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

Cailean enjoyed the drive from Los Angeles to Lake Arrowhead. It took several hours, but was a pleasant drive since the weather had changed and the ice and snow were melted. The trunk of her trusty Focus was jam-packed with goodies. Audioslave blasted from the CD player. Buster sat up in the backseat sniffing at the fresh air coming in from the open moon roof. Every once in a while, a car would pass her and she'd notice the smile directed at the FuzzButt. Only the gods know how he manages to charm everyone that sees him.

Consulting her computer-generated map, she turned off the road and began the series of small town roads that led up to the chalet. Noting where the grocery store and other small stores were just in case, she finally got out of the car after parking near the chalet. The air was warm. A breeze blew lightly. It was bittersweet, though, because she could still smell smoke and burned wood on the fresh air.

"Okay, mutt, let's get started.” Buster fled into the open field and headed for the nearest tree. It had been a longer drive than anticipated. First things first. Cailean unlocked the kitchen door and sighed. Obviously, the chalet had not been used in quite some time. Thick dust lay all over. She gave thanks that she had decided to come up a day before everyone else.

First chore: Open every window and door in the place and let some of that breeze blow the stale out of the house. Then bringing in the groceries to the fridge. Next, pull up the dust cloths off the furniture. Then, grab a dust cloth, but first put on a mask - no need to aggravate the allergies. Dusting, sweeping, polishing. Clean the bathrooms and get some fresh sheets on all the beds. Good enough. Outside to find Buster chasing squirrels and rabbits. "Careful, mutt, they just might win, y'know.” The little black eyes looked up surprised at the thought.

Cailean began pushing the picnic tables and benches over to the sides, leaving a nice clear space around the stone fire bowl. In the tool shed, she found the plastic seats to the swings and teeter-totters. Wiping them clean with some Lysol, she put them where they belonged, just in case anyone showed up with the kids in tow.

Time for a break. She grabbed a Snapple from the fridge and made a sandwich - ham & cheese, Buster's favorite - and took them outside to eat. And began to think that a break had been a bad idea. She continually forgets that she gets tired so much easier these days. DAMN!!! Inside, she grabbed her purse and dug around for the medicine bottles. Two pills down the throat. Okay, back to work. But easy stuff this time. She dragged her suitcase up to one of the small bedrooms - a twin-size bed, leaving the big beds for the couples. She grabbed her work gloves from the case and out she went, Buster at her heels. "okay, mutt, let's get some firewood piled near the pit.” As she started to gather some of the deadwood, too plentiful after the fires, she began to let her spirit move into the earth. She expected to feel pain, loss but was surprised to feel hope and anticipation.

That night, Cailean fell into a deep and easy sleep and dreamed of green fields and blue skies filled with birds and fairies.

The next morning, she was up at first light. Into the car, she drove down to town. Buster chafed at the leash but submitted with an affronted look. First, into the garden shops, then a quick stop at Starbucks for a vanilla frappucino and muffin. Then the grocery store. Back at the chalet, Buster got his Kibbles n Bits and a can of Pedigree.

Cailean went quickly to the yard.. so much to do before everyone got there. Drinks into the fridge to cool. Fruit to be washed and cut up, veggies to clean and cut. She laid the firewood in the pit, to be lit at the opening of the ritual. Then out of the trunk, she took her first project. Lots of greens, tons of greens. She began to twist them into garlands to hang on the burned trees surrounding the yard area - a hope that they will once again bear leaves and beauty of their own. Flowers joined the greens and still she twisted - leis and garlands. One for everyone coming. One for Buster who was preening in his finery. She stacked them in a box near the edge of the Circle so everyone could grab one as they entered. Then she hunted for some rocks in the woods and surrounding areas, finding most of them on the hill leading down to the lake. She outlined the circle in the rocks and placed a tea light on each. At the opening of the Circle, on the other side from the box of greenery, she placed the burlap sack, filled with seed. It was her hope that everyone would grab a handful of seed as they entered, holding thru the ritual for blessing and as the Circle is opened, turn and toss the seed into the ruined woods. Birds would get some of it, but surely some would take root. At each compass point of the fire pit, she placed a candle. Next she scattered loose greens and flowers all over the Circle to bring the smell of spring in.

Looking up at the sky, she realized the sun was starting to move into the afternoon. She ran inside for a quick shower, wondering how everyone was going to react to the ultra-short haircut. She took her meds and dressed. Then to the kitchen to work with the food until the others arrived. Just in time, she thought, as she heard the first cars starting to approach..

Cailean greeted each person as they arrived, helping them find a place to stay. Buster helped in the enthusiastic greetings.

As expected, most headed for the yard at the twilight hours. Cailean explained the box of garlands and leis. She grabbed the top one, soft greens twined with daisies and baby breath, and plopped it on the short hair. "Well, at least I look like a girl again!.."

…Harmony arose this morning, thankful she'd decided to fly in the night before and stay at a local B&B.

She jumped into her rental car and followed the directions to the chalet. She was going to arrive early, but oh well, better than getting lost in the dark! Besides, this will give her some time with the land prior to the ritual.

On her way there she saw how the fires had ravaged the trees.. reminding her of the large swaths of trees that are gone at home thanks to Hurricane Isabel. "gosh Mama Nature, you sure were rough on the trees this year.” She thought it half seriously, knowing that nature will find its balance again. Already she could see various wild weeds popping out and birds circling around above.

As she pulled into the drive of the chalet, she saw the irrepressible Buster and greeted him with a big ol' hug. Dang I wish I could have brought Madison.. oh well Buster, maybe next time!

She walked up to the door, where Cailean greeted her warmly. After giving Cailean the home baked coconut egg custard pie she stepped back and admired Cailean's handwork.

Without saying anything she picked up the knife and started chopping vegetables. This way Cailean gets to greet everyone, besides she'd done a TON already!

Harmony felt content as the others started coming on in. She'd catch up with them later.

She finished rinsing and chopping veggies, tossed some fruit and cleaned up the mess.

Just in time too! The sun had started slipping over the horizon already! She slipped into a loose lavender robe and went out and greeted some of the others waiting to get a garland and lei.

Upon reaching the basket, she picked up a simple daisy garland that showed great against her dark reddish brown hair.

She stepped into circle and waited as she felt the spirits of this sacred place stir…

…As everyone circles 'round, Cailean steps to the stone fire bowl. She leans down and with the sacred Aim 'n Flame, lights the kindling.

"Lady, Lord, hear me. We welcome you to our space. Bless it and us and we celebrate the return of Spring.” She tosses a handful of sage on the tiny flames. The puff of smoke swirls about the circle touching all with its purifying essence. "In this place where the fires have taken so much away, we still hear the chirp of birds, see the touches of green, smell the rich soil. We can hear the Earth, herself, crying out in hope of a new beginning, a fresh start. May it be so. Bless us as we come together in sacred space."

Cailean steps back to her place in the Circle, Buster at her feet, waiting for Adrianna…

…Adrianna steps forward, a little late and wind-tossed, with hair still swirling around from the Michigan storms. "Those of the East, who bless new beginnings, ours and those of the Earth, we ask that You honor us by joining with us, if it be pleasing to You.. in this place that has seen so much fire and clearing. We honor the memory of what was before.. the beauty of mountains, magnificent trees and lakes.. and acknowledge the devastating change that has been brought to many, as well as nature. Even so, we welcome the ever-beginning signs of new life.. the fresh air that Spring brings.

With a smile, Adrianna opens her hands to reveal a small bird. It sits for a moment, moving its head to one side, and then the other, as if to take the measure of each person gathered. And then it takes wing, sending its call through the sky. A slight breeze stirs the air as if in blessing.. Adrianna hugs Cailean, and picks out a plumeria lei, in honor of her own beautiful memories of this place.. As she steps back within the circle of friends gathered, she breathes a "thank you” and knows her heart is ready for its own new beginning.. She turns to see…

…Deer, clad in one of Cailean's beautiful garlands and feeling exuberant in the early spring warmth. He feels frisky, and unusually somber, at the same time. Head swimming a bit from the combined scents of new growth, plumeria, sage smoke and his own amber, Deer begins his call.

"Guardians of the South, Spirits of Fire and Flame, we invite you to join our celebration. You are the great destroyers - as amply evidenced by the earth about us. Yet, destruction is always prelude to creation. Pinecones may hold their seeds tightly for years, until the kiss of fire revitalized the land and welcomes them to open soil. Succession to climax is exactly that - the progression to a languorous orgasm of being. But not to permanence. Climax ends and the cycle renews itself. "

"And You are far more that simply destruction and a prelude to creation. Of You, our passions flame. Of You, as our creative thought explodes. Even our biology is of You - for that we consume is burned into the energy with which we are, with which we experience, with which we do."

"Spirits of Flame and Fire, Guardians of the South, we invite you to ward our circle this moon!"

Deer takes a deep breath - feeling the breeze from Adrianna's calling mingle with the warmth of their leaping fire - and returns to his place among the circle of friends…

…Nym' headed into the San Bernardino Mountains with trepidation. How the area had fared from the recent fires and how dear Cailean was doing with recent health issues both weighted heavily on her mind.

Fire and illness, seemed to have rage through here but the closer she got the more she could see in her minds eye, and in her heart, that hope leads to change, growth and new vitality. From the mountains and Cailean equally; the inner child was coming back out to play and rediscover life.

The fires had burned off layers of forest debris turning nutrients back into the soil, what was left behind looked like charring but underneath was new life full of nutrients. The heat of the blaze had burned away much but also gave its warmth to the next generation of trees, spurring the germination of plants, releasing the seeds from their cone casings.

As an offering to the forest and the health of all those she loves Nym' had brought a basket of seedlings to take root here. Passionflower, Sage and Motherwort, if the forest would accept them, they would thrive here. Moving randomly about the new seedlings and sprouts of the forest floor, careful not to disturb the natural growth, Nym' planted her offerings.

Nym knew it was time to join the circle.. no time to clean up from her wanderings.. bits of twig stuck in her hair while the new indigo wrap her husband bought her in Ireland clung to charred bits of wood and stray seeds. Cailean had set a stag of rebirth!..

…Jess fans herself, cooling the heat generated by Deer's southern call. He can invoke my Fire any day! Whew!

Jess picks up a big, tin watering can. It is decorated with large, child-like drawings of flowers, all kinds of flowers! The water inside sloshes gently as she moves to the western quarter.

"This is rainwater, collected during the last two or three showers we had back east. Spring is springing in the Chesapeake region. Life is peeking out from burrows and buds!"

She tips the can, sprinkling water over the blackened wood and dark soil.

"With time, gently rains, and warm sun, life will bud here, too. Green will emerge: grasses, young trees, mushrooms, moss. The little stirrings that remind us that just because the earth has been traumatized, does not mean it's dead."

She turns back to the circle.

"May the gentle rains and clinging mists restore the scorched places within you, as well. Remember that no matter how traumatized we may be by illness, by time, or by the cruelty of others, little stirrings of life happen within us, too…"

…As Jess returned to her place Nym' picked up one last seeding from her basket and moved to the north. Putting the small hand trowel aside, Nym' dug into the earth with her hands and entrusted the seedling to the mother.

“Spirits of the Earth we ask for your blessings. We ask that you join us this night. Come forth from the fertile bosom of our Blessed Mother Earth, and nourish us so that our hopes may grow to fruition. You are our body from you comes the fruit and grain of nourishment.”

“You give us life and shelter it is in your body that we secure our roots. In thanks we tend you and ask all to heed your call.”

“Green of forest glens
Starlight of midnight skies
Cold are mountain's edge
Upon Her let us lie.
Bright Moon shine upon the leaves
Shadows cast throughout the night
Wooden glen, bring forth your power…”

…Her hands and feet blackened from walking the ashy area, heart saddened by the loss of the beautiful wilderness she remembers from the childhood trip she took with her mother and sister, Christy holds her hands above a new patch of growth feeling its bright energy. So green amid the charred remains, so alive.. Is it the spirits of the elements called that whisper? Or the Earth itself? In Death there is New Life In Grief we are reborn The Circle continues Remember your Strength and go forward.. She wipes her brow and cheeks (at home, anything over 30 degrees has felt toasty!), her hand leaving black streaks, and continues to the basket of garlands Cailean has brought. Christy chooses one of ivy and places it on her head, framing her dark hair and blackened face, and walks to the center of the circle. "Green Man I call Though you are always here Bless this Circle with your strength Fill this forest with your image once again So that all who walk here will feel your presence and know your love..” Christy takes an acorn out of her pocket and digs a small hole to place it in. She covers it gently and firmly with the dark soil, wishing it long life, then joins her friends in the circle to wait…

…Harmony steps quietly to the center, feeling bitter sweetness in her heart and tears in her eyes. She picks up a watering can, painted with Daisies and walks over to where the Green Man's acorn lay buried. She sets down the can and stretches her hands outward,

"Lady, Gaia, I call to you Life from Death; Yours, the Mysteries of life and death Life from Death; As you awaken, breath life renew Life from Death; Ash will nourish new greens Life from Death; Warm sun and cool rains nurture too Life from Death; Bring life to this region again Life from Death An the Cycle begins anew” Harmony lowers her arms picks up the watering can tips a bit onto the newly planted acorn, "I've brought blessed water to share with our hosts"

She steps quietly back into the circle…

…Adrianna steps softly towards the fire, glances up at Cailean and whispers, "Looking beautiful, Sister mine! Thank you for sharing this place with us..” She sprinkles sweetgrass, and Siberian lavender into the flames.. “Healing, cleansing and clearing are my prayers for my sister, as well as for the rest of us gathered. Renewed strength and life!” She sprinkles rose petals from the other pocket of her cape." May love continually surround us, and may we forever reflect love to all around us, and to our caretaking of what Mother Earth has entrusted to us as humans. Please take care of my little ones in the next stretch of time.. (and with a grin) may Foxy Lady and Jake soak up all the fun of chases with Buster. I'm sure they will be begging at the feast!” Adrianna steps back and glances to where the children are playing…

…DaingneachRuiadh is then entering the circle and sowing a handful of wild flower seeds in the rich earth and saying: “New life to follow the old so grow well little brothers and sisters.”

Looking up towards the moon. “Lord and Lady keep WindWalker enfolded in your arms during this difficult time and please guide her Father to the Summerlands in safety.”

Reaching for the water can and sprinkling it over the seeds to ensure they grow well. Placing the water can back down and going back to the outer circle quietly…

…The little one who sleeps all the time steps forward.

She places a candle on the altar and lights it with an ancient looking book of matches. Under the candle she has placed a letter, the contents of which contain her wish.

"Dear moon, I know we haven't talked in awhile, but you know how it is with me. It doesn't mean that I don't still love and respect you. It just means that I'm being forgetful or sleepy again. I did see you the other night and you looked lovely, as always.”

“Here's the deal. I haven't wished on you in a long time and you've always been cool about me doubling up on wishes when I've missed some. So I'm asking for two things. Firstly, I really need a job. I will take any job. I just need a little hand in getting someone to hire me. Secondly and this wish is going to sound goofy, I'd really like for Joe to be able to come on family vacation with the folks and my sibs when we head off to MB. I promise, my intentions are pure. He just needs a break from all of the craziness and a little healthy adventure. Besides, he might turn out to be a great wake boarder with my brother and I.”

“I'm not going to even wish about the mono because that's just greedy. I'll deal with that on my own. Besides, that really is my own fault. I should never share drinking glasses.”

The little one steps back with a silent nod and a tiny smile. She winks up at the moon and returns to her place in the circle…

…Nym' returned to the center again. She had one last seedling, much larger than the others, wrapped in burlap.. a hole in the center had already been dug.

In her heart she saw Tara and the Mound of the Hostages in the evening sun.. as a white horse slipped into the entrance she looked around the circle of friends and the charred forest, even now generating new life.

"Boann I ask your blessings on all ground sacred.. that within ourselves and all of the Earth.” Planting the small birch tree she speaks to it and all she loves…

"The warmth of summer sunlight be with you. The rhythm of surging waters be with you. The quietness of gentle mists be with you. The freshness of green meadows be with you. The deep peace of the holy island be with you."

Nym' than places a triple wicked white candle carved with a Triquetra before the new tree. "I light 3 flames.. one for health of the land, one for happiness, peace and health for all within my heart, and one for the health of humanity. Sacred Tree, grow within us."

Before returning to her place, Nym' stops to hug Cailean, "Sister of my heart, Thank You…"

…Deer moves to the fire, a small clay Ram in his hands. As he places it at the edge of the eastern edge of the fire bowl he asks, "Mother and Father, accept the gift of one of Celie's Critters. Ramses has lived in our home for 26 years. He's been held, rubbed and waved about through more Tar Heels basketball games than I can count - including numerous ACC and NCAA championships. He's been our on personal Tar Heel mascot but in this time of new beginnings we're hoping for another.."

Quietly, Deer retakes his place among the circle - catching Cailean's eye and whispering "Beautiful!” in her direction - then waits for…

…Doreen steps up to the circle with some stones that she found on the beach in Ireland (Bray, she thinks). These stones are flat but have had a perfect circle worn through the center of them.

She says: "Shining Ones.. I ask of you to help me in this time of change. So much is going on and so many details have to be attended to concerning my move. I almost can't keep them straight. Please help me keep my wits about me when I speak to international tax accountants, the Ministry (or is it Misery) of Transportation, the Immigration & Nationality Directorate, and other entities who dispense red tape. Also, help me to spend wisely the money I am saving for the move."

Doreen puts the stones back on the altar and waits…

…Fern steps up, with an armload of daffodils. "Blessed and High Ones, I thank you for hitting me upside the head with the 2 x 4 and getting me started on Remote Healing. But, since I don't want to work on those close to me - YOU try to work on the Senior Druid in a way she'll actually LISTEN, okay?” Fern scatters the flowers, returns to her place, and awaits…

…Donna waits tentatively to make her offering and petition. She holds in her hands treasures from the cottage's beach during her winter trip to the barrier islands in North Carolina: a pure white seagull feather; a small piece of sea glass the color of green calcite; and, a piece of driftwood, smooth on one side, but mysteriously layered and jagged on the other. Her offering seems out of place in this woodland terrain; but, she walks to the center of the circle sensing that the jarring shift of time and place has more to do with her petition than she realized.

She releases the feather into the heat above the fire. It scampers back to the sky. She places the driftwood next to another piece of wood, ravaged by fire instead of water. And, the precious glass, found by her daughter, she returns to the sea by placing it in the rainwater.

She prays.. “From the air you came, dear seagull, from fire you came, dear glass, from earth you came, dear wood. From water comes life.”

“Dear Lady and Lord, I ask you to guide me in my new profession of counseling. I ask for balance of my emotions. My empathy is sometimes so great that fear holds me back. Give me the strength I need to enter places of the heart that I have never entered before. I know I can heal if you are with me.”

“My heart swells, the beauty of the ceremony brings tears of gratitude, and I return to where I stood in the circle.. a new being…”

…Jess adds a handful of catnip to the flames. "Bast, watch over my little, tiny charges. Their mom will leave soon to live with someone who can care for her throughout her life. They need to grow big and strong, they need to eat and play. They need to be healthy. Most of all, they need wonderful pet parents to find them and fall in love.

"And, while you're looking down, give a nudge and a lick to our director, Virginia. To quote her 'I just want to do my cats.' Pneumonia seems to have sidetracked her!.."

…Cailean steps to the center. She looks around at all her gaily bedecked brothers & sisters. And smiles. When she speaks, her voice is tired. One of these days she's going to remember that she can't do everything just the way she did only a few short months ago.

"Mother, Father, Elements, Spirits, Guardians. We thank you for your presence here at this ritual, we thank you for listening to our prayers, we thank you for these blessings received. Join us again next month when we gather again. I ask that you watch over us between times. Grant us your guidance, your protection and your love. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again. The Circle is open but as ever unbroken.” So where's that custard pie???