FULL MOON RITUAL March 2002

   Nym' and her husband had found this spot last fall while exploring the outskirts of Camp David. A little walk off the beaten path had brought then to a place of tranquil beauty.

   Following the sound of the stream was a place that emanated joy in the elements.

   The stream flowed gently over rocks to the edge of a small waterfall, from there cascading into a pool created by the local beavers... their dams carefully placed, had left a pool large enough for a moonlight swim in it's crisp, clean water. he towering oaks, a playground for the local wildlife, and from the sign of a rope dangling from the tallest tree beside the pool, a place of laughter for the local children.

   The sunlight played through the branches, embracing the fresh spring buds. A few sprays of forsythia sprung forth the length of the path.

   Gathering the forsythia along the way and stray acorns left over from last season Nym made her way to a large boulder beside the base of the waterfall. The Towering Oak, the swirling pool and this boulder at the bottom of the waterfall formed a perfect trine. Someone last season had built a fire ring at the center.

   The peace of the mountain made it easy to see why President Roosevelt had chosen this setting for a retreat... The place we've come to know as Camp David was once called, by Roosevelt, Shangri-La. ere plans and decisions have been made affecting us all, touching the lives we live and the world we live in...

   ...The song of the birds was giving way to the joyful peep of the tree frogs and distant voices signaled Nym' that it was time to prepare.

   Placing the flowers and acorns on the boulder, Nym' removed from her shoulder bag a stag antler.. a gift she found in these woods last fall. lacing it beside the other gifts of the woods she entrusted her Brighid candle to its embrace. large basket of eggs sat in waiting alongside the altar.

   Gandolf has prepared the sacred fire.. only oak would be used tonight. s she heard the others gathering and forming a natural circle within this sacred place.. she lights a sweetgrass braid and walks to the pool. Offering jasmine blossoms to the starlit pool she stops to wonder at the brilliant reflections swirling.. as hopes and dreams swirl in the waters of our lives.. some to move forward.. others to remain still for reasons we are not meant to know. ext Three star shaped candles emerged from her bag.. one for each world, whispering as she lights each and setting it to float upon the water.. a reflection of the earth around her and the sky above:

   Thou Queen of the moon,
   Thou Queen of the waters,
   Thou Queen of the flowers,
   Thou Queen of the stars,
   Thou Queen of the earth,
   Thou Queen of the night.

   Next to the great Oak.. placing in three hanging candleholders white jasmine candles and again lighting them from the tiny flame of the braid:

   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. BR>    Through thy gift of nature,
   Bestow upon us fullness in our need.

   From here she moves to the boulder.. lighting the candle from the braid, and placing a bouquet of jasmine beside it, Nym' begins to walk around the space, circling a second time.. Feel the earth flow.. the life of the water.. the light of the flames.. root yourself like the great oak and remember times past.. look to the future and remember the mysteries. Come to the center of all you are.

   Moving to the fire ring Nym' feeds the sweetgrass braid to the flame;

   Within the Circle of Circles,
   The peace of Pwyll and Llew,
   Of Manawyddan and Math the Ancient,
   And of the two perfect words.

   Stepping back to join the others Nym' waits...

   ...Windwalker followed the path through the woods. he let her mind open outward to feel the strength held within. Her feet tread lightly through the leaves, yet the subtle smell of their decay wafted up to her. he dampness, the smell of something ending. And beginning. Soon the scent changes to include a moistness that signals water nearby. he steps out to the site that Nym has chosen for this FMR and just stands, soaking in the feel of it. Subtly letting her rhythms match that of the surroundings. s she had walked here, she had collected a small bundle of twigs, which she now places on the boulder as she steps forward. he nods at Nym, then removes a small pack and stands. Silently she gathers in the sights, sounds, smells and power of the area. breeze blows through her short dark hair - lifting slightly to show the first signs of greying. he comes to celebrate the maiden reflection of the earth at this time of year, as she slowly marches towards the crone forces within herself. till, now is a time of fertility. time of promise and new beginnings. Windwalker removes a few articles from her pack to begin. Lighting a fire among the twigs, she fans it lightly with feathers to bring the embers to light. he cleanses herself with the smoke from the sweetgrass that Nym lit. hen throws a pinch of tobacco on the fire to honor her ancestors. he also removes a small potted seedling that she will plant at this site when all is done. One of the fast growing wisteria seeds that is the bane of her front lawn. But can grow wildly here giving a splash of purple color each spring. Windwalker also adds her hand painted egg to the basket Nym brought. Its design is of four quarters. Each holding a representation she visualizes for earth, air, sea and fire. Lastly a pile of daffodils from her home that began to bloom when it was unseasonably warm and now are at the mercy of winter's last attempt at staying. he offers them now to the mother knowing that their brief life has given her and now others some small measure of delight.

    Windwalker closes her eyes and reaches out and in to Elohino. Feeling herself grow deeper towards the mother's embrace, she is comforted and at peace. he begins: "Hail and welcome spirit of the Earth. e rejoice in your presence as children lovingly welcome those who have brought them forth into life. e calm in the sound of your song as it lulls us to a feeling of security and we revel in your sights and scents as it opens our souls to the peace we find in your embrace. s the new dawn comes in the cycle of life, so does the time of the fertile earth. Elohino, your warm inner core heats from below all life above. Through your loving embrace the seeds of tomorrow are held forth, bringing us new life and hope. e ask that you join us now in celebrating the start of this new life, new ideas, and new beginnings."

    Bending to grab a handful of rich earth at her feet, Windwalker places it on the altar as a reminder to those who come to walk softly on the earth. or with each step we walk on our ancestors and on our future. hen smiling at Nym and those present she takes her place in the circle and waits for...

   ...The hush of the wooded night air is punctuated by the splashing of the water falling into the sparkling pool. Beth watches the ripples push Nym's floating star-shaped candles gently to the edges of the pool where they are joined by the jasmine blossoms.

   She smiles at Nym and Windwalker and slowly takes a deep breath of the night air, drawing its coolness inward and feeling it fill her lungs and touch her heart. he gathers herself.

   Stepping forward toward the altar, Beth places a small iridescent crystal dragonfly on it, turns to the east and draws her jacket closer. he early spring moonlit air is cold. he closes her eyes and draws another deep breath.

   "Spirits of the air, riders of the wind, bringers of new life and new breath, we call to you tonight. less us with your presence. et us feel the stirrings of spring, of warmth, of new beginnings and of hope as you scatter the losses and the sorrows of the winter we have just trudged through.

   "Share with us your gifts of vision, clarity and wisdom to help us make sense out of confusion and calm out of chaos. et your inspiration fill our hearts so that we may reach for the brightness of the future, embrace the blessings of the present and softly release the pain of the past."

   She reaches into the pocket of her jacket and brings out three purple-hued hazelnuts knotted together in a braid of hay stalks from her barn. Through the top of the knot, she has pushed a small feather.

   "Spirits of the air, we honor all your faces; your golden sunrises, your morning mists, your spring birdsong, your hot blue skies and puffy midday clouds of summer, your darkening storm clouds, your foggy afternoons, your brisk fall breezes with dancing golden leaves, your flaming sunsets that paint the sky, your twilight stillness, your snowy skies and cold winter winds, your midnight cloaks and brilliant moons. e honor you!"

   With an upward flick of her hand, Beth tosses the feathered bundle up into the night air. t disappears into the darkness momentarily and then makes a gentle tumbling arc downwards and splashes softly into the pool. he smiles and imagines the silvery flicker of the Druid salmon darting up for the hazelnuts of wisdom.

   Reaching into her other pocket, Beth brings out a small vial of faerydust. Pouring a small pile of her sparkly lifeblood onto the altar next to the dragonfly, she silently invites the fey whimsy of her magick to awaken and return on the wings of spring.

   Drawing a quick breath, she bends down, blows the faerydust into the cold spring night air and steps back to watch. t glitters, suspended in the moonlight for a brief moment, and then is gone.

   "Spirits of the air, hail and welcome!"

   She pushes a lock of hair out of her face with sparkly fingers, smiles at Nym, and slips back into the circle to wait for...

   ...Nym' walks to the pool.

   "Spirits of water you have shown your many faces on this mountain these past few days; snow, hail, a gentle rain.. thundering downpours. You are within us as well, tears of sorrow, tears of joy, life-giving blood.. Your power to destroy or give life awes us.. Without your flow we would not be."

   Pricking her finger with an icicle shaped pin.. Nym' allows the drops of her blood to join the swirling water of the pool.

   "Spirits of the water we welcome you and ask you to lend to us what energy you may.

   "Failtich"

   Nym' steps back to wait for Harmony...

   ...Harmony, who has been meditating upon the flame of the campfire, steps forward. he places a stick of cinnamon in the campfire, then steps southward. he pulls from her pockets a tigereye and a garnet. other stones had been lovingly and laboriously shaped and polished by her lover, Jade. I offer here these stones full of personal energies to you, Spirits of Fire. You, like the heat of the stone worker's wheel, motivate us to achieve new shapes, new states. his is the season of change and rebirth. e call upon your energy to drive and motivate our own energies, both in our mundane and magical lives. Spirits of Fire and Sun, we welcome you here and ask you lend us your energies here in this circle."

   Harmony then leaves to the two tear drop shaped stones to sit at the south side of the circle and steps back in to turn her attention to...

   ...Fern, who has been meditating and listening, steps forward. n her meditation she had been pondering the wonders of Eternity, and how linear time and order is just an illusion.

   "Ancestors." She beings her chant in a whisper that all can hear, as she walks a spiral towards the fire. You who gave us our flesh - our human line, our pre-human mammal line, all the lines before that back to the first stirrings of life on earth." Her voice grows louder as the chant goes on. Ancestors. You who gave us support or love or teaching in this life, though not blood kin. Ancestors. You who gave us our philosophies, our teachings, our knowledge base. Ancestors of blood, of spirit, of mind - we invite all of you to be here with us at this time, in this circle, in this union. end your strengths and knowledge and power to our rite. Ancestors, Blessings and Welcome!"

   With her final words almost as loud as a shout, she throws an handful of black powder on the fire. he flame flairs up, roars back at her, and then calms.

   Fern goes back to her place in the circle, and awaits...

   ...Doreen steps up to the Nature Spirits altar and places a figure of a Greenman she bought in England a few years ago on the altar; she then lights a green candle. he says: "Nature Spirits - you who inhabit the air, the land, and the sea, living hand in hand with humanity, the time for rebirth is close at hand". he walks up to a large oak tree near the circle and encircles it with her arms, gaining strength from the mighty one. he continues, "Some trees are budding, and the heartiest flowers are starting to bloom. Sap is flowing, and nests are being made for the young ones yet to come. his is a time of great activity and importance. Hibernation is near an end and animals are stirring in caves, and hollows, in lakes and streams. This is the time of greening when colors and scents and life burst forth from the mother's womb that we call earth".

   Doreen then walks up to the fire, raises her arms in the air and proclaims:

   "Nature Spirits - we honor your wisdom and your unbridled power. You are always surprising us in ways that we cannot always fathom. Nature Spirits -BLESSINGS AND WELCOME!!!"

   Doreen walks back to her place in the circle and awaits the next participant...

   ...Owl steps to the altar and lays a sprig of Rosemary, then walks slowly around the altar widdershins. As she walks, she acknowledges the quarters, and looks at all the faces gathered in this space, at this time. three times she circles the Altar.. as she began, all could see the Crone walking, as she continued, her stride became longer, and her walk took on a sway. spring came into her step, and a flirtatious twinkle began to glow in her eyes. he began to sing a soft chant as she walked..

   Hoof & horn, hoof and horn,
all who die will be reborn ..
   corn and grain, corn and grain,
   all who die will come again.

    As she completes the third circle, Owl stands with arms upraised, bathed in the moonlight, and she looks like the Maiden once again.

    Softly, she begins to speak with the Mother..

   In all of us, no matter our age, there is the memory of when we were young, and frivolous, and beautiful with the glow of youth. From the distance of age, we see that more clearly than when we were truly young. o at this sacred time of the year, we honor the youth of today, as well as the youth we have already spent. e recognize that the Maiden never leaves us, even though we have gone on to other phases. And so, as we call the Mother to join with us, we honor all her phases, but particularly the Maiden of Spring. or in the cycles, there are always new beginnings.. and wonder.. and magick.

    "Maiden come dance with us, Mother come love with us, Crone come sit with us .. And tell us your stories!"

"Bring with you the joys and the promise of Spring."

   "I invite you, my Lady, to honor us with your presence."

    Owl turns and looks for Red Deer, knowing that he too will be feeling that wonder, and with a grin, and a flirtatious bow, she waits...

   ...Though not yet Sage, Deer too feels the changes reflecting youth within as he rounds their space - deosil for the waxing springtime sun and, as usual, in apposition to Owl's widdershins. Smiling mischievously at her while completing his three turns, Deer thinks "How naturally it seems to us to recognize not only the wheels within wheels, but the continued presence of strength inherent to a pattern of one waxing, one waning - one always approaching their zenith while the other moves toward nadir. o it is with our Lady and our Lord. With you I find not only the cycles, but the harmonies generated by two patterns locked into one." And coming upon the altar, he too feels regenerated.

   "Star and Moon, Star and Moon
   All around shall pass so soon.
   Moon and Sun, Moon and Sun
   All that's lost is once more won.
   Sun and Star, Sun and Star
   You and I always are."

   Tossing his head, Deer sends waves of honey-colored hair flying on the evening breeze as shadow antlers dance across the rough earth. Testosterone high, mischief level through the roof, pawing the ground - he is more than ready for the burgeoning Spring. Memory of another moon - decades of Springs ago - resurface, with the now somewhat embarrassing call of "Bring on the Virgins!!!" ringing through the night. He blushes, though only slightly at his impropriety and complete lack of political correctness, and far more at the surge of the solar tide within his blood.

    And as Owl had called to Mother in Her own terms - recognition, sharing, communication; Deer now called to Father in His - simple.. bold.. action. Dropping his doeskin pouch on the altar, Deer loosens its drawstring and spills a cache of sticky berries - the last of this winter's mistletoe crop, once white but now yellowing - across the rocky surface. Then removing from his arm the only adornment worn this evening (other than amber, of course), he held high the ash fork strung with latex. That others had thought an odd bracelet revealed itself as a slingshot. Deer wasted no time in scooping up several the sticky fruits and firing them into the overhanging boughs. Some might think his repetitions of this action foolish (as it probably is). Never-the-less, Deer knows that unlike it's cousin from the Isles, southern mistletoe requires only a small amount of coaxing to establish itself among oak boughs. Then, laughing at his own seriousness, he carefully takes aim and plants one seed squarely on Owlie's forehead in exactly the position sacred across times and cultures. And having scored his game, Deer calls out:

   "Blue God,
   Green God,
   Lord of the Hunt
   Be here now!"

    Then, with a deep bow of his own - to the tinkle of unseen bells and the flash of green fire in his eyes - Deer approaches his old but ever young friend. Taking both her hands in his, Deer firmly kisses each before leading her in a wild spiral of pirouettes about the altar and the fire. Ever wilder and faster they move until unable to keep up with their own feet, thus ending in a heap to the altar's east.

    Somewhat dazed, Deer slowly rises and bellows to the moon and night sky above before offering Owl a hand getting up. Then, after a hug which defies classification - shared among two who have danced this dance in almost all possible relationships to each other - Deer moves away and somewhat sheepishly retakes his place among the circle of friends. Glancing about him, Deer - never quite at ease with some of the directions impulse, even religious, leads him - faintly blushes again, before catching the smile in Owl's eyes across the circle from him...

   ...Still winded from the "Wild Ride", Owl blows a kiss to her brother, and thanks him once again for reminding her of who we were, who we are, and who we will be again. And as we celebrate the seasons, we know the promise of the Mother and the Father has once again been renewed.

   "We are the Old Ones,
   We are the New Ones
   We are the Same Ones
   Stronger than before ..
   and stronger shall we be..."

   ...Jess steps forward, swallowing to relax and open her throat. flute plays four rising notes and she sings:

   In the scented bud of the morning, Oh,
   When the windy grass went rippling far
   I saw my dear one walking slow
   In the field where the daisies are.

   We did not laugh and we did not speak
   As we wandered happily to and fro.

   (impishly she sings)

   I kissed my dear on either cheek
   in the bud of the morning, Oh!

   A lark sang up from the breezy land
   (the flute plays a larks call)
   A lark sang down from a cloud a far
   (another call)
   As he and I went hand in hand
   In the field where the daisies are.

   Jess gives a quick hug to the flutist and returns to her spot...

   ...suz steps to the altar, carrying her leetle cauldron. before leaving the house she had thought to bring the big one and simmer up a glorious springtime soup with wild onions and leeks and baby carrots, but the small one piped up in indignation, dancing around on its three leetle feet and squeaking with outrage.

   so she relented.

   she places the iron cauldron on the altar, where it gives a tiny sigh of satisfaction and beams fatuously at her. smiling and shaking her head,

   suz takes from under her cloak a flask of spring water, just drawn from the stream prior to the ritual.

   'water of the mountains, water of the wilds, water from deep within the body of the mother. e part of our ritual this night.'

   she carefully pours the sparkling stream of moonlight into the cauldron.

   from a soft silk pouch she shakes a few items into her hand and carefully selects three pomegranate seeds for persephone! i place these in the cauldron in honor of the maiden, who transformed from laughing, frivolous, lovely young one into a queen and goddess in her own right.

   hail, persephone!'

   into the cauldron go the juicy, plump, deep magenta drops.

   suz selects three more tiny objects.

   'wheat seeds for demeter! i place these in the cauldron in honor of the mother, who loved her daughter so that she almost destroyed all in her grief, and would not yield to the admonitions or pleas of her peers. and yet she did come to see the truth.. that our children grow beyond us and have lives and paths of their own. and she returned the sunshine of her blessings to the world.

   hail, demeter!'

   the tiny gleaming golden seeds tip into the cauldron.

   finally suz picks from her palm three cloves of garlic.

   'garlic for hecate! without whose wisdom and mediation all could have been lost. ark lady whose deep mysteries bring about the most profound changes, let your wisdom guide us.

   hail, hecate!'

   and the pearly segments plop gently into the cauldron.

   suz smiles at red deer. i hadn't known what to bring for the god, so i thank you, brother.'

   she carefully selects three mistletoe berries from the sticky pile on the altar.

   'hades! dark lord of the underworld who rules with strength and compassion! virile and passionate lord who had the courage to yield his prize, and thus gain his heart's desire! let your example inspire us.

   hail, hades!'

   the mistletoe seeds drop softly into the cauldron.

   there is a faint swish and burble. suz peeks cautiously into the pot, and sees the objects swirling merrily together, the water shimmering gently as seeds and cloves play and dance. he cauldron smirks at her smugly.

   suz snorks softly as she steps back into the circle and awaits...

   ...Jess shakes her cold-fogged head to clear it and steps to the bubbling cauldron. into it she drops a powder-blue hydrangea blossom from the plant on her kitchen table, a gift from an all too recently departed friend.

   "Hecate, you pulled the rug from under me yesterday. We drove as fast as we could, but it wasn't fast enough, or early enough, or whatever, to save my dear friend Barbara. know she was ready to leave. know she was tired and missed her husband so terribly. hank you for the wonderful people who helped her and offered comfort and kindness to us."

   On the altar Jess placed a toy ambulance. Thank you to any and all rescue personnel. hey truly are special people..."

   ...Owl bows her head and silently asks Hecate to help Barbara at the Crossroads.. and receives a small thwack on the head.. "Already done, dear Sister.. All is well!..."

   ...Lyn steps forward, the warm winds of Texas coming with her. Her hair, which she is pleased is growing out, brushes her face in the breeze.

    She walks to Suz's little cauldron, which seems very pleased with itself. Looking in; she views the swirling, bubbling waters. It's almost as if she sees the chaos and tumult of life in the churning waters. But in amongst the chaos are the things which others have put in; dreams, love, sadness, connection to the divine, death, life, and hope. 8 he realizes that life is what you make it. You can't control the chaos, but you can put your own mark on it. With the help of others, you can make something more of it. Something no less chaotic but full of meaning and beauty.

    Lyn looks at the egg in her hand. t is painted purple. here's a pink heart for Katlyn, a blue diamond for Bill, a yellow crescent for Douglas, a black star for Greg, and a white bow-tie for Emily. hey are the people closest to her heart.

    "Lord and Lady, thank you for everything. or the money coming through that made this move possible, forgetting us and our stuff here safely, for seeing Emily through the nasty bug that hit her on the way here, and for helping us settle in.

    It's going to be quite an adjustment for all of us; it's like a whole different world. Already, though, we've found a pagan store. here's a spiral scout group starting here in a couple of weeks. Replanning on getting my oldest two in and hoping to make some friends in the local pagan community. Reg and Bill have found the local gaming store and are hoping to find a gaming group here." Throwing a couple of bluebell blooms in the pot, she asks, "My request is that Bill and Greg both find jobs soon and that they will be happy with them.

    Please bring ease to Jess' grieving heart at the loss of her friend. may not know Jess personally, but I understand the pain of loss."

    Glad at the new beginnings that have entered her life, she tries to shrug off the worries and trust that all will be well. he has always, albeit reluctantly at times, gone where life and the Gods have taken her. Everything in it's time...

   ...Rosemary slips a petition in thru the cracks..  Please steady my Doctor's hand on the 9th at 9:00AM, and have all my friends light a candle. I'll ask Kathleen to keep some of you posted so the info can spread...

   ...Deer retakes their circle's center, bringing a tea-sized linen back stuffed to overflowing with thistle, adder's tongue, stinging nettle, melissa, and willow. Flipping it into suz' happily burbling cauldron, he whispers to the night wind, "For Rosemary.." For some odd reason, visions of Lewis Carol's "The Jabberwocky" cross his minds eye. Deer is momentarily puzzled, until realizing that the now mythic beast is - for this time - shadowing Rosemary. But soon, she to will have "left it dead, and with its head come gallumphing back!"

   Next, Deer takes up one of the eggs left by his dear sister for their petitions. Deep reds, chocolates, cottonwood green and sky blues he deftly swirls about the shell and - after a long period of concentrated work - lays his request upon the altar beside suz' cauldron. Inspecting his handiwork, Deer is more than satisfied; he is, indeed, quite amazed to see the network of labyrinthine sandstone canyons - some with cottonwood stands and flowing waters at their bottom, others parched and dry - which have moved from the Colorado plateau through his mind's eye and onto this shell. Father, Mother.. the third moon hence shall find my youngest and me deep within red rock country. I ask first for safe journey, second that Kathryn make deeper acquaintance with You both within the desert's embrace, and finally for a renewal of my own sense of wonder." Dipping his little finger into the happy cauldron, Deer allows three drops of the fluid from within to fall upon that which he has crafted; he is not unsettled as the deep colors appear to wash away.. only to be replace moments later by an even deeper vision of full moon and myriad stars hovering in a midnight blue sky over Tse' Bii' Ndzisgaii.

    As Deer returns to his place among the circle of friends, he smiles to himself and is already planning their night under midsummer's full moon and stars...

   ...Doreen steps up to the roaring fire, tentatively. See, Doreen hardly ever asks for anything at ritual. She gives praise often and loves to give to the gods, but she never *asks* for a boon or for a favor. She thinks that the time is ripe, now, when things are starting to come to fruition and rebirth is upon us. "Brigantia," Doreen says, "You are the goddess of the tribe. You watch out for your people with your spear by your side. Your people, the Brigantes, came to you for petitions concerning tribal matters, and matters of life and death. Your tribe was one of the largest in what is now England - stretching nearly from coast to coast, in the north. My tribe is hurting right now - asunder - Brigantia.. I ask for your protection, your wisdom, and your courage to deal with the matters at hand, and get through them with aplomb."

    Doreen leaves behind a small crystal egg - for Brigantia - for her love, nurturing and help now, as always. Doreen turns, and in an instant she is gone - lost in the mysts of time...

   ...Sensing that all petitions, both silent and spoken, are complete Nym' steps forward once more.

   Placing a pomegranate that was concealed in her pocket on the altar Nym' offers a silent welcome to the spring, the time of rebirth, the time of her own birth.. the time of Aries.

   Goddess, grant me a light heart,    Keep me in the sight of thine eye;    Bless to me my work and my play,    Upon this return of the Ram's day.

   Her attention now focused on the eggs. hey drew her mind to the Saxon Goddess Eostre. Her name given to the Christian Easter and to the female hormone needed to give life. Legend was that she found an injured bird on the ground one winter. o save its life, she transformed it into a hare. But the transformation was not a complete one. he bird took the appearance of a hare but retained the ability to lay eggs. .the hare would decorate these eggs and leave them as gifts to Eostre.

    From the basket of eggs she removes two she had placed there earlier in the day.

   Danu I ask you look after these eggs. Both of my daughters are at points of new beginnings. he new life growing inside my youngest daughter seems healthy and resilient.. may it blossom with hope and joy. My first born has just undergone surgery to correct the problem that has kept her from her dream of a child, may this egg soon find it's home in her womb, strong and vital.

   Placing the eggs decorated with spirals back in the basket, Nym' moves the basket to a place beside the waterfall. potted plant of daisies had hidden the hole from earlier sight.. Moving the plant aside Nym' places the eggs and, with a small hand shovel nearby, the daisies are planted above to add joyfulness, peace and existence to the hopes and dreams they contain.

   Returning to her basket beside the boulder Nym' picks out three objects.

   Beginning at the pool she pours a pitcher of wine..

    We give thanks and honor to the spirits of these woods and the powers of the elements for their care and welcome.

   To the mighty Oak.. A pitcher of new milk

    We thank the ancestors for their guidance and protection.

   To the fire.. A handful of fresh jasmine for love, respect and gratitude to the Gods and Goddesses.

   We give our hearts to the wild magic,    To the Lord and the Lady of Nature,    Beyond any consideration of this world.

   Turning to look at all gathered with love and thanks;

   Be loyal to the Lord of the Wild Wood,    Be true to the Lady of the Stars,    True to yourselves and True to the magic of Nature above all else.

    To all that took part in this ritual, both seen and unseen.

   May the Wishes of Your Heart
   Shine Like Starlight In Your Eyes!

_____________
   (The Daisies, music by Samuel Barber, text by James Stephens)