Boudica stands in the circle and waits for everyone to arrive. The Moon hangs brilliant in the sky, surrounded by a frost halo. The light reflects off the two inches of snow on the ground and it illuminates the whole area.

There are four large tree stumps that make the four directions and are set up to represent the four elements. On a stump of wild cherry in the east is a large candle and a pottery pot of water, on a twin stump of cherry to the south are two large red candles, to the west on a stump of oak are some Goddess stones, a pottery pot of acorns and a candle and to the north is a stump of maple with a candle and an incense burner.

As the people start arriving, a fire is burning in the fire pit off to the side outside the circle, this will serve to provide some warmth and give some additional illumination as people arrive.

There are trees, stark in their naked appearance, all around the park like area. Hickory, maple, wild cherry, oak, some poplar and tucked away somewhere is a crab apple. There is the sound of the river moving slowly by as it laps at the edge of the property. You can hear the ducks as the quack softly in their sleep. Somewhere, off to the north, you can faintly hear a hoot owl, a new member to the night sounds here. Further in the distance, every once in a while you can hear the cows lowing from the surrounding farms.

When everyone has assembled and greeted each other, Boudica starts to walk around the circle to say hello to everyone. Following close at her heels is her newest familiar, bear. Mixed collie/shepherd and yet quite the pup, he prances with his tail in the air, nipping at her heels and sniffing everyone in the circle. His red color is noticeable in the fire light, as is the dark blue of Boudica's gown and cloak.

Boudica stands in the center of the circle, holding her wand on high. "May all stress and anxiety be left outside this circle. Leave behind all your daily problems and discord. Banish all disharmony from this circle so we may all join together in love and joy."

Boudica takes her wand, moves just outside the ring of people, and walks around the circle deosil saying, "We seek protection by Your might, God and Goddess, day and night, Thrice around the circle is bound, as we create our Sacred Ground."

Three times she walks around the circle, chanting, and is joined in the chant by the rest of those gathered.

She then moves to the center of the circle. "The circle is cast, our space between the worlds has been made. We now call the elements to bind our circle. We await East and Water!

Boudica falls back to the circle to await Nymue and her calling of the East-Water...

...Nym' loves the wintery night air, the warmth of love of those gathered, lightened the brisk breeze... The gentle night sky blows in from the East carrying on its wings the flurry of snowflakes... the winter's watery spray. With a playful wolf pup at her heels, she pulls her sea green cloak around her and walks to the nearby stream. The Wolf pup spots a lone salmon that has made a surprise visit...and quickly gives way to play. Wolf and fish following the waters flow... rippling and changing, giving and taking, always adapting. From the candle Boudica set out, Nym' lights a small floating star and places it in the stream...As the gentle stream carries the flame to the east, Nym' looks to the East, with the Wolf and Salmon within her gaze...

    "Thou Spirit of Wisdom who guides me,
    From out of the Shining World to attend me,
    The shepherding kind of the fold of faerie kin
    To make round about me this night;

    To Drive from us every ill-will and danger,
    Surround us on the sea of the unholy,
    And in the narrows, crooks, and straits,
    Keep thou my coracle, keep it always.

    To Be thou a bright flame before me,
    Be thou a guiding star above me,
    Today, tonight, and for ever.

    To Spirits of the East...
    gentle spirits of water,
    join with us tonight."

As the salmon swims in knowledge, Nym' returns to the circle in peace...

...Jess steps to the two red candles resting on the stump of cherry. Her right hand grasps her wand, also of cherry. The wand is shaped like the rune Fehu. In her other hand is the indispensable click-it lighter. Forget flint, forget matches, in this two1st century, a girl needs her flame on demand!

Jess plant her feet squarely and raises the wand above her head. "Guardians of the South, spirits of fire, you who stoke the flames in our bellies and light the surrounding darkness. We welcome you to our circle. Protect us and guide us in our work tonight."

Jess aims the lighter at the wick of the first candle. One click: nothing. Heh, ummm, one more. Click: a spark, but no flame. "What happened to on demand?" she thinks. A third click: a small flame licks out of the lighter's end. Hah! Third time's the charm! She touches flame to wick, smiling as the first catches, then the second.

"Hail and welcome!" she shouts. The salute echoes through the circle.

Before turning back to the circle, Jess leaves a dram of whisky on the stump. "One good fire deserves another! Slainte!"

Jess turns and waits as West and Air are entreated to join the circle...

...Boudica comes forth again, and moves to the West and lights the candle on the oak stump. She raises her wand and invokes the Earth.

"I call upon thee and greet thee, Ancient One of the West, Element of Earth. We set our roots to you to nourish our souls, forests and mountains, plains and deserts. You are the provider of our harvest and the One who feeds the wild animals and mystical children who dwell within. Come dance with us in the Moonlight, and grant your blessings to all who have come to greet thee."

Boudica lowers her wand and falls back into the circle to await Harmony to call Air in the North...

...Harmony walks to the north quarter to stand before the maple stump. Maddison, a black puppy who stands on all four paws about knee high, trots by Harmony's side. The moon shines in Madison's amber eyes. Harmony smiles at Madison, then leans down and lifts up the unlit candle sitting in the North Quarter.

    "Hail Watchtowers of the North,
    Home of our Feathered Sisters and Brothers
    Abode of Fairies and other entities of Air
    On this Full Moon Night, Like no Others.
    We invite you into our circle
    If you mean no harm to us
    Come and share our rite
    on this Wolf Moon Night.
    Hail and Welcome!"

Harmony bends over and lights the candle. She then lights the blessed incense and steps back into the circle. Maddison decides to greet the North in her own special way "Ruh Ruhf RoooOOOooooh..."

...Owl steps to the center of the Circle, accompanied by a large Collie/Lab mixed breed named Boozer... who walks sedately at her side... while young Nellie, a black & white Siberian Husky with piercing blue eyes, gambols happily along, around, between, over, and between! Following quietly, with ears pricked forward, and tail proudly waving, the tomcat named Moe seems to grin as if to say "Hey, look at me! I'm the Parade Marshall!"

Owl kneels for a few moments to pet her friends and ask them to behave while she invites the Spirit of the familiars to join us this night. Each of the animals relax, and snuggle together with an attitude of attentiveness.

As Owl raises her arms and starts a chant, she hears the hoot of her namesake calling from the trees. The splash of water is heard as a fish leaps from the water near by. Flashes of reflected firelight... bright eyed possums, raccoons, deer, and other creatures of the night, are seen as they come nearer to the circle from the woodland around us.

    "Hoof and Horn, Hoof and Horn
    All that dies will be reborn
    Fin and Wing, Fin and Wing
    at my call may Spirit sing."

As Owl repeats the chant, she gazes at the star filled sky, envisioning the Rainbow Bridge spanning the Milky Way... and calls to those loved ones waiting to welcome us when we pass to the other side. In the spirit of perfect love and trust, may all those waiting at the Bridge know that we love them, and honor their memories ... "I invoke the Spirit of the Familiars to join with us this night. To meet and greet those who are with us now, and whose bonds are stronger because you have taught us to love unconditionally."

As Owl stands quietly, with arms stretched to the sky, the animals begin to sing ... Boozer in a deep bass, Nellie with a puppy "Woooooo", Moe lets out a growl and the other animals join the chorus. With yips, barks, chitters, and splash... the spirit of the Familiars bring us together with grins, laughter, and each of us reach down to pet and embrace our loved ones.

The Circle seems to brighten as we feel the Spirit of Nature join us with loving eyes. Owl snaps her fingers, and leads her small procession back to stand in circle... and slips a handful of treats to the person next to her, as she feeds her own friends... and the treats go round the Circle till each pet has been honored. There is more than enough... and so Owl tosses the rest to those watching from the trees, the water, and the shrubbery...

...as Myrlen's keening quietens (due mostly to the offer of a treat), along with that of the rest of the furkins gathered near, Deer leaves his warm leather cloak temporarily with Owl and moves toward their circle's center. It is another of those odd moonlit evenings, it seems, when those who choose to observe might note the shape of antlers springing from the shadow of his head, and what appear to be cloven hoof-prints left behind him in the snow.

Reaching for the warmth of the amber about his neck, he flashes a smile towards all gathered before taking up his call:

    "Lady, night and day
    day and night,
    your turning wheel
    goes ever round;
    the moons,
    the seasons,
    the ages of life,
    go ever round
    your turning wheel.
    Of you are we born
    daughter and son,
    to you have we died
    son and daughter,
    have died and are born;
    in spirit, one
    of flesh, two
    on another turn
    the same.
    In time choices come,
    darkness or light
    and each must choose;
    you reside within us,
    leading along
    one path or another,
    light or darkness,
    another turn, the same
    our destination - home."

As the last echoes of his voice resonate through the circle, Deer notes the flames leaping so brightly in Boudica's eyes. Knowing that they are far more than reflections now, he gracefully genuflects toward her, lowering his arms and waiting for her reply...

…Boudica steps once again to the center of the circle. She raises her wand once more, and calls upon the God to join the circle.

"Great and Wondrous God, who dances in the woods and protects all those creatures who dwell within. He who is also known as the Greenman, Pan, Cernunnos and other names which have been known in the corridors of time. Come dance in the moonlight with Your children. Bring Your blessings to this circle. Charge us with Your energies and bring special blessings for your feathered, furred and scaled beasties this Wolf Moon."

Bear lets out a little bark and everyone laughs. Boudica smiles at Bear and scratches him on the head. She continues:

    "Here the circle has been cast
    The Elements are called to bind it fast
    Created here is a Sacred Space
    Beyond the bounds of Time and Space
    The God and Goddess have entered in
    And with Love we now begin..."

Boudica bows and returns to the circle to await the first petitioner...

...with Deer right on her heels, more than glad for the extra heat Owlie has imparted to his cloak. Glad even when Myrlen scootches between his legs and hunkers down to radiate a bit of her own manic warmth...

…Boudica walks up to the altar for earth, and places a shiny little pin on the altar. A little pup follows her and plays with her skirt:

"If I am to continue serving in a few other sectors also, so be it."

She bows, and turns, and scoops up the pup, getting bigger every day, who licks her face. She laughs and puts him down, and walks back to her place in the circle to await...

…Jess steps from the South and two silver-foil wrapped chocolates on the altar. "Thank you, Lady and Lord. Thank you for strength, insight, and wonder.

"Thank you for taking my dear friend's husband into your embrace and helping him to his rest. Give her what she needs to face what is ahead of her."

"Thank you for the music. Thank you for chocolate."

Jess returns to the South.

…DarkSpirit steps timidly into the circle from the north. Usually one to sit on the sidelines, he is not at first comfortable being. Then he bucks up his courage, realizing that he is among friends and family, and strides forward.

Placing a small white candle on the altar, he steps back and closes his eyes for a moment. Quietly, under his breath he addresses the Lady.

"Lady, I have a dear friend who is going thru some very troubling times right now, and I would ask that you lend to her your strength and peace so that she may endure it, and come out of the other side of the darkness stronger than when she went in. That she may refind the spirit that she knows resides within her."

"I would also ask that you give me a glimmer of light to see, for myself that the avalanche of things which have been plowing me under recently will, like all avalanches, run out of power."

"Lastly, I would ask that you bestow your blessings on those gathered here, for indeed they are good spirits."

DarkSpirit opens his eyes and gazes into the candles flame for a moment, then walks back to the north edge of the circle, picking up his drum and drumming a slow steady heartbeat to help further bring together those gathered here today...

...Harmony steps in from the north one hand lightly on Madison's collar, holding a small staff. Placing the staff on the alter, she says "Thanks for sending me the people in my life when I needed them; thanks for my family; thanks for teaching me to know when to stand on my own two feet and when I need a bit of help."

Harmony steps back into the circle...

...EarthChild steps out of the shadows. She pulls a coin out from a small purse and lays it on the altar. Silent, she stands for a moment. With the rustle of fabric, she returns to the shadows...

...Morgan comes forward and, approaches the altar. Perhaps in an attempt to clear the troubled vibrations emanating from some of those assembled, or perhaps to clear her own troubled mind which has already seen this year off to a rocky start, she pulls a wand of sage wrapped with some of her own homegrown lavender from her cloak and lights it, holding it aloft as an offering to the spirits gathered here to watch these rites. After a moment, she places the smoldering wand on a small ceramic disk that she pulls from another pocket and lays on the altar. Looking up at the brilliant moon, she raises her arms and says:

"Blessed Mother and gracious Father, tonight I ask only that those I care about receive Your compassion and assistance. For my beloved spiritual brother, ease his mind that his mother has found rest and reunion with those she loved who went to the Summerlands before her. For my husband, physical healing from the flu which he cannot seem to shake. For my daughters, strength to see them through the funeral they will attend tomorrow. And for my friends gathered here who are also beginning this year in turmoil, may their hearts be lightened and their spirits eased."

For a long moment she stands, drinking in the sights and psychic impressions of this night. Then she retreats to her place in the circle, and watches...

...Fairymoon steps out of the shadows of the circle with her fairy friends at her side she moves towards the center. With the cold air breezing about her she smiles to all her friends that she has missed for many months. She steps towards the fire and takes out a pouch of some very special fairy incense. she throws it into the fire and raises her hands towards the moon. "Great lord and lady thank you for all the gifts you have blessed me with, may I serve you in a way that will honor you" she pauses for a moment then says" Give me the courage to believe in myself even if others don't. Give me strength in the path I seek and the will to follow it without doubt or deceit so mote it be" Fairymoon turns towards her spot in the circle with her land fey and gossamer wing fey in tow she returns to her spot in the circle...

…pombagira stops to pet boozer and steps into the circle. flickering beside her is a small electric orange shadow, the cat that snoozes and cavorts at the top of her word program as she works, the only animal no one is allergic to.

"spirits of familiar animals, you know when it's time to eat, when it's time to sleep, when it's time to play, when to welcome affection, when to defend yourself. help me to bring that kind of balance and order into my life, so I can listen to my body and spirit and do what's best for it. as i freely offer you sustenance in the season you need it, let me be given what i need at the time i need it, so i can live in peace in the moment and not in worry in the future."

"and i thank those who are guiding this ritual." she goes back to the edge of the circle tosses handfuls of nuts and seeds into the darkness outside the circle... until the next in the group comes forward...

…Harmony steps up to the north stump once again, Madison (tired but alert) follows with her eyes.

   "Brothers and Sisters on Wing,
   Creatures and spirits of Air
   Thanks for being here with us,
   Thanks for the time we shared.
   The Wolf Moon shines bright
   Blessed be and good night.

    To Go if you Must, Stay if you Will
   Hail and Farewell
   So Mote it Be."

With a quiet smile at the beautiful sky, Harmony snuffs out the candle and steps back into the circle...

…Boudica moves to the West and raises her wand.

"Ancient One of the West, Element of Earth, we thank you for visiting our circle this evening. We thank you for the food for our bodies and our brains. Please keep watch over the ones who inhabit your woods and forests and keep them well fed and happy."

"Stay if you wish, go if you must. But as you go, bless all you pass."

Boudica steps back to await Jess and South…

…Jess turns to the South. The candles' flames dance in an errant breeze. She raises her cherry wand above her head and says:

"Spirits of the South, thank you for joining our circle this evening. Thank you for warming our hearts and lighting our paths, wherever they may lead. Stay if you will, go if you must."

She tamps out the two candles and pours the whisky into the ground. A flicker in the corner of her eye catches her attention, but it's gone by the time she turns. It looked like a tail, flicked up playfully. But then again, maybe it wasn't.

Shaking her head, Jess returns her attention to the circle and watches Nym in the East…

…Nym' walks to the edge of the stream as the wolf pup returns from his adventure...he had followed the starlit flames on their journey and returned to Nym' with the spent candles.

"Ah you never quite catch that salmon my friend do you? The water carries her secrets sharing them where she will but never surrendering her complete knowledge."

Taking a small knife from her boot top Nym' pricks her finger allowing a few warm drops to mix with the icy stream...

"Spirit of water... you run within us and without...never the same, yet your spirit is constant. We thank you for your guidance, your calm, your strength. Blessings spirits of water... we offer you our thanks."

Nym' returns to the circle...

…Owl walks quietly back to the site of the ritual ... and sits comfortably on the ground. Her familiars jostle for position .. Boozer finally throwing himself down against her right side, Neleh on her left .. and Mo claims his favorite spot in her lap. As all settle down, Owl begins a deep breathing routine, listening, and sensing the energies of this place. Gazing around, she can feel the animals of the forest watching attentively.

"Spirit of the familiars ... this is your place. I can not dismiss you, for you are everywhere. I can not summon you, for you are always here. Therefore, I'd like to thank you for allowing us to share this time and space. Blessed Be."

Owl look up into the clear night sky... a shadow seems to form, and she realizes she is watching a rare phenomenon... a Black Rainbow! With a laugh, and a wave to her friends on the arc... Owl stands, and gathers her familiars close…

...Boudica returns to the circle after the last petitioner. She walks to the center and looks at all those who have joined in. She looks at all the animals, pets, familiars... Wolf Moon has been pleasant.

She speaks...

"Great Lord of the Woods, thank you for joining us in our circle. Again we ask your blessings on those who have joined us, blessings on the familiars and animals, blessings on the land."

"We ask you stay if you wish, or leave if you must. Please come again and dance once more with us in the moonlight."

She returns to the circle to await Red Deer...



...Deer again sheds his skins and the Aussie to whom he's familiar, then proceeds to their circle's center. Lifting his face high toward the night sky, Deer bays long and loud at the year's first full moon.

    "Ever round we go
    day and night,
    moons, seasons, ages.
    Always with You near,
    close as a whisper
    deep as our own heartbeats,
    brilliant as stars on a new moon night.
    Again, we are thankful
    that You permeate our Circle.
    Stay if You wish,
    go if You must,
    but please, we ask
    always return."

After another long howl, Deer returns to his place with Owlie and Myrlen and watches...

…Boudica walks to the center of the circle. "The time has come dear friends to break down the circle and say good-bye." She walks around the circle widdershins, the Little Bear nipping at her heals. As she walks, she chants:

   "Thrice around the Circle was bound
   As we created Sacred Ground
   We undo now this Sacred Space
   return now to our earthly place."

She returns to the center of the circle.

"The circle is open, dear friends, but never broken. Merry did we meet, merry do we part, and merry we shall meet again."

"Invitations to all up to the house for cakes, ale and a hot fire. Whatever hospitality we can offer to you all, please feel free to come up and partake."