FULL MOON RITUAL August 2002

   Parking Lot 10 is almost empty when Cailean pulls in. Late afternoon - the crowd at Back on the Beach Café next door is thinning quickly; mothers are packing up their sun burnt kids into the SUVs and heading back home; while a few roller bladers still rule the path through the sand. Just about right, she thinks. First thing is to tie the purple and pink balloon bouquet on the fence so all those out-of-towners don't spend the entire night driving up and down Pacific Coast Highway, although, truth to tell, that isn't such a bad way to spend a night.. cruising from Santa Monica to Malibu and back.

   Time to get moving, Cailean starts emptying out the back of her Rodeo and carrying bags and coolers and blankets down the beach. The few sunbathers stare at the big iron cauldron and sheathed sword but she just smiles at them. When everything is piled up at the chosen spot, Cailean takes a minute to gaze out at the lazy Pacific Ocean.. the sound and smell of it are "home" to her, cleansing any residue stress or angst from her system. A huge smile fills her face as the dolphins start appearing, as they always do, coming close enough to cause excitement amongst those few people still on the beach.

   Cailean shakes out a couple of blankets for the feasting later.. cooler goes here, bags of food there.. From the black mesh bag, she pulls out her CD wallet and chooses Patrick Ball's soft Celtic harp music, and sets up the CD player. Then she strolls down to the waters edge not too far away and hunts for seashells and bits of seaweed. She takes her big two-handled silver chalice and, after rolling up her pants, wades out a bit to fill it with ocean water. Of course, the water sprites can't resist the temptation to play with her. She comes out of the water a few minutes later soaked to her thighs but with the chalice filled.

   Placing the cauldron in the center of what will be the Circle, she fills it with a bit of sand, some charcoals and places the sage next to it. No fires allowed on state beaches, but so long as there's no flames shooting up, no one has ever hassled her about the cauldron fire. Besides, the Life Guard patrol has gotten to know her well enough that they just wave as they go by and ask when to come back for eats.

   Cailean takes out her sword and facing the ocean raises it over her head. Silently she calls to the Mother to come bless this space she is about to carve out. She uses the sword to draw the Circle in the sand, leaving a small entry way from the east. Back over to the supplies, she grabs the huge bouquets of fresh flowers she picked up at the Farmer's Market and starts marking the Circle in the bright colors of summer flowers.. reds, golds, blues, oranges, whites and purples, a glorious riot of color and scent. She stands up and nods, pleased so far. Outside the Circle of flowers she digs little holes in the sand and places votives to help mark out their space. Inside the Circle, she places the beautiful silverwork pentacle to the north of the cauldron, the chalice of seawater goes to the west, fire engine red candles are place to the south and to the east she places her mermaid shaped incense holder with three huge sticks of "Air Spirit" incense. She scatters some remaining flowers around these along with the seashells and seaweed she had gathered. She lights the charcoals in the cauldron and spreads some of the sage on it. During the ritual, she would like the others to take those things ailing them, their loved ones, Mother Earth, whatever is close to their heart and place it in the cauldron of sage for purification and healing. She lights the votives and heads back to the blankets to pull a skirt on over her wet sweatpants so she can take them off. While waiting for the others to arrive, she starts setting up the food for later.. cheese and crackers, plastic tubs of strawberries, finger sandwiches and of course, chocolate. The drinks stay in the cooler. Then she sits and contemplates the relentless ocean, knowing it to be the ultimate healer of her soul.

   As the others begin to arrive, there are smudge sticks for those who wish to purify that way; oils for anointing for those who wish to prepare that way.. and of course there's the Ocean, herself, one can always walk to the edge and let her purify you as she bathes your feet...

   ...Boudica watches as the sun starts to set into the Sea. Its been way too long since she was at the ocean, and being on the West coast. even longer. The smell is what she misses the most along with the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, even ever so gently.

   She walks barefoot, wearing a silk shift of bright reds and yellows as she faces west. She feels the warmth that radiates from the sand. The sun has heated it to a pleasant temperature, and she digs her feet into the sand so they are toasty warm. She faces the setting sun, and raises her arms out as to embrace the God as He dips further and further into the ocean. The colors are brilliant: purples, golds and reds. The clouds reflect those colors, and the show that is put on for all gathered is breathtaking. The warmth of the sun can still be felt and it embraces her as she embraces Him. She takes in the whole event, feeling the God dip down into her as the sun dips further into the ocean. An exchange occurs as the whole event unfolds and the loving embrace of the God strengthens as the colors deepen and the midnight blue veils of night replace the golden brilliance of the day.

   She watches in silence, nothing need be said. The show speaks for itself. As the last bits of the sun disappear, Boudica turns to the circle. "We would like to welcome the God who is with us this evening. We ask that He bless us with His warmth and His love. As we play and sing and make merry here this evening we will feel Him as He plays His pipes and beats His drums and dances with each of us. He is our Father, He is our Brother and He is our Lover. Feel him as He touches each of us and warms our spirit with his brilliance. Welcome to the God."

   She lowers her arms to her side, stands for a moment, then smiles, her eyes still reflecting the colors of the sunset. Then she turns to...

   ...Red Deer, bells jingling, eyes dancing - with feelings leading up to this moment reverberating through his current experience. He'd gone much further than asking mother ocean to wash his feet, and had plunged headlong into the Pacific. Momentarily shocked by the unexpected cool of this new ocean, Deer floated face up and watched the moon already soaring in the eastern sky. As the dolphins swam nearer thoughts of welcome and celebration had come to him, all riding on a wave of an intense - and often randy - sense of playfulness.

   Images of that frolic quickly led him back to shore and into Circle where Deer found his attention, during Boudica's incalling, irresistibly drawn back and back to the white sphere floating on the opposite sky. Soon after seeing Boudica's arms raised skyward, he finally turned to face Her and raised his own arms, framing both the moon and his invitation. And as Father's arms shimmering from gold through red to violet reached round the sky - encircling first Boudica, then their Circle and finally His long-time companion - Deer experienced the always new perceptual shift. For as Father dipped down into the one who called him, Deer felt himself raised up in similar embrace to join with Mother. For a moment, he saw not Her, but an indescribable panorama of the coast, a Circle of friends gathered at ocean's edge and dual image of Her lover in the last bloom of a sun setting in the dark waters. Deer feels himself floating in the last violets spread across the night sky before night.

   Mindful of feeling a touch vertiginous, Deer turns toward Boudica, reaches for her hands and speaks, "We would also like to welcome the Goddess Who is with us this evening. We ask that She bless us with Her light and Her love. As we play and sing and make merry here this evening we will feel Her as She plays the Harp of the Winds and fills our Circle and dances with each of us. She is our Mother, She is our Sister and She is our Lover. Feel Her as She reaches into each of us and lifts our spirits into the night sky. Welcome to the Goddess."

   Deer winks a bit slyly at Boudica before releasing one of her hands and turning to her side, to watch for...

   ...Jess curled her toes into the wet sand and let the incoming waves wet the hem of her blue sarong. The salt water gave the air a dampness very different from the heavy humidity back east. She breathed deeply once, twice, then turned and walked to the waiting circle.

   Standing in the East, she felt the breeze play with the loose tendrils from her braid. She took another deep breath and stilled the jumble in her head.

   "Spirits of the East, we welcome you this evening. You are Air, the breath, the current of life. Join us as we lend voice to our play!"

   Jess leaned down and lit a hurricane lamp. The wind did its best to reach the flame, made it dance wildly, but soon gave up and moved down the beach. Jess turned to the center to await the next call...

   ...Dancing Skygazer stands outside the Circle, amazed at the beauty of it, and in awe of the Pacific Ocean backdrop. She is wearing a red velvet thong and bra, and exposed portions of her body are covered in swirls of red, orange and yellow body paint. Her long red hair is unfettered, blowing in the gentle breeze, and still slightly damp from her earlier excursion into the salty waters. Her face is covered by a mask of red, white and black feathers, and tiny bells jingle at her ankles. In one hand she carries a tiki torch, and in the other, a small pouch. As she prepares to enter the Circle, she stoops and scoops up 2 strawberries which were so lovingly placed by Cailean. One is popped into her mouth, with a sly wink at her friend, and the other is added to the pouch.

   It is her turn. She steps up to the cauldron and dips the end of the tiki torch, which obligingly bursts into flame. Her pupils are wide and her eyes sparkle in the golden glow. She holds the small red pouch to her breast, and then gently tosses it into the fire. A blaze of sparkle and color arcs up from the cauldron, and one can smell the odor of burning hair, and the sizzling sound of the strawberry as it is licked and kissed by the flames. She dances slowly, deliberately in the deep sand, holding the torch above the heads of those gathered, three times deosil around the cauldron, and then steps to the Southernmost Quarter.

   Holding both arms outstretched, and the torch blazing high, she calls:

   "Hail and Welcome,
   Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South,
   Power of Fire,
   Children of Pele,
   We ask your presence in this Circle this night."

   Two white birds, seemingly from nowhere, circle overhead.

   She smiles, thrusts the torch deep into the sand, and steps back to her place in the Circle...

   ...Sharon, who has also been swimming in the chilly waters of the Pacific, now emerges from the waves and walks through the surf to the sandy shore. Someone hands her a thick white terry cloth robe which she puts on over her blue-green dive skin. The air is still warm, but turning cooler as the sun sinks lower into the sea. She enters the circle and stands facing the West.

   "From You we all came and to You we all return, O Guardian of the West. We welcome You to our circle and acknowledge that nothing we possess is permanently ours-that all will one day rejoin the oneness You represent. But tonight we ask that You remain with us a while and enjoy the uniqueness each of us represents."

   She turns to the chalice filled with sea water and cups shimmering liquid in her palms. Moving around the circle she flicks salty drops on each person, the reservoir not running empty until she returns to her place and tosses the remaining moisture up into the evening air. For a moment a cool shower falls within the confines of the circle, far more than can be accounted for by a mere handful of water. The Guardian is present. Sharon smiles and yields to...

   ...Cailean walks the directions, hugging Jess, Robin, Sharon, Peg, Boudica and Red Deer as she goes in thanks for the beauty of their words. She steps toward the cauldron which still smokes. She adds more sage to the mix.

   "The Circle is now open to petitions. Feel free to share your joys and burdens, for joys shared are doubled and burdens shared are halved. If any have any healing they wish to petition for, add it to the cauldron. Blessed be."

   She steps back and waits for those who would speak...

   ...I would like to petition for Prosperity and Abundance for everyone, including myself...

   ...Jess goes to the cauldron and drops in a handful of thyme and purple sage from her garden. The smoke drifts up and the ocean breeze quickly grabs it and wafts it away.

   Lady, I know everyone can't just "get along." People clash, ideas come into conflict. All I ask is the patience to hear all sides and the clarity to make the choice that is right for me, not everyone else.

   Then, Jess sets a matchbox car in the sand for Mykel. And, Lady, watch over Mykel and his family. They've been through so much already. He's a strong kid and I know he'll come through it all ok, but every little bit helps.

   Oh! And (dropping a ginko leaf into the cauldron) for Ali and all, here's for memory. It will come back!...

   ...Peg has arrived after a very long drive from the East coast. She parks the "CRONE" van and takes a long look at the Pacific Ocean. It is her first visit to California and seeing this beautiful body of water. She quickly removes her sundress of brown, rust and yellow hues and, skyclad, runs headlong into the water. Water IS her element! On her back, gazing at the sky and the setting sun, she feels she could float forever in the arms of Mother Ocean.

   But the Circle awaits -- beloved Owl and Boudica - Jess and Deer -- and the others she will meet for the first time. She slowly walks up to the shore, slips on her dress, and enters the Circle through the eastern portal -- a smile of joy on her face.

   Standing in the North, Peg takes a deep breath of contentment.

   "Greetings energies of North, energies of our Mother Earth - this sweet Earth that is our island home in the vast expanse of space. Without you there would be no existence for us -- for plants, animals, minerals, air, fire and water. We humbly ask that you be present here with us tonight, if it is your will. We welcome you."

   Peg gazes at the beautiful silverwork pentacle that has been placed in North, and removes a small leather pouch from her pocket. It contains sand from the Cape Cod shore. She sprinkles a little on the pentacle, and then at East, South and West, and the remainder around the cauldron. Smiling again, Peg slips into the Circle next to Owl...

   ...While healing petitions are being made, Peg silently slips out of Circle - walks to the CRONE van, and retrieves drums, rattles, and bells, so that all may make joyful sounds around the cauldron. Let the dance of life and healing commence!...

   ...Owl steps forward, smiling at old friends and new, and asks for each one to help her with a special petition. As some of you know, Rosemary and Abe have moved this week to a wonderful new home/Church. Their dedication and willingness to provide a Sacred Space for the Community is a wonderful thing to see. However, Abe will be going to the hospital next week for a debilitating Chemo treatment. My petition is on his behalf, as well as asking for strength and assistance for Rosemary as they go thru this trial. Lord, Lady, please keep these Elders safe, and help them to accomplish their dreams offered to your worship.

   So Mote it Be...

   ...The chill of the Pacific, reminded Nym' of her love of the ocean....the strength and healing her long swim blessed her with brought back memories of her childhood in the Atlantic....The distance between the two shores seemed a symbol of how far in her life she had moved...and how far she had yet to go. Thanking the forces that surround her life for guiding her journey on the tides and looking back to the waves before joining the others....Mother, peaceful and calm, wild and stormy, you are part of us as we are part of you. Lend us your serenity and strength tonight.

   The strands of pearls and crystal entwined about Nym's wrists and ankles seem to come alive at the edge of the water itself.. the cool aqua flow gives honor to the moon as she moves to the cauldron.

   From inside her robe she removes three things: The first, a handful of white sage, to purify and protect.. The second, a braid of herbs, vervain, lavender and rosemary ...."There are many we hold dear in need of healing, love and protection. For Windwalker, Typo, Abe and other members of our family young and old"......The third, a woven circle of knots...."Mother this thread I spun, three nights times three of newborn fleece...the knots are woven with love and concern for my children and theirs.. I ask you to guide my son-in-law to make the wisest choices for the child soon to be born, protection and guidance for the child that is waiting, and comfort and joy for my young daughter.

   Within the Circle of Circles,
   The peace of Pwyll and Llew,
   Of Manawyddan and Math the Ancient,
   And of the two perfect words,
   The two perfect words.
   The peace of the Mother of Love,
   The peace of the Maiden of Beauty,
   The peace of the Crone of Wisdom,
   To ourselves and to our children,
   Our children and our children's children."

   With the boline from inside her robe...Nym' removes a lock of her own hair and adds it to the bundle of three before offering them to the cauldron.

   "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 respect and affection.
   I bow my head before;
   The laughter of the Spirits,
   The wisdom of the Ancestors,
   The blessing of the Gods,
   The magic of the night."

   As the cauldron welcomes the offerings....three wisps of smoke take life from its flames. Rising on the air they swirl and twist forming a knot....

   Nym' looks to the moon...."So Mote it BE"

   A school of dolphins play upon the building waves, the moons shines on her children as Nym' returns to her place to await...

   ...As Peg returns with an armload of drums and instruments, Whisper glances back at his own djembe sitting in the sand nearby...

   ...Whisper stands watching the waves, mesmerized by the sparkling reflection of the full moon upon the water. It's been many years since he has seen the ocean and he wonders if his beloved ever has ... Stepping forward to the center of the circle, he gently places a single white rose on the sand near the cauldron. He pauses for a moment, gazing silently at the bloom while he gathers his thought on all that it represents, then stands facing the moon. Raising his arms to the moon, he draws the cool, silvery light into his spirit letting it fill him with the peace and love of the Goddess.

   Blessed Mother, for five long years I have worked towards the goal of my life.

   As the first glow of a new dawn appears on my horizon, I ask for your strength, your guidance, and your protection on the road ahead. Grant me the strength to overcome the obstacles that stand yet before me and help me to know when to tread carefully and when to leap boldly ahead in the pursuit of my goal.

   As he stands contemplating the moon, it's glow seems to become brighter and brighter, filling him completely with a brilliant sparkling light.

   Feeling that a great weight has been removed from his heart, he lowers his arms and retrieves a small pouch from his robes containing rose petals, powdered rose quartz, and marigold petals from his garden and tosses it into the cauldron.

   Bowing his head, he gives a word of thanks, and returns to his place in the circle...

   ...Boudica steps forward.

   There is so much. We both have jobs full time permanent jobs right now, and for that bit of closure we are thankful. My son is home with me, for whatever time he spends with me, I am thankful.

   There are a few people who mean a lot to her who are really sick right about now. She loves them all dearly and wishes each of them a speedy recovery if it is meant to be. She will keep them in her cauldron of care at home.

   It is a time of changes in many people's lives. For her own life, major changes seem to be over, for the time being. Small changes occur each day.

   She turns to look where the sun had set, and she looks to the moon, who has reached the high point in the sky. Blessings for all of those who are here, and for those who are not.

   She will take her first steps onto a new path for herself. Time has come for this crone to walk the Wiccan Path for a while. She gazes at the moon, yea, that's right, I'm gonna finally do it.

   She steps back into the circle to await...

   ...Storme steps forward. The setting feels magickal, the ocean has always renewed her. She breathes deeply of the salt air and raises her arms to the moon "Lady several moons ago I came before you, hurting, afraid, worried about the hurts my daughter had received and not even knowing how to comfort her. I planted a seed and hoped that as it would grow so would my daughter heal and regain her trust. Lady, I know we still have a long way to go, but now I can see a road ahead, we have both come further than I believed possible. You have comforted and strengthened us both, far beyond my dreams, and for this I thank you and I ask that you will continue to do so".

   She steps up to the cauldron and into it throws a bouquet of flowers and herbs from the garden, lavender and rosemary, marigolds for friendship and one single rose that grew where no rose should have been able to. "Thank you, Lady" she whispers and returns to the circle grateful once more for the opportunity of being here...

   ...Boudica brings out her bodhran.

   Are we ready for this yet?...

   ...Nivasi steps forward, holding a bouquet of herbs, flowers, and some of her harvest. As she places them upon the altar, she looks upon the love and adoration of her friends/family. And speaks softly.. I have been thankful of the god/dess' and have given all that I can give as a human can give. I have prayed, glorified and I have entrusted my beliefs in the mystery of their works.. This time I am requesting from you, Mother & Father: The swift and relief passing of my mother in law. & those like her who are suffering from inoperable cancer.

   This past week, I went to a cancer center, to volunteer anything I could give. The most precious gift I could receive from any of these people was the gift of a smile.

   Therefore, I pass to you all. A simple smile of love & life...

   ...Typo steps forward, the ocean winds blowing his brown hair softly. His eyes once glowing, now full of tears, he is silent. He steps knee deep into the water and says nothing, looking at the moon pleading with mother for answers, and asking father for the strength. His hand moves to his pentacle, a gift from his wife Carielle. He looks into Carielle's eyes and see's the pain and suddenly he changes his plea to the Lord, he doesn't need strength for himself, he needs it for her. Typo steps back on shore and waits...

   ...Boudica has her bodhran ready, and there are others with their drums. Peg chooses her djembe - and softly starts a slow heartbeat rhythm (can't spell tonight) for Typo and Cariel. As others complete their petitions and join the drumming, we continue the heartbeat until all petitions have been posted. Healing IS needed!...

   ...Pombagira walks to the ocean and feels the westward pull of the waves. She sprinkles a trail of marigold petals as she walks from the ocean to the western point of the circle, then around to the north and east, and in through the east door, tossing the last of the petals into the caldron. She is thinking about the death of a very young man, just beginning to enjoy his life. A big man who could have used his strength to dominate others, but who used it help others carry their burdens.

   And she thinks of his best friend, also so smart it can amaze you, also so witty, and also so aged by hard living so soon, who is facing his own failing health.

   It doesn't seem right that another should go without fulfilling such wonderful promise. Maybe he did fulfill it, and I just don't understand, she thinks.

   "Goddess, please speed Nick's passing. Heal him in the summerlands. Please let us see him again, if his path leads him our way. And please heal Will, my cousin, almost my brother, and let the world see how much he has to give, and let him see the way to giving it -- within his own free will."

   Drumming and dancing -- those old Grateful Dead fans would love it and laugh at it at the same time, she thinks with a smile, and heads back to the circle to wait for...

   ...Owl brings out her Bodhran.. READY!...

   ...While others were petitioning Nym' had stepped back to sprinkle a ring of sea salt around those gathered here tonight. It seems a point of ill will had tried to disrupt the energy built here......she knew her loved ones here could hold their own...her heart just felt a tug at a bit of extra.

   Returning to the circle she looks at Peg and is delight to see that someone else, while loving the sound of the Bodhran, finds their hands more at home with the Djimbe and lets her fingers begin to dance!...

   ...Dancing Skygazer steps one step into the Circle. She raises her arms skyward,

   "Blessed Lady of the Night, I thank You for watching over and protecting me this past month. I heard Your Voice and strongly felt Your Presence as I walked through the Florida swamp last Full Moon, and the spirit of Armadillo You sent to shield me was with me. I have taken the lesson, hard learned, and I feel Your Power work through me as I proceed in my path in this life. Help me to maintain this strength as I stand up for my family in the coming months."

   She clasps her hands together in thanks, bows her head, and returns to her place in the Circle...

   ...Harmony comes in from the water where she has been reveling in the cleansing water with the moonlight and dolphins.

   She throws on her robe and reaches her arms up to embrace the moon. "Thank you Lord and Lady for sustaining my Love and I. We knew this was to be a time of sacrifice to realize a dream. We are struggling but we have not lost our dream, nor our love, nor our faith. For this, I offer thanks. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out three beautifully polished citrine crystals and places them on the alter. Please heal those who are in such need.

   Harmony steps back into the circle, swaying with the heartbeat rhythm of the drumming...

   ...Rosemary, sitting on the fringe, smiles her thanks for she and Abe to all their good friends...

   ...Windwalker joins the circle and lets the energy flow through her. This past week was difficult with the first treatment and she is drained from the toxic chemicals she has allowed to enter her body in hopes of a cure. She lets her heartbeat match the rhythm of the drumming and then places a bunch of flowers from her garden on the altar. "Thank you Ogedoda for the strength I have found this past week to endure. Thank you for the good friends that had stood by me in spirit and in body, for without them I would have stumbled. And please let your light shine to others in need of your guidance and love."

   with this Windwalker turns and takes her place in the circle and drums, letting the energy fill her, heal her and get her prepared for the next round...

   ...Cailean steps forward once more. Because she has had such a visible role in this ritual, she had intended to stay silent during petitions but the need to speak is overwhelming.

   "Lady, Lord. It gives my heart such joy to see my dearest friend well enough to join us. Thank you for answering that particular prayer. I ask that healing of mind body soul be given to each and every one of us here and all our loved ones. I ask that the small diversion during this ritual be not ignored but addressed. Can someone truly believe we would harm them in such a way? Especially in a ritual of healing?" She stops and gazes out at the dolphins still playing in the surf. Teachers.. communicators.. perhaps they are here to help in this. She takes the flower wreath from her hair and add it to the cauldron. "For love, for health, for peace."

   She looks around the Circle, making eye contact and smiling at all who have helped make this the first ritual she has led in this group a success. She notices that Owl and Boudi and Peg are getting antsy, dying to get to those drums. Her smile gets mischievous.

   "Last call for petitions.. 'cause I wanna dance and eat and drink and give everyone the biggest hug!"

   She steps back...

   ...Emerging from the shadows one comes forward. Rarely seen and seldom heard over the cycle of seasons, Red Star appears. He's looking older than most remember him. As the brightness of the full moon momentarily highlights a noticeable tinge of gray in his hair, reflecting as though threads of silver had been woven into it.

   Not stopping to greet and hug those of his beloved family. He continues walking around the circle with a sense of urgency, and a stern and purposeful gaze. Walking to the oceans edge, until its soothing cool waves are lapping at his feet. He then stands silent, with an intense fire burning in his eyes. Yet somber and with a mournful vainer.. A silent pause, a heavy sigh.

   He takes in a few deep cleansing breaths of the salty warm air, mumbling something to the effect of "So many things to do, so many things going on, and not enough time to do them all." He fumbles through a couple of pouches on his belt, pulling out what appears to be bright red stones, three in all. Putting them in his left hand and raising it above his head. He starts an incantation.

   "Mother of the earth, you seen fit to give these gifts to me many years ago as a child, on these very shores. They have served me well and with great honor, they have been my teachers and my protectors for many years. The time has come to return them to their home." (looking over to the dolphin pod sharing this sacred time.) I call upon you, and appoint you Guardians. See to these sacred spirits, and take them safely back to their homes with the blessings of our common mother. So Mote It Be!" with that Red Star heaves the three pieces of sacred red coral far out into the great ocean depths. He bows deeply to the appointed protectors, with all reverence and the up most respect.

   He turns back to his circle of family, looking as though the age has been erased from his features, and much of the burden lifted from his shoulders. He smiles then speaks "My family, it is great to see and be with you all once again. Sorry I'm late, the broom stalled over Nevada. I think they said something to the effect I was fling over restricted air space without clearance." Walking back toward the center of the circle Red Star stops at the cauldron. Letting another invocation and petition out.

   "Mother I ask a great many things of you this full moon, for our lives are full of events these days. Many thanks to you and our father for the blessings of the past few years in our lives. Though they have made it very difficult for us to visit our loving family gathered here. The rewards that may come of these blessings help us to bare the pains of separation from our family. They too will benefit sometime in the future. "

   "I ask you look over J. and her loving parents Red Deer and El. They have all embarked on a difficult road. But this road holds many blessings for them as well. I offer this humble pinch of gentian to the sacred flames of the cauldron. In hopes of keeping their love for each other strong, though separated by distance."

   "I offer this pinch of Amber dust, empowering J. to keep her intellect sharp, and enforcing her strength to use this opportunity to her best advantages. Throughout her life."

   " I offer this blossom of heliotrope to the sacred flames. To speed the healing of all of those members of our family with health problems. Our wise crone Rosemary, speedy recovery with the back. Her mate Abe, with the chemo treatments. Please give these elders the strength and protections they will need during this trying time.

   "I offer this sage to the sacred flames. To keep the many blessings you have given us going through to their ends. To keep my intentions pure in the work I'm doing, so that it may benefit all."

   "I offer this bough of cypress to the sacred flames. To honor all those who have passed through the vale, yet are still with us in this realm. For the honored ancestors and passing friends, do I offer this gift."

   "Last but not least, I offer this pinch of PPP to the sacred flames. So that all who are here will generate positive energies, be rid of their troubles, keep their spirits high, and enjoy the small amount of time we get to spend together."

   With all said and done, Red Star walks around the circle giving hugs to all gathered on this most magical of eves, working his way back to his place...

   ...Cailean steps back into the middle of the Circle. She takes three deep breaths and raises her arms. "Thanks be to the Lord and the Lady. Thanks be to the Guardians. Thanks be to all who joined us here. Go now with our deepest respect and gratitude. The Circle is open but forever unbroken."

   She walks toward the cauldron and picks up a few of the flowers scattered about it. "Join me now, brothers & sisters, friends. Let the drums begin. The flowers at your feet, let us give them to the Mother in thanksgiving for all gifts. And then let us sing and dance and feast in joy, in thanksgiving, in hope." She then leads the way, dancing to the drumbeats, down to the water's edge and proceeds to toss the flowers on the ebbing tide...

   ...Peg is teary-eyed after hearing the petitions of WindWalker and the Bishop'o'Spam. She turns towards Rosemary with a special loving smile, gazes at WindWalker and "the Bishop" - then turns to Nym, Owl and Boudi - let the drumming, laughter and love begin!!!!!! Da, Da, whacka whacka, Da, Da, whack!...

   ...Karen raises from the shadows and reaches to the full moon.

   "Gracious Mother, Mother of us all, Of wisdom, Love and light. Thank you for your guidance in my time of need. Thank you for the blessings you given me. When I asked for patience, I never expected to give birth. I am profoundly thankful for this blessing most of all. As I watch her grow, I know my lesson will continue to be taught and learned.

   I ask for guidance to help my husband with his journey of work. He needs more encouragement and help making a decision on what he wants to accomplish in the later months. Please guide me in what I can do to help him."

   She lays a few coins on the alter, clasps her hand together and raises them to the sky. She quietly heads back into shadows from where she came.