FULL MOON RITUAL March 1998

Norda steps off a westbound Trailways bus into early afternoon light drizzle in a small city. Hoisting her bulging backpack a little higher on one shoulder, she walks briskly away from the bus station and heads uphill towards her destination. She is comfortable in her long black trench layered over her grey sweater, but is glad of her tartan wrap scarf... the air is warmish, but there is always more wind downtown, and this wind still bears a damp chill despite the best efforts of the March sky to clear.

It gets better after Norda has gone about half a mile, into Mansion Hill proper... the sun makes a determined appearance, the wind drops, and the air feels decidedly less raw. This trek through the old neighborhood remains one of Norda's favorite city walks, despite several years away, and she begins to hum, "Are there lilac trees in the heart of town?" City municipal buildings have given way here to brownstones and row houses with brightly painted doors and leaded bay windows, mews with fanciful wrought iron gates and geranium-laden windowbox gardens. Oval plates above inset mailboxes bear varying dates: 1846, 1868, 1872. Neighborhood businesses are interspersed amongst the residences; Norda passes Nepenthe and cannot help but grin at the memory of Joanna's poking good-natured fun at the little cafe: "It's bigger on the inside!" Thoreau the tuxedo cat blinks sleepily from the padded windowseat of the big diamond paned front window of Dove & Hudson Books, and Rufus the golden setter waits patiently on the steps of the mews leading to the wonders of The Cottage Farm Herb Shop, tucked away two levels below the streets of the city.

Norda reaches her destination about two miles from the bus station: a four story brownstone with a very wide three cornered bay window in front, a red door, and a doorplate bearing the date 1851. Green and white planters bracket the front steps, bravely displaying azalea bushes. She rings the first floor doorbell; getting no reply, she lets herself in with keys borrowed for this purpose and heads toward the door at the very end of the hall.

Letting herself cautiously into the apartment, Norda watches carefully for "low-flying cats" who may think they can make a bolt for the great outdoors. Sure enough, three small tabbies tumble into the front room of Kymberry's place, alerted by the sound of the key. They rub purrily about Norda's ankles as she makes her way through the large and airy living room. A huge vase of pussy willows on the low coffee table catches her eye, as does the distinctive green ink on the note lying next to it. Norda picks it up, reads, "Hey, girlfriend, this bud's for you!" and breaks into giggles at her friend's trademark punning. There is still much to do to prepare for the evening's ritual, and the afternoon passes quickly. Even though the days have become obviously longer as the equinox draws near, sunset still arrives early here.

At last all is in readiness... Kymberry has returned with groceries and prepared her famous crockpot chili & homemade pumpkin bread for after the ritual. The shadows have lengthened and old friends and new begin to arrive at this urban spot for the gathering to celebrate the March Full Moon...a budding Moon to some, definitely a moon of remembrance and transition for Norda...

One by one, those gathered here tonight, clad in garb of their choice, follow Kymberry and Norda through the kitchen to the back door. We walk down three wide shallow stairs and step into a stone-walled courtyard. The paving stones are old but still quite even; blank buildings rise above the walls but no windows intrude on any side, insuring privacy.

Signs of approaching spring have made their way into this courtyard; the buds on the maples in the North and East corners are fat, the red creeper and the ivy climbing the walls of the courtyard are vibrant with life, no longer asleep under frost. A forsythia bush stands bravely near the back door and its yellow flowers are bright in the setting sun. Empty planter stands in each quarter are covered with boards and each has several large jar candles waiting to be lit. Norda moves to the stone bench in the center of the courtyard, where Kymberry has laid out up Sun and Moon candleholders. She takes her newly acquired athame and, walking deosil, circling thrice, casts our Circle, as the sunlight fades and night begins to settle snugly upon this small square...

"With this hand I cast this Circle, in this time that is no time, in this place which is no place. I bid welcome to friends old and new in this place and time between the worlds, a bright celebration of Budding Moon, soon to be the time of Ostara, unfurling leaf, quickening life all around. Blessed Be All within this Circle!" Norda smiles and hugs those on either side of her and awaits the calling of the East quarter...

...Elenya steps forward, and briefly delays her invocation by walking deosil around the circle, giving all those gathered a warm embrace. She stops in front of Norda, smiling broadly and gives one last hug. Now content, she enters the circle and slowly walks towards the altar. She turns and faces East. With head held high and arms outstretched, she intones:

"Great Guardians of the East, Spirits of the Air, hear my voice. We welcome you here on this night. Sweet Air of Life that blows the gentle breezes of spring across the warming earth, come now join in our circle. Please share with us your powers and be a guiding force in the work we begin here tonight. Embrace us now as we ask you to guard the Eastern quarter of our circle." As Elenya slowly lowers her arms and pauses before turning, a warm breeze that encircles the room is felt by all. Elenya bows to the East and steps back into her place in the circle to await...

...Cloud steps forward, holding a red clay goblet with raised flames twining the sides. Nestled in the bowl of the cup, like something held in cradling hands, is a spherical red candle. The Earth will shelter the Flame this night, as she does still in the outer world. Cloud lights the candle at the altar, and then moves around the circle allowing each one of us to share: warm melt at the center of the planet, it moves into each of us as the tiny spark in every seed, the small flame at the heart of millions of future flowers. The white heat of the sun reflects as the red pulse of Will; each of us will hold Fire this night as it holds us warm in the wait for Spring. Perhaps we glow a little, our faces toward the miniature Sun in its cradle of fired Earth. Cloud places the candle at the South point and turns to await...

...Red Deer, who moves in this almost warm place with the sound of small bells. Also round the circle he goes, with a hug for each of the friends there gathered. Then, back at the place from which he started, Deer takes up the hand hammered copper bowl left there, with its charge of pure rain water brought from the southern part of the Summerlands. To West he moves... upon obtaining the quaterpoint he drops to one knee and gently places the bowl upon the planter waiting there. "Guardians of the West, Spirits of the waters which move within us, between us and beyond us - we invite you here to ward our circle this night. As your waters rise in spring, bringing life with them from within the earth, so do our spirits rise tonight with the rounding moon. Enter into our songs, our dreams and our petitions bringing fluid acceptance of the cycles of life, that we may each flow easily from that which was to that which will be, never missing that which is in either our longing for the past or our anticipation of the future."

This said, Deer pours a tithe of the water from his bowl into the candle jar, before lighting the candle now surrounded by swirling fluid. Seeing the western quadrant duly warded, he returns to his place among the circle of friends and waits for...

...Rowan, who smiles at all in the circle before moving to the Northern quarter. She opens the pouch at her belt and brings out a handful of earth which she sprinkles on the covered planter. She places a small walnut in the midst of the soil smiling slightly, then raises her head. She stands quietly, gazing on the budding maple, arms held close to her heart. When all are certain from the length of time that she must have fallen asleep, they finally feel the low thrumming. It vibrates through the bodies of all gathered. The ivy and red creeper seem more alive, the maple moves in a dance of earth and there is the smell of rich soil and green plants. The greening is coming and Earth is present in the circle. Rowan bends to light the candle then turns with a look of total calm and peace on her face. She moves back to her place and awaits...

...Wren steps forward in his skyblue dashiki with its gold-embroidered collar. He greets all those gathered here in Circle and looks up to the city skies. Above the buildings some stars are visible, and he is aware of countless others hidden teasingly behind city lights. He speaks in his precise way, "Greetings, Great Lord of Sky and Air, be with us now tonight in this celebration. Your life force is found in bird and beast, in the flow of electrons and the sweep of galaxies, in the hearts of your children here. Mate of our Great Mother, Guide and Protector, grave Scholar and impetuous youth, be welcome in our Circle, be with us NOW!" Wren lights the blue candle in the Sun candleholder on the stone bench altar, the sudden glow of candlelight sending his dark curly hair and eyes lost in smile-line crinkles into sharp relief, and for a moment it does appear that the Green Man has manifested among us...

...Kymberry steps forward in her pale green dress, nervous at calling the Lady in Circle for the first time, but reassured by the warm looks she gets from those around her. She lights the silver candle in the Moon candleholder on the altar and says, "Mother Moon, look upon us and be with us tonight as we celebrate the turning of another cycle of your seasons. Lady of woods and streams, we know you care for tose who live in cities too and who try to spread your greenness throughout your world, even if only in a windowbox flower garden. Guide us in your silver light as we try to preserve beauty on this planet in rain forest, ocean, and pine bush. Be with us tonight, here in this Circle..."

...Erendil, new to the circle, steps forward. He is dressed in a brown kimono he had purchased in his travels through Japan, the land of the rising sun. The woven design is the crooked cross of regeneration, and hand painted bamboo leaves of gold, white, and black, adorn the lower portion of the garb, which just touches the floor as he stands. He kneels before the Altar, and looking up into the glow of the candles, places a cowry and raven feather before the Altar. He stands and with arms outstretched, whispers "freinds", then with deeper resonance he proceeds. "I come before you and our Lord and Lady, to give thanks, to reaffirm the love and zeal for understanding of the wisdom of She, from whom all things were born, and Him who teaches the beneficent use of the male energy within. I ask that all attending concur and help raise my prayer to all the corners of creation. I ask that my daughter be blest with good teachers, that she find joy in her quest for knowledge, and not be hindered by prejudice, or other ignorance. On my behalf I ask that the healing touch of our Mother strengthen me and enable me to be a good parent to my daughter. Through your grace and our diligence, so shall it be. At this point Erendil with a mischievous grin ( for he can be a bit long winded), bows, with hands clasped palm to palm in a sign of peace, and steps back to the unbroken circle of friends, who have formed this vortex of power...

...Cloud steps forward, carrying her basket, as usual stuffed with miscellany: a photo of her grandson Keegan, approaching his second birthday and about to take his own real self to the big world of daycare. And a bright blue candle, because it's his color, which she lights and places with the picture on the altar for his continued safety, strength and lovedness. A copy of Amy's ultrasound, gender undiscernable but alive and kicking. Cloud places that on the altar, with a nice bright yellow candle for the safe delivery and good life of that mysterious little being. A toy version of the car Teeyah drives, with all the appropriate grandmotherly wishes, hopes and zaps. A copy of the book Tamrah wishes for the most, to nurtue her fascination with Egypt WHEN she has finished appropriately nurturing her English grade. Cloud stops unloading the basket and gazes at her tokens in amazement at all life offers and gratitude for the young'uns she is proud to call partly hers.

She circles the room, passing out the rest of the basket's contents: a candle for each of us, in exactly the right color, scent and/or shape to match our need this Spring. When each of us has Exactly The Right Gift, she moves to the West point to light hers, pale blue grounded on a castoff starfish found on a beach of sentimental significance, for a tough transition firmly based in love. It *WILL* all be for the best. Once more around the circle, with hugs, and then back to her place, to await...

...Elenya again enters the circle, with slow patient steps. She has come to say good-bye to her friends gathered here, as this will be her last time with them in this forum. She remembers the many moons that have passed over the past three years and the people that have come and gone. They have all had an impact upon her and the path she has chosen to follow, and she quietly thanks the Lady and Lord for bringing her to this place. Approaching the altar, Elenya lays upon it a bunch of rosemary sprigs. She lowers her head, and in silent reflection relays what she feels in her heart. Before returning to her place in the circle, she goes around the circle giving hugs once again, hoping to take some of this feeling with her in the new direction she must now follow. Elenya returns to her place in the circle and quietly awaits...

...until Red Deer steps again forward. A basket he dances with, until attaining circle's center, where he scatters its contents of pale pink and gold camellias - which have miraculously survived the past week's bitter cold - about the altar. Deer reaches again into his basket, this time withdrawing a palm of fresh orris dug from within the embrace of their home-oak's roots which he places upon the altar by Elenya's rosemary between the candles for our Lady and Lord. A final foray, and Deer withdraws a small free-form of polished amber which also goes between the candles.

"Mama, Papa... numerous have been the moons spent among these friends, but my time here comes now to an end. In leaving, I ask that you continue to watch over these with whom I have shared a path. May their circle grow in harmony. And though I leave, help me to keep in touch with my brothers and sisters here. I ask further healing for my friend Pat. Her surgery has gone well, and now she walks the long path of healing - both spiritually and physically. Please help her journey to be sure and swift."

Deer turns thrice about the stone altar, pausing in each quadrant to study the faces of friends gathered here, and to remember the faces of those who have gathered here before and are now elsewhere. "Keep all your children safe... and let our light of love and memory be a beacon to all who are in need."

Deer rounds the circle, with a hug for every friend whether here or not, before returning to his place and waiting as...

...The Moon wears a nimbus of silver haze like a kirtle, seeming almost to dance in the sky as the evening wears on. Norda steps forward again and moves solemnly around the Circle, clasping hands and bestowing hugs. She grins reassuringly at the uncustomarily silent Rowan, bows in welcome to Erendil, gives Cloud a conspiratorial wink, hugs Kymberry and whispers a heartfelt "thank you" for allowing her the use of this once-familiar courtyard, and links thumbs with Wren in their "brother" way. Quick tears spring to her eyes as Norda comes face to face with Elenya and Red Deer, but are just as quickly dashed away. "Scarecrow, I think I'll miss you most of all," she murmurs, and gathers them both into the biggest hug her tiny body can manage. Then Norda makes her silent petition to Mother Moon, the safe passage through surgery for herself and her mate being paramount in her thanks, but other blessings as well, not least of which being the love and light found here in this small square. She leaves on the altar a handful of lupine seeds, to take root wherever the wind wills, as her offering...

...Seeing no other petitioners, Norda silently bows...

...Softly and with much love... Annwn approaches Norda with finger poised on lips to silence the closure... one petition yet remains Dearest Friend...

I am so deeply moved by friends I see moving to other lands, that I must approach where I might be silent...

May my warmest hopes of futures realized follow you, may love without regret journey with you, may my full heart light your way home if home beckons...may the strength of truth guide you way...

a gentle kiss to the lovely Norda's cheek seals this...

So mote it be....

Annwyn steps back into the circle where she knows these words will be spoken...

"The cirlce is ended...but ever unbroken..."

...And again seeing no other petitioners, Norda silently bows to each of the quarter points, dismissing their Guardians with a heartfelt "thank-you" for blessing us with their presence this Moon. She speaks quietly and with deep feeling, "Our Circle is open but never broken. Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet again." She hugs all within reach as we head back to Kymberry's apartment for a hearty meal.

And the Moon shines brightly over the empty courtyard, as it has for millenia over field, forest, mountain, valley, ocean and city alike.