FULL MOON RITUAL: ???<P> Ritual Leader: ???<P>

As you proceed up the long driveway to our home, be sure to notice the many large trees now sleeping through the southern winter - along with the many pines, of both shorter needles and long, still green. The evening breeze is crisp and clean, with the smells of leaf-mold in winter and hints of hearth fires near and far. Our house is a large log structure, fronted by a greenhouse that - with huge windows and log walls covered with a newly installed, tempered glass ceiling - spans the length, and floor to ceiling windows, of the living room and den. Beside the greenhouse door, to the east of the house, naps an aged twin-trunked white oak. Please be sure to stop and wish him Brightest Blessings, for he is the grandfather, heart of the oak dragon who wards our home.

Enter through the greenhouse door, passing through the cacti, then snake plants of all types, cycads, dracaenas and aralias... you may want to greet the small terracotta bunny who watches from beneath green leaves as you pass. In the foyer, feel free to stop at any of the sacred objects and meditate a moment, from the Sioux Shaman's mask to the anvil and heavy chestnut cobblers bench, to the household altar covered with candles, tools, sacred symbols and likenesses of the Lady and the Lord in many of Their aspects.

As you feel ready for company and conversation, proceed into the great room. The twenty foot high cathedral ceiling is dimly visible above the smoke of amber essence, which swirls upwards from the altar as the ceiling fans create a slow, spiraling up-draft. Everything around you is wood, from the old oak flooring, to the walls of original pine salvaged from century-old tobacco barns, to the massive beams supporting the roof. Folks are chatting, placing dishes brought for the feast on the large butcher-block table in the breakfast room and generally excited about tonight's celebration of the first moon of this solar year.

Having planned for a long evening, followed by a predawn ritual, tonight's feasting is before rather than after our working. The many delectable dishes set upon the table generate a scent which more that whets all appetites, and it's not long before the babble of conversation throughout the house falls to a quiet murmur as plates and glasses are filled and folk find sitting room to eat - in the dining room, about the kitchen island, or spread about the crackling fire in the belly of a cast iron stove situated in the great room. In response to one query, Deer has already encouraged all to eat hearty without care for the morning - as a sausage, egg and cheese grits casserole is already baked and quietly waiting for its flavors to meld in the cold air of the grill on the back deck.

The conversation waxes and wanes during the late hours... spirits loosen some tongues and make heavy some eyes. Friends explore the house and the greenhouse - some of the more cold-hardy souls venturing out to the large back deck and even out into the surrounding woods to keep an eye on the full moon's progress. Finally, in the wee hours of morning, Deer prepares a large pot of Jamaican Blue Mountain with a paired giant servers of turbinado sugar and whole, fresh cream - so that any in need may awaken themselves for the working to come…

…Starting up the drive, Crystal Aquana notices all the trees that Red Deer mentioned. It had been a long drive and as she stepped from the car, she is thankful that the night air is crisp and fresh, not the bone chilling cold that she left at home. Taking in the sights, sounds and smell of the evening she is brought back to reality by a sound in the car. She looks in and can't help but smile at him. “OK, little one, tonight is a big night for you.”

As they start into the house, Crystal stops at the white oak tree and bids it a bright blessing. In the foyer she sees Owl and Nym. They greet Crystal and the babe with smiles and hugs. Finding a chair to sit in she unwraps her little bundle. “My, my you are bright-eyed tonight.”

The smells and sounds of the house are so inviting. After the food is consumed and you have eaten, it is time for the ritual to begin…

…Owl had arrived at Reddeer and Elenya's place at mid-day. After warm hugs, and a bit of "catch up" conversation, she'd walked around the property .. noticing the changes in the greenhouse with approval ... and walking with the dogs through the forest for a bit, she let her mind reach back to all the times she had been with these folks in this lifetime.

“Hey El, remember the Willow Tree? And the Wasps? Oh, and the River, and the ROCKS!?! (Warning! Warning!) And sitting on the beach watching the girls swim. Now they're both taller than me,” she grins. “And how we all rallied together when some of us were being attacked by a nasty magician. And here we are once again.. gathering with love and friendship.. and thankfulness.”

Owl wanders back to the house. Eating, and talking, and laughing her way through the feast, she feels a bit sleepy. But as Red calls the Elements, she feels once again the excitement and energy of circle.

…Deer calls friends together in the great room, where furniture has been pushed back against the walls to allow for the circle thirteen feet in diameter that will limn their ritual space. Tiny cedar chairs, crafted for the girls' tea parties a dozen years ago, mark the quarter points - each with its appropriate accouterments. After friends are gathered just inside their circle's perimeter Deer rounds the group three times, casting their circle with salt, water and the sweet smoke of amber essence. "While all space is sacred, tonight we define a special area in which to welcome Mother Moon and the newborn Sun. We define a here which is everywhere and nowhere. We experience a now which was, is and shall be. We call a spirit which is ancient and yet young as the new born wheel."

At the northern quarterpoint, Deer stirs with a finger the wooden bowl of sweet black earth now - in the warmth of the house - releasing its fragrance. He lights the dun-colored taper beside it and calls, "Denizens of the North, spirits of Earth, powers of growth and generativity, I do stir and summon you. Please ward this space and join this right in honor of both our Mother and the newborn sun. As is your will, be here now."

He moves to the next station and dips a finger in the terracotta bowl of living water dipped from the creek behind their house. He lights the sea-green taper beside it and calls, "Denizens of the East, spirits of Water, powers of motion and fertility, I do stir and summon you. Please ward this space and join this right in honor of both our Mother and the newborn sun. As is your will, be here now."

Moving on, Deer stops to gently fan the glowing coal lain upon a cast iron pan, watching for patterns in the dancing shapes of red, black and white over its surface. He lights the blood-red taper beside it and calls, "Denizens of the South, spirits of Fire, powers of heat and creativity, I do stir and summon you. Please ward this space and join this right in honor of both our Mother and the newborn sun. As is your will, be here now."

Then he stops to wave a hand over the reiku censer of still smoking amber, delighting in its heady fragrance. He lights the sky-blue taper beside it and calls, "Denizens of the West, spirits of Air, powers of song and expressivity, I do stir and summon you. Please ward this space and join this right in honor of both our Mother and the newborn sun. As is your will, be here now."

Deer next moves to the small wooden altar at the center of their space, a toy box built for his mother near the turn of a prior century from six heavy planks of original pine. Upon it stand only two pillars, one of silver and the other gold. Lighting the flames for Moon and Sun, he turns about to see all those gathered. "Our circle is raised, our space prepared, and so our callings begin." As he steps back to his place in the circle, Deer feels the gathering energy of the voices waiting within those about him..."

…The circle is cast, the quarters are called, the flames for the Moon & Sun are lit. Red Deer turns and steps back to his place. Crystal Aquana steps forward with tears sliding down my cheeks and speaks as his mother.

She begins, “My son tonight is the first of many full moons you will see. There is so much I want to say to you, so many hopes I have for you. I hope that you will grow strong and healthy. That you will always be loving and respectful to everyone and everything. As I look at you tonight with your blue eyes, golden hair and a smile that lights up the room, please know that I will do the very best I can for you. There will be times as you grow older that we will struggle but there will always be love. When the time is right, your true love will come to you. She will be special and you will treat her that way or you will have to deal with me. I know there is so much that I have not said because I just can't remember everything. But always know that I love you with all my heart.

As Crystal steps back to her place, she hands her son to her sister, Harmony.

Harmony smiles at her sister and then looks at the little one.

She takes the warm little body into her arms. “Hey there little boy. You have the precious gift of life, use it wisely. As your auntie, I grant to you three blessings: As you grow stronger, the days will grow longer. You shall know love true, for she was meant for you. You shall be greatly adored my bright little lord.”

She leans in and kisses the baby boy as he coos.

Then, seeing someone with a mischievous glint in her eye, Harmony turns to look...

…As the Babe is passed to Owl, she drops to the ground and cradles the Babe in her lap. Taking a gourd rattle from the pocket of her robe, she begins to shake the rattle and sing to the Babe. She gets a smile and wriggle of joy in return. Already the gifting begins. Tickling the Babe, and bringing forth laughter, Owl says, "In your eyes I see the wonder of life. I hear the trill of birds, and the trickles of water, in your laugh. For brief moments you focus your eyes on me in such knowing ways. Yes, we've been together before.. and we will be together again. We will climb mountains, and we will swim the seas. We will play games, and we will let our imagination soar. We will learn new things, and relearn ancient ways. We will have adventures, and we will hold each other when the world is too much with us. For I am your playmate, as you are mine. We will remind each other of the absurdities of life. We will mirror each other as we deal with things beyond our control. We will nurture each other through the tough times, and we will encourage each other as we try new things. We will argue, and sometimes fight over ideals, and ideas.. but we will always love the playmate within each of us. Welcome my brother, my son, my father, my lover, my friend.. for I will be all these things to you.. a sister, a mother, a daughter, a lover.. a friend for all times."

With a grin, Owl looks to Reddeer and nods.. and dear Deer responds with a grin of his own. “So Mote it Be!” she states before, with a quick hug and a light kiss on his forehead Owl hands the Babe on to…

…Boudica, who had enjoyed her meal and the lovely surroundings that Red Deer and Elenya provided for the FMR. She loves the tree, the house, and the good company.

As the circle had progressed, it became clear that the Goddesses were speaking to the baby through each of the participants. She waited for her turn, and felt the presence of the Goddess move her to speak.

She takes the baby, looks down at the young boy, and whispers:

“I am your sister. We will grow up together, you and I. As teenagers, we are going to find a world filled with good times and challenges. As the seasons turn, we will be best friends, we will be confidants, we are going to argue and cry together. Each year we will find strength in each other as we grow. And we will find that no matter how much the world changes, we will be together.”

“In the winters, there will be snow ball fights in snow castles we will build together. We will defend the walls together against all who challenge us. We will sit by the winter fires and tell stories to pass the time. And when it snows, we will watch as the world is transformed into a white, silent landscape that sleeps till it is called to wake up again.”

“As the springs approach, we will walk and the trees will spring forth their leaves, flowers will grow up, the grass will be green and the air will be filled with the perfumes of wet earth and flowers. Ours will be the rains that we dance in on warm days. When the thunder and lightening comes, we will feel the power of the storms and want to stand and soak in the energies, now that we have gone beyond the childhood fears of natural events. We will sit in the grass on warm afternoons, watch the clouds and discuss the shapes we see.”

“In the summers, we will sit by the river, watching the fish rise to the surface to eat, and the turtles basking in the sun. We will listen to the crickets and other insects in the heat of the days. In the evenings, we will sit on the porch and discuss what our world is going to be, the people we know, and the places we want to go. All our dreams, as children, will be planned out as adolescents, for where we want to be in a few years. We will discuss first loves, new loves, and what we would like to be.”

“In the falls, we will watch the leaves turn from green to reds, golds and browns. The nip in the air will give us cause to run through the woods, hearing the crunching of the leaves and kicking up the leaves, throw them at each other. Rake the high, and jump in.”

“There will be bad times, times to make us cry and feel the world has gone against the natural order of things. We will be there for each other, you and I, to help each other through. We are each others strength.”

“Each year, we will be brother and sister, through the seasons, till we find our way out to the world, to our destiny. We will then part, but never separated. We will share each others life, but this is the time we will be the closest...”

…Nym' is full of serenity and fire.. a mix that intoxicates her.

Wandering around her mind turns to the luscious banana pudding she had while dining with her brother and his family here almost a year ago. The smiles and warmth of familiar faces delight her and her mind becomes euphoric with the though of the renaissance of a great love, a lover that consumes yet fosters growth…. burns with passion and illuminates with it's light.

Taking the babe from Boudica she holds him close, gazing at him with the excitement of the renewal of their dance…

“Tonight is a night of union for the stars and of scattering, scattering, since a bride is coming from the skies, consisting of a full moon. Venus cannot contain herself for charming melodies, like the nightingale, which becomes intoxicated with the rose in springtime. See how the polestar is ogling Leo; behold what dust Pisces is stirring up from the deep! Jupiter has galloped his steed against ancient Saturn saying, ‘Take back your youth and go, bring good tidings!’ Mars' hand, which was full of blood from the handle of his sword, has become as life giving as the sun, the exalted in works. Since Aquarius has come full of that water of life, the dry cluster of Virgo is raining pearls from him. The Pleiades full of goodness fears not Libra and being broken; how should Aries flee away in fright from its mother? When from the moon the arrow of a glance struck the heart of Sagittarius, he took to night faring in passion for her, like Scorpio. On such a festival, go, sacrifice Taurus, else you are crooked of gait in the mud like Cancer. This sky is the astrolabe, and the reality is Love; whatever we say of this, attend to the meaning. Sham, on that dawn when you shine, the dark night is transformed to bright day by your face.”

“Oh Beloved, take me. Liberate my soul. Fill me with your love and release me from the two worlds. If I set my heart on anything but you let fire burn me from inside.”

With great reluctance Nym' hands the babe on…

…suz takes the babe from nym. “come here, little one. yes, right there, nestled on my shoulder. you can feel the strength in my old arms, can't you? they may be thin, but they've held a baby or two. ah, i love the feel of your petal-soft cheek against my wrinkled one. your sweet baby breath stirs the gray wisps at my neck. you know these hands. these hands guided you out into the world. they will catch you as you take your first stumbling steps. they will mark your brow with signs of fertility as you go forth to the beltaine fires to join with your beloved. they will wield the knife when you give yourself to the Great Sacrifice. they will beckon the way through the cave of transformation. sometimes i don't know how i can bear the depths of anguish and agony which are the countersong to the heights of ecstacy and joy in this creation of ours. sometimes i wonder if i can go on. then i feel the confidence in your small, warm heavy weight on my shoulder. your little hand holds mine with utter trust as we explore the worlds. i anticipate, with a shiver, the heat and scent of my lover. i feel the strong arm of my warrior, my protector, ever at my side. look at all the women here who love you, who are one. our gift, and our tragedy, is to know all and be all. timeless and ageless, we are all-encompassing. yours is immersion in the now. the experience of each minute, which creates linear time, without which our creation could not be. together we sculpt the universe, in which all our children can experience. and be. come. i shall hold you aloft, that all who stand in this circle of love can behold you, and wonder at you. what a miracle you are! good heavens! what's this???? snork! thank you, little one, for this pungent reminder that we don't dwell for long in the lofty heights in this particular incarnation. that earthly duties are as important, and as sacred, as the spiritual. this is an opportune moment, darling, to hand you back to your mother...

...Deer approaches suz before she has the chance to hand the bright and shining babe back to CrystalAquana. Extending his arms, he gently takes the bundle from suz and turns to the altar where, having deftly lain the babe between the burning tapers, he quickly and yet carefully deals with the reminders of mortality. All during this time, as the baby bubbles, smiles and laughs, Deer catches errant ideas which seem to come from that same spot on the altar where the infant lies.

"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees."

"Dat's all de fur de tale goes," replied old Uncle Remus..."

"Aw, Wendy... you could be one of the Lost Boys too."

"Just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way Gretel."

"My lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards..."

"Let the hour be one and the same which brings us both to Cheiron's boat; in the courtyard evening breezes mask last whispers of the linden and the oak, upon the hearth our pitcher shall remain..."

Deer is somewhat taken aback by the many voices which seem to emanate from this one tiny bundle, until remembering that this is One he has known before, One he has been, One he has worshipped. And with this realization comes further sharing... Deer holds the babe close to his own chest, looking outward, and turns to face those whose voices have already called. And he speaks, not from himself, but in answer to them:

"The first of many Mama, and you shall be in my heart for each of them. I shall always treasure your hopes and dreams, whether the times be of comfort or of struggle. No matter what, I know that you love me with all your heart. And so is my love for you."

"From you, Aunt, many gifts. And for you, unending turns upon the dance floor of the cosmos."

"Yes dearest friend and mirror of my deepest dreams, always the absurdities of life. Surely the Gods and Goddesses must have a sense of humor, for they made us, eh?"

"Sister who lights my way, who is my rock, who holds closer my self than any other.. Through many seasons and again many turns we will watch over each other, and each other's children's children's children. Here at home, out in the world and in the great beyond, we share an intimacy which is ours alone."

"And you, my love... with whom I dance the cosmic dance, the most intimate sharing, the most difficult and yet sublime blending. My rose, my heart, my life. I shall come to you as the summer sun waxes, stay with you as the autumn sun wanes, and depart from you in the depths of midwinter. All amid incalculable ecstacy."

"Grandmother? Are you? I seem to see all these others blended into the many lines and furrows of your face. You who both bore and are the women between us, who swaddled me as a babe, who played with me as a child, who adventured with me as a youth, who loved with me as a man. Though you shall pass beyond the final veil before me, I know beyond certainty it shall be in your arms that I rest when my body is world-weary and ready for renewal. And when I feel this body has become little more than that with which I have presented you with this morn, with a single gesture you will free me from it, setting my soul free to dance with you among the stars."

"Ever is it... as children of our Lady and Lord we are born to the cycles within cycles, songs within songs, dances within dances. May all our lives find harmony among the changing of the seasons, the ebb and flow and life, and the joy of our communal journeys. So mote it be!"

Quietly, Deer passes the babe back to their Mother. Then, declaring there circle open for petitions, he moves back to his place among the confluence of friends...

…Nym' steps forward once again with a plant in her hands.. moving to the altar she pushes back the gossamer cape to reveal the amber at her throat and dancing on her ears..

Glancing to the Babe nestled softly back in his mothers protective arms she places the Holly bush on the floor beside the altar.

"My love, trees unite the Sky God to the Earth Mother making them one, this Holly is the evergreen twin of your mighty Oak. Whereas one rules light the other rules dark.. they merge yet remain separate as surely at the White Horse of one becomes the Unicorn of the other.. one is tangible and solid, the other mystical and eternal, yet both are the joining of God to Goddess."

Bowing her head to the Babe, Nymue' clutches the Amber at her neck and looks to the night sky.

"Elen of the Roads, Goddess of the Dragons Path…..you stand guard over travelers and crossroads, I ask your assistance.

The world is on the verge of change. Peace may not prevail. I ask you to guide world leaders to take the peaceful path, but if they do not, please watch over the innocents. Your name means Bright Arrow.. May that arrow protect the children of the world.

Please keep the father of my grandson.. the husband my daughter loves, the young man I've come to think of as a child of my own, safe from harm.

I ask your protection for those here and this land. May the blessing of Love be upon this circle! May the blessing of Wisdom be upon World Leaders! May the blessing of Understanding be upon humanity! May the blessing of Protection be upon this world! May the blessing of Compassion be upon mankind! May the blessing of Harmony be upon your lives!"

Bowing her head in love and respect Nymue' moves from the center.

Before returning to her place in the circle she stops to hug Red Deer and Elenya. "Brother I thank you for this magical night. El, it is no surprise that your name is a form of the Goddess I love. May the blessing of Joy be upon your lives!..."

…Owl murmurs, "So Mote It Be!" and adds her own energy to Nym's petition. "Hecate, Cerridwen, Dark Mothers take us in.. Hermes, Curnnunos, let us be reborn…"

...Fairymoon steps forward, feeling the deep presence of the Goddess and looking at the babe, she smiles and is reminded that this is what life is about, a smile of a child, the love of friends and family and most of all that she is not alone. "upon this magical night I am thankful for the many blessings that i take for granted. all i can ask my Great mother is to help me through this difficult time. to protect my family and to help me see the light through the dark..." “so mote it be,” she whispers to herself as she takes her spot back in the circle...

…Nym' moves to the altar one last time with a bouquet of baby's breath and lavender, a Celtic knot of protection tied into the flowers.

"Mother a year ago this moon I placed two baby rattles at your feet with a plea to help the dreams of my daughters come true. This fall you blessed us with a bright eyed, auburn hair magickal little boy. Before the next moon my first-born daughter will give birth to another little boy. Please accept my thanks and honor, and may this labor be trouble free and gentle."

With a light kiss to the bouquet Nym' places them before a white candle…

...Red Deer rounds their circle, stopping at each of the cedar chairs from west widdershins to north and extinguishes the tapers burning upon them in turn.

"Denizens of the West, spirits of Air, powers of song and expressivity, a thousand thank you's for warding this, our rite. We have been blessed to honor both our Mother and the newborn sun in you company. If you must, go your merry way. If you can, stay for our celebration."

"Denizens of the South, spirits of Fire, powers of heat and creativity, a thousand thank you's for warding this, our rite. We have been blessed to honor both our Mother and the newborn sun in you company. If you must, go your merry way. If you can, stay for our celebration."

"Denizens of the East, spirits of Water, powers of motion and fertility, a thousand thank you's for warding this, our rite. We have been blessed to honor both our Mother and the newborn sun in you company. If you must, go your merry way. If you can, stay for our celebration."

"Denizens of the North, spirits of Earth, powers of growth and generativity, a thousand thank you's for warding this, our rite. We have been blessed to honor both our Mother and the newborn sun in you company. If you must, go your merry way. If you can, stay for our celebration."

At their altar, Deer gently slides the pillars of silver and gold - with their still dancing flames - toward the center until they touch. "With each turn of the Wheel, You welcome us each into the cosmic dance. Tonight we have asked for the safety of loved ones, for guidance through dark times, and for an ease with burdens. Redouble the strength of our energies and send them to their places - in this world and the next. So mote it be!"

Deer looks about the circle at the gathered friends - many with heavy eyes somewhat brightened by the beams of sunrise through the large windows overhead. In one vista, he notes a full moon setting and the winter sun rising, each radiates a greeting across the carolina blue sky... a brief embrace and carress and the following separation. "And so the dance - follower and leader, pursuer and pursued, hunted and hunter - continues. But who is to say with certainty which precedes the other?"

"Our circle is open but never broken," Deer declares, "and isn't technology wonderful?" he queries as - from within the kitchen timers have awakened the coffee pot. "Help yourselves to coffee and scones, and we'll have hot sausage, egg and cheese grits casserole before the sun rises above the windowsill."

The lovers song is from Mystical Poems of Rumi 1.