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

Boudica parked the car across the street from the MGM Studios.

Since we all know that you got to know somebody to get in, we will forego how we managed to get permission to do this. Let's just say.. there are people in high places who are 'pagan friendly' and leave it at that. 9-)

Walking past the guard, who is expecting her, its a hop onto a cart waiting to take her to a back lot. The guard assures her that everyone will be driven to the stage so they don't get lost.

Down through the studio lots, past sets that look like towns and large warehouse like closed sound stages to an older sound stage.

She gets off the cart, thanks the driver and he tips his hat and says 'See you later. Just phone us when you are done.'

She walks up to the large hanger like door. There is a smaller door, and the knob turns and she walks hesitantly inside.

The place is large, but not as large as she would have thought. Her blue gown sparkles in the few lights that are turned on, but it's not too well lit.

Walking further, there is none of the usual equipment you would expect. There are no cameras, no sound booms, this stage is not used anymore. It is mostly storage. Some old director chairs, some tracks for the camera dollies, there are still lights hanging from the huge ceiling, but not as many as you would expect.

The floor is there, with the red and yellow bricks. There are still the houses from the set, now banged up a bit and dusty. There are large clusters of those huge flowering plants still there, now dingy and discolored from age.

The back drop is there, now faded from it's original soft colors. There is the pond, now empty with what was probably those water lilies left to crumble in the bottom. Over the bridge, there are those houses, now closer up, but very beat. The years have taken their toll. You can just make out Dorothy's house beyond them. And look! The platform with that big flower canopy where Glinda and the mayor introduced Dorothy to the Munchkins. Did you know Billie Burke was 53 when she did this movie! Damn, she could only hope to be that good looking at 53.

But this is what she came to see. The floor with the spiral. It's a double spiral, actually. There is the Yellow Brick Road that begins here and goes off to Oz, and the Red Brick Road that begins here and shoots off in another direction. One of these days I will have to read the other books and see where that Red Brick Road goes, if it exists at all. Boudica is sure someone will fill in that gap somewhere along the line.

She listens to the music in her head, hears the voices of Glinda and the Munchkins singing.. Judy walked here. Margaret Hamilton's voice rings in the back of her mind as she appears to discover her dead sister and look for those ruby shoes. This place captures for a moment the memories of some great actresses. It is also a place of balance. Margaret Hamilton's Witch of Chaos and Billie Burke's Witch of Order. Dorothy between the two.

People are starting to arrive and Boudica lets go of the spirits for a moment to welcome the arriving friends...

...Everyone has joined the circle, and Boudica walked to the center to welcome everyone.

Thanks to all of you who have come to this strange yet interesting and challenging circle this month.

She walked to the north outside of the yellow/red brick road, and pulled out of her cape Glinda's star wand. There were lots of things laying around.. this one had seen better days and was probably left cause it didn't glitter anymore.

She walks behind everyone casting the circle:

As the Goddess has said:

Let My Worship be within the heart that rejoices, for behold: all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.

There are those who have gone before us who played for the camera to forever remind us of beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence. This evening we remember them and what it was that they taught while they entertained both the Gods and Goddesses as well as us.

Boudica now stands again at the North and walks to the center of the Circle. She bows to the rest of the group, and then takes her place in the circle to await the calling of the East...

...Sharon as Fred Astaire glides into the center, does a few spins and low dance leaps, a bit of soft shoe, then faces East:

"Guardians of Air and Light, of Creativity and Intellect, of the freedom of Dance, we welcome you here and ask that you join and enjoy all that will transpire this night."

She bows, tips her hat, taps her cane, grapevines around the circle, bows again and takes her place with the others, making way for...

...Cailean was thrilled with Boudi's amazing idea. MGM isn't too far from the Fox lot. She knows that so much of the old memorabilia has vanished that she is thrilled with Boudi's discovery of the Oz set.

She made a quick stop at the Fox Costume Dept before heading out to the ritual. A friend there hooked her with the most amazing thing.. More friends (after all, Hollywood is all about who you know!) helped with hair and makeup.

As she steps onto the Yellow Brick Road Spiral from her place in the Circle, she shimmies and shakes a bit. Bells on her ankles tinkle. Eyes darkened by kohl with red stained lips. Her hair in finger waves brings back the Silent Movie era she is evoking. The startling discoveries - a silk scarf skirt and headdress of "metal" coins and loops, originals used in the original film -- are accompanied by a reddish gold bra top. She is transformed into the image of Theda Bara, the original sex goddess, as she appeared as Salome.

Fire, passion, smoldering and hot - all these things. Cailean does not say a word, after all, this was the Silent Era. She simply begins to dance. Hips move slowly, languorously, arms overhead weave soft patterns in the shadows. Stopping every so often to dance around someone -- Boudi, Windwalker, Red Deer, Whisper -- even though she doesn't speak, can any deny that the element of fire has joined them?

She steps back into her place, unable to stop the slight swaying, waiting for...

...Deer, who appears far shorter and stouter in his fine woolen bell bottoms, crisp white shirt and double-breasted pea coat. With a commanding and stately swagger, he steps to the very center of their gathering, where the red and yellow spirals merge, and holds aloft a spiral shell. Then, facing west, Deer adjusts the brim of his captain's hat and states:

"On the Nautilus men's hearts never fail them. No defects to be afraid of, for the double shell is as firm as iron; no rigging to attend to; no sails for the wind to carry away; no boilers to burst; no fire to fear, for the vessel is made of iron, not of wood; no coal to run short, for electricity is the only mechanical agent; no collision to fear, for it alone swims in deep water; no tempest to brave, for when it dives below the water it reaches absolute tranquility."

With a quick tug at his unaccustomed full beard and wry grin, Deer returns to his place among the circle of friends and watches as...

...It's the voice that rings out from the North, well before anyone is seen -- the voice, famous, unmistakable, no less imposing for being parodied to near-oblivion: "We have heard the chimes at midnight!" The figure enters, huge and round as Jupiter, and to the ones gathered here, he looks perfect for a Ren Faire, yet he's perfectly at home on the soundstage, having known it from every angle -- as cameraman, director, writer, actor. He hoists a skin of wine, and threatens, suddenly out of character but without a change in the voice: "And no jokes about wine before its time. A man who managed to seduce Rita Hayworth should be immune to ridicule." Just like Falstaff whom he plays, this massive -- in all respects -- talent and mind seems to personify the spirit of Earth: substantial, solid and generous, yet beset on one side by politics, jealousy, destructive human forces and on the other by the self-indulgence that's the shadow aspect of abundance. But for tonight, we see a spirit larger than life, as movies are supposed to be, one trading wits and passing the wine among the stars.. Abundant spirit of Earth, of North, hail and welcome. Surprisingly light-footed, he leaps up a short flight of stairs and sits back with his wine, awaiting...

...Sunspider adjusts the brim of her straw hat and fluffs the green ribbon that rests under her chin. She pinches her cheeks to bring a youthful glow to them. She spins to make sure the light green print dress still twirls just right and pulls the shoulders down just a little more.. She checks one more time in the mirror, seeing that her eyes have taken on the green from her ribbon and matching ear bobs. Her feet are tapping, impatient to dance. Finally her turn, she jumps to her feet, and returns to the beginning where nothing really matters but having fun, most problems can be solved with a persuasive pout, and Mother and Father will take care of the rest. She'll think about those things tomorrow- after the dancing. She dances around the spirals, hoop skirt twirling, a partner here, a partner there, a fast waltz to the center and a twirl around Red Deer batting her eyes flirtatiously. She feels the spark of youth in her spirit, the maiden that is still in her soul. She sees that others are continuing the waltz she has started, laughing and dancing, the Maiden is surely here…

...With a swish of the tail, her ears prick up…..after a long and restful nap it sounds as if this place has come back to life. The glorious Collie heads for the Yellow Brick Road.

Having reached the center of the spiral road the Collie places at its core an olive branch she retrieved while trotting her path, and then bounds off to join Toto in the field of Poppies…

...A large, cheerful, unflappable Mother walks slowly into the Circle. She calmly gazes at each person there.. What does she see in her wisdom in this group of "chillins" gathered? Then, with a wink and flash grin, her hands begin to clap, and those huge hips begin to bump and roll. Clapping and dancing, and wiggling and jiggling, she winds around the Circle, pulling everyone into the dance. As she passes Deer, she reaches up to touch his cheek and pat it, "Such a good boy!" with a dark, melting look into his eyes, before dancing on. “Mother is here.. loving all the chillins, no matter how ridiculous we might seem, or what we do! Dance on!..”

...Slowly, deliberately, a young man steps into the circle. Blue denim jeans cover the tops of black motorcycle boots. A plain white t-shirt is visible under the black leather jacket- collar turned up defiantly. Carefully tousled hair with a single curl falling over one brow. He slowly saunters to the center of the spiral- pausing there, fingers hooked in a belt loop, taking his time to look slowly around the circle, glance lingering on every detail. He takes a long drag on the cigarette he holds in his fingers, eyes narrowing through the smoke that swirls around his head.

He speaks softly.

"Ignore boundaries, live on the edge, and grab life by the throat. Abandon caution. Live without fear."

The youth turns and walks back to his place in the circle without looking back…

...The neighborhood I grew up in was part Scandinavian. Norwegian Day parade, Leif Erickson parade.. Norwegian Deli's and guys running around in helmets with horns.

The other part of our neighborhood was Irish. But that's another story..

We had fishcakes, cod fish, reindeer meatballs and Swedish meatballs. My family was part Swedish, and there lots of other Swedish families in the neighborhood, so we got along well with the Norwegians.

Yea, that's the thing with the Swedish Chef.. don't ask.

But the only movie I could associate with my neighborhood growing up was 'I Remember Mama'. Irene Dunne with her frugal ways and warm motherly advice.. like most mama's in this neighborhood. Lots of warm soups got dished out with a practical life style.. nothing was wasted and everything was used and reused.

We like to remember our mothers as this kind of warm, caring type person who was there when you needed her, always backing you up and always making sure you have what you need when you need it.

This is our Mother, She is that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you think of home, She is the One you rely on when you need or want, and She is always there making sure you have what you need when you need it.

Welcome Mama...

...The Mountain surrounds us like an amphitheatre, the deck becomes a stage. The Full Moon shines down like a klieg light.. and a small, zaftig woman strides across to center stage. Stately feathers wave above her headband, while a huge feathered fan helps her flirt with the audience.. she takes a deep breath, and belts out a tune!

“THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS,
LIKE NO BUSINESS WE KNOW.. EVERYTHING ABOUT IT IS APPEALING!”

And once again, the great Ethel Merman makes magick happen.. ageless, powerful, owning herself with a presence few could match! A Crone, if ever there was one! Her voice echoes off the Mountain.. like the voices of crones throughout the ages…

...For Jess, the set shifts: from color to black and white, from brick road to back porch. A small girl dressed in tomboy overalls sits in the crook of her father's arm, wiping tears of anger and confusion from her eyes.

Her father takes off his small round glasses and wipes them clean, while his feet gently rock the porch swing in the still, stagnant, Georgia night. Patiently, he explains why her words and actions might cause someone hurt. In a deep, warm voice, he tries to convey to a seven-year-old mind that people are different, from different backgrounds, and of different races, religions, and so on. Later, he will have to explain why people fear what is different, but he does his best to impart this bit of wisdom to his incredibly curious daughter.

"Now c'mon, Scout. Let's get inside and finish dinner," He says. They head inside, leaving the empty bench to swing to a rest.

He is our Father, who teaches us, guides us, scolds us, and watches over us. He is the strong arm that protects us and the rough hand that scoots us on our way.

The scene shift back, color returns...

...Cailean sighs and realizes its time. Still dressed for South, she slinks to Boudi and begs her to tap her with the Glinda wand. Boudi obliges. That old Hollywood magic still works! Where once she stood as a sexy Salome, Cailean now appeared in a man's suit, the tie loosened and collar of the white shirt open. Her hair was slicked back and black eyeglasses sat on her nose. She had a book in her hand.

Confidently, she strode to the Center of the Circle. Just as the attorney she now invoked, she started to pace a bit, eyes down watching the bricks of the Yellow Brick Spiral pass beneath her feet.

An attorney, you think? But yes, of course. Attorneys research and search for answers, pouring out their side of the truth for a jury. The jury takes in the shared truth and knowledge, goes to the deliberation room and weighs this information, both sides, and selects its own truth. What else can a Sage do but share what s/he knows and allow the student to decide whether or not it speaks truth to them?

This particular attorney stood up against his community's bias, endured ostracism for what he believed was right and true. Even his young daughter was deeply affected by his courage in standing firm in the face of outrage. Poor Scout, he thinks, but I do this for you as well as this innocent man beside me. So does the Sage stand strong in his own truth, but always and ever looking for new knowledge..

Ah yes, Cailean feels Atticus Finch flood her being and gives silent thanks to Gregory Peck for his wonderful inspiration.

With a sharp spin to meet the eyes of all in the Circle, Cailean shuts the book in her hand and walks quickly back to her place...

...From her place, Boudi calls, “We will now open for petitions. I want to thank you all for bringing such wonderful insight and characters to our circle.. this not only has been quite interesting but also an education…”

...Shari steps forward into the center of the circle quietly, cloak wrapped tight around her shoulders, hood drawn over her head and face. For a few moments she stands, her heart pouring out her petition in silence. She draws from the folds of her cloak a small heart shaped piece of rose quartz wrapped in red rose petals, and places it in the center of the circle.

Softly she speaks her thanks.. "Mada samanfo asi"

Quiet as a shadow she slips back to her place in circle…

...Adrianna puts a copy of the mortgage into the center of the Circle. Release of a burden, long-held, that surprisingly brought stomach cramps and sickness once it was over.. She lets go of it, thanking the Goddess for the understanding that we do not need to make ourselves ill with worry. She breathes in the full moon energy, flowing over and through, and breathes a prayer for wisdom and child-like, simple faith in beginning the next. She puts a cut-out snowflake over the paper in thank you for the lesson from the North.. even when it appears that nothing is happening, things are stirring, growing, ready to burst into physical life. It all takes time.. and appears at the right time! She steps back into the circle of friends, a very humble Crone…

...Boudica thanks everyone who joined her for this FMR. We had a good time and we learned a lot from the choices of characters that were chosen for the parts.

Everyone leaves the building to get into the carts supplied by the studio to take them to their transportation, but Boudica stays behind to close up and linger for a bit.

The smell of the age of this place, the musty smell of disuse, and the swirling spirits who were called to join the group this evening. She silently thanks them all for coming to spark our imaginations and have a bit of fun.

She walks to the light panel near the door and starts to throw the light switches and in the darkness there was a glowing coming from where they had stood in circle.

There was magic when we came, and we left some our magic to mingle with what was here.

She smiled, and threw the last light switch as she closed the door behind her.