FULL MOON RITUAL November 2002

Nymue' pulls the hood of her midnight cloak closer around her throat as a barrier to the chill of the autumn night. The night breeze blows a red curl against her cheek and tears of joy fill her eyes as she remembers last moon. It's time to join the others on the lawn of the memorial.

As she walks memories from last moon flood back to her, the words of Fem's speech ringing out with a message loud and clear, the oath sworn by hundreds gathered here last month, the strength and purpose of the drummers and the love, commitment and trust of all that had united.

A single white candle placed on a bale of hay in the center of the lawn forms an altar of simplicity. The candle generated an amazing strength. It is the unity candle that had been used here last month at Blessed Be & Meet Me in DC, it's flame carried forth from last year, with its fire originating across the sea in Kildare from the sacred fire of Bridget. Lighting the candle Nym' softly whispers a prayer of thanks to Bridget and her patron Danu. I am bowing my head
In the eye of the Mother who gave me birth,
In the eye of the Maiden who loves me,
In the eye of the Crone who guides me in wisdom,
In friendship and affection.
Through thy gift of nature, O Goddess,
Bestow upon us fullness in our need.
Love towards the Lady,
The affection of the Lady,
The laughter of the Lady,
The wisdom of the Lady,
The passion of the Lady,
The blessing of the Lady,
And the magic of the Lady
To do in the world of Abred,
As the Ageless Ones do in Gwynfyd;
Each shade and light,
Each day and night,
Each moment in kindness,
Grant us Thy Sight.

A circle of love and purpose will be bound here this night as each member is handed a candle. From the unity candle Nym' lights a taper and takes her place in circle.

As a drummer starts the sound of a gently heartbeat Nym' passes the flame of her candle to her sister next to her with these words; "I cast this circle in the light of freedom". The flame is than passed lighting each candle along the way; each lighting theirs and naming their intent, until the flame comes full circle back to Nym'. This circle is now cast with the hope and intends of all gathered. The candles lit in the lights of freedom, tolerance, hope, compassion, justice, democracy, love, expectation, wonder,joy, health and knowledge.

...Owl walks the Circle Nym has cast... remembering other times when the spirit of Unity had brought us to this place. Raising her arms, she opens the Gates and calls out...

"In the spirit of Religious Freedom...
I call upon those who have pledged this land to just causes.
May blessings be cast upon those who have gone before us,
and those who will come after us...
and for all those who join with us
now at this crucial time in our Country.
The Circle is cast, may it,
and those who stand within,
be Blessed in the name of the Lord and the Lady." ...Nymue' approaches the Eastern quarter, placing a small clay cauldron on the ground. She removes a white star shaped candle from her clock and lights it from the flame of the unity candle. Floating the candle upon the water she raises her palms skyward.

"Guardians of the east, spirits of the waters. You carried our ancestors on your tides to these shores 300 years ago in search of Religious Freedom. We ask you to join with us tonight, to guard our circle, direct our flow, guide our emotions. As your rivers run across the land so do you run through our veins. We are one."

Pricking her finger with a silver pin, Nym allows a few droplets of her blood to mix with the water in the cauldron: "Spirits of Water,
Wells, River, Ocean and Storm
Remember this act of our creation!
Known only to the most Ancient of civilizations
All is our relation
For we are one tribe,
And one nation."

Touching her finger to the flame burning brightly on the water she continues;

"In this hour
From the space between the stars
We unite the power of Sky and Sea.
Fill our eyes with vision and allow our hearts to see.
The river of life in its flow between these two worlds.
For only the heart can give the mind's eye meaning
For any act of true seeing upon this Web of the patterns we are weaving.
Spirits of the Water, Guardians of the East,
Hail and Welcome!"

Nymue' returns to her place in circle to await.. ...suz walks to the southernmost arc of the circle carrying a small iron lantern in which burns a white candle. the flame is small but steady and very pure. she stands quietly for a moment, then raises her arms and holds the lantern aloft. "guardians of the south, ancient ones of fire,
i call upon you and ask that you attend upon us
in our circle this night.
we ask that the flames of love and healing
that light our hearths in our homes be with us here.
we ask that the fires of passion that have united us
and made us so much greater than our individual selves
be with us here.
we ask that the roar of righteous anger
that has lifted us over tribulations
be a part of our circle,
energizing but never consuming us.
we ask that the passion
that has drawn us to our paths guide us.
most of all, we ask that your sacred gift
of will be stirred and invoked in each of us again
as we meet tonight,
focusing and manifesting our intent.
guardians of the south, welcome!"

a strong moaning gust of wind buffets the circle, but the flame burns true and serene. a flicker of lightning splits the cloudbanks to the south. suz smiles, sets down the lantern, and turns to wait for... ...Natasha, who steps into the sacred space. A soft breeze rustles the remaining leaves in the trees. She breathes deeply, taking in the essence of the Earth readying itself for Winter's sleep. Tash steps into her spot and kneels on the ground. Looking around, she sees friendly faces; some she knows, some she's gazing upon for the first time. Loving energy comes from each alike. With a deep breath, she places her hands, palms down, on the warm ground beside her and raises her face to the moon. "Spirits of the Earth,
we invite you to be with us tonight.
Essence of the Wolf and the mighty Bear,
grace us with your nobility and courage
and protect us from those who would wish us harm.
We welcome you with open arms, and warm hearts".

Feeling a surge of energy flowing from the ground into her hands, up her arms and into her body, Natasha stands and raises her arms to the Moon. Awash with energy, she steps back and waits as... ...Nymue approaches the North Quarter, not sure what has happened to Jess but hoping She's safe.

"Guardians of the North, Spirits of Air...
We look to your winds of change.
Your gifts of inspiration.
We ask that you join with us
and lend your energies to our working.
Oh... and If you wouldn't mind...
could you blow Jess our way?" she grins.
"Spirits of the North
...Hail and Welcome."

A gently breeze kicks up from the North and a laughter seems to ripple through the remaining leaves on the trees as Nymue' returns to her spot to await Anais...

Having grounded, centered and composed herself, Anais turns to face the tidal basin. She recognized that Mama is preparing for the time of rest which is yet active... the time of hidden change, of transformation and return to the cauldron. Nature's magic - so simple and yet of such depth.

Anais experiences quietness... and then, the heartbeat resounds... the drum? combined with the Mama's own heartbeat?

As the rhythm stengthens (in our ears, at least), all to feel move from the soles of our feet and up to the level of our own hearts... which soon become synchronous.

"From depths of the waters...
we call you...
(and we hear the heartbeat)
From entwinement among the roots...
we call you ...
From stillness in the heart of stone...
we call you...
From ceaseless motion about the winds...
we call you...
We call You...
Cousins, elementals,
usually the unseen of Mama's children
Your endeavors awe and inspire us.
We call, we entreat,
we know that you are here.
Join and witness this
our festivity, our rite
this moon.
Join us, we welcome you.

Anais returns to her place in the circle and waits for Red Deer... ...who moves toward the circle's center, regaled in the jangle of unseen bells, and looks first toward the waters of the tidal basin, then to the ground upon which he stands and finally into the depths of the night sky.

"All you who move though the mundane world unseen -
whether diminutive or massive,
winged or not,
quick to laughter or quick to anger -
I invite you to this circle
and bid you welcome.
From Sulamith's visions I call to you,
and beseech your assistance
as we seek acceptance among our own kin."

Deer returns to his place, comfortable with awareness that the Fey have been both invited and welcomed... ...and Nym' returns to the center of the circle: "This land is Blessed with the guidance
of two sets of ancestors...
I speak to those that came to this country
in search of Religious Freedom.
We stand here in a place
central to honoring our ancestors,
the founders of this nation.
A nation built on Religious Freedom.
Here are buried those that died
in the name of that freedom.
We call to the spirit of Thomas Jefferson once more.
Mothers and Fathers, Old Ones, and Ancestors,
we call to You.
Mothers and Fathers of our Families,
Parents of our Parent's Parents,
The children of the earth call out to the mighty dead.
Hear us, our ancestors, our kindred.
To all those whose bones lie in this land,
whose hearts are tied to it,
whose memory holds it.
To all of our grandmothers and grandfathers,
our own beloved dead,
blood-kin and heart-kin.
To all those elder wise ones who guide their people,
wise women and men of ancient days,
we offer you welcome.
Gadael hi bod."

Nym steps back while Windwalker approaches...

...Windwalker comes to the circle and stands with her back to the monument facing the basin. She stands with head up and looks out over a city that has meant so much to her people. Half of her rejoices in the sight of these monuments of freedom, while the other half cringes at the loss of freedoms they have meant. Too many times The Natives of this country came to speak to the Great White Father, only to have the peace broken. Windwalker lights a smudge of cedar with the candle she lit at the start of Nym's casting and clears away the negativity of her thoughts. Today is a step in the new path for the nations of men. She stands before the monuments a combination of the peoples who have warred over this land called America. She reaches out to the spirits of her people. Acknowledging the white half, but firmly grasping the Native half she has chosen to honor here tonight. With arms outstretched she feels the airs close around her and her form lightens and WhiteHawke calls to give thanks to the Ancestors of her soul.

"O'siyo Ancestors,
I speak to the blood of my father
and of his father before him.
I stand here a soul of two colors
hoping to be the asvdlvi (bridge) between them.
I stand with adanbdo (heart)and unwoyeni (hand)open.
I offer myself to you in the words of my ancestors
as I learn them with my white eyes.
I offer them as a sign that I want to be one
with you as many of the white eyes do.
To show you we have come down the path
of nvwhlohiyada (peace)
and want to learn your ways.
We offer ourselves here,
where so many lies have been spoken
to the Ayvwiyai (Native Americans).
Many travel the path of the Old Ones
and have the adanbdo (heart) of the Ayvwiyai.
Dodvdanilvjis heli (do you think you can accept?)?
I can feel the pain of the treaties broken
and the cries of the ones who died
in the path of the white man's feet.
But the future comes.
The time that was foretold
of the uhnvkwolatv nvvoti (rainbow medicine).
We are many nations and many colors
seeking to be one with the Old Ways.
We ask that you join us now
and guide us in our Walk for beauty.
I am Unega Towodi (White Hawke)
my path is to walk the wind.
I ask that you join me and those present.
Wado (Thank You)."

Bringing her arms back to her side Windwalker fans the smoke of the smudge stick towards the sky so that her prayers may be carried to the Great Mysterious. She can hear the sound of flapping wings and feels that brother Eagle will carry her question to the ancestors and steps silently back to the edge of the circle, sure that the pureness of her heart's request will be honored by them. She has left behind a prayer stick so that joined with the other mementos, it can represent the mixing of paths of those here tonight. Different paths leading to the same goal of healing for the earth and All her Relations. Then she looks towards the darkness and waits for...

Hare, who struts forward, leading Sunspider by the hand. He stands before her, a smile dancing in his eyes. A bronze circlet, etched with acorns and ivy leaves, adorned with white-tail antlers, crowns his head. A necklace of oak and pine beads, continuous and without clasp, rests on his bare chest. Black, calf-high mocassins enclose his firmly planted feet. He has come to call Lady Liberty, but he see her already in the flash of Sunspider's eyes. An image of the statue in NY harbor and bits of an old poem that tells of a bard singing a statue to life flash through his mind. Chuckling, he fixes those images in his mind and then kneels to kiss her feet. He begins:

"Feet of beauty, firmly planting
Arches white on rosy heel!
Whence the life-spring, throbbing, panting,
Pulses upward to reveal!
Fairest things know least despising,
Foot and earth meet tenderly:
'Tis a Goddess, resting, rising
Upward to sublimity."

As he slowly rises, Hare envisions himself a visitor at the Statue of Liberty, climbing the steps within her on their way to her crown. He kisses Spider's knees: "Rise the limbs, sedately sloping,
Strong and gentle, full and free,
Soft and slow, like certain hoping,
Drawing nigh the broad firm knee.
Up to speech! As up to roses
Pants the life from leaf to flower,
So each blending change discloses,
Nearer still expression's power."

...then her abdomen:

"Bands and sweeps, and hill and hollow
Lead my fascinated eye,
Some apocalypse will follow,
Some new word of deity.
Zoned unseen, and outward swelling,
With new thoughts and wonders rife,
Queenly majesty foretelling,
See the expanding house of life!"

and as he kisses her gently on the breast, he sees his mind's image of Lady Liberty overlap, then merge with the form of the woman standing with him.

"Heart, the queen, with secret hoping,
Sendeth out her waiting pair,
Hands, blind hands, half blindly groping,
Half inclasping visions rare,
And the great arms, heartways bending,
Might of Beauty, drawing home,
There returning, and reblending,
Where from roots of love they roam.
Span across in treble curving,
Bow of promise, upper lip!
Set them free, with gracious swerving,
Let the wing-words float and dip.
Dumb art thou? O Love immortal,
More than words, thy speech must be,
Childless yet the tender portal
Of the home of melody."

Hare rises to salute Sunspider and with a kiss draws her close to gaze into her eyes: "Two calm lakes of molten glory
Circling round unfathomed deeps!
Lightning-flashes, transitory,
Cross the gulfs where darkness sleeps.
This the gate, at last, of gladness,
To the goddess, Liberty:
In a rain of light and sadness,
Out her loves and longings flee!
With your presence I am smitten
Dumb, with a foreknown surprise,
Presence greater yet than written
Even in the glorious eyes.
Through the gulfs, with inward gazes,
I may look till I am lost,
Wandering deep in spirit-mazes,
In a sea without a coast."

He bestows one more kiss, then takes her hand to face all assembled: "Windows open to the glorious!
Time and space, oh , far beyond!
LIBERTY! thou art victorious,
And I perish, overfond.
Springs aloft the yet Unspoken
In the forehead's endless grace,
Full of silences unbroken,
Infinite, unfeatured face.
"Crowned above, the mount of wonder,
Height and hollow wrapt in light,
Hiding in its cavern under
Future nations in their might.
Passing forms, the highest Human
Faints away to the Divine:
Features none, of man or woman,
Can unveil the holiest shine."

Breathless (at last!), Hare steps back and lets Sunspider stand forward in the moonlight...

...Sunspider turns to face Hare once more, wrapped in her cloak of black velvet. Moonlight reflects off the glitter on her bare skin, creating the effect of starlight shining amid the dark fabric. She kneels before Hare placing her hands firmly on his chest, and feels his heart return to the gentle beating she remembers...

She begins: "Thou hast called and I am here
I now call my consort to appear.
Through flesh and bone and love divine
I call thee home--stand by my side
King Stag and Lover I summon thee
To fill my cup by land and sea
Green Man and Hunter, Blessed Sire
By wind and flame do I desire
My Lord and Love now joins with man
to raise me up and take my hand..."

Hare takes Spider's hands in his and raises her from her knees to stand face to face again. She sees his green eyes glowing... She takes his face between her hands and bestows a kiss of welcome...

"Love, thou art God", she whispers...

...After the calling of Lady and Lord, Epona makes her way to the simple altar, her deep blue velvet robes flowing and her hair swirling in the gentle breeze. She reaches her destination and places a pumpkin carved with a pentegram next to the altar, the small candle flickers faint light within. Epona gathers her thoughts for a moment, soaking in the history of the ground beneath her feet and takes a deep breath.

"Macha, Goddess of battle,
I call upon you this eve
as we come forth
to offer petitions!
Help us to see the wisdom of our words
and the consequences of our actions.
May those who ask for guidance
see the path clearly.
May those who seek the truth
find it.
May those asking for aid to their loved ones or themselves
be blessed with help.
May those seeking power of spirit
find it overflowing..."

"Goddess, be with us
as we bring these things to you
and may you bless us
with the outcome that is best for us.
Blessed Be!"

"In the name of the Goddess,
I call forth the petitioners!" Epona returns to her place in the circle and awaits those ready to petition... ...With full skirts sweeping the grass, Weet makes her way to the alter, humbled to be in the presence of the Divine.

"My lords and Ladies with names untold
I called on your presence to strengthen her soul
Her body to heal, her heart to make strong
Her life to make brighter with laughter and song."

"My Lady Diiwana, three weeks ago my sister in law underwent surgery for cancer. I had asked you to aid her in fighting this dreaded disease. I had asked that the cancer be removed in total so that she may regain her health and once again take her place as Mother, Wife, Sister and Daughter."

"My lady you have answered my plea. The cancer was removed in total. The tests are back and no trace of it remains within her body."

"I thank you my lady, and will be making a donation to research to stop this disease."

"With love and honor I serve you."

Weet makes her way back to the circle, tears shining upon her face... ...EarthChild steps forward, her cloak swaying as she walks. She holds a small cloth bag and a large grocery bag in her hands. She kneels for a moment to feel the earth. She breathes in the crisp autumn air. As she stands back upright, she can feel those around her and the power of the place. Taking a moment to compose herself and find the right words, EarthChild steps up to the altar.

"Lord and Lady, Aspects of the Divine; it seems that there are many in need this month. So many are in need of healing and guidance. There is little Shyann Nicole and her mother. I think all of us here wish healing for her and strength for her mother." "I too, would like to ask for healing and guidance. It has been a rough few months. There has been so much going on in so many levels. So much so, that there are moments where I don't think I can bear it all. but, thankfully, somehow I do. And now there seems to be problems with my heart. Most of all, what I seek is clarity so that we can find out exactly what the problem is and treat it accordingly. I don't think I can handle another long, protracted struggle to determine the problem." "I ask for healing for my partner. He needs it on many levels, as well. His battle with depression, illness, migraines, and pain have all taken their toll on him. And on those of us around him." "I also want to keep in mind the many at need or risk as we approach this holiday season. No matter how much I think I may need/want, I know that there are those who face the upcoming holidays with little. While I will be surrounded by loved ones in my warm house and a large dinner, there will be those without such comforts. May we all hold them in our thoughts, and if we can; do our part to make their holidays happy." "In saying, I want to thank you for all that I have. I have a warm home, plenty of food, loving partners, and beautiful children. I'm especially grateful for Bill, who has been solid through all this mess. He has worked over time to see us through, helped me through my emotional storms, and has been a pillar of strength and comfort in all that has happened." So saying, EarthChild places a handful of acorns and a bag of food (with the intent of bringing it to the local food pantry) on the altar. She steps back to her place in the circle as...

...Nymue' steps forward once more, and lights a Hags Taper from the flame of the unity candle. Placing it beside the altar as it begins to blaze. A blaze as bright and true as that of Lady Liberty's.

"In the world's very center
I light the fire of liberty.
At the point where the sacred
and the mundane meet.
Under the care of the shining goddess
Under the watchful eye of Lludd.
We ask Goddess Liberty to remind
the lawmakers of this country.
Three things from which never to be moved:
one's Oaths, one's Gods, and the Truth
Let power and resources flow to those
who will use them for the good
of the people and the earth.

As a breeze blows the hood of Nym' cloak back, her red hair flows wildly and three brilliant bursts of lightening illuminate the night shy. Nym' bows her head in a moment of thanks

"Thanks be to thee, silver Lady of the Sky,
Mother kind, ever renewing, ever fulfilling,
For thy fertility, abundance and blessing
That thou bestows upon us continually.
Whatever good fortune befalls us as thy children,
In our portion, in our lot, in our path,
Give to us with it the rich gifts of thy guidance,
And the joyous blessing of thy wisdom."

Nym' returns to her place in circle... ...Jess looks around the circle. It's quiet, she thinks, too quiet. Ah, well, better late than never. Jess places a card on the altar. It's her ballot receipt.

"Lady Liberty, watch over us as we elect a new leader. This has been a confusing, tense week with no clear resolution in sight. Folks in Florida, New Mexico, and Iowa have a tough, unenviable job. Help them to be fair and accurate. And give them the time and space they need to finish their job. Thank you!"

She steps back and waits for...

...C, who steps out in her favorite Carebear T-shirt and sexy blue pants. She smiles at all the faces she can't remember but won't ever forget. She places a candle on the ground and lights it, nearly burning her fingers off. She offers to the higher beings her dreams for the time being. A sacrifice in hopes her wishes will be returned.

For now all she really wants is that little demon that's been bugging her to go away. She would also like to have some clarity on all the men in her life. Who's the one for her? Perhaps she could receive some information or have a great dream to help her out. She thanks everyone for their patience and steps back hoping she doesn't land right smack on top of someone else's toes...

...Jess assumes a grounded stance, and brings her focus on to her breathing. Calm settles on her shoulders. She draws the energy built in this powerful circle. She sings:

"This land is your land,
this land is my land

From California,
to the New York Island
From the redwood forest,
to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me."

Voices join in for a repeat of the chorus. Hands come together in a steady, folksong rhythm. Jess' voice continues for the next verse:

"As I was walking
a ribbon of highway
I saw above me
an endless skyway
I saw below me
a golden valley
This land was made for you and me."

More voices join in the chorus. A tambourine sneaks in under the clapping.

"I've roamed and rambled
and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of
her diamond deserts
And all around me
a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me."

Still more voices add to the sound, some seen, some not. Older voices singing for the same struggle.

"The sun comes shining
as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving
and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting
a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me."

With this round of the chorus, Jess quiets the circle. Voices sing in hushed reverence, echoing the voice from the fog.

"As I was walkin'
I saw a sign there
And that sign said
no tress passin'
But on the other side
it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!"

Voices inside the circle whoop and shout, singing the chorus again, almost in rebellion. Jess' voice sings a new final verse:

"In Jefferson's shadow,
we gather together
to celebrate freedom,
and praise our Mother
And some are grumblin'
and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me."

Twice more the assembled voices sing the chorus. The volume rises with each stanza. The clapping becomes stronger until hands are left vibrating.

"This land is your land,
this land is my land
From California,
to the New York Island
From the redwood forest,
to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me!"

The song ends with more whoops and hollers, clapping and banging.

Jess sketches a bow to Jefferson, and one to Woody Guthrie (where ever he may be) and returns to the circle to wait for... What had begun as a gentle heartbeat of the drums had evolved into a power and rhythm of aspiration and brightness. Jess's offering of song, encompassed the feeling of all.

...Nymue' returns to the center, the drums silence as she looks skyward. The stormy night sky that had added its tone to the evenings gathering had cleared bringing brilliance and clarity; the moon glistened in all her glory. The night seemed warmer, had the temperature really risen, or was it the warmth of love and fire of passion that was making itself felt.

Turning her palms to the brilliance of the moon: "Brightest Lady, Blessed Lord,
We thank you for your guidance and trust.
Ancient Ones, you are in our hearts always, Thank you for joining with us.
Spirits of the Fey and Spirits of nature,
We thank you.
Guardians of the Watchtowers,
We bow to you in thanks.
"We bid you all,
go if you must,
or stay if you will.
We are always in your service."

Taking a silver tray from the side of the altar, Nym' retraces the casting of the circle as each member gathered places the candle they lit in the name of their intent, upon the tray. Placing the tray on the altar: "The circle is now open, but forever in our hearts.
Let the flame of liberty burn bright
each of us having added to it.
So Mote it be!"

As the drummers resume, the members join hands weaving themselves into a spiral. As they dance and weave the vision is clear, we are all one, returning to the center and emerging again stronger than before.

My dearest brothers and sisters, I thank you all for you care and trust. I am awed by the passion and conviction shown here this moon.