FULL MOON RITUAL August 1998

It was just after the evening meal as Morrigan worked her way up the dirt path that trailed through the woods. The Stang in her left hand served as a walking stick, and the pack slung between her shoulders carried all that she would need. What she hadn't thought to bring, the forest would provide.

She moved with purpose, pausing every so often to mark a fallen tree or stone with the bit of chalk she carried in her hand. By these signs the others would come; when all was ready. The air was cool and damp under the canopy of leaves. She continued up the sloping path, her spirit absorbing the energy of the wood life surrounding her. The heady fragrance of earth, wood and animal filled her with a sense of comfort and expectation.

The place she was headed for was special, secret. No one had ever requested to come with her; no one had ever been invited, until this day. She smiled in satisfaction, for in her heart it seemed very fitting that these women would gather with her in this place and share the deep magick. Just ahead of her, to the left of the path stood the aged Bur Oak that marked a passage down the steep bank of a wide gully. Cut by a creek that gurgled off to the south, the gully provided all the seclusion necessary for the work to come. Following a natural staircase of roots and rock, Morrigan made her way down from the edge. The climb was steep and she was grateful for the extra footing the Stang supplied. She landed on a brief ledge of sandstone.

What little bank there was ended abruptly as the creek curled around to the right; on the far side lay a wide expanse of sandy shore. It was here that the ritual would take place. Crossing the creek by the stones she had placed there long ago, she noticed that the water level was a bit higher than usual, and the beach was strewn with sticks and leaves blown down or washed up from the recent flooding. It was obvious that clean up was the first order of business. She set the Stang and pack aside and went to work.

When her task was completed she sat down on an outcrop of sandstone to rest and dig through the pack for her supplies. The torches that had clunked against her neck on the trek there came out first. There were six of them in all and she placed three of them along the foot of the gully wall, not too close to the ivy that hung down. The remaining three she spaced along the edge of the creek.

When night fell, these would provide all the light that was needed. Walking over to the stack of storm debris she rummaged about and stood up with a small branch with a good amount of leaves still clinging to the wood. With the strong end of this she drew a circle between the columns of torches. Then, using the leafy end as a broom, she swept over the sand within. She was not brushing away footprints, for the sand was hard packed. It was a cleansing of energies. And a moment in time for her to pull up the essence of the space let it mingle with hers and feel the recognition. This was her sacred space, and the land knew her.

When she was finished she traded the makeshift broom for the Stang and trowel. Standing in the center of the circle, facing North so that the creek flowed to her, then past to the South, she knelt down, dug a hole and erected the Stang. It was a lovely thing, the forked branch of driftwood that the River had given her last summer. The shaft was straight and true, smooth to the touch from time and water. The prong to the right curved in and out in a very snake like manner, while the one to the left vaguely resembled an antler. To her it seemed perfect, and she had yet to attempt to improve upon Natures design with carvings or ornament.

In a brief sweep of her surroundings she gathered four flat stones and marked the quarters with them. From her pack she produced: a nine inch wooden pentacle that she placed at the foot of the Stang, four slender, white tapers that she placed on the quarter stones, and three large pillars that she placed on the sand between the pentacle and the Stang. The blue to the right, the yellow to the left and the white in the center as a working fire. The quarter candles would be lit in turn by this pillar.

In the very cleft of the Stang was a small hole. Morrigan pulled out two wands of Frankincense and fitted them into the opening there. Delving back into the pack for clippers she moved to the gully wall and snipped the ivy strands she needed, then gathered Goldenrod, Queen Anne's Lace, Red Clover and Daisies from the brush that grew at the top of the gully ledge. With these gifts of the forest she wove the circlet she hung between the tines of the Stang.

She stood back and surveyed her work with satisfaction. The space was prepared. Now it was time to prepare her self. She walked over to the sandstone out crop where her pack lay, removed her clothing and stepped into the creek. The water was waist deep and warm on her skin. She lay back and let its gentle current wash over her, taking with it the sweat and stress of the mundane world.

The sun was sinking the others would be arriving soon. She rose from the water, dried and dressed herself in a plain white tunic. Around her waist she tied a netted belt of hemp. Knotted into its' design were strands of shell and bead that hung from her hips, swaying with her movement. Her feet she left bare. Her hair would dry quickly and curl about her face in its' usual way. The single piece of jewelry she wore hung from a silver chain around her neck: a small purple flask with a large moonstone in it's setting.

The blink of a firefly caught her eye and she followed its' path through the air. Twilight had come. It was time to light the torches.

The night is cool and clear. The sky brims with stars and the Moon has risen above the grasping trees. Beyond the torchlight the forest is hung with velvet shadow, and from its depth comes the night song of a thousand insects. Morrigan stands at the Stang. Around her all have gathered, watching as she lights the candles, then the incense. When the sweet aroma of frankincense fills the air she moves around the circle, greeting each in perfect love and trust; marking their foreheads with the oil from her flask. She steps back to the Stang, and in a strong clear voice announces:

"This circle is about to be cast. All stand freely within to greet the Lady and Lord. Only love is welcome here." She takes the white pillar from its place on the sand and walks to the North quarter to Cloud...

...who is still awed by the beauty of this place, and takes a moment after lighting the quarter candle to feel the life of the forest and the beach. Her long hair catches the breeze, the moonlight glancing off the slightly increased gray, and the customary green-brown robe flutters just a bit. She has worn a new copper bracelet for this occasion, coiled on her upper arm like a serpent and also gleaming - perhaps with some light of its own -and it is this arm that she raises to the Northern spirits, her only tool a bendy stick that she found on the way in.

The stick goes to lie on the sand beside the candle, and as it comes to rest the air glows a little greener, perhaps, and we feel through our feet the heartbeat of the mother and the slow warmth of abundant giving. Cloud gives us a good long moment to feel our roots, and finally speaks:

*Hail, powers of the North, first Earth of Earth, strength of the mountain, beauty of fruitfulness, power hidden in the dust. We come together in this place at the time of your glory, to give our thanks and ask our blessings. Join us this night, if you will, a solid ground on which to stand as we participate in the constancy of change. Be here, now*

The sand warms our toes as we murmur "blessed be" and turn to the East...

...Norda nods to Cloud, giving her a quirky grin, as she takes her place at the Eastern quarter. Her lavender crinkle dress, belted with silver, black and gold cord woven last summer under the Barley Moon, brings out the changeable colors in her bright eyes. Those eyes twinkle in anticipation and content this Moon.

Norda fingers her amethyst pendant set in its round old gold filigree setting, and whispers a thanks to the one who gave it to her. From her ever-present red belt pouch, she takes her silver-backed moon mirror and a small package wrapped in a lace handkerchief. She unwraps a tiny goblet of smoky grey glass filled with pebbles and places goblet and mirror at the easternmost point of the Circle.

She stands up, raises her hands, and calls:

"Hail and welcome, Guardians of the East!
Hail, powers of air, keepers of thought and inspiration,
free and unfettered, changing and sustaining the breath of life,
winds that sweep the world unceasingly.
Be with us, here and now, in this sacred space.
Be welcome here!"

Norda returns to her place in the Circle and looks to the South...

...Nymue steps forward facing the South. Raising her hands skyward she calls:

"Lords of the Watchtowers of the South,
Lords of Fire; Spirits of Fire,
Creatures of faith and will.
Blessed be the spirit of fire !
In innocence I am born
In faith do I grow
In strength am I purified
In Protection I walk."

Lighting the candle set at the quarter, Nymue stares into the flame, feeling its force, power of life, power of destruction; a cleansing warmth. In the flame she can feel the warmth and passion of the life around her.

"I do summon, stir and call you up,
We call upon the forces of Fire to burn away regrets
and shine your gentle rays upon us for growth.
Witness our rites and guard the circle."

As the glow of the flame mingles and dances with the ruby at her throat, she draws from the folds of her white silk gown a blade. A blade of crystal as brilliant and fiery as fire itself, a handle of malachite to protect the bearer, and a herkimer in its hilt. Raising the blade Nymue make an ancient sign overhead, while lightening cracks the Southern sky.

So Mote it be.

Nym returns to her position with in this enchanted place to await...

...One River stood gawking at Norda and thinking... "HEY... you know... she DOES have a "quirky" smile... but *I* LIKE it!"... when kerplunk... a small acorn landed right on her widdle head abruptly returning her to the lovely moonlit night..

Startled and a bit embarrassed, River rubbed the growing knot above her brow, OUCH... GEEZ... ALRIGHT ALREADY... the sky ISN'T FALLING after all... I just bozo'ed out for a minute. A quick glance at the others in the circle, and the stifled giggles assured River she was still loved.

Humbled a bit, One River moved from her place to stand before the altar a moment to center... focus and intent... focus and intent... focus and intent... (shua)...

She then made her way to the Western Quarter and while allowing the gentle gurgles of the nearby creek to bring their music to her heart, she marked the ancient sign for "cup" in front of her... she felt the movement of the water within her own body with express aliveness as the Mother in her Fullness addressed their relation...she envisioned the flow of the creek beyond this sacred circle as it journeyed forward to the Great Ocean; She could sense within its water-song the stories of its travels from its source... gentle rains of beginning, torrent passages of change over rocky terrain and the challenge of turns within its course... the flow uninterrupted...

"Hail Ancients of the West, if it be your will... be with us now."

From the folds of her skirt she produced an old canning jar with rusting lid. Housed within were thirteen tadpoles set in dark river water and cushioned somewhat by the ooze of their own beginning... each seeming to have magically "appeared" from within this ooze... One set the jar at the quarter point when she noticed that one of the little 'poles' was already getting his legs...

She returned to her place in the circle to wait for...

...Morrigan, who replaces the pillar and stands still before the Stang. Her eyes close and her arms slowly rise to cross her chest. Her breath deepens, her body shifts: arms rising to embrace, hold and release slowly, falling back to her sides. She holds her left hand out from her body, palm facing the ground, touching the energies of the Earth Mother, feeling the tingling sensations as her skin flushes and grows warm. Her right hand draws into a upward fist, lifting the energy toward her, drawing it up, though her body, feeling it surge through her feet and legs, then each chakra, pulsing, building until she is completely filled and can hold it no longer. Her arm drops to waist level and, with her palm back, she directs a beam of golden light around the circle, chanting:
"In this place that is not a place
In this time that is not a time
By my will I create
The 'Is To Be'
The Mother supports my feet
And Her Consort is by my side
Above me, below me, and all around me
Are the guardians
Forming a web of golden light
That contains the power raised herein
Until I release it

So mote it be!"

Moving back to the center of the circle, her arms spread out in salute Morrigans voice calls out:

"She who is called by many names, and the oldest name,
Mother, I call You.
From the fertile Earth
From the pulling tides
From the wind swept prairie
From the midnight sky
I call You!

Join this circle, gathered to honor You. Bless Your daughters with wisdom and lend Your energy to our work."

Her arms move to cross her chest and she continues:

"To the Lady's Consort I call out!
He who is born from the belly of the Earth
to live and die and live again.
Lord I call You!
From the tangle of the forest
From the runing of the stag
From the blazing of the summer
Into the embraces of the Hag
I call You!
Join this circle and bless those gathered
with Your strength and courage.
Lend Your energy to our work."

An expectant hush settles over the circle. Shadows along the gully wall dip and sway, dancing with the light of the torches, then melding together into two silhouettes standing side by side.

"My Lord and my Lady, be welcome."

The shadows seem to nod in response and an air of benevolence fills the circle.

Morrigan turns to face the Stang. In her hand she holds a green taper rolled in Mugwort, Elder and Thyme. She crouches and sets the candle at the western point of the pentacle, then touching flame to wick, says:

"I light this candle for my Sister Wren. May its pull unite our paths again. Through silent time and length of space, I send a vision of my face. And by my will, in her instill a drive to hear my voice. Take up the search Wren. For the good of all, and harm to none, as this candle burns, my will is done."

Morrigan turns and takes her place in the circle to await ..

...Cloud, who seems a trifle dazed and insists that everyone look at the picture she's carrying before she proceeds. We oo and ah appropriately, and indeed it's not that hard, for the child depicted is winsome indeed. Her dark eyes and dad's cheekbones show off her Native heritage, her hair is just like mommy's, and her long fingers must be meant to show whose NIECE she is, since they look just like her dad's older brother's and nobody else's.

Eventually Cloud carries the photo to the altar, with a pink ribbon and a leaf of the mulberry tree that will be big enough to climb just about the time this child is big enough to climb it. She hopes for this little one all sorts of things, but especially wishes her strong on this night. She holds Alyssa's picture up to the stars and the beaming moon, almost as if it were the baby herself, places the photo on the altar, and goes back to her place grinnin' like a fool, to await...

...Norda, with a snow globe of New York City held in her hands. She looks up at the great silver Moon now high above, then at the familiar faces around her gathered here in this special place, and sighs. Normally she would be ecstatic at Cloud's news, but the photo of Cloud's newest grandbaby only sharpens her own need to petition The Lady this evening.

"Mother Moon, I petition you not for myself, but for a family very dear to me, more kin than my own blood folk. I ask your blessing for little Joseph, born under Your shining light not even a week ago. Help him to continue to grow and thrive so that in six months he can be strong enough to survive the surgery he needs. His parents, Andrew and Marie, need him very much, and there are many who will grieve if Joseph should move on to the Summer Country so soon."

Norda is dry-eyed...her tears will wait. She musters a smile for the ladies fair within this Circle, and steps back into her place to await...

...One River Steps forward holding a deep reverance for all that is life...she can so easily see the dance of light reflected in Cloud's eyes... as well as the sorrow that is a part of not only Morrigan's but our dear friend Norda's... each for beautiful new humans that have enterred into this world.

When she had asked to call the Western quarter, it was with the intent to send her Oldest into the world... in a way Kelley was passing from her, a little death at best, but gone... to a place of renewal and then rebirth into her adult life she had stepped... River saw Kelley as a dream she was setting sail across the great waters of time... But now as she moves to the altar to petition the Great Lady she sees a child in herself that demands a moment, who wishes to speak to all Children of the Goddess.

"We are not so different you and I...
Though I found a gray hair yesterday...
And You may yet stare with the gray eyes of your water journey...
How long I wonder before my own peepers return to that gray gaze
As I begin my travels home and leave this world of volume behind
My heart still sings for a summer rain v I have heard the Earth Tears bounce on a Riverstone
Have lived the burning fires of change
And through it all it is her embrace I remember...
The patience of her love as I fumbled within her dream..."

"And instead of asking I want to only be thankful
for the instances I recalled the Lady's Face
When I found the strength to carry on
When I found the courage to smile."

In the sudden silence, One steps back and watches as...

...A shadow figure steps forward...

I'm surprisingly quiet for someone my size... "I bet the others never even noticed my presence!" I smile a little and take a few deep breaths.

"Mother, we've come such a long way in the last few months... well just in the last month - St. Louis, Kalamazoo, Chicago, and now I'm home (at last) in California. Wow. Talk about trying to find youself in everyplace but home. I can't thank You enough for Lamas, it was just what I needed. You gave me everything I needed this last month. Now I have Allison back, I have money, and I have my home and community. And I give back to You by promising to follow Your path into formal training... just let me remember, or rather, help me to remember that which I intuit, my wild magic.

I see You more and more every day in all that I do and I thank You for showing Your beautiful face, and blessing hand in my life of late. Goddess, may I bring the same blessings to others!!! I have three requests for myself - a nice home, a well-paying job, and another practice run in love, only maybe a bit longer this time. I am learning and getting better, don't You think?"

"Now for the top ten Daughter requests for others! Mother, please bless my parents. Help them in grief at watching their youngest leave and show them the strong wings they have given me. Bless them thrice for the love, understanding, and support they have shown me. Oh Goddess, help me show them it was right to have faith in me. Bless Daniel and Kristen in their marriage, 'cause, You know I really think they have what it takes to make it. Please help Candi get her life together so she can provide Tyla with a secure, healthy, and loving home. Goddess, You know she really needs it. Of course, bless little Tyla, too, and for her sake, help Mike keep his patience, and always show his love. I know life has been a soap opera lately, and You know I wouldn't have it any other way, but from all this chaos and anarchy of life, please make their paths gentle. I remember praying when I was a child, and fervently asking my prayers to go to those in Hell so that their suffering would ease. Is it any different now? Goddess, please place Your healing hand on the hearts of Sandy and Debby, and ease the anger from deep hurt I see in my Sisters. Oh, and I make a special request for Kerrigan. I have no idea what her Path is in this life, but she needs and wants Your voice, Your presence, in her life. Um, could You become a little more clear, even if it becomes ridiculously obvious the way You end up communicate with her, please make Yourself known a little better. If You are communicating with her, she seems to not understand the manner in which You are doing it."

"Oh, and while You're at it, can I have the Moon?"

"Actually, it all boils down to this: Please give me what I need and the gracious manner with which to take it, and please grant a few of my wants... kinda like Yule."

"My lovely Mother, You were looking especially fabulous today and I actually left the mandir feeling happy and content. I am, and always will be, Your loving and devoted (becoming quite the fundie, aren't I?) Daughter and friend."

"Then, turning to the others, I take another deep breath. Ladies, I sing this to you in my joy for the turning my life has recently taken. It's from 'Once on this Island' and it's about the Mother, specifically Asaka, a Carribean Goddess."

"Walk with Me, little girl
Don't you be afraid
Follow Me, little girl
Let Me be your Guide
A pretty thing like you will need a thing or two
And whatever you need Mama will provide
Down the road, little girl
You may lose your way
All alone in a world that may seem too wide
But sit on Mama's lap,
And I will draw a map
And whatever you need, Mama will provide."

"I'll provide you
Moss - to soften the road
rocks - to sit on
trees - to sleep underneath
sand - fun for your toes
Plantains - to fill up your belly
reeds - to fan your face
grass - for making your bed
Mosquitoes?
HA!"

"Bugs will bite, little girl
And the night will fall
All alone in the dark you'll be terrified
But you will make it through
'Cause I am liking you
And whatever you need, Mama will provide
Oh, walk with me little girl
and I'll take you far
Around each bend, little friend,
I'll be by your side
That's what a Mama's worth
To give Her child the Earth
And whatever you need, Mama will provide."

And again, in the sudden silence, one figure fades back into the circle to await another...

...and Nymue steps forward, placing a wreath of Jasmine on the Alter that Morri set.

In her hand a mixture of seeds. She looks lovingly at the seeds for a moment than reaches her skyward.

"Blessed Lady, as my work begins again with the children, let them be like these seeds. Each different, but all nourished by your light. They will bloom differently, each in their own time. Let your guidance give them the roots they need to grow, survive...live on during adversity. Your warmth to look to. The cycles of the year to teach them the need for change. This I ask of you."

A breeze whips up, blowing the seed from Nymue's hand. Nym panics for a moment, fearing for the seeds, but then knows, these seeds ARE like the children she works with. Most will make it, yet some will not thrive. They will germinate and bloom according to what is to be.

"So Mote it Be."

Turning back to the circle, Nym' sees the faces of dear sisters....thinking t her self; we are like these seeds , growing

and at time struggling, all within the turning of the wheel, yet each blooming in our own time. Before returning to her place Nym' stops to hug Norda... wishing she could assure her all will be well...

As Nym's form blends into the circle, Morrigan returns to face the Stang.

"Lady of the Earth,
Lord of the Harvest,
We are grateful for your precense here
and thank you for the blessings You leave with us this night."

Turning to the North she says,

"Spirits of Earth, Keepers of this sacred space
I thank you for your strength.
Go in peace from this circle."

To the West,

"Spirits of Water! Keepers of love and friendship.
I thank you for your healing.
Go in peace from this circle."

To the South,

"Spirits of Fire! Keepers of passion and creativity,
I thank you for your protection.
Go in peace from this circle."

To the East,

"Spirits of Air! Keepers of knowledge and of dreams,
I thank you for your inspiration. Go in peace from this circle."

Turning back to the Stang, Morrigan raises her arms above her head, then slowly lowers them down to her sides, saying:

"The web of life is an endless circle,
never to die, only
to change form.
What was begun is now finished.
Welcome home these energies borne.
The circle is open, never broken."

"It is so."