DARK MOON RITE Performed June 13, 1999 at the home of the HPS Designed by Eustacia Blackstar (Eustacia1 @ aol.com) The mood is solemn and introspective. All participants are asked to arrive wearing bathing suits beneath black robes. Prior to the ritual, participants are invited to take a "ritual bath" in the outdoor spa. This will be done in silence as "Time Stands Still" is played on tape. Candles light the spa area. After the "bath," participants will pass through a gate to the pool area, where they will form a circle around the pool. (Note: As there may be some who do not wish to get wet, they may be allowed to dangle their feet in the water during the bath and the main portion of the ritual.) HP Children of the Goddess, look high above you into the night sky. Our shining light, the moon, is nowhere to be found. She hides in the dark sea now, awaiting rebirth. The dark moon is a representation of deep mysteries and illusions. Her lesson speaks of all things unseen, yet ever present. This is a time of reflection on our own shadows. It is a time of rest. Tonight we will be with the Dark Goddess. She will guide us gently back into the womb of night, where we will each await our own rebirth. HPS (She casts the circle with a sparkler to represent the stars still shining in the sky.) I cast the circle 'round and 'round. By its protection, we are bound. As I will it, so mote it be. HP (may smudge the circle) Quarter Calls: (HPS calls the Quarters while the HP lights the sparklers that have been inserted in already lit candles at the four sides of the pool.) East Gentle winds, blow soft at night. Keep us safe throughout this rite. So mote it be. South Glowing embers in the dark, do not let Danger find her mark. So mote it be. West Tonight we rest in Water's womb. Guard our temporary tomb. So mote it be. North Earth, our solid strength, remain. Be our fortress from all pain. So mote it be. HP She shines no more in the sky. The Lady rests, but in our hearts and minds and souls, the light remains. This circle is the world between the worlds where all things are possible, but Luna is missing. She hides. The moon has been swallowed into the womb of night. (Blow out center altar candle.) (HPS leaves to put on black veils.) Someone leads the chants Isis, Astarte etc. HP (raises athame toward the sky) Children of the Goddess, repeat after me- Dark Moon, hail! Crone Moon, hail! In this moment of darkness and quiet Let us discover clarity, truth and the light of our own spirits. So mote it be! (A knock is heard. HP opens door behind the altar.) Behold the Lady of Darkness, old, yet ever young! (HPS appears through a door behind the altar. Her head is bowed and her hands are crossed over her breast. She is transformed into the Dark Goddess, wearing a black cape and head wreath.) HPS My children, know this to be the truth. As the moon passes through its phases there is birth, death and rebirth. Every end has a beginning. You must never despair, as every stop has a fresh starting point. Maiden, Mother and Crone, I am all of these and more. Whenever you have need of anything, call upon me, for I abide within you all. Even at the darkest times when there seems no single spark to warm you, and the night seems blackest of all, I am here, watching and waiting to grow with you, in strength and in love. I am she who is at the beginning and the end of all time. ( HPS removes veils. With candle in hand, she steps to the side of the pool and offers her hand.) Come, take my hand, receive the blessing and return for a time to the place of your beginning. (As participants enter the pool, a pentagram is traced on each forehead with the water.) HPS' Meditation: ("Shepherd Moon" by Enya is played on tape.) Find a position where you can relax completely. Breathe deeply. You are perfectly safe in the arms of the Mother. Take another deep breath. As you exhale release all you cares and worries. Know that you are being cleansed of all those issues in your life that cause you pain. For tonight you are free, and nothing else matters. Look high above you. Spend some time searching the heavens. Though the moon is dark, her apparent absence is only an illusion. The Goddess is always available to you. Perhaps you have questions for her. Perhaps you need assistance with a problem. Maybe it is healing that you require. Though we are together, each of us is now alone with the Dark Goddess. Listen to her. Remember what she has to teach you. Take some time with this. It is done. Soon there will be a new moon and a new beginning. You may emerge from this place of rest with a new understanding, which will become even clearer as the moon continues on her course. Come back to the circle now. (Participants may wish to get their towels, then return to the circle.) HP We ask now that you share with the group, something about this experience, perhaps one thing that you learned tonight from the Dark Goddess. ( Light center candle again. Pass candle around circle as each person speaks.) "Part of the Goddess" is played on tape (A knock is heard at the door behind the altar.) HP Behold the Maiden Goddess of New Beginnings (Maiden appears carrying the cauldron filled with water. Polished river stones ie. "moon rocks" are at the bottom.) The Maiden brings you a gift that you might always remember the illusion of the Dark Moon. Reach into the depths of the cauldron and discover for yourself. Although Luna may not be seen, she is ever present. (Participants come to the altar one by one as all chant: "We All Come From the Goddess" ) Cakes and Ale (Marshmallows and ginger ale are passed) HPS Now is the time to give thanks for the blessing of new beginnings that the Goddess bestows each month after every Dark Moon. The cake tonight represents the full promise of that blessing, the full moon of abundance, the representation of our hopes and ambitions that will soon be fulfilled. HP Eat and drink. Share and be happy. HPS And as we share, let us remember that all that we have, we share with those who have nothing. HP The time has come to bid farewell to the Quarters that have served us so well. Guardians of the East, go in peace. Soft breezes of magic wherever you blow, take with you our hopes. As above, so below. Guardians of the South, go in peace. Warm fires within us, now flames burning bright, thank you for lighting our way through the night. Guardians of the West, go in peace. Now you will leave us as the tide rolls, soothing, the waters that comfort our souls. Guardians of the North, go in peace. In your rich, fertile soil our spirits have flourished. 'til we meet again, may our ideals be nourished. (Note: HP and HPS called and dismissed the Quarters but there can be many variations depending on participants.) A Child's Moon Prayer: (This may be recited by a child participant. In our rite, it was done by the Maiden Goddess.) Queen of Light. Warm at night. And thy be there, hear our prayer: Let all the little children be Free to know you, just like me. Guard their nights and Guide their days. That they might grow in Wiccan ways. HPS We have come together in love and peace. Let us leave the same way. Love is the Law. Love is the bond. HP The circle is open but unbroken. Merry meet. Merry part. Merry meet again. So mote it be.