cu then walks to the altar and places upon it a block of myrrh resin. "this is my gift to the Other Realm. may the Priestess as the symbol of the Goddess in all Her forms here use it to help pave the way for our understanding of the paths we are to take through the Mists to She who shines ever upon us." Cu then kneels before the altar and kisses the centre front and steps back to his place beside Song to await...

Seeing no other petitioners, NightShade steps into the circle once more. She raises her arms and face to the sky.

"Maiden and Consort, we thank you for being with us this night, for listening to us, for sharing our hearts' needs and desires. Thank you for all you give to us as we weave our webs. Please accept our gifts, be with us always in your continuing love and support."

"To the Elementals, Guardians of the East, South, West and North, we thank you for being with us, for guarding our circle, and lending us your energy. We bid you farewell."

With these words, NightShade lowers her arms. Suddenly, the music begins again, coming from the surrounding woods.

"Come my friends. Let us not waste the music that reaches our ears this night. Let us dance to raise the energy of our circle."

With that, everyone begins a slow dance around the circle following the beat played by the unseen musicians. As we dance, the tempo of the music increases, as does the speed of our steps. As we dance about the circle, twinkling lights seem to appear, following our steps, joining in our dance. On and on the music plays ever faster, until our circling dance seems to create a whirlwind. At that moment, the lights disappear, the music stops, and so do we, sending the energy of our circle into the sky. After a few moments to catch our breath, NightShade speaks.

"The circle is open, yet never broken. It always remains here between time and worlds. So Mote It Be."

"Thank you one and all. I look forward to seeing you in the moons to come. May the Goddess and God bring you happiness and bright blessings. It is now a time for merriment, for laughter and feast. Come to the table and enjoy yourselves."

Motioning toward the open clearing, it seems as though tables filled with food and drink have appeared from nowhere. The music starts once more, and festive laughter can be heard from the woods.

NightShade smiles toward the woods where the twinkling lights can be seen. "Thank you my faerie friends, for joining in our circle and dance, for lending your energy to our work. Come join us in our merriment and feast, for you are always welcome."

With that, we retire to the tables. A fire is lit and we enjoy sharing food, drink and company with each other. As we laugh and eat, the lights move closer until finally they have joined us. The lights become the faerie folk, some of whom play the music we have heard this night, some of whom dance with us. They share our feast and companionship through the night, until we leave this magickal place for our homes.