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

   “Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh..”  that's all that was going thru Cailean's mind as she drove Sprite, her new silver Focus ZX3, thru Ojai village and headed toward the hills.  “I hope I gave everyone clear directions, I hope no one gets lost, I hope the brush fires stay well away from us, I hope no one else decided to use the space..  DAMN, I hate last minute things..  no time..  no time..”  her mind was running on overdrive.  Suddenly, she was there at the gates to the public wilderness areas.  Many of the local farms and groves set up stands here.  Honor system.  Take what you want and put the money in the jar.  Cailean had stopped and bought a few apples and oranges and grapes and a HUGE watermelon before jumping back in the car.

   She had pulled into the parking area and started unpacking.  Buster, thrilled at so much running space and NO LEASH, was running in big wide circles.  "C'mon, runt, let's get the space ready."  Loaded down with bags and packs, Cailean had started up the trail, Buster alongside her, his black button eyes shining with excitement.  He knew what all that stuff meant and he couldn’t wait.  Passing the first of the springs, Cailean had stopped for a moment to greet the spirits that rule there.  She had pulled some sage from her pocket and sprinkled just a bit over the water.  Buster's ears perked up (as much as they ever do) when the heat from the spring reached him.  Something new.  Finally they had reached the plateau about three-quarters of the way up the hill.  Fairly level, surrounded by trees and bushes and brush, it is the perfect place to set up.  Cailean had dropped her packs.  "Buster, stay and watch the stuff while I go get the rest."  The dog knew what to do, and surprisingly did it.

   After everything is up, Cailean had given Buster a short belly rub for being a good boy.  She then got started by setting the local stones into a circle, with the entrance in the east.  Each stone had a small white votive placed on it.  Taking a sage bundle, she had lit it and purified the space.  Buster sat expectantly.  "Yes, I know, you want a cleansing, too!"  she teased.  The, using the bundle, she had smudged her mutt - who obligingly lifted a paw and spun so the smoke got all of him.  Taking her iron cauldron (and wasn't that something to carry up the fairly steep hill), she had placed it toward the center of the circle and dropped in the remainder of the smudge stick to smolder.  Then she got started with the altars.  Low, flat stones placed in each of the four directions.  Each got a colored bowl, except for west which got the large conch shell.  Brass candle holders with tapers had joined the bowls.  Cailean had placed a magickal aim'n'flame discreetly near each altar for use in the ritual, so others can help light the candles on the stones, and for the convenience of anyone who needs it.  On the East Altar, she placed bells.  On the South altar, a small iron bowl with the makings of a tiny fire in it.  On the West altar, a crystal goblet filled with sea water.  On the North altar, pine cones.  And Buster had followed her around the Circle approving of each placement.

   She had pulled from her supplies the long low table and placed it in the center, covering it with silk scarves of many colors.  “Everyone should be able to find a color to correspond to their wants or needs,” she thought.  Next, from the packs, she had pulled her statue of the Mother Goddess, Willendorf style, unwrapped it carefully, and placed it in center.  At that point she had stopped for a moment to allow her spirit to reach out to the Mother and smiled when the warm feelings surrounded her.  Next, flowers, beautiful summer flowers, strewn about the Center altar.  Leftovers are spread about the circle.  Then back to the center altar, Cailean had taken some of the fruit she just bought and placed it in a large ceramic bowl.  Then, more votives, a small sea of them she had placed around the statue and bowl, amongst the flowers.

   Outside the Circle she had placed plastic tablecloths on the picnic table and put out the watermelon and the rest of the fruit just bought, the bottles of mead she managed to find, a bowl of nuts, and a bowl of chips and guacamole.  "Welcome to California," she had thought to all the guests yet to arrive.

   Then she retraced her steps down the path, leaving behind her a trail of lit votives to mark the way.  She stopped for just a minute to put her feet into the hot spring.  Buster, ever by her side, looked askance.  Bathing is not something he does without coaxing.  "Okay, runt, lets go back and wait for the others.."

   She looked up as she heads up the trail and sees the two hawks lazily circling in the sky.  “Welcome,” she though.  Buster trailed her yet again as she walked the Circle lighting the votives…

   ...Deer had arrived with Myrlen in tow, early enough to have a bit of time to kill watching the hawks soar on the afternoon thermals, but too late to help Cailean haul stuff up the hill.  He'd also picked up several pints of berries (strawberries, blackberries and blueberries - his three favorites) from the fruit stands at the entrance and left what he had hoped was reasonable compensation.  These he had placed on the picnic table with Cailean's goodies and added a loaf of home-baked wheat germ bread.  He had also added a knot tied with crystals of amber and dragon's blood to the cauldron, but was careful to set it a distance from the smouldering sage as he wanted it not to ignite until later.

   Seeing that Myrlen and Buster had already done their formal introductions, Deer had grabbed Cailean's hand and coaxed her a bit down the hill to the spring where she'd earlier soaked her feet.  "I'm of a mind to bathe and watch that pair of hawks a bit longer while we wait for the others.  Won't you join me, or at least soak your feet again and talk a bit until the others arrive?" With a splash he was in the hot water, Myrlen not far behind him.  She had barked several times at Buster to join the fun, to no avail.

   Floating on his back, Deer had watched the hawks rise higher and higher.  He was reminded of a most amazing occurrence many years ago, but at about this time of the season and had begun rambling on about the experience.  “On the way down east, I stopped just before the coast near the headwaters of a lake.  The shallow waters comprised about thirty acres of Cypress swamp, and from the bridge I spotted an Osprey fishing - or so I’d thought.  As I watched, the Osprey circled up and then down, constantly returning to the space above on spectacular Cypress.  After a bit, his mate had joined him, and they both circled the tree repeatedly.  It had taken a while to sort out their calls, and to realize that three birds, not two, were involved in the conversation.  And then I spotted the aerie - its sole inhabitant twitching nervously upon the edge, afraid to dive into the abyss of humid air.  I could well understand the fledgling's fear - less than two feet tall, it stood upon the bring of a hundred foot drop.  As the pair circled and called, I realized that he was lucky enough to be witnessing what might be the youngling's first flight.  And then, the truly amazing event occurred.”

   “Mom, evidently out of patience with her child, rose about fifty feet above the aerie and then tucked her wings for a dive.  Coming down at lightning speed, claws extended, it was quickly obvious that she was headed directly towards the nest.  Not only to me, but also to the young bird who screeched and dove for cover, but out of the security of its home rather than into it.  And suddenly, the ill-prepared chick was plummeting.  I held my breath - certain the baby had no concept of its wings.  Amazingly, however, its right wing popped out, bringing the little osprey into a long arc rather than its original free fall.  A second later, the other wing extended, and the little bird gracefully entered a steep glide which brought it just across the surface of the water and out from the grove onto the open lake.  Still screeching, the young’un began to flap its wings, and mom and pop were immediately there - one on each side of her/him.  I watched in awe as the trio slowly rose over the lake, circling higher and higher in the late afternoon sky, until their profiles diminished into black dots and then blinked out.”

   "You know," he'd said to Cailean, "to this day I can't pass up the chance to settle back and watch raptors ride thermals.  Every time I seen them on the wing, it brings back the magic of that afternoon.  Kind of like every ritual I've ever prepared for brings back the magic of my first conscious encounter with magic."  He floated about, quietly watching the hawks a bit longer, before leaving the water and following Cailean back up the hill.  "Just give me a nudge," he said as the first of the others began to arrive, "and I'll do whatever is needed for tonight's ritual."  With a wink, Deer turned to see what face accompanied the voice he heard approaching…

   …CrystalAquana had parked the rental car and gathered her belongings before starting up the hill.  She was surprised to see that she is one of the first to arrive.

   She’d heard voices from where the water was, but had decided to deposit her belongings first so that they do not end up in the water.  She had then pulled several jars of homemade jam, a large piece of sharp cheddar cheese and a loaf of sourdough bread out of her bag and placed them on the table with what the others had brought.  Finally, she had slipped her bag and shoes under the table and headed off to find the others.

   As CrystalAquana had drawn near to where the voices were she was first greeted by Buster and then the wet Myrlen.  Happily she had scratched their heads and given them hugs and they’d lead her to where Cailean and Red Deer were happily chatting and watching the hawks.  She had found a rock to sit on and started to soak her feet and joined the conversation while they waited for the others…

   …Jess had pulled her little green Ghia into a space.  She then reached into the back and retrieved a small cooler.  She had then deposited her usual contribution (a six pack of beer, this time Victory Pils: a delightfully hoppy yet full-flavored beer from Virginia) at the generously laden table.  Then hiking up her sarong (“Doesn't *everyone* wear sarongs to these things?” she had thought to herself) Jess had joined Red Deer, Cailean, and Crystal at the spring.

   Jess had gently flicked water at Coll.  "Mind if I take Air?” she’d asked.  “I'm feeling, um, flighty…"

   …Cailean had raised her eyebrow at Jess.  "Of course, love, you may do it as soon as everyone shows up and we enter the Circle.  In fact, will you lead us to it?" she’d asked.  As for the flicking water, Cailean had gotten a mischievously evil grin on her face and called, "Hey Buster..  Auntie Jess is here..  show her how much you've missed her.."  With that the little black dog had leaped toward Jess with his purple tongue ready to kiss his much-missed friend…

   “…oooof!  aaack!  Sputter!  Oh, Buster (phlpt), thank you, honey!” Jess had spouted lovingly.  “OOOF!  This is why I have cats!”

   …Windwalker had found her way along the path and joined the others at the waters' edge.  Her heart was heavy with the loss of her eight month old puppy this weekend, but she came now in celebration of her dear heart and the freedom she now has to run and play without losing her breath.  She had hugged Cailean.  "Don't worry about me, it just takes a while for my heart to catch up to my mind.  I'll take Earth if no one minds."  With that she had dived into the water and as she rose above the water line she laughed and realizes how much Luna would have loved this and dove again.  She had felt the water surround her and hold her as if in a mother's embrace.  Reluctant to leave its comfort, she had then climbed out to the nearby clearing and gathered a handful of soil, while she sat down.  Slowly she hummed herself into a quiet that helps her to connect to the earth.  Openning her being to its energy and she had seen her Luna come bounding across the bridge, with Pepper at her side.  And Windwalker *knew* she was well cared for and could then settle in to watch this gentle white creature run circles around her older black lab.  In the distance she had heard the splashing and laughter of those present and smiled at the thought of how life goes on.  With that she took a deep breath and waited for the ceremony to begin…

   …Knowing what it is to lose a cherished furkid, Cailean had given her dearest and oldest friend a big hug.  There were no words.  But she had known that Windwalker felt her love, her gratitude for coming into the midst of this gathering...

   …Pom had puffed up the hill and plunked a bowl of tomato-basil salad and a pan of jalapeño cornbread on the offering table.  “Fiery foods, so maybe I should do South,” she’d thought.  “Dag, I can't wait to get my feet into that water,” she thought.  Then, “Use me wherever you need me, hope I'm not too late!" she’d called out to the group gathered there…

   Adrianna had walked towards the picnic table to leave the foods brought with all the rest awaiting the later feast.  “Transitions!  Thoughts of what, and how, next to move towards goals,” had crossed her mind.”  She had set down enchilada and tortilla entries..  cantaloupe and honey dew melons to go with the watermelon..  a green bean dish, with tomato, tiny, tiny diced onion and little bits of smoky links for those who are not vegetarian - and a matching dish without the smoky links for those who are..  cheese ball with nuts..  some provolone and other sliced cheeses..  and sliced lunch meats to go with the breads brought by others..  and snack crackers..  "Thanks the powers that be for the coolers that found their way to me.  They make it very easy to keep foods safe..  good tasting..  picnic where the mood, or occasion comes,” she’d thought…

   …From her spot by the spring, Jess had heard several cars pulling up to the parking area.  Voices had begun trailing up the hill, heading to Cailean's well-appointed circle.

   "C'mon folks, I think that's our cue."

   Sighing at the thought of leaving this warm, lush spot, they gathered themselves and their canine partners and joined the milling procession into the circle.

   Jess moves to the Eastern quarter.  Spots fill in around the circle until the whole area is lined with expectant faces.

   "Ahem."

   Jess holds two long joss sticks to the flame of a candle until they catch and begin to smoke.  She walks deosil around the circle, trailing a gossamer thread of jasmine scented smoke behind her.

   "Ladies, gentlemen, canines, and invisible guests, welcome!  I just flew in from the East and boy is my broom tired!"

   Little chuckles float around the circle.

   "But seriously, folks," she says, continuing around.  "Take a deeeeep breath.  Let me hear you sigh."

   A soft, collective sigh rises through the scented smoke.

   "Air gives our voices the power to express contentment, delight, sorrow, frustration, and joy, all with that sound.  Tonight, Air will give our voices the ability to sing, laugh, praise, and shout!  The oxygen we take in will allow our muscles to dance, jump, run, wriggle, and play.  Take another deep breath and, this time, I want you to yell!  Raise energy with your voices!  Ready..  Breathe.."

   Jess throws her head back and leads a chorus of whoops, wahoos, ululations, yeahs, and aaaaahs!

   Everyone is grinning and chuckling as she returns to her spot in the East.  She plants the still-burning joss sticks in the ground by the small altar and looks to the South.

   ...where Deer stands, baton in hand.  He grins a bit sheepishly as he lights each end.  "I've never been more than passable with a baton," he states, "so if I manage to light myself up like one of those flaming Buddhist monks, someone PLEASE put me out."  As soon as the words had escaped his mouth, Deer knew that the joke was completely inappropriate, but it was too late to take it back..  so he starts to twirl instead.  And as he weaves a pattern of firelight, he also moves deosil about the circle - being very certain to maintain a safe distance from those gathered - until he returns to the southern quaterpoint.

   Still twirling, Deer calls out, "Fire burns in our hearts, our loins and our heads.  Tonight, the fire in our blood will allow our muscles to express the rhythms of summer.  The fire in our loins will bring us in touch with the Sacred Dance.  The fire in our heads will bring us clear resonance with that which others fail to apperceive."  With a final flouish, Deer tosses his baton into the air.  Not foolish enough to try and catch it, he purposefully aims for the cleared out space beneath Cailean's cauldron and watches as the last flames sputter out.  He then turns towards the North and watches as…

   …CrystalAquana takes her place in the West.  She looks over at Deer and winks, "I had the water ready."  Then, holding a shell in one hand and a bottle ocean water, that she dipped out of the Pacific today, in the other, she raises both to the sky.  Water protects us before birth, helps our bodies to function properly and quenches our thirst.  Tonight it will help our bodies to do what is required, keep our throats moist so our words may be heard and protect us in this time and place.  Crystal pours some of the water on the ground and the rest in the shell, which she places on the altar.  She moves back to her place and looks to the North…

   …where Windwalker lights a bowl of sage, making sure it is good and smoking before she continues.  From her pocket she draws a small ball of white fur and adds it to the burning pile.  Slowly she fans the smoke over her to cleanse her of her sorrow.  Lastly from the other pocket she has a small amount of ashes.  Windwalker bends and mixes it in the soil at her feet.  “O'siyo spirits of the north, home of mountain lion and the time of men's dreams.  Welcome to this circle of friends who come to honor you.  I give to you a piece of my past losses and mix it with your life blood, the earth.  Let it be a reminder to those who join us that the earth holds the ashes of all that came before us as surely as it will hold all that come after.  May we learn to tread softly, remembering always that you are part of us.”  With this Windwalker throws a handful of some firework powder she got from Pennsylvania where she found out this year it was legal to buy.  As it enters the fire, smoke rises in bright colors.  In the aftermath she sees the forms of lost friends come towards her.  The call of the canines present, or her own sorrow at the recent loss bringing them to comfort her.  One white, one black, one gold, a small terrier, one who was always too overweight and finally a furball.  She wonders if the others present see them or ones that they lost.  Then she realizes it does not matter, for they serve as a reminder that life is a circle and our being is never gone as long as there is soil beneath our feet.  At peace she blinks the tears from her eyes  “Wado O'gedoda for this gift..”  then she turns and waits for…

   …Whisper moves to their circle’s center and chants:

   “By the flame that burneth bright,
   We call to thee, Mighty Stag of life and love and light,
   You whose sevenfold pipes make music sweet.
   Come forth and join us here as merrily we meet!”

   “Thee we invoke, by the moon-led sea,
   By the standing stone and the twisted tree.
   Thee we invoke where gather thine own,
   By the nameless shrine forgotten and lone."

   "Come where the round of the dance is trod,
   Horn and hoof of the goat-foot God!
   By moonlit meadow, on dusky hill,
   When the haunted wood is hushed and still."

   "Come to the charm of the chanted prayer,
   As the moon bewitches the midnight air.
   Evoke thy powers, that potent bide
   In shining stream and the secret tide."

   "In fiery flame by starlight pale,
   In shadowy host that rides the gale,
   And by the fern-brakes fairy-haunted
   Of forests wild and woods enchanted."

   "Come! Come!
   To the heart-beats drum!
   Come to us who gather below
   When the broad white moon is climbing slow."

   "Through the stars to the heaven's height
   We hear thy hoofs on the wind of night!
   As black tree-branches shake and sigh,
   By joy and terror we know thee nigh."

   "In the moonlight shining bright,
   I call to you by will and right.
   Magic and wisdom, secrets you bear,
   Honor we give you, knowledge to share.  "

   "Within this circle we have made a place,
   Be here with us and show us grace.
   Horned One, come join us.
   Horned One, be welcome."

   "Blessed be!"

   He returns to his place among the circle of friends and waits, listening for Pombagira’s call…

   …which comes as well from their center:

   "Hawk Goddess
   Weave the wheel above us
   Fly the wind into a wheel
   As the wheel of the year turns
   Now, after the first flash of the reaper
   And before the time when the year tilts into autumn
   Lend us your keen eye
   Let us let go and let the leaves and the grain fall
   Let all we cannot use be burned away in a blaze of color
   Red as your sacred feathers
   Or sleep in the ground as seed
   Mother who sees all and senses all
   Lend us the gift of your vision tonight."

   Pomb steps back, a little dizzy from spinning, and waits for...

   …Cailean, who walks quietly to the cauldron.  Blowing on the smoldering embers to bring some flame, she watches quietly for a moment, then adds some sage and a small bundle to the fire.

   "This has been such a month.  So many emotions, good and bad, for all of us here and our loved ones.  We are now open for petitions, private or public.  And I will go first..

   Lady, my dearest friend is in much need.  Stand by her, guide her, allow her to lean on your strength.  Let those caught in the east coast power problems come thru this without harm.  Please watch over my mother -- her heart is not good -- and I know she will be walking to stores, etc.  in this heat.  Keep her safe."

   Out of her pocket, Cailean pulls a small clear quartz crystal, hand mined, she places it in the ground, giving back to Earth what was taken from it.

   She steps back and waits for the others…

   …Pomb walks to the cauldron and sprinkles some of her favorite, most fragrant incense on the embers.  "You know I'd dump all the incense I have on this if I thought it would make things better.  I'm looking for help for the Wills -- they both need a miracle or two -- and thought I'd put in a word for Robert and Diane as well.  And it would all go a lot better if I could lift out of depression the way your birds rise on the wind.  I need energy, resources, clear vision, some kind of support and affirmation that I'm on the right track here.  How about a round of miracles for the house, while we're at it?"

   Her glance catches and follows a wisp of smoke trailing away from the cauldron.  It looks like it's twining its way around the necks of the bottles brought for offering and celebration..  “So maybe we'll have a toast to miracles later,” she thinks.  “Thank you.. I know they're on the way..”

   …Adrianna steps toward the cauldron.  “I brought my wolf-mix children from the spirit side to play with the ones of the others gathered here..  both spirit world and physical world.”  She called, “Amelia..  Skushka (full wolf)..  Beau..  Amanda..  Alex..  Pony Boy (mixed with Great Dane, with beautiful, melting, soul- eyes filled with love..  just wanted to be a lap- dog..  being held, his idea of heaven!)..  and all the rest.  I miss all of the generations of you!"  The peace of sitting surrounded by that amount of sheer , uncomplicated love and soul connection..  each animal brother, or sister, an individual no matter how many you might be privileged to connect with..  and that extended to all creation..  "All my relations..  I miss the crooning softly with the moons, breaking out here and there into soft howls..  celebrating life along with the crickets and other night sounds.  Even though you have moved on to the other realm, I thank you for blessing my life and allowing me to be a part of your family bonds.”  Looking to those gathered about the circle, she speaks, “I asked if they would be willing to come spend this full moon with us and welcome the little eight-month old pup to the spirit realm.  One of my favorite memories is of all the little pups making the early sunrise rounds touching noses and kisses with each adult animal.  The babies were so loved and protected!"  From there Adrianna's eyes move to the hawks soaring and dipping, circling and blessing the sacredness of the circle of friends.  She sends a prayer for each person who has requested prayer and blessing, or healing as she places incense of frankincense and myrrh beside the cauldron if Cailean wishes to use them.. or to be used at a different time.  "I ask the God and Goddess to grant these prayers."  She sends a quiet lifting of spirits to Owl and slips quietly back into the circle...

   ...from his place, Deer says quietly, "Thank you both for the mania that is summer and for two daughters in wonderful schools.  May they both do and be their best..."

   …Sensing that the petitions were at an end, Cailean once again moved to the cauldron.  Picking up the lovely incense left by Adriana, she sprinkled it on the still-hot coals with a silent wish for all our prayers and wishes and thoughts, voiced and unvoiced, to ride the smoke to Spirit's ear.

   "My friends, thank you so much for joining us this evening.  May joy and peace and serenity find a home in your hearts and the hearts of all your loved ones.”

   “The Circle is open but ever unbroken.  Merry meet, merry part, merry meet again."

   As she walked back to her friends to dispense hugs, her eyes twinkled mischievously.  "Okay, who's ready to party? Or even better, who's up for a skinny dip in the hot springs?..."

   “…Me! Me! Me!” Adrianna shouts.  Remembering what it feels like to swim with no restrictions, and play.. stepping bravely into the South Energy world with hopefully, new- found confidence and self acceptance of Granny body.  “Is this the promised second childhood with refound trust and belief in magic, delights, and treasures?!” she wonders…

   …As the sacred balefire slowly dies down to glowing embers, and the celebrants begin to share their feast, a solitary figure approaches from the dark woods.  He says not a word, but stands before the coals and silently brings forth a folded piece of paper from his pocket.  After a moment of quiet reflection, he allows the paper to slip from his fingers and land amid the coals.

   The paper flares up into new flames, momentarily casting crazily shifting shadows dancing on the nearby trees, and then dies down again leaving behind only twisted grey ash amid the embers.

   The lone figure has, of course, blended back into the night with a silent thanks to all those laughing and talking in the nearby circle.  He hopes he has not disturbed their celebration too much.