ADAPTED FROM THE WICCAN BOOK OF CEREMONIES & RITUALS by: PATRICIA TELESCO
PREPARATION:
Have as little light for this ritual as possible. The darkness prevails. A nice
decorative touch is to place glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling.
Take a ritual bath in restful, comtemplative herbs, then don a black robe (or other
comfy black clothing). Take out a moon candle, a round mirror, a dark cloth, and one candle to represent the Divine.
THE ALTAR
Cover the altar with a black cloth, then sprinkle it's surface with glitter. When
touched by candlelight, the effect is of stars. Have the moon cabdle lit when you come into the sacred space.
INVOCATION
Some people may wish to invoke the quarters counter-clockwise for decrease &
banishing, depending on the focus of your personal ritual.
(FACE EAST)
Quiet Winds, hushed & calm, be alert, be gentle in this eastern quarter of
creation & the magick circle, protecting it from all dangers.
(FACE SOUTH)
Muted Embers, warm & welcoming, be alert, but faint in this southern quarter
of creation & the magick circle, protecting it from all dangers.
(FACE WEST)
Soft Rains, fertile & filling, be alert, but hushed in this western quarter
of creation & the magick circle, protecting it from all dangers.
(FACE NORTH)
Rich Earth, cool & nurturing, be alert, but silent in this northern quarter
of creation & the magick circle, protecting it from all dangers.
(FACE CENTER)
Living Spirit, guiding & empowering, be alert, and bind the energy of creation
in this magick circle, protecting it from all dangers.
From the Moon candle, light the candle that you've chosen to represent the Divin's
presence here.
MEDITATION & VISUALIZATION
Sit where you are, or lie down. Consider the sounds of silence; the still small
lights that flicker in the darkness. In the darkness of your own spirit, light always resides, just like the starts in the
sky without the moon. Explore this inner dimension, and find those sparks. There are many.
Each light withing your spirit's sky represents a positive attribute that you have
developed unitl it shines without fear through the darkness. Name them as they appear, quietly, one-by-one. Reclaim all attributes
as your night lights----Guidelines with which to traverse any darkness you come upon. Make notes of your experiences in your
journal.
THE RITUAL
Stand in front of the altar, taking the dark cloth in hand, saying:
She shines no more in the sky. The Lady rests, but in my heart, & mind, &
soul, the light remains.
Cover the mirror.
This circle is between the worlds, where all things are possible---Luna is missing.
She hides. Like Jonah in the belly of the whale, the moon has been swallowed into the womb of space.
Blow out the moon candle. Raise your athame, wand or hand toward the sky saying:
Dark Moon Hail!
Crone Moon Hail!
In this moment of darkness & quiet
let me discover clarity, truth ---
and the light of my own spirit.
CLOSING THE CIRCLE
(FACE CENTER)
Great Spirit, I thank you for the sparks of light & truth that you placed within,
granting guidance even in the darkness.
Go from this place in peace.
(FACE NORTH)
Guardians of the North, I thank you for the gentle soils in which my spirit grows.
Go from this place in peace.
(FACE WEST)
Guardians of the West, I thank you for the soothing waters that enrich my soul.
Go from this place in peace.
(FACE SOUTH)
Guardians of the South, I thank you for the warm fires that always burn within
me.
Go from this place in peace.
(FACE EAST)
Guardians of the East, I thank you for the soft breezes of magic that motivate
me.
Go from this place in peace.
The circle is open but unbroken.
So mote it be!
