FULL MOON RITUAL February 2002

   the virgo moon is white moon, fresh, clean, pure as spring water, water from a spring, water that bubbles up in the spring. the clouds swirling around her are touched with her brightness. virgo is the sign of healing and of service, work done day by day, little by little, to make the world better. i gaze up and see a nurse, a cook, a massage therapist, a priestess, a waitress, a cleaning woman, a master surgeon, all strong, self-possessed, virgin. i feel my own need and the needs of the world for help, for healing, for someone who has been this way before to teach how to serve without losing dignity, without losing self-regard, to do it easily, to accept it as a calling, to actually do some good. and i feel her hand--it is cool, easing the strained muscles; it is warm, soothing the arthritic joints. her hand is pale and freckled, it is smooth and calloused, it is black as night. it is cool on the face hot with tears of grief and anger. it is warm over the heart frozen with grief.

   her eyes see deep into the center and know when to begin the healing work. her wisdom calculates and calibrates minute particles in the blood and the organs, bringing into balance the hormones, the serotonins, the insulin, the white cells. wild cells, reproducing all out of order, are tamed and put back to their proper work. viruses sleep again, and pass away in their sleep; bacteria come into balance again to help the body. those who fight for sleep fall into it easily, those who fight exhaustion get the energy they need. she works as we sleep beneath her round, white lamp, and the everyday tiny cuts and scrapes and bumps on the body are given no less attention than the grievous wounds to the spirit. with her light she sees all, and attends all.

   the morning fog is white, almost opaque, a cloud of moon mist come to earth, to touch every surface with a healing sheen of her waters. the drops sink into the thirsty earth so that it can nurture and heal its beings. the drops sink into us so we can nurture and heal each other...

   ...Up before sunrise, Red Deer engaged in his usual morning routine - a workout and a shower - but found himself continually lapsing into a dream of Mama as healer, when he realized amid the hot water and steam that the time was nearly dawn of the first full moon after Candlemas. Tearing out from the front door still dripping wet, Deer surprises more than a dozen doe and yearlings who are milling about the front yard and nibbling on frozen grass. Just as the sky goes Carolina blue, he notes Mama setting in all her glory toward the west as Papa peeps over the northeastern horizon.

   Followed by both the Aussie Myrlen and his own cloud of steam, Deer races through the icy air to Grandfather Oak for a quick - and warm, despite the frigid temperature - hug. As the deer herd leaps for the wood, he catches a glimpse of the old stag he's called Uncle for many a year now before he, too, makes for the closeness of many trees. "Many thanks to you each - Mama, and Papa, Grandfather and Uncle - for all with which I am blessed." Beginning to shiver, Deer retreats to the warmer clime of their home and continues to prepare for the day ahead...

   ...Owl had been away for a few days, attending a Concert at Penn State. The drive to State College was nice, .. clear skies, not much traffic, and the hotel was confidently located, and clean! ... After stashing their stuff in the room, Owl & Will took a tour of the town, it had been a while since their last visit. Stopping for dinner at a steak house, they decided to go to the Bryce Jordan Center early to get a good parking place. But first, they had to stop at the local Barnes and Noble for a quick browse thru the "Bargain" section. It didn't take long to spend a bunch of money.. but they were giggling as they staggered out with two bags of books...

"Heroes of The Dawn - Celtic Myth & Mankind"
"What Life was Like when Rome Ruled the World - Roman Empire 100 BCE - 200 CE"
"Spells, by Matthew Green"
"Heartlight, By MZ Bradly"
"Home Projects Woodworking"
"The Way of the Spirit" (Native American)
"Card Tricks" (Really!~ Casey is into this!)

And a few others just for fun!

   Sitting in the parking lot, waiting for the doors to open, we watched the Full Moon bathe the University town with a surreal glow. The wind came up, and gusts buffeted the car, tossing the first flakes of a promised snow storm across the windshield. Braving the elements, we ran from the car to the warmth of the concert hall. Finding our seats, and settling in, we waited for the opening of the show. It was great! Neil Diamond doing a non-stop performance for 2 hours. We danced, we laughed, we cried, and came away feeling like teenagers . Back to the hotel, and the Moon followed us ... words from one of the songs kept running thru my head ..."You are the Sun, I am the Moon, you are the Song, I am the Tune ... Play Me" ... So, we did! And yes, we even talked about all of you on Paganpath, and hoped you were having a great FMR, just as we did...

   ...For the last two nights, a snow storm has been raging around the land Boudica watches over. Mama moon, for whom she was waiting, has been peeking through the occasional thin cloud, teasing and playing.

   The clouds clear for a brief moment in the dark of night with the snow swirling, and the face of the Mother is just visible. She smiles down, for a brief instant, and is gone again behind the deepening snowstorm.

   It is February, the winter has been elusive, almost non committal in its appearance, yet now when we should be seeing the promise of spring, we see snowstorms. There is a promise of another one this weekend coming.

   Boudica waits for the morning, and the arrival of Father Sun. We are blessed this morning with a glorious day, sun shining, cold as all get out, but bright with the rays of the sun reflected on a fresh new blanket of pristine snow. This evening promises to be clear and a walk on the land in the bright moonlight is eagerly awaited.

   Yes, the seasons seem to be messed up this year. Maybe Mother does need healing. The birds at the feeders, the squirrels and the newly arrived groundhogs (mom and dad have chosen a den at the edge of our yard, where we can watch them as they make their rounds without disturbing them) all seem to be out of tune with the cycles. The birds sing spring mating calls in the snow covered landscape, cause it was 60 last week for a number of days, their plumage is brilliant for attracting mates, and yet, its not quite time yet. I will have to put out more houses to accommodate them in their early hatchings.

   It's been a strange winter, Boudica wonders what is in store for us this summer...

   ...This has been such a trying weeks so far for Nym' filled with good news and bad.....And then she spotted Luna... A nimbus of light surrounded her, glowing with promises of change.

   This week stated with Nym's enchanted granddaughter pointing to the moon and calling her "Luna" (while Nym' offered an abundance of thanks to Bear in the Big Blue House).......the ring around the waxing moon told Nym' of changes to come. Both daughters have held a desire for children of their own that now looks like it IS meant to be.....and then the tragic news of a life cut too short. With emotions being pulled to opposite ends of the spectrum.........the sight of the Moon at her fullest reminded Nym' that not all of life's answers are meant to be known, all we can do is trust.

   As the Moon has danced with the Earth for millions of years, as the Mother joins in dance with the Father, so must we dance with the mysteries that enfold us.

   Nym' knew that this was a moon for her to spend in solitude and wondered about her brothers and sisters...

   ...In the midst of an uneventful day, Jess pauses to realize she, too, has almost missed this Full Moon! It's been a month of endings and beginnings. On her altar rests a cartoon puzzle featuring Bugs Bunny in that moment just before he will stop the red monster with a high pitched "My stars!" Jess reflects on the passage of a genius and his miraculous, timeless legacy.

   She also pauses to reflect on her best friend's burgeoning romance with happiness and a little sadness. A new relationship begins, and an old one changes just slightly.

   Shaking her head, Jess comes back to the here and now. The day is not over and work still sits before her. Thank you, Bright Lady, for good friends, good food, good music, good day, and good night!...

   ...Sharon realizes that she paid homage to Mother Moon last month in California as She floated like a huge lantern over the Pacific. Last night Sharon saw Her again in all Her brilliant glory, lighting the snow-covered land in Wyoming to near-day brightness.

   She pulled the tides of ancient Earth to stir the primeval soup and help Life form: we owe her what and who we are now...

   ...Lyn realized only the night before how close the full moon was. Surprised, she had wondered why nothing was going on in paganpath. She was happy to see an impromptu fmr happen.

   Lyn's days have been a blur of errands and chores. She's making the biggest move so far in her life and is moving to Texas with her family. After a seemingly endless period of being on hold, things are moving at breakneck speed. It's exciting and scary at the same time. She wonders if she'll like Texas. She certainly hopes so, since there's no going back if she doesn't.

    It is falling into place...money coming when we needed it, the apartment coming through, things happening with both jobs at the same time to "nudge" us, and many other little things. It feels right...even if Lyn is scared.

   The weather has been weird here. A couple of days ago we were in the fifties and the driveway had turned to mud. The squirrels were about and birdsong was in the air. The wind even felt warm and Lyn was running around in a t-shirt. Now the past two days, the mud has frozen solid again and a sharp, cold wind has been blowing. Maybe it's winter's last hurrah?

    Feeling nostalgic even for this, Lyn can't help but wonder what it's like in Austin right now.

   Tying up loose ends here and hoping the neurologist gives Greg the all clear later this morning, Lyn smells her coffee brewing and knows that she needs to get herself moving. Taking a deep breath, Lyn moves on to the future. The people, memories, and places she loves here will always remain a part of her. Now there's new people to meet, new memories to make, and new places to see.