New Moon Ritual

Have as little light for this ritual as possible.  The darkness prevails.  A nice decorative touch indoors is to place glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling.

Take a ritual bath in restful, contemplative herbs, then wear a black robe.  Take out your moon candle and mirror, a dark cloth, and one candle to represent the divine.

The Altar

Cover the altar with a black cloth, then sprinkle its surface with glitter.  When touched by candlelight, it gives a look of twinkling stars.  Have the moon candle lit when you come into the sacred space.

Invocations

Some people may wish to invoke the quarters counter-clockwise for decrease and banishing, depending on the focus of your personal ritual.

East

"Quiet Winds, hushed and calm, be alert, but gentle in this eastern quarter of creation and the magic circle, protecting it from all dangers."

South

"Muted Embers, warm and welcoming, be alert, but faint in this southern quarter of creation and the magic circle, protecting it from all dangers."

West

"Soft Rains, fertile and filling, be alert, but hushing in this western quarter of creation and the magic circle, protecting it from all dangers."

North 

"Rich Earth, cool and nurturing, be alert, but silent in this northern quarter of creation and the magic circle, protecting it from all dangers."

Invocation to the Goddess

"Living Goddess, guiding and empowering, be alert, and bind the energy of creation and the magic circle, protecting it from all dangers."

From the burning moon candle, light the candle that you've chosen to represent the Goddess' presence here. 

Basic Ritual Outline

Stand in front of the altar, taking the dark cloth in your hands, and say:

"She shines no more in the sky.  The Lady rests, but in my heart, mind and soul, the light remains."

Cover the Mirror and say:

"This circle is the world between the worlds, where all things are possible.  Luna is missing.  She hides.  The moon has been swallowed into the womb of night."

Cover the moon mirror.

 

"This circle is the world 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 athamé, wand, or hand toward the sky, and say:

"Dark Moon hail! Crone Moon hail! In this moment of darkness and quiet let me discover clarity, truth, and the light of my own spirit." 

New Moon Meditation

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 stars in the sky without the moon.  Explore this inner place, and find those sparks.  There are many.

Each light within your spirit's sky represents a positive attribute that you've developed until it shines without fear through the darkness.  Name them as they appear, quietly, one by one.  Reclaim all attributes as your nightlights - guidelines with which to travel through any darkness you come upon.

Make notes of the experience in your journal.

Devoking the Goddess and Releasing the Quarters

"Great Goddess, I thank you for the sparks of light and truth that you placed within, granting guidance even in the darkness.  Go from this place in peace."

North

"Guardians of the North, I thank you for the gentle soils in which my spirit grows.  Go from this place in peace."

West

"Guardians of the West, I thank you for the soothing waters that enrich my soul.  Go from this place in peace." 

South

"Guardians of the South, I thank you for the warm fires that always burn within me.  Go from this place in peace." 

East

"Guardians of the East, I thank you for the soft breezes of magic that motivate me.  Go from this place in peace."

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