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

Deer mounts the high and winding trail towards the old castle as the vespers bell begins to peal. As he ascends in the clear early evening, his attention turns first to the circle of standing stones at the eastern expanse of the wood. Quickly, for the old stone room must command his attention tonight, Deer spirals in - following the path of the smaller stones - until he is within the circle of lithons. At each quarter, he again reads familiar words - the poetry of Rumi, Angelou and others - and is energized by this place which now stands solidly in both the old castle environs as well as the countryside to the north of his home.

Throwing himself across the altar, Deer enjoys the kaleidoscopic memories of many other magical nights in this place - along with the blaze of stars and the moon above before taking his leave refreshed. Further along, passing the entrance to the maze, he notices a thick mist curling out from its entrance. The white vapor moves and eddies along the ground - glowing in the early moonlight - and appears for all the world like a blind one seeking to find its way. Here and there, in addition to the forward movement, Deer notices small rills and hillocks of mist as it flows along and he wonders what manner of critters, woodland or otherwise, move under the heavy counterpane which seemingly becomes more intent on covering the evening. It rises to eye level as Deer mounts the stone stair and takes the door. Deer turns away from the castle and welcomes the beautiful dancer, asking only that however thick, it hug the ground closely.

Satisfied that he as asked, Deer throws open the heavy oak and bronze doors and passes into the great hall of the old castle. He lights the quarter cord of wood stacked in the walk-in fireplace and waiting since his last departure, then lights the candles and torches scattered about the room.

Next, Deer moves to the heavy doors which open upon the heart of this place. Within, he finds Cloud's apple broom still in its place and sets to sweeping the dust and prior energies from this place. He delights in the feel of selaginella - now filling the cracks between each and every flag across the room's expanse. That done, Deer decides there will be no altar cloth for the stone altar tonight. This is a time for bare, raw essentials. He hugs the stone before moving to the panel hidden in one wall and opens it, then grasps the lever within and firmly pulls it down. A pause at its first position, to appreciate the small, round skylight which opens in the domed ceiling, then another firm tug. As always, Deer gasps in awe as the copper blades over the skylight retract further, descending to rest upon the capitals of the room's thirteen columns. Then, looking past the skylight, he is pleased to see that the mist has satisfied itself with lazily lapping about the lower perimeter of the dome - perhaps to remind all who gather of its presence - but leaves the upper reaches open to the arc of heaven. In here, the stars seem even brighter, and twinkle with the promise of a Presence which he eagerly anticipates.

Behind him, Deer hears the voices of those gathered and returns to the great room. There is never enough time for all the catching up to be completed before they must move along into ritual.

...As Christy makes her way to the ritual, she marvels at the warmth emanating from the ground that creates the luminous mist that surrounds the castle. Embraced in the natural heat she can finally remove her mittens and stretch her fingers that have ached in the cold, and remove the hood of her woolen cloak that protected her during her journey from the frozen midwest. Snow crystals still cling to her but quickly disintegrate in the moist natural heat. She recognizes so many gathered at the castle circle and stops to hug Cailean, Jess, Owl, and Red Deer, then continues to take her place in the North. She asks herself why she has offered to call this point in the circle, having escaped briefly the bitter wind and snow that have come to stay so early in the season. She longs for the sun and the birds and flowers blooming but knows it will be a long winter before Spring will come to the Lake again. But then, its Home.. Its where her memories are, the laughter, the love.. The heartbreaks and sorrows and grief that have made her appreciate the good times so much more. Its where everything slows down and there's time to read, snuggle close with family, to create, and to ponder. And how more to be amazed and awestruck at the first leaves budding on the trees in spring, the first robin returning and calling for the sun to return.. Home…

…Once all have come into the circular room - bare not only of any decoration for the altar but also of candles and flames - Deer closes the heavy doors. He waits a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dimmer light before moving into the circle of friends. Tonight, he has planned for no light other that what the heavens offer - both for the beauty of the full moon as it dips from white into ochre and finally darkness and for the full effect of the ensuing eclipse. Likewise, Deer has dispensed with the usual accouterments of ritual relying instead upon the focus of the group, their intent and thoughts and words for the magic of this night.

He circles those gathered thrice. "Of thought and feeling and spirit is this circle raised. Here within ancient walls of stone. Here within a safe and welcoming harbor for all those of the old faiths. Here beneath the moon and stars." And finishing his third perambulation, Deer takes his place on their circle's limn. "I ask each of you tonight. reach deeply within yourselves. throw off old habits. call to that within you and that about you with your hearts and voices but no other tools. Our circle is raised. Let us rejoice in it."

With that, Deer turns and smiles broadly at those gathered. Then, with a grin and a wink towards Owl, he turns and listens for Peg's invocation of the ancestors...

...Peg has slowly followed Deer as he walks through this Sacred Ritual Space. The Standing Stone Circle is vibrating with the essence of our Ancestors. Peg feels and hears their calls. Progressing to the maze, enveloped with a thick mist, Peg feels our Ancestors gathering. At the entrance to the maze, she stops and looks back, with Wonder and Love at all the Ancestors who have followed her. She stops, turns and humbly asks that they guide her through the Maze. Peg says, "The mist is thick, and I need your support and guidance to reach the Great Hall. There, we all will be united once again." And then she hears laughter, giggles and a few gruff voices -- the message -- "We and all of you are always together. We are always here." Message received. "We will honor and remember all of you in our Rituals. Welcome to the Great Hall. Witness your children, and your children's children, as they honor your wisdom and love…"

...Cailean stands stock still. The energy of the castle and environs fills her being. She is glad that on the way up the path, she stopped to leave some bowls filled with whiskey and mead and milk and honey and some sweets for the fae in the mists. “Ah, the beauty of the mists..” she thinks again. The bareness of the room seems to add to the power and beauty of the ritual. She looks around the circle to those she knows and loves and those she hopes to come to know and love and those who have earned her undying respect and gratitude. And gets lost in emotions again. Shaking herself slightly, she remembers that she is to call to the Fae tonight. She has recently begun working with the fae and knows that they are not just the small winged beings of fun and mischief -- many are powerful beings who do not appreciate the human misconceptions.

Slowly she breathes and begins by feeling her bare feet on the chilly stone. When she feels the tingle along her spine that tells her she is in between worlds. She raises her arms to the moon overhead (well, as much of it that is visible).

"Because we cannot see the moon does not mean it is not there. We are aware of its presence and power. Because I cannot see you know does not mean you are not here. I feel your presence and power and thank you for coming. Bless all who stand here, extend your hand in communion so that we may come together in peace and harmony. Despite our differences, we are all children of the Earth gathered under the Moon. Let us dance tonight as one."

Rising on her toes, Cailean swirls, a simple chain step around the circle with skirt flowing until she comes to her empty place. She curtseys deep and steps back in place to wait for...

...Adrianna steps forward as Deer nods in her direction. In her hands a hollowed out stone filled with raindrops from an earlier shower, and a feather, gift from migrating geese at home. She hesitates because she is not sure whether Deer's Circle is setting up for Water, or Air, for the West. She dips her fingers into the water feeling the coolness and cleansing power of water even in tiny drops.. gathered together they provide the Earth and all living things with something necessary for survival. She feels the softness of the feather in her other hand.. the stiffness of the cutting edge.. each tiny part of it, which joined together, make flight possible. Air, also essential for survival! Beyond essential, basic Life, and the heartfelt "Thank you" to each Element.. the teaching of both of these energies tonight seems to be.. alone, each tiny part doesn't appear capable of accomplishing much.. together, capable of creating miracles.

"Watchtowers.. Guardians of the West, we thank you for the insights you bring, as well as the caretaking! We invite You to join us in this Full-Moon Circle held within the trine energies of the heavens tonight, under a canopy of stars and moon. Carefully setting down the hollowed stone with its bit of water and gently settling the feather beside it, Adrianna steps back within the circle of those gathered, and waits...

…as Christy raises her arms and breathes in the energies already created in this sacred space. "North wind come blow as the earth sleeps We will rest and we will bond in your embrace We will learn and we will understand the cycles of nature and life in your gifts Be with us, powers of Earth, you live beneath the cloak of winter and fill us with dreams" Christy feels again the chill and reaches her hands into the pockets of her cloak. Ah, yes. She pulls out the snow that has secreted itself away in the woolen insulation and tosses it into the air, spiraling her way to her friends' sides to wait for...

...Boudica, who walks to the east looking at the moon through the roof.

She is wearing her familiar blue gown with the little silver stars. It glistens lightly in the firelight as she moves to the eastern position. She looks up then closes her eyes. She waits to feel the slight movement of a cool breeze in the room, making the fires flicker. She starts to hum lightly, swaying ever so slightly. She hears a drum in the background from somewhere, and she continues to move and hum. The assembled group starts to move with the beat and there is movement of the air within the room. It is fresh and clean and cool and feels delightful across the skin. As they continue to move within the circle, the breeze delights the senses and it carries the lightest of scents on it, like flowers but nothing specific.

Boudica opens her eyes, and sings out a welcome to the East:

“We welcome the Element of Air from the East Dusting our dreams with sweet memories Clearing the fog from our minds with the dawn Opening the doors to our hearts Ancient One, we call.”

The drum fades with her last note, and she listens to the echoes in the great room. She turns to face the circle and waits for...

...Sharon, who steps forward from her place, her silken flame-colored robe moving in the chill air as if it were real fire. Around us all the misty fog heats up and begins to feel like steam. A red glow surrounds her as Sharon faces the South and raises her arms in greeting and invocation:

"We honor You, O Guardian of the South-- You who are the Keeper of our passions, our needs and desires. Be with us this night for we need Your warmth with us always."

Sharon flings wide her arms and sudden heat fills the room, the steamy fog hissing as if striking red-hot stones. The chamber becomes, just for a moment, a sauna. Then the temperature moderates as she bows and steps back into place in the Circle. All is as it was before, but in the area toward the South, a definite presence glows and pulsates like a waiting furnace...

...Jess stares in wonder as the Moon is cast in amber shadow. Returning her brain to more earthly pursuits, she looks around the circle at these folks she's come to know and love. The power they bring to a room is truly staggering.

"Bright Lady," she calls. "Tonight I see you in your most changeable aspect. Full, round, and fecund. Also shadowed in mystery. And dark, present but invisible as death itself. All these facets in one evening! You serve as a reminder that we are many people in one body: mother-daughter-friend, father-son-lover, teacher-student, governed-leader."

"Mother, you are the embodiment of life, love, and learning. Remind us that in *us* all things are possible."

With a barely-breathed Namaste, Jess returns to the circle to listen for the Lord's call...

...Lily watches, as the moon transits from her silvery brightness, to being enveloped by the shadow of the eclipse.. she can still be seen. She is a reminder of the sun's brightness, yet independent in her own right. A lamp giving light in the darkness.. yet not completely removed from her beloved.

“In however way we hold him in our hearts, I ask that all close their eyes and visualize, the Lord, the God takes the hand of his Lady the Goddess and begins the great dance in the skies., the manifestations of Goddess and God in the heavens above.. the skydance, amidst the time of harmonic concordance. How these energies manifest themselves within our lives will unfold as they assimilate within us.”

“Now we open our eyes and see the representations, fully immersed in their dance. And like life, from the shining times, to the times of darkness, the event of this night is a reminder that both are ever with us. Independent, yet intrinsically intertwined.. like all things in life are.”

“The Lord, the God is here, is among us, is around us, is above us in the dance.”

The mist that was lazily lapping at the edges begins to rise like pillars, as the moon begins to take light again. Rising, as the time of Concordance comes upon us, the mist seems to wrap itself around the moon as the brightness increases.

Remembering how the moon the night before was surrounded by gold and a band of crimson, these words of the God ring in Lily's heart:

"And the spark will become a flame, and the flame, a golden fire That will burn with strength and compassion, with peace and resolve. The once shattered hopes, will be formed into a new way of life, into a new direction - through a new awakening…"

...Even as Lily calls and the moon moves into totality, Deer takes Owl's hand. "An extemporaneous Dance, M'Lady?" he whispers and sweeps her toward the northern quadrant. Each move lithely to a cadence only they experience, with several dips and pirouettes along the way. Coming upon a rather surprised Christy, both throw their arms around her before resuming their Dance. Around and about, closer and further away, Deer circles Christy where she stands - eyes all the while upon his Sister. He dances and watches Owl, seeing her move through the changing light. Sometimes brilliantly illuminated, others in shadow. again brighter. again darker.

On his next round, Deer slows their dance and watches, entranced, as the light from the moon falls fully on Owls face. Then stops his movement altogether. Finding himself separated from Owl across space and the still somewhat bemused face of their Sister, Deer pulls seemingly from the air a veil of deepest midnight and flings it up and over Christy's head. The inky shape floats over and beyond her, but Deer watches Owl's face - glowing white, then descending through shades of ocher into complete shadow as the veil falls through the heavy air.

Again, Deer throws his arms around Christy - now turning his attention to her. Yet it is Owl as well to whom he speaks:

"Lady, Sister, Love. There are times in the Dance when We hold each other close, and times when We see each other from afar. Times when We traverse the heavens with naught but open space to separate Us and times when our Sister comes between Us. And there are rare times when one or the other of Us is completely consumed in Her shadow. Tonight, as Your face is lifted in anticipation of its brightest moment, You are shrouded in complete darkness. Tonight, I embrace You as Your sister. Tonight you move in Her shadow.. a moment only. for it is the way of all things to move closer, to move further, to have others come between them. We, however, are bound. That is eternal, and all else is as the passing of a shadow - ephemeral, ethereal, transient…"

...Owl feels the light of the Moon on her face, and as she gazes upward, the familiar feeling once again tingles through her body. She feels Deer's hand slipping from her fingers, and senses as he comes to rest, then flings beyond Christy the mantle of dark sky.

Owl drinks in the Moon.. taking the glow deep into her lungs, and feeling it radiate through the Chakras.. upward to the crown.. expanding.. flowing.. Owl flickers in the light, riding the moonbeams.

The energy flows downward, seeking the heartbeat of mother earth.. attuning.. throbbing.. reaching up once again to the Root Chakra, and the flush of life, vibrancy, awareness.

And once again, Owl gazes across the distance to her Son, her Brother, her Lover.. and she is connected to Red Deer.. briefly in this space, and in this time. She can see Christy's form wrapped in the mantle of darkness.. and she can see through her to the future paths they both will dance along.

Holding Red Deer's gaze, she sees him as he was before.. and before.. and before.

And she sees him as he will be.. in another dance, another time.

Gazing around the Circle, Owl sees the ancestors, and the loved ones here today.. and their own "befores" and their own "afters".

So many who have danced together in times past, and who will dance together in times to come.. each in their own time finding others who know the steps, who hear the music, who glisten in the moonlight.

“We are the old ones
we are the new ones
we are the same ones
stronger than before..”

Owl nods to Red Deer and grins with a smile that glows as bright as the Moon herself.. I love you, Bro.. teach the new ones the steps, make their hearts leap to the dance.. give them the joy to pass on to those they will teach in the future.. Show them the dance that knows no boundaries.

And Owl steps back into the shadows.. and from the darkness her voice calls out to all.. "Behold your Priest.. behold your Priestess.. they dance for you."...

...All in a moment and the moment passes. Deer kisses Christy on the cheek as the midnight silk sinks to the stone floor, momentarily covering both flags and selaginella before disappearing into the ground. One with the Dance, Mother Moon moves from darkness through the ochre light of Earth's penumbra and back to her usual radiance. Owl, as well, reappears from the shadows. Taking her hand, Deer leads her back to their circle's center for a final twirl and dip - and a heartfelt hug - before each return to their places among the gathering.

From the limn of their sacred space Deer, with a wink and a grin to his Sisters, declares, "Our circle is cast, our friends and guardians invited and the Gods dance among us. Now is the time for acts of will and magic, for petitions to the Old Ones, and for reminisces and thanks for all which as gone before or will follow after…"

...Christy catches her balance after this unexpected part of Owl and Red Deer's magical dance, overwhelmed, slightly confused, and breathless from the energies gathered and created in this sacred place. The veil of darkness has left the full mother moon and Her light rests on the altar. It has been a long time since she has felt this way, as if her path were in view once again. She knows the events of the last two years have been part of the journey, and her life is very full of new house and baby and wedding plans and the four young ladies she has brought with her to this partnership and what has bound it together - love..

But there has been something missing too. The magic. The magic of the dance. The magic of the solitude and the moon and the trees whispering secrets. These things that kept her spirit strong and her mind clear. Christy kneels before the altar, letting the moonlight bathe her.

"Mother, I know you are always with me. And I know that even though sometimes I feel that I haven't been with You, that the things that fill my life right now are part of Your work. I know that my path still lies before me, and that You have provided me with stability in love and home so I can continue on without feeling the loneliness I felt before. Please help me be patient with myself, and help me to remember that Your work is as much in little Shea's smiles and tears as it is in any rituals or meditations I might wish to work on. Please help me to be strong, heal my mind and keep it clear, help me to find the balance in myself again."

The moonlight has filled her and embraced her as only a mother can. Christy pulls a crow feather from the inside pocket of her cloak and places it on the altar for her goddess. She seeks out Owl and Red Deer to give them both a kiss and thank them for knowing that she hadn't danced in far too long...

...Adrianna is still standing in awe.. the dance.. the magic.. Mother Moon.. She watches entranced as the moon grow darks and then begins to rise from its bottom edge. She watches the lower arms curve out on both sides to cradle a glowing, but veiled, shining orb. The thought flashes, "Isis! the symbol of the headdress! The rising Power of Woman holding the World cradled lovingly in Her hands.. the Power to create destiny with the glowing Light and Power of the Sun behind her.. her counterpart, and Consort, in loving balance.. in this moment allowing Their Child.. Earth.. to move into the middle of their embrace.. rebirthed.. cleared.. flowing with the energy and trines of the Harmonic Concordance. All possibilities! No wonder all the learning cycles of the ancient mystery schools were nineteen years, with the 20th becoming the year of completion.. mastery. If there is this in the Symbol of the Mother, there is most likely a male counterpart in the eclipse of the Sun to come." So many thoughts flash through her mind.. so many understandings that she can't breathe it all in yet! Another flash, "If I hadn't been standing here looking up, I wouldn't have seen it.. wouldn't have understood. It would have been looking at pictures in a book.. reading about it.. but not understanding from the heart! Lady, I give You my heart to hold gently in the cradle of your hands, help me forever to walk in ever expanding Wisdom, and always in Love!" Adrianna holds her hands up, joining with the Mother, cradling the glowing orb, a small mirroring of the Moon as it rises.. ever brighter and brighter light flowing all around.

As she brings down her hands, she drinks in the swirling mists, the smiles on faces, the movement of bodies and feet as all join the dance and energy of this night, the total union.. the tenderness of Deer and Owl as they reflect, and become the Divine Love, Creating Force and Cosmic Energy of the Lord and Lady in this Dance of Life.. Christy, the veil of the Child embraced in Love.. rejoicing in the Harmony and Happiness, Pure Joy at New Gifts Given, unexplored challenges and freshness of possibilities.. creating in her turn.. reflecting the Parents' Love and Energy.

Adrianna says simply, "Thank you, Mother! Thank you.. more than I can ever say!" She places a red rose, a late-blooming gift (found unexpectedly on the walk to the Castle) on the altar.. and steps back into her place in the Circle, as the Dance flows on, and light flickers and fades on the faces of Deer and Owl gazing tenderly at each other.. and on the faces of the others caught up in the movement and harmony as we all dance with the Wheel, and wait for...

...Peg, who steps abruptly forward. “There is trouble here in upstate New York. Pagans are snipping and sniping at each other on email lists. They do not take the time to read, reflect, DO THEIR HOMEWORK, and treat everyone with civility and respect. Some folks have not had the decency to keep it ‘at home’ - they felt obliged to send their angry, unthinking posts to other New York lists, specifically the New York State Pagan Alliance. I sat at my computer and read the messages, yet I refrained from joining the fray. I wept because Pagans were bashing Pagans - fingers were pointed - folks jumped in with irrelevant comments. Some even got ‘really pissy’ when someone posted an offer of a ‘free’ high chair! (‘That's not Pagan - it doesn't belong here!’) Another got equally pissy when someone asked for help in finding a specific necklace. I have read posts from folks I know and love, that chilled me to the old bones of this Crone body! So, I call upon and petition to Cernunnos and Hecate - to whom I am dedicated this year. Please guide me - what can I do to help heal this large community? While I know what I would say to some of these folks - face to face - I need your guidance. With winks and hugs to Hecate - and to Cernunnos – Peg states, “Thanks for the ‘goose’!” and returns to her place...

...Seeing no others coming forward, Deer moves to the massive, scared stone in their midst. Laying both hands upon its top, he quietly states, "Well warded have we been this moon. Guardians of the four quadrants, spirits of Water, Earth, Fire and Air - welcome have you been and will you be again. For this moon, however, if you will stay and enjoy our revels so be it. If not, go your merry ways with our gratitude."

He pauses momentarily, considering each of the forms which have moved within their circle this eve, then continues. "Mother, Father.. as always we are grateful to find You near us, about us, within us. Tonight we have seen a less common aspect of the Dance. Only in the moments of totality of a lunar eclipse are You each unable to see the Other. Only in these moments is our Mother completely shrouded in darkness. For even at new, when the Moon's face is darkened to the Earth, are You completely visible to each other. So also when Papa's face is hidden from Earth during the brightness of day do You unblinkingly behold one another. We thank You for giving us a world so varied, an experience so dynamic, a Dance so elaborate."

After a longer moment during which he silently thanks the mists still lapping about the base of the dome for leaving the vault of heaven clear, Deer slowly raises his hands from the stone. As he moves toward the hidden panel, Deer declares, "Our circle is open but unbroken. May the energies with which we've danced tonight follow each on their path to the next moon." Reaching his destination, Deer opens the panel and pushes the lever up to it's mid position. With a click and a purr, the blades above begin to iris up. Deer hears a collective intake of breath, driven by both the rapid ascent of the thickening mist and the magnificent sight of copper blades catching up with it. Soon, only the small circular skylight at the dome's top remains open, through which a shaft of white moonlight spills onto the ancient stone altar.

Crossing the room, Deer passes his hands playfully through the moonbeams before attaining the heavy doors. These he pushes open onto the Great Hall and invites those gathered out for refreshments.