FULL MOON RITUAL September 1998

When Cloud came to the hilltop alone, the sun beat warm on her longish hike through young woods edged in gold and then a bean field, to a cornfield ringed with the hot red of turning sumac. She rustled her way between the cornstalks, her green-brown robe brushing leaves, and got a few tassels in her hair before arriving at the center of the field and finding that the circle had been mowed all season. Though the friends who owned this place have moved on since she visited last, she thinks, the new owners must also know the value of a smooth, grassy circle at the heart of harvest. Perhaps they will join us later.

When we follow Cloud up the hill, just at sunset, we too have a chance to bask in the season's colorful glory, watching the sun set over patchwork hills heavy with harvest. This is an odd place, full of human work in all these farms - you can even see the city in the distance. But the fields are seamed with wild woodrows, and other creatures teem the old round hills. There are deer here, grazing next to the cows and horses at times. The usual rabbits and squirrels and chipmunks abound, and there are (aren't there everywhere?) rumors in the gas station of bears or maybe coyotes in the woods. We don't know quite what, but the corn does rustle more than its leaves as we gather around the edge of the clearing.

The native stones, moved up here long ago for the plows, seem to have grown in their places at the quarters and the center of the circle, and the firepit now laid with a quite lavish bonfire has been used so long that the grass has retreated to a safe distance. Time of the Reaper it may be, but the bare margin of earth damp from recent rain should keep the fields safe from overeager flames.

The Moon rises over the sumacs, glowing on the quarter stones, where colored candles in tall glass holders stand ready. On the center stone, wreathed in wild grapes and wheat heads, stand tall Presence candles and an elegant red clay chalice decorated with flames.

Cloud walks the circle only once, the pale green light of her copper athame only serving to augment the glow already visible around the perimeter, and then takes two hands. We cast the circle quite simply, on this many-times-sacred ground that shouts with life, by being together, by being here. It takes a moment to *know* that the circle is cast, standing hand in hand, catching the eyes of kindred, marvelling at how far we can see across the hills, feeling deep roots in a new place. But then we find ourselves breathing in unison, and in that breath Cloud turns, and nods to Nymue...

...Nymue sat totally immersed in her conversation with her friend, "Little one, for one so small you are a tower of inspiration, the more I learn from you, I become aware of how little I actually know. Every answer leads to at least three times as many more questions, why is this?" The morning dove cooed gently, "Sister, that is one of the problems man still has to work out, in their arrogance, they place themselves above other creatures. You see animals accept, man expects! You EXPECT knowledge to be finite, instead of accepting it for the stimulus for growth that it is. Learning and growth are intertwined. You expect failure to be an end, instead of accepting failure for the learning tool it is."

"If the beavers dam falls to pieces while he builds it, does he give up and go away? Certainly not! He tries again learning from the experience. Allow yourself to accept rather than expect. Have you ever heard the deer say, 'I expect that bush to be loaded with berries?' If the deer finds a bush full of berries she accepts this gift of food, if the bush is void of berries does she sulk and starve? NO! She moves on to another source, she does not allow a failed expectation to ruin her day.

COUGH... giggles... What? OH!!!

Nym realized that she had become lost in the conversation with her friend and unthinkingly wandered away from her gathered sisters, who were now patiently waiting, some what bemused.

Nymue approaches, brushing away the twigs and leaves that had entangled themselves in her hair, while climbing the tree.

Nymue takes her place, facing the East... Arms stretched skyward. As a feather, a gift of inspiration from the morning dove, escapes her hair resting upon her shoulder, she gently calls:

Hear our Call, Ancient Ones, Spirits of Air, Guardians of the East, Bless us. Keepers of the Winds, We summon you as we honor Our Mother. Bring to us the cleansing wind, winds of life, breath of inspiration, home of the soaring birds. Through the Cauldron of Regeneration, may our Spirits be Connected As One. Bless our circle! Let it Be !

Before Nym' moves the breeze silently lifts the feather from her shoulder carring high into the night. Nymue' retuns to her place to wait...

...Valkyrie stretches slowly, feeling the fire of life within spark and crackle. She walks to her place in the South with her rattle, and gently begins to shake it. The sound of Rattlesnakes fills her ears as she begins...

"Spirits of the South, Guardians of the Watchtowers, sibilant salamanders whose fire licks and burns at the center of life, we invite your presence and welcome you as we honor our Mother. Bless us with your warm breath, stirring the creation within. Lead us with your light to live passionately, burning with purity of intent and the heat of our blood's fire. As the leaves turn to the splendor of your colors, and our harvest ripens under the blasts of your searing gaze, guide us, help us ripen too, in the ways of your Fire."

"Welcome and blessed be!"

As she lowers the rattle, she feels the flow of hot blood, and wipes her brow. Ah, yes, the dog days of summer! Val grins and laughs, turning towards the West, to await...

...Morrigan, who drops the hands to either side of her and turns to the West, and gazes out at the bands of color disappearing under the horizon.

"To the West I call! To the Spirits of Water and of Change that come in all forms, rushing to overpower and submerge, cleanse and reshape and rebirth. Reminding us all that nothing remains still and certain. Guard this circle tonight. Protect us with your watery embrace. Cleansing, shifting, re-defining."

With a deep sigh, she returns to her place in the circle to await...

...Cloud, who steps to the North, shaking most of the corn tassels from her hair. The one that remains... must be meant to stay there.

North is away from the city, away from the farms. Faces only another hill, higher than this, and covered with forest. How appropriate, she thinks, and settles to the heartbeat of the land. After a moment she lights the green candle in its glass cylinder, and raises it to the sky.

*Hail, powers of the North, first earth of Earth.
Come to us as we celebrate your power to create,
out of what to our limited eyes seems nothing,
This vast enormity of life.
Mountain of steadiness,
earthquake of sudden change,
remind us that even the earth beneath our feet
is alive, and that we are a part of that life. Be here, now*

She breathes a moment longer, mingled scent of candlewax and that odd state the corn gets in when it is dying but at the same time producing abundant new life, and then returns to her place and awaits...

...as a rustle in the late summer grass reveals Norda's presence. Brown suede boots, brown leggings, sunshine-yellow tunic catching the rays of the setting Sun. Once again the battered stovepipe hat sits upon her head, once again her laugh rings out, a welcome sound not often heard of late. True, she has smiled and held a twinkle in those ever-changing grey eyes of hers, but she greets those in her sight within this special Circle, those both familiar and unknown to her, with a full, round, deep-in-the-belly laugh. She has much to celebrate this Moon, and does so in splendid company.

"Hail, Lord of Light, seed of the fields, strength of beasts, life-force in corn and sun and summer thunder! Join with us here, be welcome to our circle! Be with us in apple core and barleycorn and scarecrow, be with us in the harvesting and preparation for the next great Turn of the year's Wheel. Join us, great Father, be with us now!"

Norda lays down her offerings of the season... a length of ginger root and a handful of late summer raspberries... the balance of both being in the shocking bite of the one and the bursting sweetness of the other... and steps back into the Circle to await...

...Annwn sat gazing through the panes of clear innocence; light piercing into and beyond images of future and now, not questioning the line that defined the moment, knowing only the moment and in that spanse, knowing too the history and future that broadcast itself like seeds in a fields across these glowing windows, memories of those before and those to come... gathering the last light as dusk fell wrapped in a promise of morning... sun would return and then growth and a walk with Mama until harvest...

At last the little curtains closed, a few last flutters as the soft evening breeze teased the light from room and at last Anglesey lay her head to rest... her little windows closed for the night.

Annwyn was mostly ready for the gathering. Already she had bathed in water refresed with Rosemary from her garden... a Skullcap tea would relax and prepare her for the Goddess. She threw a few things into the doeskin bag she had retrieved from the Inn a few Moons ago... and she was on her way. She used the drive to clear her mind a bit; First a little Carol King - "I feel the Earth Move Under my Feet, I feel the Sky Tumbling Down a Tumbling Down." No one came to mind as she sang along but the music kept her alert on the winding road... Then Loreena lamented on strands of sound.

When at last she reached the Gas Station, where she stopped for directions her mind was centered and focused; she assured the attendant that she understood the "dangers" that lurked in the the woods... and then under her breath added with a grin, "I'll give Brother Bear and Coyote your regards." She drove off onto the dirt road and then made the last part of the trek on foot... bare feet meeting the Earth with a few ows and ouches but mostly with reception and pleasure. Once in the circle she awaited the quarters listening to the clear tones of each sister announce and call with sincere approach...

Once Norda had brought the Lord within, Annwyn stepped towards the altar in a gown of deepest purple, a ring of marigolds held a dangle of red ribbons that danced along her loose auburn hair as she raised her hands upward to the White Round of Moon...

Great Mother, within your embrace we find the home of our spirit as we walk your tender grasses and step the stars; within your challenging gaze we address the moments of our lives secure in your love and wholiness. Most excellent Mother be with us now...

She stood as if rooted for many centuries upon this spot, within this moment as Moonlight washed over her and through her... her outstretched hands were like tiny cups filled with fluid light receiving the Lady into herself... A stillness - a silence - a the rushing sound of spirit... And it was done... Annwyn returned to the circle to wait...

...Cloud begins...

Intensely connected to each other, to the core of the Earth, to the Moon in the starry sky, we glance moonbeams from the eyes of the rabbits in the breathing corn, starlight from the eyes of the Gods. Here we breathe power, and anything we need within free will can be ours tonight.

We are standing, feeling the energy of each others hands, ready to start petitions, when Cloud cracks a slow grin; one by one we follow her eyes to the near hilltop just to the south, where a bonfire has just been lit. As we watch, flames blossom further away to the west, to the southeast... Cloud wrote a song after her last visit here, about the power of return, that contains the refrain line "and now there is a fire on every hill". It was this moment she was thinking of, this surprise evidence of a larger community she was holding for us, hoping it would happen again.

"We are not just strong, people, we are connected!"

The moment of touch cannot go unanswered. Cloud moves with a taper, gathering flame from the quarter and altar candles to light the torch that stands by the fire pit at the south edge of the circle. It can't really be that we hear a chant from the next hill - it's too far for that - but we join it anyway:

*We are the old people, we are the new people, we are the same people, stronger than before*

Cloud asks Pat to do the honors, and our flame joins those other sparks of earthly fire under a shining sky, linked past and future, space and time. Amazingly, within that network our focus here, in OUR timeless moment and placeless space, is even stronger now. Like others, long ago or on the next hill, we have our joy, our pain, our wishes and our needs. The time has come to bring them to the Circle. We stand among gathered energies, on safe and sacred ground, and we await...

...Valk steps forward... and approaches the Altar in the Circle, and lays a green glass mason jar there. In it there are coins and a few greenbacks.

"Mother, notice please, that this jar is open, not sealed... You know, to receive wealth! Heh heh, um, seriously, I ask that You guide me in the ways of Secure Finances in the future. I'm just starting out and I don't know as much as I probably should, so help me, Mom, please.

Thank You, thank You, thank You for the apartment in pagan central... Laura is great and I feel so comfy there. You are MARVELOUS! Thanks for the safe flights and thank You for Kerrigan and Debby. I remember asking for Your blessing on them and I had no idea things would turn out so well!!!

Oh Goddess, did you get a load of the wedding? Very beautiful and I was proud to be Your representative at the very Catholic ceremony. Bless Kristen and Dan as they start out on this new path together. I have trust and faith that they'll make it, but please watch over them and hold them as close to You as I have been. The dancing was fun, by the way. Thanks!

"All I personally need/want, is a safe, good move without being ripped off, and a good job. Romance would be nice, but it's not necessary. But about this inner child thing, um... I don't know, but whatever You feel I need or have to do, I'll do. All I ask is Your extra guidance and help to deal with all the emotions this is going to call up. Blessed be, Mother, and I'll see You on September 19th!"

Val takes the money jar and skips back to her place in the circle to wait...

...As Annwn had dressed for this Full Moon she noticed a single grey hair taking roost prominently just above her forehead... at forty-three it was her first, thanks to her Cherokee Great Grandmother, but it was a reminder, along with other signs, that this season of croning was the beginning of her own time.

She had listened with deep concentration to Cloud's words and another song had come to her mind... "We can't wait, any longer... We are STRONGER... than before..." and thought about our bond with others building their fires on the hills just beyond us, and knowing the numbers were growing. This connection while empowering, yet demanded that we individually "light our fires" as well. We were bound to fully experience Goddess in our lives - not rationalize why we could not.

Though it is wise at times to wait for the most auspicious moment to move or act, the time to BE is always upon one as we are (W)holy complete with every breath.

Annwn stepped from her place in the circle and moved forward without hesitation... she placed a single wand of Yarrow and a small pouch of seeds on the smooth surface of the altar then lay her hand upon the pentacle in the center...

As human I have traveled your circle and witnessed your cycles, it is time to BE the gifts you have endowed.

Most Gracious Mother I thank you.

She returned to the circle to wait for...

...Nymue approaches with tears in her eyes. She stands silently for a minute, trying to speak. "Gracious Mother, I need your help. I know in my head that what is to be will be, but my heart cries 'WHY?' A dear and wonderful friend is dying of cancer, she is the gentlest, brightest soul I've ever been lucky enough to meet. Help me understand. Help me aid her in any way I can. Help me find the strength I need to be there for her and her children. Help me lighten her burden... as she has so often helped others... "Nymue falters for a moment, lost for words to express her grief, then looks around knowing the love and caring of her sisters is with her. Once again looking to the Moon, "Blessed Lady, you have given me so much, please help me give in return..."

...Cloud stops to hug Nym before she moves to the altar and places there her usual token of gratitue for yet another journey completed - this time, a toy-size white Saturn, joyfully intact.

She puts next to it a sheaf of photos, the children and grandchildren who weigh especially heavy this Moon. Knowing she needs to remember that they two are in the hands of the Goddess, she leaves them in exactly the right place. Her eyes shiny with moonbeams, and perhaps a tear or two, Cloud glances around the circle to see if any remain to petition...

...After long silence, Norda finally approaches the altar, her hands empty but her heart full of gratitude for many, many blessings the Lord and Lady have heaped upon her this Moon. She makes her petition wordlessly and steps quietly back into her place within the Circle, pausing only to squeeze hands with Nym along the way...

...As Pat slowly approaches the circle he stops before entering and in gratitude to Mother removes his boots and dons moccasins. Slowly he enters the circle and silently turns to Cloud and wordlessly thanks her for her indulgence. He then turns to each of the other and nods slowly in gratitude to each of them. With nothing in his hands he approaches the alter and offers a silent thanks to Mother for allowing him another year to work on this earth. Mother knows his needs and most of all knows what will happen. Mother also knows what his wishes are when the time comes and in her grace will do what is best. Slowly turning with head down Pat leaves the circle and out of the area. Praise be to our wonder Mother...

...Cloud steps to close...

What a night! The moon smiles down, and the stars sing. The corn rustles and that *might* be the shadow of a bear over there. Our fire collapses into itself, sending a shower of sparks to meet the moonlight, and all those other fires seem brighter. We stand hands around the circle, energy moving around us in the Presences we have called, through us from the Earth and the glowing Moon, from one to the next around and through; there is a drum somewhere, and our feet move of themselves and we begin to circle together around the fire. The chant that begins dates almost from the beginning of Pagan Standard Time:

*circle round the fire,
to raise the cone of power,
to bring what we desire,
so mote it be*.

Old as the hills around us, and as powerful as the night. We speed up, and speed up some more, and we circle rings of power around and around the flame of our will, until we cant hold it any longer and it *GOES* bearing our needs, our wishes, our hopes, our fears, into the night to their goals. Somehow we don't collapse quite yet. The hills call for more, and after a few breaths we find ourselves circling again. Cloud drops one hand and leads us snaking off from the fire into the circle, around and into ourselves in a spiral and back out again, each face shining moonlight and reflected flames, back out and around again, and finally back to where we started, the spiral completes the night. One thing remains; we send some energy off to touch the power of those other circles around us, and what remains grounds through our feet to strengthen the magic of this place. We hold hands a minute longer, until Cloud finally catches her breath enough to speak:

*The circle is open, but unbroken. The rite is ended, but never ends... Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again*

"SO MOTE IT BE!" we chorus, and amid hugs and grins, we set about trying to remember where we left the marshmallows. Someone is humming 'Old Time Religion' as we settle around the fire for the rest of a jolly night... Annwn decides to pass on the Marshmallows... but offers instead some Sage Fritters with a Creamy Horseradish sauce...

Wisdom and spice
and everything nice
that's what little Witches are made of...