As the Yule log burns down, Owl quietly walks around the yard. It is dark and very cold here in the Northeast. The wind chill is well below freezing. The herb circle is nothing more than a lumpy spot under the blanket of snow, and the sharp smell of winter hides all of the softer scents of mints and herbs as they hide beneath the frozen earth.

Pine and juniper hover close to the house, hugging the warmth from the candlelit windows. A row of garden lights wind along the path to porch, where a small tree stands quietly in a burlapped root ball.

Garlands of cranberries, and balls of birdseed crushed in suet are nestled in the branches. A small 5-pointed star sits atop the tree encircled in a silver garland. Soon the tree will be brought into the house, just for a day or two, then taken back to join the row of pines which has been growing, one by one, each year for the past 12 years.

The house is warm with the scent of bayberry, and pine ... a vegetable beef soup is simmering on the stove. Fresh cheese biscuits are in the basket warmer. The house has been cleansed, and gifts are wrapped .. awaiting the gathering of those who would join us for the Full Moon Ritual on the 24th.

As each visitor begins to arrive, they grab a cuppa soup, and the fresh biscuits, and just take the time to renew old friendships, laugh, hug, and experience the joy of coming together again

Owl welcomes all to this the December honoring of the Full Moon. ... As all come to join with us, she asks that they first go out into the garden ... breathe deeply of the frosty, pine scented air. Turn about, and watch the stars, the moon, the glint of moon cast shadows on the freshly fallen snow. Quietly attune yourselves to this winter evening. The hushed beauty of the night, clear and crisp, with echoes of sounds once heard in dreams. The chill of the air seems to set the skin aflame, both hot and cold sensations ripple over bodies cloaked with symbols of the old lore. Know your world in all its glory, yet with all its pain.

As we watch each other, we can see the warm breath forming ethereal clouds before us. Breathing deeply, we take in the frost, which is almost painful in its purity. .. .. Grounding ourselves in the winter night, we turn and head back to the candle lit house. Stepping into the warmth, with comforting aromas of food and simmering herbs, we know the feeling of coming home. As the season on Yule is upon us, we understand how the earth must feel in its darkest times, and how important is the promise of renewal.

Owl leads all to the great room, which has been cleansed and marked for circle. As each takes their place, she raises her staff and makes the sign of the pentagram. Then, proceeding slowly deosil, she spreads the salt and marks the circle boundary. Stepping to the altar, which now has pine cones, and berry laden holly, she dips her athame into the chalice of spring water ... again making the sign of the pentacle. Lighting the bayberry candles, she turns to center and says .. "I cast this circle in love and light ... may all who gather be at peace, may all stand within the protection of the God and Goddess by all names known to those here present.... so Mote it Be

Owl then steps to the edge of the circle and waits for the quarters to be called ....

Nymue' steps forward in a gown of midnight, appearing to be one with the night. Turning to face the East, she stretches out her arms to the pale glow of the moon. As a breeze appears, she slowly twirls and faces outward towards the East.

"Hail Watchtower of the East .. Guardians of the Air, We greet you now in love and trust. As you stretch across the land, mingling the moisture of the seas with the arid air of the deserts, transporting the seeds to be replanted, renewing the lands. Your force shapes the rocks and feeds the tides. You bring us the cooling breezes and the winds of change. We now ask you to bring your protection to this circle, we wish you to join with us in honoring the moon as a sign of the Goddess, who balances the light of the God in her being. Hear my words! .. So mote it be!

Candles flicker as Nymue' returns to her place in the circle. The Guardians of Air, Watchtower of the East stand sentinel. Blessed Be!

Targe leaves his place in circle dressed in the kilt of his fore bearers, soft leather boots on his feet and a cloak of deep blue on his shoulders. He walks around the circle greeting all who have gathered here and places a piece of malachite in their hand to guard their travels for their trip from whence they came. His heart is filled with joy as he sees the faces of dear friends and the faces of new. He walks toward his dear friend Owl, hugs her warmly and kisses her cheek ever so softly. He turns toward Red Deer and hugs his dear friend and thanks him for this night.

He walks toward the alter and reaches into his sporran, takes out a bough of holly and places it on the alter. He reaches into his cloak and removes a candle the color of shimmering blue water, lights it and faces towards the West. With arms held high he says:

"Guardians of the West. Sacred water and life's blood of the earth, join us in this celebration of the rebirth of the sun. Guard your quarter and watch over all that has gathered here this night. So Mote It Be"

He places the candle on the alter and takes back his place in the circle and waits for....

So that the Circle may complete ... Owl turns to the South, raises her arms and calls ... "Hail Guardians of the South, Watchtower of Fire, I call upon you to bless and guard the circle of those who come to honor the Deities. Join us now in warmth, and cleansing power." So Mote it Be!

Owl then turns to the North and calls ... "Hail Guardians of the North, Watchtowers of the Earth .. I call upon you to Bless and Guard this circle of those who come to honor your Deities. Join us now in earthbound mysteries, with nurturing and promise of renewal." So Mote it Be!

Owl steps to the center of the circle ... Raising her arms she calls softly ... "Hear me, Mother ... We are here to honor you at this special time of year. We stand as midwives at the birthing bed." Taking her small cauldron and chalice from the altar, she pours the clear spring water into the cauldron ... "As the natural flow of waters bring forth life, we honor you as you bring forth the new Sun God" .. she then pours the water back into the chalice and sprinkles salt into the cauldron. "As the promise of renewal is fulfilled, we stand as healers to cleanse the earth." .. She then pours a bit of oil in the cauldron, and places a red candle within ... Lighting the candle, she says.. "with the element of fire, we cleanse the flow" .. and finally, using her athame to draw the pentacle above the cauldron, ... "through the element of air, we cut the cords of binding and free the Sun from its dark time." Bowing over the cauldron, Owl invokes the Lady ... "Mother, glowing in all your beauty above us, come and visit for a while ... Step proudly within our circle which has been formed in your honor. Your family stands before you, and around you. In friendship, love, pride and confidence, we call you to our circle .. So Mote it Be!"

As the energy fills her, Owl turns slowly Deosil watching each dear face as the power of the invocation reaches out and gathers all within the close ties of "family". Finally, she faces Red Deer, and holds out her arms, and with a wide grin ... she waits ....

...only to see Red Deer grinning back just as widely. No bells wears he this evening, although the frost in his hair - still present after their foray outdoors - provides the faintest sound of crystal chimes. Deer steps forward and rests his hands - palms up - in Owls, then draws back to turn deosil about the circle. Each here gathered receives a welcoming smile and a wish for peace and prosperity.

Deer moves toward the altar and intones, "Hear me Father... You as well we honor. Three days gone have You returned from the long, dark night. We sing You to life. We sing You to light. We sing You to strength." Deer then reaches in to the cauldron, stirring its contents with the index finger of his right hand, which glistens as he withdraws it. "Of air and fire, water and earth was this blessed and called," he says - raising his hand above the heads of all gathered and carefully watching the pendant drop upon the end of his finger. "Yet the last was not named."

As the drop begins - in seemingly slow motion - its descent back toward the cauldron, Deer chants, "Spirit. That which makes the singular a part of the whole. That which draws the one ever back to the many. That which both separates and unites us. The gift of Lady and Lord to all, is rekindled.

"God of the peaceful times, born of light sundering the darkness - come again within our circle. God of the greenwood, born of the songs of earth and rain entwined - come again within our circle. Lord of the hunt, born of the blood spilt over the land - come again within our circle. We sing to You who annually traverse the Wheel. Struggle not alone towards Your destiny. As Her daughters stood by to midwife, Your sons stand by to foster. So mote it be!"

Deer then returns to face Owl within the circle. Once again with a broad smile, he gazes into her eyes, then gives her a great bear hug. "Perhaps, sister, we should be moving along. I fear that those who would petition have been kept awaiting!"

Owl returns the hug and reluctantly steps away ... the joining of the forces within the invocation had swept her away for a bit .. and the lingering energies coursed through her as she turns to those in circle ... may all your petitions be granted ... she steps back to the circle and waits ....

Owl steps slowly to the center and spins slowly widdershins, holding her athame before her. I Thank the Quarters, North, West, South, East, for their protection and presence here within our Circle. You are released, go in perfect love and peace. Making the sign of the Pentacle, she recalls the circle, and releases all energies held within. Owl then bows before the Altar and thanks the God and Goddess for their gifts renewal. Turning again to those gathered, she bids good-bye, and says "Merry Meet Again" ... So Mote it Be! Now ... Lets eat!!!