New Moon Ritual
Special Notes: The new Moon is a magical time of beginnings, when you can recharge goals, or set new ones.
Altar Supplies: 70 page notebooks for each member, books for finding pictures in, pencils.
Decoration: Determine the Element of the New Moon
Choose appropriate colors for candles, flowers and table cloths. Fire Moon (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius): Red, wine, purple, metallic gold. Earth Moon (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Yellow, brown, rust, green. Air Moon (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius): Silver, white, black, sky blue. Water Moon (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Wine, teal, all pearlized shades).
Deities: At this time the moon represents the Goddess in her Maiden aspect, give praise to Epona, Artemis or one of the other Maiden Goddesses.
Foods: Altar cake & drink (milk, white wine, water)
Altar Supplies: 70 page notebooks for each member, books for finding pictures in, pencils.
Decoration: Determine the Element of the New Moon
Choose appropriate colors for candles, flowers and table cloths. Fire Moon (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius): Red, wine, purple, metallic gold. Earth Moon (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Yellow, brown, rust, green. Air Moon (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius): Silver, white, black, sky blue. Water Moon (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Wine, teal, all pearlized shades).
Deities: At this time the moon represents the Goddess in her Maiden aspect, give praise to Epona, Artemis or one of the other Maiden Goddesses.
Foods: Altar cake & drink (milk, white wine, water)
Introduction
The new Moon is a magical time of beginnings, when you can recharge goals, or set new ones. Rituals bring meaning to our lives by "charging" an intention with power. We're always setting intentions, and this is a way to do it in a more conscious way. There is power in coming up with visions for your life, and keeping them in your sights as they come into being. But even as you fully commit to those visions, stay flexible, since new doors may open that you didn't expect. At the new Moon, goals and wishes take root, as you reach out for spiritual wisdom, draw on unseen allies and open the door to magical change. You might get what you ask for, or something even better that you can't imagine yet.
Pre-ritual activity
Grounding and Centering Activity
In an action, in any potentially tense of dangerous situation, we need to be able to stay calm, to feel our fear without letting it overrun us or turn into panic. Grounding is a technique that can help us stay both alert and relaxed when all hell is breaking loose around us.
Grounding begins with the breath. Try this: clench your stomach, tighten your muscles, breath up high in your chest. How do you begin to feel? (People often say, "Anxious," "Tense," "Panicky.")
Grounding begins with the breath. Try this: clench your stomach, tighten your muscles, breath up high in your chest. How do you begin to feel? (People often say, "Anxious," "Tense," "Panicky.")
• Now relax your stomach, let your breath drop down into your belly, into your toes as your belly expands. Do you start to feel different? For some of you, this might be hard to do. At first it might seem unnatural. Put your hand on your belly; breathe so that your belly pushes your hand out. Practice this, sometimes you need time before you can do it easily and naturally. • Now close your eyes for a moment. Imagine that breath pushing down through your feet, through the base of your spine, as if you were a tree pushing down roots. Let those roots go down through the floor, through the soil below us. Imagine they can feel something of the quality of that earth, what it likes to grow, how healthy it is. Push down through the waters under the earth, down through the bedrock, down into the fire below us. If there's still any tension or fear, let that go into the fire and just burn away into pure energy.
• Now imagine you can draw some of that fire up. Feel it as the earth's living, creative energy, and bring it up through the rock and the water and the soil. Bring it up into your legs and feet and the base of your spine. Bring it up your spine and let your spine grow like a flexible tree trunk, reaching up to the sky. Bring some fire into your heart, into any place inside you that needs healing or extra energy.
• Bring that energy up through your arms and out your hands, and up through your neck and throat and out the top of your head like branches that reach up to the sky and then spread around you and reach back down to touch the earth. They create a protective filter around you. Take a moment, look at that energy web, notice if there's any places that need to be repaired or strengthened. And notice how the energy in this room feels when we all do this.
• Now feel the energy of the sun, shining down on your leaves and branches. Breathe deep, draw that energy in. Breathe it down through your leaves and branches, down through your heart and your belly and your hands. Take it in, feed on it like a tree feeds on sunlight.
• Now open your eyes. Look around you; notice how other people look to you when you're grounded. Notice what's changed.
Remember, the more you practice grounding, the more automatic it becomes. If you take even a few minutes a day to practice, you¹ll not only have better energy in your daily life, you'll be able to ground quickly and instantly when you're in a tense situation.
Dream List Activity
Pass out notebooks and pencils to everyone in attendance. The new moon is a moment to conjure what seems out of reach and creating the vision is the first step to making it a reality.
You are going to take a moment to list those things that you would like to draw (bring) into your life. Remember, these are not just words on paper. As you write them down as intentions, you are committing to doing your part to make them real. This is sometimes called co-creating as you're opening to universal energies to set dreams in motion.
Open your notebook, and date the first page. Write down these words "I accept these things into my life now or something better for my highest good and for the highest good of all concerned." or something similar. Below your affirmation statement, begin writing down your desires. Your list may consist of only one item or you may have several pages written down. Try not to limit yourself. If having many things in your life helps to fulfill you then don't deny yourself wanting these things.
Next we are going to take a moment to find pictures of your dreams and desires and paste them into the next page with captions beneath them. A big part of success with the new moons intentions is what comes after. Find ways to keep these pages in front of your awareness daily. When we get together next new moon, you will bring these notebooks and these pages. We will take a moment then to review what positive things from your list has happened, and reaffirm whatever is left.
You are going to take a moment to list those things that you would like to draw (bring) into your life. Remember, these are not just words on paper. As you write them down as intentions, you are committing to doing your part to make them real. This is sometimes called co-creating as you're opening to universal energies to set dreams in motion.
Open your notebook, and date the first page. Write down these words "I accept these things into my life now or something better for my highest good and for the highest good of all concerned." or something similar. Below your affirmation statement, begin writing down your desires. Your list may consist of only one item or you may have several pages written down. Try not to limit yourself. If having many things in your life helps to fulfill you then don't deny yourself wanting these things.
Next we are going to take a moment to find pictures of your dreams and desires and paste them into the next page with captions beneath them. A big part of success with the new moons intentions is what comes after. Find ways to keep these pages in front of your awareness daily. When we get together next new moon, you will bring these notebooks and these pages. We will take a moment then to review what positive things from your list has happened, and reaffirm whatever is left.
Entering the Circle
Welcome to this sacred place. We shall establish the Sacred Center of the Worlds here, where our Ancestors, the Nature Spirits and the Gods can join us while we make offerings to them. And then we will ask for their Blessings in return. To begin this process, we shall all be cleansed before entering the circle.
With the powers of air and earth, I cleanse you this day…blessed be.
With the powers of air and earth, I cleanse you this day…blessed be.
Cast the Circle
Pass the wand to Jerry. Taking your magical wand in your power hand and starting in the east, visualize a powerful, protective silver-blue flame shooting form the tip of the ritual blade. Aim it at the floor. Move clockwise from the east, drawing the magical boundary. Remember to overlap the ends in the east when you finish. While you are drawing the circle, say:
"I draw this magick circle let no evil or ill will cross its mark."
Move back to the altar, facing east. Raise your dagger or wand in greeting and say: This is a time that is not a time,
in a place that is not a place,
on a day that is not a day.
We stand at the threshold between the worlds,
Before the veil of the Mysteries.
May the Ancient Ones help and protect
us on our magickal journey.Set the water bowl on the pentacle disk. Hold your dagger over it and say: Great Mother, bless this Water to your service.Hold your dagger over the salt, say: Great Mother, bless this Earth to your service.Sprinkle a little salt into the water, and then hold the chalice up high. Say: Great Mother, I give you honor!Pass the bowl to Jerry. Beginning in the east and moving clockwise, sprinkle the water-salt mixture lightly around the edges of the circle while saying:May we wash away all Earthly cares."Replace the chalice on the altar.
Hold your dagger over the lighted incense burner, saying:"Great Father, bless this Fire to your service"Hold your dagger over the incense, saying:"Great Father, bless this Air to your service"Put a little incense on in the burner. Touch the burner briefly to the pentacle, then raise the burner high, saying:
"Great Father, I give you honor!"
Pass the incense burner to Jerry. Carry the burner around the circle clockwise, beginning in the east saying:
May our Spirits rise within us.
Return it to the altar.
Go to the eastern quarter of the circle. Light the yellow candle and say:
Hail guardians of the East, element of air. I call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So Mote It Be.
In the southern quarter, light the red candle and say:Hail guardians of the south, element of fire, I call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be.Move to the west; light the blue candle and say: Hail guardians of the west, element of water, I call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be.End by going to the north; light the green candle and say: Hail guardians of the north, element of earth, I call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be.Move back to the central altar, and stand facing east. Raise your arms in greeting, say:"This circle is bound,
with power all around.
Between the worlds, we stand
With protection at hand."
Working:Tonight we will honor the ladies of the moon. We will pass around the altar deosil three times chanting their names "Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna." While doing this, remember that these are all names of the same goddess and by calling them, we are charging the energy in this space with her powers.You can dance around circle chanting the names of the goddess.Chant ; " Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna"Chant three times."I draw this magick circle let no evil or ill will cross its mark."
Move back to the altar, facing east. Raise your dagger or wand in greeting and say: This is a time that is not a time,
in a place that is not a place,
on a day that is not a day.
We stand at the threshold between the worlds,
Before the veil of the Mysteries.
May the Ancient Ones help and protect
us on our magickal journey.Set the water bowl on the pentacle disk. Hold your dagger over it and say: Great Mother, bless this Water to your service.Hold your dagger over the salt, say: Great Mother, bless this Earth to your service.Sprinkle a little salt into the water, and then hold the chalice up high. Say: Great Mother, I give you honor!Pass the bowl to Jerry. Beginning in the east and moving clockwise, sprinkle the water-salt mixture lightly around the edges of the circle while saying:May we wash away all Earthly cares."Replace the chalice on the altar.
Hold your dagger over the lighted incense burner, saying:"Great Father, bless this Fire to your service"Hold your dagger over the incense, saying:"Great Father, bless this Air to your service"Put a little incense on in the burner. Touch the burner briefly to the pentacle, then raise the burner high, saying:
"Great Father, I give you honor!"
Pass the incense burner to Jerry. Carry the burner around the circle clockwise, beginning in the east saying:
May our Spirits rise within us.
Return it to the altar.
Go to the eastern quarter of the circle. Light the yellow candle and say:
Hail guardians of the East, element of air. I call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So Mote It Be.
In the southern quarter, light the red candle and say:Hail guardians of the south, element of fire, I call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be.Move to the west; light the blue candle and say: Hail guardians of the west, element of water, I call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be.End by going to the north; light the green candle and say: Hail guardians of the north, element of earth, I call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be.Move back to the central altar, and stand facing east. Raise your arms in greeting, say:"This circle is bound,
with power all around.
Between the worlds, we stand
With protection at hand."
Then bow before the alter and say"Dark is the night as we reach this turning point. Here is a time of death; yet a time of birth". Endings and beginnings, Ebbing and flowing. A journey done; a journey yet to start. I honour now the crone-mother darksome and divine. I give of my strength and in return see rebirth.Instruct them to repeat: I honour now the crone-mother darksome and divine. I give of my strength and in return see rebirth.
Arms raised"BEHOLD, the Lady of Darkness; Mother, Grand mother. Old yet ever young. We honour and love you now and always. As the wheel turns we see birth, death and rebirth. We know from this, that every ending is a beginning; every stop a fresh starting point.Repeat: Every ending is a beginning; every stop a fresh starting point.
Maiden, Mother, Crone... you are all of these and more.
When ever we have need of any thing, We can call upon you and your Lord for you abide within me. Even at the darkest of times, when there seems no single spark to warm us and the night seems blackest of all, You are here watching over us, in strength and in love. You are she who is at the beginning and the ending of all time.
Blessed Be."
Today we have honoured the Goddess in her moon phase of new beginnings as the moon cycles again, this time moving into the house of Gemini. This moon phase brings increased communication, but caution that things you say may be taken the wrong way.
In addition to this, we have created visual aids to bring about the miracles, dreams, and desires we seek in our lives. We ask that the God and Goddess lay their blessings on our wishes that they may come to pass. As we go forth in our day's ahead, keep these pages as a constant reminder that we have been touched by our Lord & Lady, and that through their blessings, everything we have asked for today will come to pass in its proper time.
Blessed Be
Cakes & Ale Ceremony
Raise the cake before you and say:Good Spirits who are with us tonight, we ask your blessing upon this cake, that it may nourish not only our bodies, but our souls as well. Take a piece of cake and break it over the ground in an offering. "Back to the Earth, return to the Earth, in honor of the God, Goddess and the Elementals!"Pass the tray of cake around and say:May you never hunger.Raise the chalice before you and say:Good Spirits gathered with us at our feast, we ask your blessing upon this drink, that it may flow through our bodies and renew our spirits.
Tip the chalice and pour three circles of wine onto the ground. "Back to the Earth, return to the Earth, in honor of the God, Goddess and the Elementals!"Pass the chalice around and say:
May you never thirst.
Closing Ritual"O Great Mother,
Great One of the Stars and the Moon, Spinner of Fates,
Thank you for your presence here today. Hail and farewell."Put out the white candle."O Great Sun God, Forest Father,
God of Fertility and Plenty, be here with us now.
Thank you for your presence here today. Hail and farewell."Put out the red candle.
Go to the north;Thank you, guardians of the north, element of earth for your presence and aid. Hail and farewell.Put out the green candle and depart the Element.
Move to the westThank you, guardians of the west, element of water for your presence and aid. Hail and farewell.Put out the blue candle and depart the element.
Move to the southern quarter, Thank you, guardians of the south, element of fire for your presence and aid. Hail and farewell.Put out the red candle and depart the element.
Go to the eastern quarter. Thank you, guardians of the East, element of air for your presence and aid. Hail and farewell.Put out the yellow candle and depart the element.
Move back to the central altar, and stand facing east. Take your neighbors hand to your right and say:
Thank you for coming out to celebrate with us today. Go forth in safety and love, and remember (take hand of the person to your left) that the circle is open, but never broken.
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