FULL MOON RITUAL December 2002

Harmony quietly readies the cabin that she will soon share with her family from Paganpath. Dressed in a simple green wool robe over top of a comfy robe, she bustles about. There are a few chairs for those who need them. Along the walls are long benches. ..

To the East, is the doorway. Harmony hangs a sprig of mistletoe in the doorway with a twinkle in her eye ;) Next to the door, and slightly front of it is a small table. Harmony pulls a small dish and a vial of sweet smelling oil out. After pouring just a *tad* of the pine oil into the dish, she places the dish on the table..

To the south is a fireplace. Harmony carefully starts a fire to get some warmth in here! The Yule log is set nearby, ready to be added after everyone arrives..

Opposite the doorway is a wall with a long bench running along the wall. She sets a small table there. On the table she places a candle and a pitcher of water..

To the North side, is a long table, also covered in a green clothe. On it are lots of candles. Harmony lights all but the two tallest..

Then she takes a broom from the corner and begins quietly sweeping. Starting by the altar table, on to the water pitcher, on over by the fire.. and finally out the door! She then leans the broom back in the corner. She sets down by the altar table and watches the glowing fire while she waits for the rest of the party to arrive!...

…Owl walks through the woodland, slowly approaching the cabin that Harmony has so lovingly decorated. Before going in, she takes a moment to gaze up at Mother Moon.. giving thanks that we are once again gathering beneath her smiling face. Breathing in the cold crisp air, Owl bows her head and says.. "Mother, on this special night, I know one who loves you dearly is preparing to join you. He has seen your welcoming smile, and your arms opening to welcome him. We will miss him so, but we know he will find the rest and freedom from pain he so sorely needs. We trust you will comfort, and love him as well as we do. He has been your servant, and your lover for a long time. May you take him joyously, and carefully. And would you give support to those he leaves behind? For this is what keeps him from flying to your breast. Let him know we care enough to let go."

Tears chill as they roll down her cheeks. With a shake of her shoulders, Owl straightens her back, and looks around the moonlight clad woods. Near the cabin she seems to see a Maze.. and movement.. and then she remembers.. another time, another cabin in the woods.. and a Candle In The Window! .. Lying near the base of a tall oak tree, Owl sees a flash of white.. bending to look closer she chuckles.. it's a sprig of mistletoe! A rustle from the Maze, and a glint of moonlight flashes off Antlers .. AHA! .. I knew you'd be here, dear Deer .. and with a few tricks of old, Owl shakes out her robe and becomes her namesake.. winging swiftly to the Maze, she perches on what some may think a branch, but it is warm, and strong, and as he shakes his proud head, she can hear his chuckle.. "OK, my friend.. we'll wait her together till it's time to join the others." A soft brush of her wing against his cheek, and she leans comfortably in the crook of his rack.. waiting...

...Deer had also arrived early. While he noted with anticipation the smell of a warm fire and lit candles, their burning wax mingling with sweet pine oil and other scents emanating from the cabin tucked safely beneath sheltering trees, he had elected to remain without. Something about these woods called to him, called even more insistently that was usual in any forest. After a bit of exploration, Deer found himself within the remnants of a long untended maze - even more "mazelike" due to long years without care..

Upon entering its littered paths, Deer had suddenly felt the deep ache humans know when a space long-filled with that both familiar and loved is left empty, quickly followed by the ecstasy of flying free from all bounds - those of earth, of age and of limitations. The impact of each were so intense that Deer had instinctively backed into the sheltering bole of an ancient tree. This was how he'd heard his sister's words and understood the feelings which had engulfed him, not as being of this maze but rather from the wider web - including one who'd moved beyond and those who remained behind. As Owl approached him, Deer rejoiced in the certainty that family and friends were at once in touch with their own loss and their elder's wonderful new journey..

In the darkness and the silence which, to his attentive senses were neither, he had welcomed Owl's soft touch. And was more than content to wait quietly with her until all the others had arrived and were ready to begin. And, thinking both of Rosemary and Abe as well as his own experiences with this particular sister, the only words he had to offer for the tears still damp on her cheeks were "In this life as well as all the myriad of others..."

...Jess hikes through the moonlit woods, savoring the cold air that fills her lungs. She remembers a Yule a year or so ago when she took her friends to the hillside in Frösen and they left offerings of vodka and gingerbread for the tomte, the dwarfish woodland creatures who live thereabouts. She stops and leaves a stack of peanut butter crackers for the creatures of these Pennsylvania woods..

The cabin looks warm and inviting: the windows glow with dancing firelight, smoke curls from the chimney, and laughter pours from the open door. Jess steps in and shakes off her coat, adding it to the hooks by the door. Hugs and kisses abound as she reunites with old friends and new. DreamDancer traps her for an extra-long hug under the mistletoe..

A loose circle forms as the participants take position for the evening's ritual. Jess moves to the East, standing before the door. It's cooler there, as a small draft sneaks through. As the group quiets, Jess holds her arms wide and says:

"Welcome, spirits of Air, denizens of the East. At this Solstice you are the cold breath of Winter, the icy air that shocks our lungs and hangs before us like a mist. Give us the power to speak our truths, to voice our Will..

"Hail, and welcome!"

The group intones: "Hail, and welcome!" as Jess steps back to her place by the door...

…Harmony has been busily greeting her paganpath friends as they enter the warmth of the cabin. As the cabin quiets, she settles down by the fireplace to ready herself. After Jess greets the East, Harmony stands and gently unwraps the Yule log. After she places the Yule log on the fire, she stands with her arms wide.

"Greetings, denizens of the South! You are that which warms us on these cold days and nights. You quicken us to move from our dreamy states. Join us to greet the birth of the Sun. Hal and Welcome!" The fire leaps as it catches the Yule log. The group echoes "Hail and Welcome!" Harmony sits and looks toward West...

...from his place at Owl's side, Deer becomes aware that Topaz is deeply involved with issues preventing her call to the West and moves to take his sister's place. He approaches the long table against the wall lain with a bowl of water and a single candle. The spark of a single kitchen match ignites the twinkle in his eye as Deer lights the taper and calls:..

"Greetings spirits of the West! Water which flows through all that lives. Liquid essence of stability within constant change. Winter's ice and snow which shall eventually melt and run - both over land and through - to join the rivers, lakes and oceans only to be exhaled again into the tall clouds which rain you down upon the waiting earth. Please join us in our midwinter revels. Ward will our Circle. Be here now!"

Those gathered echo, "Be here now!" and Deer returns to his place to await the next invocation...

...Boudica arrives at the cabin that Harmony had told her about. It was raining in the woods, a light drizzle started and the clouds were moving in over the moon. There was a halo around the moon, but it was still visible between the clouds. She wears a black dress, long, dark, and a black cape. She is barefoot, feeling the damp earth beneath her feet. She walks with the Crone.. She has come to join her this evening..

The rain hid the tears that Boudica had as she wandered through the woods this evening. She knew the Lady had taken her friend. She was happy he had moved to the Summerland, but he will be missed..

She wipes her eyes, opens the door, and enters the cabin. She sees the mistletoe over the door, a smile comes to her face. She gives a hug to Owl, long and heartfelt. She embraces Red Deer and Harmony, Jess, Topaz and everyone else..

She stands in the circle, awaiting her turn to call her quarter. Her sign is earth, it is fitting she is able to call this quarter at this time. When Topaz was done calling West/Water, Boudica stepped towards the altar with all the candles. She picks up a taper, and lights it from one of the other candles. She steps back for a second, and opens her arms in an embrace..

"Ancient One of the North.. Earth.. We welcome you to our circle at this time of the year, Yule. It is winter, time of the Crone, time when the world goes to sleep, is covered in snow, and things become hush, quiet. It is time when the Earth rests."

She turns to look at the rest of the room. "It is time when the world appears dead, the time when the Earth sleeps, time when the passing of a friend is actually the time of sleep for him. This is the time of the crone, when she comes to take some to rest at her side, when the work is done and we have grown weary of this life. Time to rest, to sleep.. for soon it will be the time of the wheel when we begin again. The promise.. life, death, and then rebirth." Facing North again, she finishes "Great Ancient One of the North, She who is the Earth, be welcome in our circle this night."

She faces Owl and Red Deer.. "The calling of the elements is done, please call the Great God and Goddess to join us." She bows to them both and returns to the circle...

...Owl steps to the center of the circle.. takes three deep cleansing breaths, then turns slowly.. her eyes searching the assembled group of family and friends..

The flicker of firelight, the bright moon glow streaming thru the windows, the cabin seems as though it's floating in the vast emptiness of space.. Owl knows she needs to find her anchor.. and there, a flash of a grin, and toss of his hair.. she sees him.. and holds out her arms saying..

"At this Full Moon, we are in the time of Solstice. The Sun has been traveling farther and farther.. the land lies cold, the plants have gone to rest, the animals have donned their winter coats, and forage is scarce. The days have grown short.. and the world seems to hold it's breath.. there is a sense of anxiety, of loss, depression.."

"All things know that winter will be hard.. and there is fear that the world will change in ways we don't understand. And so, once again, we gather together to light the Fires, so that the Sun will notice us, and come once again to warm the earth.. waken the plants.. quicken the blood with the promise of Spring."

Owl calls to Lugh.. "Father, bring back the light and warmth of your being. Lugh, bring back the lustiness of love and laughter. Son of Light, bring us Your joy.."

Owl takes Red Deer's hands in her own and draws him to her.. "Father of the Golden Mien, I draw you to this man. Let him feel Your strength, let him know Your love, let him understand Your promise to return.. return.. forever returning to the side of Your Silver Lady.. As we all return to Her as one journey ends and another begins."

"So Mote it be!..."

...and Deer feels the familiar, yet always inexplicable, tilt which affects both the spaces about him and those within. Trying to focus within constantly shifting perspectives, he gazes back into eyes he's known so long. Then, as mind an body settle into renewed awareness, Deer calls:

"Silver Lady, always mine and never.. Through eons I have lusted after You, yearning for your secrets. Through eons You have taunted, toyed and teased - at times hiding Yourself in darkness, at others flaunting Your silver radiance. I have howled to You from among the pack, only to feel my cries lost in the darkness. I have come to You - sometimes scrambling frantically driven by my own needs, at others questing within the nobility of a Lover true and desired. Ever mindful of Your waiting embrace, always aware of the gulf We spread between Us.

This moon falls on the Day of Death - in My passing, I bid You hold fast through the Day Outside, for it is the threshold I cross in the journey back to You. Ready Yourself to nurture both Me and the now slumbering world. And await the times when I shall clamber atop mountains for a comelier glimpse, light fires in the head for a deeper realization, and again be Your Fool lusting after the unobtainable - unobtainable at least until the recurrent realization that seeking without is yearning in the wrong direction. I stand ready to undertake the journey required of me.. and ask only that You hold fast to need for the Dance which shall follow.

Lady of Old, Lady of All, Lady of the Dark and Fertile Soil.. Macha.. Be here now!"

Through his call Deer sees, not the constancy of his sister's current manifestation, but the realities of who she truly is. He sees Owl as she is today, and Owl as she was, again and again, through many life times. He sees her with hair jet black, and with the snowy mane of a crone. He sees her naked, and in gowns of finely woven cloth. He sees her wrinkled with age and illness, and running to him with arms open wide as a child..

Her hair is long, and her hair is shorn. Her face is fair, and her face is dark.. lined and tattooed. Her hands are smooth and supple as an artisan, and her hands are coarse and misshapen with hard labors. But through all these incarnations there is a love in her eyes for the Lord of the Hunt, whose flame now burns brightly in the eyes of the Deer. Through all of those lifetimes and all of those forms, and through the Lady now burning brightly within his sister Owl, Deer also feels connected to all within their mutual span of experience. In a moment outside their current dance, he leans close to his sister and offers sweet a lover's whisper, "Rhos Muir.. not only in this life, but the next, and the next, and the next.." Then back to the rite at hand, with myriad arms Deer embraces his sister Owl - and breaks off a bit of the mistletoe entwined in his own hair to place it in hers - before both turn back to those gathered and await the revels to follow...

…Harmony steps forward, tears in her eyes. Her friends can create the most beautiful rites!..

She steps up to the altar and lays down a gift of nuts and berries. Thank you Lord and Lady for the strength you've given me this past year. Thank you for being with Rosemary this week when Abe finally left his tired body behind. Please continue to give Rosemary, Kathleen, Larry, and the rest of the family strength to carry forward. Let them know that they are loved and that Abe is still a part of all of us..

Harmony steps away from the altar and faces the rest of the circle. Please take this time to offer thanks and make any requests you may have...

…CrystalAquana shyly steps to the altar and lays her gifts. With tears running down her cheeks, she thanks the Lady & Lord for coming into her life and making her whole. She also gives thanks to them for what she has learned this past year and for the wonderful new friends that surround her now. Her only request is that they guide the world's leaders to find a peaceful solution to the worlds troubles. She quietly returns to her place...

...Fairymoon steps up from her place in the circle wearing her plain black ritual dress. Her blonde hair is unbound, with gold glitter on some small braids by her face.. she walks to the altar and lights a blue candle she had brought with her.. she also places some mistletoe upon the altar..she takes a deep breath and says, "Bright lady thank you for all of your blessings this year.. thank you for your protection and love.. even though at times it was undeserving. but as the sun will be reborn again, so will i.. this year has been a year of change. Please continue to bless my family. help my husband find the job he wants and needs. Help my daughter cont. to grow health and happy.. and bless me as I evolve. into the person I was meant to be.. fairymoon steps back into he place in the circle...

…Shari steps forward shyly- although she knows a few people, she is new to the group and this is the first ritual she has attended with them. She's a little uncertain, but her burden is heavy. She approaches the altar and places a bit of catnip and a small piece of raw, unpolished anhydrite/angelite that she has been carrying with her for several days. Taking a deep breath, she speaks softly..

"Thank you, Lord and Lady, for the many years I have had with my beloved companion and friend. She has been with me through many good times and has been a source of unconditional love through the bad times. I have learned her complex language of sounds and movements, and she has enriched my life in countless ways. I have been blessed by her presence and her love and understanding, and by her gentle acceptance. I have drifted to sleep many nights comforted by the soothing sound of her rumbling purr. The end of our walk together draws near. Please give me the wisdom, strength and courage to provide her with a dignified and painless transition from this life. Help me to know when is the right time. Keep your hands on her as she travels, and guide her safely back to your arms."

Taking a moment to compose herself and brush the tears from her cheeks, she steps back into the shadows of the circle...

…As the petitions continue, Owl starts to sing.. others, soon recognizing the familiar tune from "We Three Kings" and quickly picking up her words, join in:

   "Maiden, Mother, Ancient Crone,
   Queen of Heaven on your throne,
     Praise we sing Thee,
     Love we bring Thee,
   For all that you have shown.."

      "Oh, Moon of Silver, Sun of Gold,
      Gentle Lady, Lord so bold!
        Guide us ever,
        failing never,
      Lead us in ways of old.."

   "Lord of Darkness, Lord of Light,
   Gentle Brother, King of Might,
     Praise we sing thee,
     Love we bring Thee,
   On this Solstice night.."

      "Oh, Moon of Silver, Sun of Gold,
      Gentle Lady, Lord so bold!
        Guide us ever,
        failing never,
      Lead us in ways of old.."

...and Deer quietly states, "Thank you, Father and Mother, for another wondrous turn of the Wheel. On this special moon, both blue and spanning the eve of Midwinter, may all enjoy the blessings of the seasons to come..."

...Fern steps forward, an offering of rosemary boughs and hazelnuts in hand..

"Blessed and High Ones, I am again beset by health issues. Cure them, and help me face the curing process with calm strength."

She adds her offerings to the fire...

...Rosemary steps to the center and asks, "Please, Lady, some healing for a
little black cat named Yoda whose world has fallen apart and he doesn't
know why..."

...Jess adds a handful of purple sage to the offerings. "Lady, thank you for an interesting year and the strength to have lived through it. Grant us patience and peace in the coming months..."

...Harmony steps forward with a soft smile. This has been a bittersweet moon.

She faces the altar with her arms outstretched, "Thank you Lord, for being with us this moon. We celebrate the birth of the Sun, the days growing longer, we celebrate you! Go if you must, stay if you will." She snuffs out the candle "Blessed Be." The circle echoes, "Blessed Be."

She stands with her arms outstretched again, "Thank you Lady, for being with us this moon. Thank you for celebrating with us the great mysteries of the cycle of Life, The Wheel of the Year. Go if you must, stay if you will." She snuffs out the candle "Blessed Be." The circle echoes, "Blessed Be."

She then steps to the North candle "Thank you denizens of the West, for being with us this moon. Go if you must, stay if you will." She snuffs out the candle "Blessed Be." The circle echoes, "Blessed Be."

She then walks to the West candle "Thank you denizens of the West, for being with us this moon. Go if you must, stay if you will." She snuffs out the candle "Blessed Be." The circle echoes, "Blessed Be."

She then walks to the South candle "Thank you denizens of the South, for being with us this moon. Go if you must, stay if you will." She snuffs out the candle "Blessed Be." The circle echoes, "Blessed Be."

She then walks to the East candle "Thank you denizens of the East, for being with us this moon. Go if you must, stay if you will." She snuffs out the candle "Blessed Be." The circle echoes, "Blessed Be."

She turns and faces the circle of friends. As she intones the familiar closing, they join in. The Yule log fire seems to leap a little higher. "The circle is Open, but Never Broken. Merry We Meet, Merry We Part, Merry We Meet Again."

"Thank you all for joining in this Moon Celebration. You are welcome to stay as long as the Yule Log burns!"