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

Slowly the days seem to be shortening, each evening a few moment less of the suns caress. The rosemary, sage and roses have thrived in the glorious early summer days, their scent overshadowing the others.

Nym' looks over the latest addition to her garden, a fairy pond built by her husband, home now to baby koi. Directly across from it on the patio seems to be the proper place for her copper fire pit.

From an oak twig fluttering at the edge of the fire she lights three white pillars to illuminate the growing darkness, one for truth, one for nature and the third for knowledge

Nym' looks to the night sky, the moon in her fullness.

"Greetings to you jewel of the night,
Beauty of the skies, Mother of the stars.
I honor you and your mate,
Lady of the Stars, Lord of the Wild Wood."

Nym' lights a small cauldron candle, placing next to it the downy feather of a Swan, gifted to her just last moon.

"Ancestors I need you guidance,
You that have gone before yet still remain,
Ancestors of my blood, Ancestors of my spirit,
Blessed Grandparents!”

The well being of a child and grandchild is an issue of many emotional struggles, my heart torn in two directions. I ask your guidance to find the middle path; not the easiest or one of least resistance....but the path to what is right for all involved, the path to peace and love.

“*I am bowing my head
In the eye of the Mother who gave me birth,
In the eye of the Maiden who loves me,
In the eye of the Crone who guides me in wisdom.”

Mother, Father, Ancestors.. Spirits of the night. I give you my love and Thanks. Blessed Anu you have my devotion! So Mote it be!"

The downy Swan feather is lifted on the night breeze and spirals toward the stars…

…It'll surprise no one that Cailean has headed to the beach this twilight. She parks the Silver Sprite in the parking lot for Back on the Beach restaurant in Santa Monica. In the restaurant, she has a glass of wine and waits for the sun to go down. Nothing more relaxing than sunset on the beach.

Finally, darkness. She pays her bill and walks the long way down to the edge of the ocean. Just beyond the wet sand, she sits and for a moment does nothing but listen to the ocean, smell the salt in the air and feel the water in the breeze. When the spirit of Ocean fills her, she digs a little pit in the sand in front of her, takes a small votive candle from her bag, a small one in gradient shades of blue, places it in the pit and lights it after several tries with her trusty sacred Aim n' Flame. The pit protects the tiny candle flame from the strong breeze coming in from the ocean.

No words come. Cailean simply sits and meditates. The tide is going out. It occurs to her that everything happens in cycles. The phases of the moon, the tide, life... So all these things that are in her life will eventually pass...the good, the bad...it must all give way as the cycle moves. She sees the glorious shine of moonlight on the water. Yes, she thinks. The darkness will be illuminated without any help from me except to be aware, the see it, recognize it and give thanks for it.

She sees the twinkling lights around her and knows that she is not alone. Sea sprites, spirit guides, fae ones, welcome. Ancestors, welcome. People are shocked sometimes that she has no fear to go to dark places alone. Be it the beach to commune with the divine or the movies on a weekday afternoon or the hospital for her treatments. But she knows she is never alone. All she need do is open her awareness and there are always those will be in her heart and spirit with her.

Her heart swells with the moment. She hears the dolphins chattering in the waves beyond and smiles. Welcome, friends. Dolphins, communicators. Yes, communication has happened here tonight. Cailean has spoken to the Goddess and She has responded. For this Great Mystery, she gives eternal thanks.

Breaking down the pit she had dug, she allows the breeze to blow out the candle. While it cools, Cailean digs into her bag again and pulls out three small quartz crystals, one for the past, one for the present, one for the future, and tosses them into the ocean as a thank you to the spirits who had attended her this night.

Placing the solidified candle into a plastic baggie and back into her bag so she can light the candle for each night of this full moon until both the moon and candle have passed, she heads back to the Sprite now sitting alone in the dark parking lot. Her last thought is that she needs to find a beach that allows dogs so she can bring the Fuzzbutt the next time - he hates missing rituals…

…Adrianna sits on one of the bales of hay surrounding the Circle. Sparrows are flitting and landing on up- pointing bits of the downed branches that she collected for the Group Fire to come Saturday. She smiles at them and promises them more branches.. thanks the Earth Mother for the balance in storms that provides firewood and trims trees, keeping the Land growing, clearing, and ever-changing.. yet always mysterious, sacred and beautiful with big and small surprises, treasures and delights to become aware of. "Thank you Mother! For tonight, a personal fire to clear, center,.. to fill with the blessings of the Goddess and God, the Fey, the Ancestors, the Animal world and Animal Spirits, the Watchtowers and Guardians.. Those of the Other Realms Who move closer into the Circle to create Union.. Those Who would Bless and Teach and Move me, and the other folk who will arrive tomorrow, into a ever higher and wider path.. Those who are come for Highest Purpose and Wisdom.. Highest good.. I ask if You would ward this Circle this night."

The tobacco, white sage, and Native Herbs have already been sprinkled around the Circle of stones and over the inner ground of the Circle. She strews lavender and patchouli, mugwort, and roses, honeysuckle, and then, bits of offerings from the plant people of the Land. "So much is growing and singing! Thank you, Brothers and Sisters!" She breathes prayers as she walks.. She hauls out her flowerpot with many openings to serve as Cauldron.. the children arrive and fill the sand-filled openings with whatever Spirit speaks to them to impress.. and then quick hugs and they are gone, as suddenly as they came, two little candles left inside the growing Sacred Space to represent their gifts, and wishes, along with the wildflowers and stones, and feathers tucked into the openings of the Spanish flowerpot. The two swallows, who have blessed with a nest and little ones right over-head on the porch, swoop over the branches of the unlit, Tomorrow- Fire.

Adrianna lights a small personal fire within the sand-filled flowerpot close to the fire -pit, and sprinkles Frankincense, Myrrh, and Sandalwood into the flames. She feels the need to sprinkle Holy Water around the edges of the Circle and on the pile of waiting wood, so stands and does this. Next Rose oil and Jasmine.. She lights votives at each of the directions, to continue to welcome Those Who Would Come, and then returns to the bale to dream a bit. Dark approaches.. Adrianna lights the God and Goddess Candle and a blue candle for Spirit.. , and tosses a handful of Dragon's Blood into her small fire as she feels herself drawn ever deeper into no-time, no space..

"Mother, Father, God, I am your child.. at this time of my life, although I am Crone, I hold the forever delighting Child. The forever yearning and opening Maiden, the contentment and passion of Mother, and this newly unfolding walk of the Crone, all within my soul and mind, body and spirit. Help me to be able to keep all in balance.. lose, or forget, none of the blessings, gifts, and lessons of this Life Walk.. help me to always hear, see, feel, touch, taste and sense.. and be a blessing.. to walk in Love and Wisdom. And now, Glorious Lady and Lord of the Green Wood, help me to be able to open my heart without fear, and receive love as well as giving it."

Around the Circle and in the trees, small lights begin to flash.. "Welcome Beautiful Ones.. this time of Summer is so filled with happiness and contentment!" The fire begins to fade and slowly a fern-rimmed, moonlit space emerges among sheltering trees. Those of the woods, animal and Other continue contentedly about their night movements.. secure.. A Woman is curled up contentedly with a man, passion spent for now. A smile on her lips with the knowledge that She is Beloved, that She holds the Heart of Her Man wrapped in Her arms along with His body.. and that she can trust that belonging.. She can live and walk and create with total knowledge of being His.. Chosen.. no barriers separating Them.. whether together, or apart.. and always these moments of total union and two hearts beating as one.. the touching and being touched, holding and being held, knowing, listening and communicating with words, or without.. and these special moments where the two Spirits meld and fly together as One. She holds Him within her arms, watching Him sleep, then sighs, and drifts into sleep in total peace, contentment and safety, held also within His arms.. She wraps Her own more closely around Him, kisses the curve of His lips, His lips curve into a smile and He pulls Her head onto His chest with gentle hand. She stretches, contented, and then sinks ever deeper into sleep, Her legs twined with His, still connecting.. head resting lightly on His heart, listening to His heartbeat.. feeling Her own move in time with His.

The Lord sleeps on also, content and secure in the knowledge He has no need to shield His heart, or any part of Himself, with this Heart of His heart. He sleeps the sleep of the satisfied, for now.. until the next time, knowing that He will never tire of this Woman. She will always fill His life and Being with surprise and delight.. giving Him refuge, deep love, and soul connection from the World At large and its demands. Even the Gods have their Work to do! His arms hold Her gently, yet He shields Her and stays alert to any change in the space surrounding Them.

But, the World is sleeping peacefully around Them this night.. protecting joined hearts from any who would intrude.. shielding this time apart for only the two of Them. The Gentle Beings of the Night and the animal world softly smile, and bless.. All that The God and Goddess have created together for this Turn of the Wheel spreads sweetly around Them..

The vision fades and Adrianna finds herself sitting on the bale of hay in the moonlight, night sounds surrounding, and all of the five grown-up cats sprawled out on their own bales watching.. eyes shining in the moon and firelight. The cat-children scamper around and bat at each other and tails and paws of the grownups. Foxy Lady pushes her nose into Adrianna's hand and climbs up beside her, welcoming her back. "Thank you, Lord and Lady! May I open my heart and soul to learn of the Green Man to truly hear, feel, and understand the needs of the counterpart, male energy, both to be able to accept and integrate the male aspect and gifts in myself and to be able to listen and understand a partner's needs. Once again, to be free to live in the world of passion and connection with the other half of being and soul.. the Divine Union.. and to always recognize it and treat it as Gift.. Above all, to simply be able to once again Trust.. going freely with the Heart's movement.. accepting Love with no barriers and loving back without the constriction of fear blocking down the heart and flow.. accepting the knowing, into physical reality, that we are here to love and be loved in return.. whatever forms Love brings. Continue to guide my heart.. may I see with inner wisdom.. and simply trust.. open to receive."

Smiling softly, trusting the vision given.. "Life will unfold as it is meant to be.." Adrianna walks over to her small fire and drops in rose and jasmine oil.. along with more bits of white sage and leaves a crystal beside the fire. Thank you! Those who came to bless and share, Thank you! Stay if you will in this magic night within this Space, know that You are always welcome! If You must go, carry Love and Peace from this Space with You! Heart-filled Thank you’s for what You have gifted this night! And merry meet until we come together again. Adrianna curls up to sleep in the clear night under the stars with those of her animal children curled around her, purring softly.. foxy huffing as she circles and then tucks her nose into guarding sleep…

…Donna begins her ritual by preparing her altar:

My cauldron sits in the center of the 4 elemental candles. Inside it a gentle flame burns. In the forefront lies a shimmering rose quartz wand that just wouldn't let me go home without it. A pentacle drawn on a piece of parchment paper lies waiting. The pulsing beat of African drums and the scent of vervain, thyme, and mugwort permeate my ritual space. Moonlight and candlelight commingle as I ask Goddess to keep my heart and my sacred space pure as I set a course to leave my ego behind and find my connection to the source of loving energy and life.

I meditate. I gain a sense of calm and a receptive state of mind and body to hear what is within. I begin circling the room. First with the incense, then with the wand, and then with a dance that comes from the heart's joy of that loving connection.

" Spirits of air, the warm midsummer nights wrap me in velvet, your breezes help me to know that I am never alone. Be with me tonight as I celebrate the surge of the full moon."

" Spirits of fire, my energy has been rather low lately, please come into my sacred circle and let me feel your power."

"Spirits of water, please be near so that I will know that decisions I make are the truth and thank you for letting me be who I am."

"Spirits of earth thank you for helping Goddess to bring forth again the herbs in my garden and bringing strength to my emotions. Be near me now, keeping me safe, as I listen to the whispers of spirit in the moonlight."

Lighting a white pillar candle I call to Goddess:

"Great source of all that is, dearest comfort, I feel your wings, I feel your safe womb as I lie curled in your cauldron, I feel nurturing arms that take me from pain to calm. You are my family. By the light of your moon I ask you to be ever closer. Sister Aine, keep me mindful tonight that magic lives in the most unseen realms of your dancing fairy world and cascading moonlight. Brigid, be by my side as I heal the wounds of regret and look forward to each day as a new beginning to be forged on your anvil."

Lighting a golden candle held by the symbol of yin and yang I call to the God:

"Loving partner of our Goddess, I invite you to my circle. During this time of the sacred round you reign in my heart as well as hers. Through your love and attention the world around me blossoms into fruition. My heart is lighter, filled with promise and needs are being fulfilled. The sacrifice that you will make soon keeps me mindful that my life is shared with others, of all species. Their needs take understanding to know that my sacrifices blend into the circle of life; and, freely giving them, these sacrifices will bring me peace at the end of this earthly journey."

I place my cauldron in the light of the full moon coming through my open window. I offer five sprigs of herbs: peppermint, golden sage, lavender, chive, and tarragon into the flame of the cauldron.

At each point on the pentacle, I write down five regrets that I wish our Lady to take from me as Her moon wanes.

"Dear Lady, I ask that you help me release the past. Let the lessons I have learned guide today and tomorrow. Let me feel joy and confidence that I am reborn today and everyday to be closer to you and the loving choices I 'will' to make."

Wrapping and securing the parchment around the rose quartz wand, I place it in the moonlight splayed across my windowsill. In four days I will transform the parchment and its contents into smoke and ether in the light of the waning moon…

…It had become a treat for Nym' to have her Granddaughter join her for some together time to honor Luna, the Mommy Moon, as Meghan called her. Sometimes the 3 year old liked a story, sometimes a song, or on a night like this a poem, as she blew bubble wishes and thanks to Luna.

Sitting beside the Fairy pond while a bit of a mist rose from the water, Meghan dipped her wand into the bubble mix and began to send a stream of swirling, shimmering bubbles toward the moon.

Mist-clad in the light of the moon
Starspun seekers - I search for thee!
Faery light - I ask thy boon
Of branch and thorn and Elder tree!
Wood woven creatures, shadow weavers
River keepers - come to me!

Just beyond reaching
Never in keeping
Spirits of Faery - I call unto thee!
Wind-hewn wildness
Dark and brightness
Spiral enchantments - born of the sky!
Cradle me with elven hands,
Abide with me, thy human child!

To All,
"May the blessing of Brighid's mantle
   protect you and keep you from harm.
May the blessing of Brighid's well
   nourish your body and renew your spirit.
May the blessing of Brighid's fire
   burn brightly in your hearth and in your heart." *

_____________
*
“I am bowing my head
In the eye of the Mother who gave me birth,
In the eye of the Maiden who loves me,
In the eye of the Crone who guides me in wisdom.”
From A Pagan Carmina Gadelica

Just beyond reaching
Never in keeping
Spirits of Faery - I call unto thee!
Wind-hewn wildness
Dark and brightness
Spiral enchantments - born of the sky!
Cradle me with elven hands,
Abide with me, thy human child!

W.B Yeats

**
May the blessing of Brighid's mantle
   protect you and keep you from harm.
May the blessing of Brighid's well
   nourish your body and renew your spirit.
May the blessing of Brighid's fire
   burn brightly in your hearth and in your heart.

©1998 Lady Brighid