FAQ FULL MOON RITUALS

FULL MOON FAQ

This is the Full Moon Ritual (hereafter referred to as FMR) FAQ sheet. This
will let you know what it is and how it works, hopefully, and if it doesn't then
please feel free to ask questions on the list.
Who can "be in" FMR?
The FMR is not a coen or any kind of for!al "roup# it's a co!!unity eent, open to all
who care to participate. $y participate, we !ean lead, inoke a quarter, %petition% (see
so!ewhere later), or &ust read alon" and'or lend ener"y. Most leaders, (ut not all, ask
that those intendin" to participate %si"n in% (eforehand# the !ain reason is so we're
e)pectin" you to %speak% and don't close (efore you "et your chance.
So who gets to be leader?
*nterestin" question. +enerally the preious leader will no!inate so!eone i!!ediately
after the end of the ritual to lead ne)t !onth. This !ay (e so!eone they personally want
to see lead, or they !ay leae the decision to the +ods (* once put all the inokers' na!es
in a little (owl * hae...). *f the person no!inated can't lead ne)t !onth, they will
frequently su""est an alternate# if they don't, it kicks (ack to the preious leader to try
so!eone else. *f the out"oin" leader R,A--. doesn't want to no!inate, he or she will
ask for a olunteer.
Who gets to do the other stuff?
/sually we ask for olunteers for the quarter, +oddess and +od inocations. *f there are
!ore olunteers than needed, it's the leader's choice. This isn't a question of quality# it's
usually a !atter of (alance (!ales and fe!ales, old people and new people, whateer).
0hat's a petition1
After the inocations are co!pleted, the leader usually does a transition to the (ody of the
ritual, which nor!ally consists of people's personal workin"s, which are frequently of the
%askin" for so!ethin"% persuasion, hence the word %petition%, which is used to !ean
anyone's personal contri(ution. 2ther than workin"s for a desired "oal, %petitions% hae
included e)pressions of "ratitude to the "ods and'or the !e!(ers, perfor!ances of poetry
or !usic, whateer people want to do with their space. 3etitions aren't scheduled# you
co!e in any ti!e durin" the !ain window, usually 456 days.
ow does it wor!?
The FMR is done durin" a 657 day window. The leader posts an openin" note, settin"
place and !ood, usually castin" the circle, and welco!in" participants. 2er the ne)t 845
49 hours the quarters are called, the +od and +oddess are inoked, and the leader posts a
transition to the petition period. Thereafter people co!e in at their own ti!e to petition
until the pre5announced ti!e of closin", when the leader posts a final hail5and5farewell. *t
isn't necessary to leae your co!puter on all week, or to do a physical workin" that
e)actly !irrors your petition. 0hile it's true that we take a week to do the ritual# it is also
true that it lasts one ni"ht. *t is :,R. true that the power raised is "enuine, and that
requests are answered often and wonderfully. There are so!e thin"s that you can do to
!ake the !ost of the power of the e)perience. First, she said with "reat e!phasis, R,A;
T<, 0<2-, T<*=+. *f you're co!in" in to petition, (ackdate to start if need (e and
read your way to where you'll (e ne)t to %speak%. After the ritual has ended, read the
whole thin" a"ain and allow yourself to feel it all in one piece. >econd, any !undane
le"work associated with your petition has to happen# if you're askin" for that &o( you &ust
applied for, hae you called and asked if they receied your application1 Also, !any of us
(not all, not eery ti!e) do so!e ersion of our FMR petition in real5ti!e. *t !ay not (e
as ela(orate as what you do in cy(erspace, which has fewer rules, (ut so!e personal
workin" appears to help. Third, (eliee it. 2ne ti!e so!eone asked how !any people
had "otten what they asked for, and the results were pretty astonishin".
So how do " get in on this?
>o!e ti!e around =ew Moon, the leader for the ne)t FMR posts an announce!ent of
ti!elines, pro(a(ly a call for olunteers, !ay(e a preli!inary !ention of place, !ay(e a
for!at note if so!ethin" special is planned. As replies to that note, people si"n up to
inoke and'or petition, ask questions, etc. 0atch for there appearance of F/-- M22=
R2-- ?A--, which is where this sort of thin" takes place. *t's also the place for any side
discussion that !ay "o on durin" the ritual, such as %nifty inocation, @oe% or %sorry * was
late for ,ast%. =o e)perience is required, (ut a little (ack"round is useful, and it can (e
acquired (y readin" a preious FMR or two (copies of past FMRs are archied on this
we(site, if you'd like to read the!). As you read past rituals, the few style points (eco!e
apparent, nota(ly that we reply to the preious reply especially durin" inocations (keeps
the! in the ri"ht order) and that we write in third person and do a fair (it of descri(in"
what we're doin"# first person is only usual when we're actually %speakin"%. ,)a!pleA
?loud stops typin" for a !o!ent and scratches her head. >he al!ost wonders what she
was a(out to say, (ut re!e!(erin" what it was, she speaksA %<eyB =ow * re!e!(erB%
That's it fro! !e, for now. A thousand thank5you to ?loud (one of the ori"inal FMR
!o!s) for this infor!ationB
A =2T, 2= T<, ;,T,RM*=AT*2= 2F M22=>
The Moons here a deter!ined (y the followin" list, (e"innin" with the first full !oon after
.ule. Many different !oon na!es e)ist, and *'e tried to proide a few alternates as well.
Wolf Moon Cchaste, cold, distin", little winter, quiet, wolfD
orning Moon C(i" winter, hun"er, ice, stor!, wildD
Stor# Moon Ccrow, plow, sap, seed, wind, wor!D
Seed Moon C"rowin", hare, planter'sD
are Moon C(ri"ht, dyad, flower, fro", !erryD
Meade Moon Choney, horse, dyad, loers', rose, straw(erry, stron" sunD
Fallow Moon C(lessin", (uck, hay, wortD
$arle% Moon Ccorn, fertile, "rainD
Wine Moon Charest, sin"in"D
$lood Moon Cfallin" leaf, harest, huntin", inta"eD
Snow Moon C(eaer, dark, fo", !ad, sheddin", stor!D
Oa! Moon C(i" winter, cold, lon" ni"ht, wolfD
&lder Moon C$lue Moon 5 the thirteenth !oon in a solar year, despite the !odern
notion that een the ancients called it the second !oon in a !onth for our !atrifocal
ancestors who lied (y a -unar ?alendar, it was i!possi(le to hae two !oons in a
!onth, as a !oon was a !onthBD
Old 'astle Ritual Roo# Wolf Moon Leader ( Red
)eer )ate ( *+ )ece#ber ,++-
The days after .ule had found Red ;eer eer !ore intent on sin"in" a place so!eti!es
his alone (ut !ore often a part of the real world into the 2ld ?astle enirons. =ow, on the
ni"ht of the full !oon, he lay a"ain on the central altar a!id the circle and spiral of
standin" stones, only a few !iles out in the country fro! the southern part of heaen. A
"lorious full !oon shone oerhead, with only wisps of clouds. >he illu!inated the lithons
of rou"h hewn sandstone 5 the quarter5stones of which stood so!e twenty feet tall. 0hen
;eer first found this circle, it was unlike any he'd e)perienced (efore 5 not actually a circle
(ut a spiral windin" in fro! the north and co!pletin" two turns (efore !eetin" the circle
of quarter5stones, then one !ore to the central altar sla( 5 (ut oer the past few years he'd
(eco!e quite at ho!e here. A newly (uilt edifice on an anciently hallowed hillside.
As part of the son", ;eer called the !e!ory of a prior .ule when he had lain &ust so upon
that altar for what see!ed hours 5 watchin" Ma!a Moon as >he had appeared to sail
throu"h the re"atherin" clouds 5 (efore he had (eco!e aware of the fo" rollin" in fro!
?hapel <ill. ,ntranced, he had held his (reath as the fo" !ounted the hillock in a deosil
spiral until wisps of it were floatin" into the circle itself and see!in" to dance a!on" the
standin" stones. Toni"ht ;eer san" the fo" up the hill and watched as it rose to clai! een
the tallest of the stones. Then, he stood, shed all sense of hi!self and waited 5 until
awareness of a distinctly different at!osphere accosted his skin and his nose with s!ells of
ancient oak, sela"inella and leaf !old. 2penin" his eyes, he sees the !oon reflected in a
"lass s!ooth lake which also reflects the walls and turret of the 2ld ?astle off to the
south, and realiEes that his "ateway into this place has (rou"ht the stone circle &ust to the
eastern ed"e of the ancient "roe, where so !any preious !oons hae (een cele(rated.
$eco!in" aware of a faint s!ell of oEone and then noticin" that, while "roe and castle
appear solidly li!ned, the lithons a(out hi! possess a certain transparent quality, ;eer
turns to each of the quarters, conte!platin" the wise words inscri(ed upon each of the
quarter stones, and returns to his son". <ad anyone else (een afoot, they !i"ht hae
noticed antlers 5 outlined in a faint (luish li"ht, upon ;eer's forehead as he !ade his way
first three turns out then three (ack in the spiral. ,ach stone he pauses to touch, to hu", to
kiss... and each stone (eco!es li!ned in the sa!e faint (lue li"ht as his antlers (efore
acquirin" !ore of an air of solidity. $ack at the central stone, ;eer cli!(s upon it and
drops to his ri"ht knee, (oth hands clasped upon his left. >till ;eer sin"s 5 of hills and sky,
"roe and stones, lake and castle 5 endin" only when the odd li"ht and the faint acrid odor
hae (een co!pletely su(su!ed in the !ore usual qualities of this place. A"ain he waits,
knowin" that no !atter how well sun", this work will not re!ain without the (lessin" of
his uncle. And waitin", ;eer finds ti!e to dwell upon plans for toni"ht's !oon. -ost in
!ental preparations, he is startled (y the clatter of hoof upon stone and looks up &ust in
ti!e to see a "reat sta" 5 rack held hi"h in the starlit sky 5 (oundin" fro! stone to stone,
turnin" a(out the outward spiral of this place (efore disappearin" into the wood. %$lessed
$e, /ncle, and a thousand thank you's,% ;eer calls out cheerfully as he inwardly kicks
hi!self for hain" (een so inattentie to the co!in"s and "oin"s a(out hi!. <oweer, had
the /ncle desired interaction, he would hae initiated it... and ;eer was oer&oyed with
the see!in" air of per!anence and a"e which now see!ed to e!anate fro! the stones
a(out hi!.
Takin" his leae of the standin" stones 5 and !ore than certain that he would return to
cele(rate a !oon with old friends here 5 ;eer !akes his way toward the lake where he
picks up the western loop of a trail which circles its "irth (efore (ranchin" off toward the
2ld ?astle. 3assin" (y the heart of the 2ld +roe, ;eer is certain that he senses the
presence of !ore that forest creatures there, and thinks that he hears the fa!iliar oice of
a sister, perhaps sin"in" into this place so!e !a"ical workin" of her own. A li"ht western
(reeEe (rin"s to his nostrils the fa!iliar scents of old oak and creepin" cedar, !i)ed
toni"ht with new ones which ;eer wished he had ti!e to catalo". ;eer (riefly
re!e!(ered another path which spirals up the hill 5 passin" fro! !i"hty "roes of oak
(white, chestnut, scarlet and their kith and kin), throu"h towerin" stands of white ash and
into lon"5leaf pine (arrens linin" the hill's (road shoulders 5 "oin" thrice around (efore
passin" throu"h the thorn thickets which line the truly ancient "roe of !i)ed species
circled a(out the castle (efore reachin" the top after.
$ut duty (&oyous as this one is) calls, so he !oes alon" the !ain trace which cli!(s the
southern face of the hill directly towards the 2ld ?astle. $y the ti!e ;eer crests the hill
and pauses (eneath the ancient turret, the pack he carries has (eco!e quite a wei"ht 5 (ut
all weariness departs as he lays hand upon the "reat (ronEe knocker which han"s (efore
hi!. 2ncely, twicely, thricely he knocks 5 hearin" the deep (ass fro! the heay (ronEe
spread fro! the sound (oard of the hu"e oak door and then reer(erate throu"h the
depths of the "reat hall 5 and then he waits for the ?astle to answer. %0elco!e child,% he
senses !ore than hears, (efore "ently pushin" the !i"hty door inward. Ancient as this
place is, the heay door turns easily and silently upon its hin"es. A sense of ti!elessness
and yet of i!!ense a"e washes oer ;eer as he stands (eneath the hi"h lentil,
!o!entarily swept away in !e!ories of !any !oons spent within these walls.
-owerin" his pack to the floor, ;eer retriees fro! its depths a lar"e (eeswa) "lo(e of
deepest cri!son, which he sets upon the (road sill of the window that sideli"hts the
ancient door, and li"hts the wick protrudin" fro! its crown. Al!ost instantly, a specter of
cinna!on flows into the caernous depths of the "reat roo! as the li"ht illu!inates the
stone foyer and shines as a (eacon throu"h the window and out into the ni"ht. ;eer lays a
(lessin" a(out the doorway for all who enter here this ee and places a wicker (asket
upon the sill of the sideli"ht window opposite to the candle, which is filled to oerflowin"
with s!all felt reindeer (Rodney's, Rhonda's, Ra!ona's and Randy's fro! the local
<all!ark) intended to depart ho!ewards with each cele(rant, then shoulders his pack and
!oes deeper into the (elly of this place. ,lenya's willow (roo! still leans (eside the
!assie walk5in fireplace, (lack with the s!oke and soot of "enerations, (ehind the lon"
feastin" ta(le that runs the len"th of the hall 5 a (roo! which will soon (e put to "ood use.
$efore cleanin", howeer, ;eer leaes his pack upon the ta(le, and proceeds to ferry and
kindlin" and lo"s fro! the wood pile outside into the stone fireplace. As soon as this work
is done, ;eer adds fla!e to the !i) and is soon war!ed (y the fury of a roarin" fire.
0hile the fire lends een !ore li"ht to the caernous roo!, that &o( is not co!plete until
each of the thirteen torches which line the eastern wall are lit, alon" with their
counterparts on the western wall as well. =ow, surrounded (y the war!th which co!es
(oth fro! the fire and fro! his !e!ories of this place, ;eer sets a(out preparin" the roo!
for the co!in" festiities. Takin" ,l's (roo!, ;eer re!oes the few co(we(s which hae
accu!ulated (etween the oerarchin" catwalks, careful to leae the liin" we(s (ehind.
Then he sweeps out the entire hall. Finally, ;eer reiews his work at the lon" ta(le 5
where the (e"innin"s of a feast are prepared, with !any e)tra platters, (owls and pitchers
to receie that which friends !ay (rin" in offerin" to each other this !oon 5 and ends (y
li"htin" all of the tapers in the triple candela(ra which span the ta(le's len"th.
>eein" that all is ready in the "reat hall, ;eer !oes to its far end and throws open the
doors to the circular stone ritual roo!, the first roo! (uilt here and still the 2ld ?astle's
heart. >urprised (y a !a"ic he's neer really noticed (efore, ;eer ponders how it is that
doors fro! the northern end of the +reat <all open onto the =orth Quarter of the ritual
roo!... then decides that this is si!ply one of the !any !ysteries of the place. $y the
altar, ?loud's apple (roo! stands and he wastes no ti!e takin" it in hand and sweepin"
widdershins in a widenin" spiral, until he re!oes all the dust and unwanted ener"y into
the "reat hall and then into the fire. /pon returnin" to the circular roo!, ;eer a"ain
ad!ires the he!icolu!ns set a"ainst the wall a(out the stone roo!'s peri!eter, which
support the ri(work of its aulted ceilin", (efore openin" the s!all panel on the eastern
section of the wall. <ere lay two discoeries 5 the first and fore!ost ?loud's and the latter
his own 5 (oth e!(odied in a si!ple leer. ;eer pulls it down and watches as a s!all
skyli"ht irises open in the center of the do!ed ceilin" a(oe, then pulls it further to its
lowest position. =ow, the !echanis! irtually purrs as the copper (lades coerin" the
skyli"ht retract (eyond the s!all iris and drop all the way down to rest upon the capitals
of the roo!'s thirteen colu!ns. *n here, those sa!e stars he'd lain (eneath earlier see!
een (ri"hter, and twinkle with the pro!ise of a 3resence which he ea"erly anticipates.
;eer spreads the eenin"'s altar cloth 5 (lack silk e!(roidered with a dou(le spiral of spun
siler, (etween the ar!s of which shine !oons and stars 5 upon the old sla( in the stone
roo!'s center. <e has &ust placed candlesticks with one siler taper and one (lack, when
he hears the rustle of folk arriin" in the "reat hall. ;eer "ies the cloth a final ad&ust!ent,
assurin" that the siler penta"ra! of ?eltic knotwork in its center is appropriately oriented
and quickly places quarter candles upon the four sculpted pedestals positioned at the
roo!'s peri!eter 5 (eeswa) pillars heaily scented with the finest essential oils 5 and finally
pauses at the altar for a (rief !o!ent, where he notices the first pale rays of toni"ht's
!oon lappin" oer the eastern ed"e of the widely opened skyli"ht# rays of a tide which
(rin"s the pro!ise of toni"ht's full !oon shinin" down upon the! in all her splendor. Then
a last check of the essentials upon the altar for this eenin"'s ritualA a sun5(leached tortoise
shell filled with sea5salt, a copper (owl of fresh rainwater, and a s!all reiku censer with
charcoal (eside a s!aller siler plate coered with powdered dra"on's (lood and a!(er.
There too is his atha!e of +eor"ian siler coered in spirals, his (ronEe torq, and his
linden wand. ;eer whispers, %(owl of !y !other's (est friend, torq of !y fore(ears'
freedo!, root of !y "reat5"rand!other's ancestral tree, and (lade of !y own findin"# it is
"ood that we are here to"ether a"ain.% Assured that all is ready, he !oes (ack toward
the "reat hall and, after closin" the doors to this sacred space, welco!es with the (roadest
of s!iles and war!est of hu"s each new arrial to the eenin"'s festiities.
As the hours of early eenin" pass, the old hall is once a"ain filled with the sounds of
conersation and !erri!ent... friends catchin" up on recent eents, discussin" indiidual
plans and aspirations for this eenin"'s ritual, and perhaps een a tale or two of their
adentures in the wood upon the spiral path leadin" here. The hall is filled with the scents
of ?arolina deer's ton"ue and >udanese frankincense fro! the !any (eeswa) oties
(urnin" in eery nook and cranny, and with the "atherin" s!ells of the feast (ein" lain for
afterwards. >ee!in"ly fro! within the walls the!seles e!anates the sound of !any a
liely reel, and those "athered so!eti!es pause to note the indiidual artistry of (a"pipe,
(odhran, dulci!er, fiddle, harp, and uillean# perhaps not realiEin" that while !any of the
eenin"'s tunes are heard (y all, there is also a sin"le !elody for each which no one else
hears 5 and for ;eer, each !elody (rin"s a tale fro! the (e"innin"s of this ee...
...The season of .ule wears so !any faces. Althou"h there are !any paths, each see!s to
reco"niEe the speciality of the ti!e when the world (alances on the a)is, and for &ust a
!o!ent, each of us takes pause and senses the delicate structure of our ast unierse. And
once a"ain, the pro!ise if fulfilled. 2wl walks slowly thru the "len surroundin" the castle.
There are spaces, where the "rass is well tended, and !ature plantin"s "ie eidence of
hu!an hand. .et she feels !ost co!forted in wanderin" thru those wooded areas where
faint paths !ark the passin" of the deer, the otter, the skunk, the fo), the (ear, and the
raccoon. >teppin" softly, (eco!in" a creature of the forest, she can hear, in the distance,
the son" of a friend. >toppin" in the shadows, she (reathes deeply, and the scent of the
pines, crisp and pure, tickles her nose. >he places her hands on the rou"h (ark of an old
2ak tree, and tunes her (ody to the slow !oe!ent of the (ranches as the wind plays
softly a!on" the leaes, as thou"h caressin" an old friend. >he can feel the su(tle shiftin"
of the deep roots, as the tree responds to the (reeEe, liftin" it's ar!s and swayin" "ently in
a stately dance. A sudden rustle, and shower of leaes (reaks her concentration, and a soft
%hoot .. hoot .. hoot% reaches her ears. -ookin" up with a "rin, she can !ake out the
profile of the +reat <orned 2wl, as he watches her... wonderin" what this stran"e little
lady is doin" out at this hour hu""in" his treeB
%<ello, !y (rotherB% whispers, 2wl... %shall we sin" to"ether toni"ht1% 2wl cli!(s up
onto a stron" (ranch, and settles herself in the nook of the tree. <er (rother 2wl watches
warily, yet without !uch concern. <is head turns re"ally, as if to say, %0ell, as lon" as
you're here, and you hae !anners, it !akes no neer!ind to !eB%
And softly she sin"s... a (it senti!ental... ,delweiss... and then, usin" the sa!e tune, she
!akes up her own words, "reetin" the 2ak, and then the 2wl, and all the creatures which
share this (eautiful forest. <er son" is of life, and loe, and acknowled"!ent that to each
of the creatures in this world, there is a co!!on (ond. >he serenades the land, and the
land sin"s (ack... in the si"hin" of the wind in the trees, the hoot of the 2wl, the "ur"le of
the strea!, the (uEE and chirp of the insects, while fireflies dance in the !elodies.
Rested, and co!forted, 2wl cli!(s down fro! the Tree, thankin" all for &oinin" with her
in this special !o!ent. And heads for the ?astle. At the hu"e doors, she lifts the knocker,
and waits for the ?astle to (id her welco!e. As the doors "lide open, she is "lad to see a
war! fire (laEin", and there is eidence that so!eone has (een there already, for the floor
has (een swept, and candles li"hted. The torches (laEe around the roo!, and the ta(le has
(een laid with (owls waitin" to (e filled. 2wl has (rou"ht a pan of $aklaa, !ade loin"ly
(y a alued friend, who has a wonderful way with this dish. The delicate phylo dou"h,
stuffed with nuts and spices, and drenched in the honeyed nectar, is a !ost appropriate
offerin" this ni"ht. %There will (e !any who will reco"niEe this recipe, and drool at the
thou"ht of another chance to sa!ple the sweet, spicy flaors,% 2wl thinks, with a "rin.
>oon, she hears others co!in" up the path, and wonders where ;eer is. After her cli!(in"
in the tree, and tra!plin" thru the (rush, she fi"ures she'd (est freshen up a (it (efore
eeryone "ets here. Takin" herself off to the s!all dressin" roo! off the kitchen, 2wl
co!(s her hair, and washes up, then dons her ro(es for the .ule festiities. >ince she will
(e callin" on the >un to co!e (ack in all his "lory, she wears a "olden ro(e, shot with
sliers of !irrored cloth. +old and !irrored (its drip fro! her necklace and earrin"s.
A!(er rin"s adorn her fin"ers, and strin"s of tiny "olden (ells adorn her ankles. %This is a
&oyous season...% 2wl states to the ?astle as !uch as herself. %-et the (ells rin" out, let
the candles "low, and let friendship war! the hearts as the fires war! the hearths... >2
M2T, *T $,B...%
...2wl's !elody !er"es sea!lessly into another, which !akes its way to ;eer's heart...
...A (lack (ear wanders into a stone circle, followed (y a low flyin" s!all "rey owl. The
circle s!ells fresh, (ut the stones are old. >o is the (lack (ear. >he is an older (ear, her
coat is still (lack (ut tin"ed with new "rey. >niffin" the stone altar in the center, she
reco"niEes the scent. ;eer... (ut not. There is a callin" she has (een followin" all eenin",
and she knows she is on the ri"ht track.
>he wanders to the lake, !oon reflected in its !irror finish. >he turns and spies the castle.
This s!ells old, ery old. And this is where she is to "o. >he looks (ack at the !oon
han"in" in the sky, stands on her rear le"s for a !o!ent starin" at the Mother Moon. A
chan"e takes place, and there is a shift in the shadow of the (ear and a shadow of a hu!an
which !eld into one. Then shadow then wanders towards the castle.
The owl ali"hts upon the shoulder of the shadow. Throu"h the "roe, up the path# the
fi"ures wanders, lookin" and takin" it all in. 0hat a !arelous old place, so full of ener"y
and wonder. ,ach turn (rin"s !ore feelin"s and it s!ells of the ;eer. >he heard hi! call,
(rother Red ;eer, and she had to &oin hi! on this !oon.
The doors, hu"e oak thin"s, open to her touch and are welco!in". -i"hts in the hall, fire
in the fireplace, war! and initin". As she steps throu"h the door, $oudica's red (raided
hair shines in the li"ht. $lue "own, dark as !idni"ht, with s!all siler stars e!(roidered
all oer, tri!!ed with s!all siler collar and cuffs. >he has so!e s!all pouches at her
waist, and upon her shoulder is the s!all "rey owl. >he looks around, an unfa!iliar place.
*t's where she should (e.
The ritual roo! attracts her attention. As she enters, the owl takes fli"ht to the rafters.
,ner"y, !uch old, wondrous ener"y. -ookin" up, the ni"ht sky is clear and the !oon is
startin" to to !ake <er way across the open roof. $oudica is thrilled, it's a "lorious site,
and then a hand on her shoulder pulls her out of her wonder. $rother ;eerB >he "ies hi!
a war! hu", "ood to see hi! a"ain, and she looks around the roo! at all who hae
"athered, with !any fa!iliar faces. >he "ies war! hu"s to all "athered in this place. >o
"ood to see !any of you all a"ain...
...And in the !idst of sharin" a welco!e hu" with his sister $oudica, ;eer is entranced (y
yet another !elody... another wae of this eenin"'s !ountin" history...
...?arielle lay on the cold "round of the 2ld +roe, lookin" up at the !oon and watchin"
the clouds chase stars across the sky. >he lets her perspectie shift (ack and forth 5 first,
the clouds race across the face of the !oon, then the !oon &u!ps fro! (ehind the
shadows of cloud (anks. Faster and faster, the clouds race, until finally all that is left in her
field of ision is a (are wisp or two flyin" on the wind.
As the clouds drift away, ?arielle (eco!es aware of her surroundin"s, particularly the
hootin" of an owl in the near icinity. %0hooo, whoo,% it calls, and in her !ind, ?arielle
hears the rest of the owl's query. %0ho waits for you, ?arielle1 0ho stands in the circle
and awaits your callin"1 0ho1 0hoooo1%
?arielle rises and turns her feet to the path leadin" to the 2ld ?astle. -ike clouds upon the
sky, her feet fly alon" the cold "round, and she lau"hs as the ?astle co!es into iew. First,
she is runnin" toward it, then as perspectie shifts, the ?astle see!s to !eet and e!(race
her, drawin" her into its ancient interior. <er feet (arely touch the floor, and she lets her
hand run li"htly alon" the wall in a "entle caress as she "lides into the Ritual Roo!. >he
s!iles at the "atherin" (efore her, at old friends and new, and happy hu"s are sent all
around. *t is so "ood to "ather a"ainB...
...A sudden icy claw at ;eer's chest causes hi! to wonder who dear to hi! !ust traerse
such pain, such thirst in co!in" here. Another pan" (rin"s hi! fully into this strand of the
eenin"'s !elody...
...A thin fi"ure draped in a lon" and tattered "ray ro(e and cloak, "ray hair han"in" lankly
to her waist, >haron slowly !akes the final few steps left in her &ourney (ack to the ?astle.
>he has traeled alone, (arefoot and without proision, alon" the spine of the sleepin"
dra"on in the desolate !ountain ran"e oerlookin" the re"ion of +roe and ?astle, her
!ission to renew her awareness of that aspect of the +oddess now rei"nin" in her life.
The ;eath <a" is a harsh task!istress, (ut <er wisdo! is worth the effort required to
a(sor( een a fraction of it. >haron rests (riefly on the stren"th of the staff that has helped
her throu"h the lon" days and ni"hts of walkin", the war! e(ony wood al!ost soft
a"ainst her pal!s. >he closes her eyes and re!e!(ersF Rock and dirt, frost and ice
"litterin" in the white !oonli"ht, a chiaroscuro scene !ore like a landscape on the
physical !oon than on earth. >!ells of cold dust and froEen water. >ounds only of the tiny
(reaka"es in earthGs (ones of rock, snaps and cracks that are (irth cries of !inute particles
of soil 5 the ulti!ate nourish!ent of us all. 0e all eat dirt, >haron reflects as she trud"es
onward. ;irt for!ed finally into ani!al and e"eta(le that we find palata(le. $ut still dirt.
;ry dust rises in s!all clouds at each footfall. And eentually each of us in our fleshly
for! returns to dirt, (eco!es dirt once a"ain. 2ur !atter (eco!es !atter and our
ener"yF1 May(e The <a" knows where our ener"y "oes, (ut >heGs not sayin". At least
not toni"ht.
>haron (reathes in the dry, dusty, cold air, feelin" the !e!(ranes in her nose contract at
the contact. >he is ery thirsty. The rock eentually "ies way to !ore for"iin" "round,
coered with low pine trees and cushioned sli"htly with their shed needles. The s!ell of
dust chan"es to the tan" of pine. $ut the clean scent is under"irded with the stink of
decay. >haron walks on past !olderin" corpses, creatures of the earth now returnin" in
loathso!e for! to that earth. >he "a"s, pressin" a corner of her ro(e to her face to (lock
out so!e of the si"hts and s!ells. .et she knows and acknowled"es as she passes the
horrifyin" !ounds that she too will one day (e as they are. <er thirst increases.
>oon she passes throu"h the charnel scene and reaches an area of taller pines and other
trees (orderin" a lake. There the air is clear of corruption, sweet now with the scent of the
water. >haron kneels on a narrow (each of cold !ud and drinks deeply, (endin" to the
life5"iin" liquid as a suppliant would to a "od5for! in a te!ple. 0ater, as !uch an
essence of life as the dirt and decay she passed oer and (y, refreshes her, renews her and
stren"thens her for the rest of her &ourney up the path to the ?astle.
Thou"h the deciduous trees alon" the way are (are of leaes, their skeletal (ranches do
not distur( her, (ut re!ind her that een (ones can (e like (eautiful lace when seen with
eyes that look (eyond naked appearances to the underlyin" truths of e)istence. >o !ay it
(e for all who "ather this ni"ht. At the ?astle door now, she raises her staff and si"nals for
entrance. +ien per!ission, she walks slowly inside, eyes filled with "lad tears. >o !any
dear ones hereB $ut she is still held within, not ready to "reet or e)hi(it the &oy she feels at
this reunion of like !inds and spirits. >he hopes her <a" aspect will teach rather than
repel. <ain" no answers, she can only represent the questions and trust the +oddess to
do the rest. >lowly, she !oes round the ritual roo! into the circle and waits her turn to
inoke the Quarter rulin" her now...
...After all the "reetin"s hae (een !ade, hu"s shared and stories told, ;eer leads all
asse!(led in a deosil circle a(out the roo! 5 (e"innin" at the wide doors openin" into the
+reat <all. <e &oins in the %ooh's% and %ah's% at the si"ht of Ma!a hi"h oerhead, her rays
refracted and reflected throu"hout the roo! (y the heaily leaded "lass oerhead in such
as way as to !ake the procession feel to hi! as thou"h he leaps fro! !o!ent to !o!ent,
rather than sailin" throu"h the ast sea of ti!e. <e proceeds a(out the space 5 one circle
of the peri!eter, one a spiral in towards the altar stone, and a final spiral outwards 5
endin" (y the doors at which they'd entered. >eein" that all hae taken up their stations
a(out the circle, ;eer quietly closes the heay circular doors, turns to face into the circle
and stands in silence, conte!platin" the circle a(out to (e raised...
...his conte!plation done, ;eer reco"niEes with the deep (oo!in" of the cloister (ell that
the ti!e is at hand. ?astin" his eyes, and his s!ile, a(out the circle, he welco!es sisters
and (rothers and friends 5 (oth old and new 5 to this "atherin". Then, !oin" with only
the sound of a shi!!erin" "lissando, ;eer is (y their altar. <e is "lad to (e (arefooted in
this place, where the stones are eer war! and the feathery touch of sela"enella 5
transplanted fro! his own (ack yard to the spaces (etween the fla"stones 5 li"htly tickles.
Fro! its hidden place within a deep recess in the altar stone, ;eer retriees a s!allish
candle 5 a rou"h taper of natural (eeswa), uncolored, unscented and si!ply rolled a(out a
wick 5 already lit fro! the hearth in the +reat <all. *t's li"ht irtually leaps out a!on" their
circle as he lifts it hi"h oerhead. %2ther than that fro! Ma!a,% he states, %!ay the li"ht
for our ritual co!e fro! the hearth of this place which has (een spiritual ho!e to !any.%
;eer lowers the unassu!in" candle to the reiku censer, carefully li"htin" the charcoal
piece waitin" on the white sand within. <e then sets the candle "ently in upon the altar's
center and takes up the hand5ha!!ered copper (owl "ien hi! !any years a"o (y his
!other's (est friend.
Moin" out to the peri!eter of those "athered, ;eer proceeds deosil 5 in reco"nition of
the newly "rowin" li"ht 5 a(out the circle. As he !oes, ;eer asper"es the dark fla"stones
5 as well as any who! indicated throu"h "lance or nod their desire 5 with fresh rain water.
%2f water is this circle cast. Fluidly, the ener"ies within !ay e(( and flow.% ?o!pletin"
his first circu!a!(ulation, ;eer returns to their altar and replaces the (owl after asper"in"
hi!self. =e)t, he retriees the turtle shell he'd found in the forest durin" hi"h school and
kept eer since. A"ain he takes the peri!eter and !oes deosil, now sprinklin" 5 eer so
li"htly 5 the stones and those participants so desirous with "litterin" sea salt "round to the
finest of powders. %0ith salt of the earth is this circle cast,% ;eer sin"s %as Mother ,arth
(oth ela(orates and contains the ener"ies of life, so !ay our circle.% $ack to the altar and
replacin" the (one (owl, ;eer touches first the salt within it and then his forehead, lips
and chest. Finally, ;eer uses his atha!e to heap !ounds of the a!(er and dra"on's (lood
upon the now "lowin" coal within the censer, (efore (e"innin" his third and final
pera!(ulation of the circle. Air which had (een redolent of scents fro! the "reat hall and
fro! this roo! itself is suddenly stilled as the (ittersweet s!oke penetrates their entire
ritual space. As ;eer censes the circle and those "athered, he sin"s, %2f fire and air is this
circle cast. As the sweetness of a!(er re!inds us of union with deity, so the (itterness of
(lood re!e!(ers our separation. ,er &oined, eer apart 5 we with our +ods and this
circle with the +reat 0heel and with ?reation.%
;eer replaces the still s!okin" censer upon the altar, then turns to s!ile (roadly at each of
the "athered cele(rants. %And so is our circle raised... a place that is all places and none, a
ti!e that is eternal and ti!eless. <ere we seek to recreate that which arose fro! our
-ady's and -ord's sacred dance. <ere we leae our world (ehind and weae threads which
we shall find upon our return hae foreer chan"ed it. <ere we are (oth the 2ne and the
Many.%
;eer takes up the s!all hearth candle fro! the altar and !oes to the =orth Quarter,
where he presents it 5 with a hu"e hu" 5 to his sister $oudica. Then, with a wink, he takes
his place (eside 2wl a!on" the circle of cele(rants and watches as...
...$oudica was aware that a hush fell oer the roo! as ;eer started to work. >he watched
as ;eer had set up the ?ircle. 0hen he has done, she dances steps inward on a spiral to
the altar, and takes up the tortoise shell filled with salt and dances steps outward in a spiral
to the north. Fro! her pouch she takes so!e earth fro! her traels, and sprinkles it upon
the floor. >tandin" upon the earth, she sprinkles so!e salt on the floor, !i)in" the salt
with the earth. <er !ind fills with the fo" of the early eenin" and s!ells of deers ton"ue
and frankincense, the woods and the castle and the Full Moon. >he sways (ack and forth
to a !usic she hears and she sin"s this !usic to the =orth.
Ancient 2ne of the =orth
.ou who are ,arth
>he who is Mother
.ou who sleeps now the deep sleep of 0inter
.ou who re!inds us that we will all sleep
And that we shall all awaken a"ain.
>he who wraps us now in a cloak of cold
yet war!s us with the fires of the hearth
Fro! who! we co!e, and to who! we return
?o!e, Ancient 2ne of the =orth
.ou who are ,arth
>he who is Mother
>tep li"htly as the new fallen snow
?o!e dance with us this eenin"
tinkle as icicles upon our roofs
@oin us in our son"s, lau"h with us,
Fill our hearts with !erri!ent
as we cele(rate to"ether this ni"ht
Fro! so!ewhere there was !usic. *t echoes in the "reat hall as $oudica turns and li"hts
the quarter candle, then step dances a spiral (ack to the altar and replaces the tortoise shell
on the altar. >he (ows to the ele!ents.
>he looks up and around at the people "athered in the circle, her (lue eyes flashin", and
she s!iles at all who hae "athered. >he turns, and to the last echoes of the !usic, she
spirals (ack to her place in the circle after passin" to ?arielle in the ,ast the ?astle's
!odest fla!e...
...After !eets and "reets, ?arielle had taken her place in circle, and felt the ener"ies (e"in
to rise as ;eer raised the circle. <er heart pounded in ti!e with $oudica's son" as she
called =orth, and she s!iled as $oudica spiraled (ack to her place in the circle.
0ith dancin" feet, ?arielle !oes to the altar and takes up the incense. +racefully, she
steps quickly to the ,ast point and raises the incense up, spiralin" it three ti!es. As the
incense s!oke curls upward, ?arielle calls,
%Ancient 2nes of the ,ast,
,le!ent of Air,
Heepers of the ancient wisdo!s,
2f intellect and (eauty,
First $reath and -ast,
0e welco!e you to our riteB
$e with us now...%
>lowly, the wind picks up, (arely noticea(le at first. >piralin" 'round, the wind causes
?arielle's red hair to (rush and dance a"ainst her face, and she s!iles as she hears the
oices whisperin" upon the wind. The incense s!oke spirals upward, !akin" shapes in the
air 5 first, the shadow of an owl, then the isa"e of a hawk, and finally as the s!oke (e"ins
to cal!, the oices of the wind speak clearly. %0e are <ere.%
?arielle nods her head in "reetin", li"hts the quarter candle and then turns and carries the
incense (ack to the altar. As she !oes (ack toward her place in the circle, her eyes seek
out and !eet those of her (eloed hus(and, Typo ;e!on. >he passes hi! the ?astle
candle (efore retakin" her place in the circle. A soft s!ile escapes her as she watches hi!
!oe to his place in the >outh...
Typo stands silenty in the circle, (arely aware of the eents around hi!, conte!platin" the
nature of ele!ental fire... re(irth, like the le"endary phoeni) who was re(orn fro! its own
ashes to lie a"ain. The war!th of s!all fire (urnin" in the fireplace, or the fires that ra"e
to (urn away under(rush to re5ener"iEe the land.
Typo steps forward and looks starkly serious at those "athered around the circle, with the
?astle ?andle held hi"h a(oe his head he callsA
%Ancient 2nes of the >outh,
,le!ent of Fire,
.ou who li"ht the world with the suns "low
.ou who li"ht !y heart with desire
0e (id you welco!e to this rite
(e with us now this ni"ht.%
Typo spins (ack to his place in the circle with the ?astle ?andle now held fir!ly (y (oth
hands close to his chest. <is thou"hts turn (riefly to his wife and how easily she (rin"s out
the spirit of fire in his heart and !ind. Typo hands the ?andle to >haron and waits for the
call to the 0est...
...As Typo steps (ack, >haron steps forward. Fro! the altar she picks up the copper (owl.
Facin" 0est and raisin" the candle and the (owl she inokes the +uardianA
I2 0atcher of the 0est,
Ancient 2ne Most fearful and !ysterious
0e welco!e .ou to this circle
$less and wash us with .our 3resenceF.J
As she speaks, a fierce wind laced with sleet and icy rain (lasts into the circle, causin"
ro(es to flap and twist and (odies to shier with the sudden da!p chill. 0ith the water
co!es the cold s!ell of winter rain, then the sound of a soft oice5not >haronGs5speakin"A
IRe!e!(er that *, too, a! The Mother and that * too a! necessary for all (irth and
re(irth.J The wet wind shrieks and si"hs and circles the ritual roo!, then passes on,
leain" the participants dry and once !ore co!forta(le, if so!ewhat shaken. >haron
speaks a"ainA
I+uard us, 2 Ancient 2ne
Heep us this ni"ht and &oin with us as we
?ele(rate (oth life and death.
For without one there is no possi(ility of the other.J
>haron then returns to the altar, settin" the (owl in its place. Frost coers the outside of
the (owl and the water inside is now froEen. After "ently placin" the ?astle candle
(etween the tapers of our -ady and -ord, she steps (ack to her place in the circle...
...2wl steps slowly forward, drawin" Reddeer (y the hand alon" with her. They walk
to"ether around the ?ircle, "reetin" each and eeryone .. old friends, (ack to"ether
a"ain .. new friends, standin" in this a"eless place. Finally, she turns to ;eer .. a "rin wells
up, and his answerin" s!ile (ea!s at her. >he swin"s away, still holdin" his hand, in a
"raceful dance. The "old of her ro(es, threaded with !irrored (its, catches the fire li"ht
and sparkles like a !illion flickerin" fireflies. As she circles ;eer, they hold eye contact,
and she can feel hi! (e"in to tre!(le in anticipation. A (lush co!es to her cheeks, and the
torches (urn (ri"hter ... the fireplace roars as a draft co!es down the chi!ney ... all focus
on the dance (efore the!.
2wl places her hand on ;eer's (reast, feelin" the (eat of his heart, and the tre!(le of his
(ody.
%.ou are the Altar ... prepared to receie the +od, as we dance, and sin", and li"ht the
fires recallin" the >un fro! the distance.%
2wl lifts here ar!s, and "aEes up at the ni"ht sky, clearly "listenin" thru the skyli"ht. The
Moon is at her fullest, the stars dance around her, and the world waits in e)pectation.
>he sin"s out .. %Father, Re!e!(erB ?o!e to us now at the Full Moon of .ule. -et the
li"ht of the Mother entice you, enthrall you, and (rin" you (ack to war! the earth and
you're children. Renew the pro!ise ...%
%<oof and <orn, <oof and <orn,
all who die will (e re(ornB
?orn and +rain, ?orn and +rain,
all who die will co!e a"ainB%
Father we inite you.
Father we entreat you.
Father we welco!e you.
$e with us now ...... >o Mote it $eB%
2wl watches as Reddeer %(eco!es%. .... And waits...
...and ;eer, already with so !any son"s in his head and heart, feels now one which calls
also to his ery (ein". 3ulled fro! his spot 5 his place in the circle where all was certain,
where what was e)pected was known, where the friends to either side of hi! were
constant 5 he rounds the circle with his dear sister. 2nce a"ain, war! hu"s are e)chan"ed
and "reetin"s passed. 2nce a"ain, ;eer tells hi!self that the certainty of this !o!ent is
what !atters, and that what co!es ne)t 5 while indescri(a(ly "lorious 5 will fade.
<oweer, no a!ount of self5reassurance can slow the racin" of his heart as he watches
2wl "racefully !oe a(out hi!. Toni"ht he is supposed to (eco!e a still point of an eer5
!oin" cos!os. As always, the sheer &oy of sharin" (ein" with hi"her powers is te!pered
(y the an)iety re"ardin" the !any e)pectations which acco!pany that role.
As their dance continues, ;eer (eco!es a(sor(ed in the !yriad points of li"ht which 5
reflected fro! the !irrored shards in 2wl's dress 5 spiral and dance a(out hi!. ,en as his
!ind and heart steady, his (ody tre!(les. <e feels her war! touch upon his (reast and
hears her words, %.ou are the altar,% then loses the thread of her sayin"... (ut not of that
which transpires. ;eer suddenly reels 5 the chan"e in perspectie fro! fie si!ple senses
to see!in"ly endless points of anta"e is always erti"inous. <e seeks a sin"le reference
to "round within, and finds a iew fro! a s!all hillock a(oe a rice paddy in Malaysia 5
with the full !oon risin" and !illions of li"htenin" (u"s pirouettin" a!on" the tall
"rasses. >tars wheel "randly a(oe, li"htenin" (u"s reel "racefully a(out and all are
reflected in the "lass still waters of the rice field. *n so!e tiny co!part!ent of self, ;eer
whispers a silent %Thank you% to ;aid A(ra!s for this anchor 5 then finds hi!self adrift
a!on" this sea of whirlin" li"hts.
0ith new eyes, not wholly his own, ;eer looks (ack into the ritual roo! and sees his dear
sister standin" (efore hi!. <e hears her call to %?o!e a"ain...% and knows that
!o!entarily she, too, shall %(eco!e% and that his feelin"s toward her shall (e !a"nified a
thousand5fold# not only as sister, (ut as loer, as !other and as i!!ortal (eloed. %<oof
and horn, hoof and horn,% ;eer hears and knows well that to all who desire to see 5
whether seein" shadow, or faint outline of !a"ical li"ht 5 that he wears (oth now.
As ;eer drops to his left knee with (oth hands clasped upon his ri"ht, he reerently lowers
his eyes to the floor and to his sister's feet. And, hearin" her "entle per!ission a!on" the
!any !elodies already playin" in his head, raises the!... knees, wo!(, heart, (reasts...
knowin" that his +oddess already resides within, as >he does within all wo!en, (ut !ust
(e called out for all the rest to see. ;eer rises and places (oth hands squarely on 2wl's
shoulders, lookin" directly into her eyes, and notes that it is now she who tre!(les. 0hile
;eer can only i!a"ine that the !i)ture of desire and apprehension which he felt are now
hers, that self within otherness with which he now participates assures hi! that it is so.
And to <er ;eer sin"sA %My -ady, * re!e!(er. * a! re!e!(ered. .our li"ht calls !e
fro! darkness. .ou touch (rin"s !e fro! cold. @oin !e, (eco!e enthralled a!on" the
world .ou hae (orne. Renew the pro!ise...%
%?orn and +rain, ?orn and +rain,
all who die shall co!e a"ainB
<oof and <orn, <oof and <orn,
all who die shall (e re(ornB%
Mother we inite .ou.
Mother we entreat .ou.
Mother we welco!e .ou.
$e here nowB...%
;eer watches the chan"e in 2wl's de!eanor 5 sees her shoulders strai"hten, sees her stand
taller, sees her "low 5 and he knows that his -oe walks a!on" the!... The shared history
of aeons passes (etween the! in a sin"le "lance. The recreation of an entire cos!os in a
"entle hu". And passion (eyond physical e)pression, (ut forerunner to all !eans of such,
defines their relatedness to one another. After a see!in" eternity, (oth turn to "reet a"ain
the "athered cele(rants...
...2nce the ener"ies runnin" ra!pant a(out the ritual roo! (e"in to settle, 2wl and ;eer
kiss and part 5 each returnin" to their respectie places a!on" this circle of friends. =o
a!ount of cal!, howeer, can suppress the errant static dischar"es which see! to occur
wheneer one person touches another 5 and een !ore so when one releases the touch of
another. Fro! his place on the li!n of their world, for such is this place which is none and
all, this ti!e which is ti!eless and eternal, ;eer calls outA
%2ur circle is raised and our wardens set. 2ur -ady and -ord hae co!e a!on" us. -et
each who hae praise, thanks or petition co!e forward to the altar which stands at the
center of this world, and of (ein"...%
?al! and serenity surround this circleF...
0ith loe and respect =y!' steps forward. Re!oin" a si!ple white candle fro! the
pocket of her ro(e, she places it on the altar.
%Mother with your li"ht * i"nite this candleF a (ri"hter year# a deeper peace is what *
hope for !y fa!ily and friends.% Then placin" two (a(y rattles ne)t to the candleF %Anu
if it (e your will, please let the drea!s of !y dau"hters (eco!e reality.%
$efore returnin" to her place =y!' stops to hu" Red ;eer and 2wl and then steps (ack to
wait forF
...;eer, who approaches the altar "rinnin". %Toni"ht, * ask only that !y dear friend hae
her (est (irthday yet of this turn upon the 0heel,% he si!ply states. 0ith a "rand
"enuflect, ;eer !oes towards $oudi and 5 still "rinnin" !ischieously 5 applies a !i"hty
(ear hu" (efore presentin" her with, circa KL6M, a pair of (lack editor's "arters and
!atchin" isor. %0ear these in "ood health, and for a !odicu! of fun. And keep up the
"rand work you and *!a&icka undertook with The 0iccan 3a"an Ti!es, no !atter in what
enue it occurs. Fro! !y heart to yours, a thousand thank you's for three wonderful years
of infor!ation.%
Another hu", with a whispered one for *!a&icka as well, and ;eer returns to his place in
the circle. <e waits until...
$oudica lau"hs at Red ;eer as she puts the "arters in a pouch. >he thinks to herself...
%0hat an odd way to "et your "arterB%
>he approaches the altar, and lays upon it an oran"e fro! her pouch. A (it of sunshine to
(alance the "rey weather she's (een wanderin" around in lately.
%.ea, another year older, and the ?rones are "atherin"... where to "o fro! here. >o !uch
to do. May(e a few e)tra hours in a day1 ?han"es co!in" all the ti!e. <an" on for the
ride...%
>he whispers to the wind, and then turns around and looks to the 2wl and the ;eer.
+lance oer at ?arri and Typo. -ook around the roo! at all the other friends "athered.
And a s!all "rey owl drops fro! the shadows a(oe and ali"hts on her shoulder. >he
s!iles, and returns to her place in the circle...
...po!(a"ira takes a deep (reath and steps up. she's neer (een in such a settin", and it's a
little inti!idatin"...
%"oddess, i thank you for your kind attentions to !y sister.% she lays a s!all hand!ade
(ook (ound in purple silk on the altar. %you know what is contained within. i ask that you
open !y senses, !y heart, !y !ind, and !y soul to perceie what i need to know and do
to !ake it !anifest. thank you.%
she pulls her hood oer her head and steps (ack into the circle to wait for...
...suE steps forward and sets four acorns on the altar.
%!other and father, i ask for your "uidance and (lessin"s upon four friends who are
clutchin" each other and sta""erin" as they !oe alon" their paths. please s!ile on the!.%
she adds a we( woen of (lue and purple silk, with "old and siler ri((ons.
%i ask for your help for !e, as i (e"in the new &ourney of learnin" and discoery with !y
youn"er son. please help !e to find the ri"ht way to re5kindle the fla!es of e)cite!ent
and passion a(out learnin" in hi!, to keep !y head and wits a(out !e, and to hae the
patience and (alance i will sorely need to hae (oth (oys at ho!e. thank you.%
s!ilin" at her friends, suE steps (ack to await...
...Mor"an, i!pressed (eyond words (as alwaysB) at the a!ount of ti!e and thou"ht that
Red ;eer has put into this !onth's workin", steps forward fro! her place in the circle and
lays a spray of so!e of her ho!e5"rown sa"e upon the altar. An her( of @upiter, whose
ener"ies Mor"an has (een workin" with of late, it see!s to (e the perfect offerin". >he
closes her eyes a"ainst the awe5inspirin" ta(leau (efore her and stands, sensin" the
powerful !a"ickal ener"ies that hae (reathed stron" life into this roo!. Finally she
speaks softlyA
%Mother, Father, now !ore than eer * need the stren"th .ou continue to "ie !e. The
co!in" year will (e one of the !ost i!portant of !y life, and holds the "reatest challen"es
* hae yet had to face. +rant !e the coura"e and personal fortitude to !eet the! and
triu!ph a"ainst those who work a"ainst !e. +rant recoery and health, too, to !y little
"randdau"hter. This * pray in .our na!es.%
Mor"an stands yet a !o!ent !ore as her prayer win"s its way to the ;iine ones, then
retreats to her place and watches...
...@ess lays a (loodstone with the other offerin"s.
%-ady and -ord, look in on !y sister. *t see!s she and her platelets hae had partin" of
ways a"ain. * know she'll "et throu"h this. >he'll (e healthy a"ain soon. $ut thin"s were
"oin" so well for @en. This &ust (lew it all out of the water. >o send her healin", send her
ener"y, and send her hi"h spirits.%
0ipin" her nose descreetly on her cuff, @ess sniffles (ack to her place...
...2wl has waited quietly for the petitioners to approach. As each has put forth their pleas,
she can feel a tre!or within her, and een as she looks at the fa!iliar faces, she see!s to
(e seein" the! in a different li"ht, thru another's eyes.
A chuckle wells up as Reddeer presents $oudica with her (irthday "ift... and she (reathes
a soft %<appy $irthday !y sister... and welco!e to ?rone ti!eB%
3o!(i"ira also has a new "low a(out her. There are worries, (ut the Mother aspect is so
stron" in her. >he will find stren"th to share and help her loed ones. *t will (e a trou(lin"
ti!e for a while, (ut this year will (rin" a new awareness of her own power. As 2wl
watches =y! step (ack to her place in circle, their eyes !eet and she nods to her sister.
%.our prayers are heard%, she whispers. >uE stands quietly, a sli"ht frown of worry
crosses her (row. 2wl s!iles reassurin"ly... %.ou can do this, !y sister... don't let your
own dou(ts wei"h too heaily on your shoulders... you will know when the ti!e is ri"ht to
chan"e your plans%.
Mor"an, there are chan"es co!in". ;on't (ite off !ore than you can chew, (ut chew well
those (its which are put on your plate. There is an issue which will effect your decisions,
(ut you hae yet to sort it out clearly in your !ind. +ie yourself ti!e, and !editate on
that which (others you the !ost. ?larity will co!e. .our "randdau"hter is in "ood hands.
@ess, sister, dau"hter ... work with your Runes. Hnowled"e is power... ask the questions,
and then focus on that which !ust (e fou"ht. There is a (attle to (e won... and you can do
this.
2nce a"ain, 2wl wonders at these stron" people who co!e to petition, not for
the!seles, (ut for others. And those who hae petitioned quietly, without statin" aloud
their requests, 2wl understands that they too are for!in" powerful thou"hts of healin",
and aidin" those who are dear to the!. There are those here with us who are takin" the
opportunity, not to petition, (ut to say %thanks% to the +oddess and the +od for thin"s
which hae happened in their lies, and they were ery !uch aware that !iracles were
"ranted to the!.
*t has (een nearly a decade since this site was found, and Rituals held, and the weain"
(e"an once a"ain. As the threads were woen, new colors and te)tures hae (een added,
and so!e threads were (roken. >o!e could (e repaired, and so!e had to (e tied off.
There are slu(s, and holes, and wonderfully intricate pieces of our lies woen here. And
with each weain", the cloth (eco!es stron"er and !ore (eautiful. >u(tle !uted shades
of thankfulness, (ri"ht "litterin" streaks of passion and &oy, and dark, so!(er colors of
"rief and fear. .et each ti!e we co!e to"ether, and set up our loo!, the shared workin"
of the patterns li"htens our (urdens. For here, we realiEe that in all the weain", the hands
of the +oddess and the +od "uide our hands, as we weae the patterns of our lies.
2wl takes a deep (reath, and offers her own petition... %May all those "athered here find
their prayers answered in the way which is !ost (eneficial to all.%
%>o !ote it (eB%
...-yn e!er"es fro! the shadows. >he was "oin" to &ust watch this !onth, feelin" that she
had little to contri(ute. =ow, she finds that her need to petition has (eco!e too "reat for
her to hold in silence. <er purple oer5dress rustles alon" the "round as she walks. <opin"
that it's okay, she li"hts a candle with the fla!e fro! Red ;eer's candle. >he needs a (it of
-i"ht to carry with her.
All she has to offer up is a freshly re5potted %tree%. >he has no idea what it really is. *t "ot
left (ehind at an apart!ent she !oed into. ;espite (ein" so spindly that it's preious
caretaker had it tied to a couple of tall (races, it refused to die. At one point, it only had
one yellowed leaf left. And yet, it suried. 0hen -yn had considered "iin" up on it, it
showed new life in the for! of a fresh shoot at the (ase. 0ith hope# she cut of the 4 feet
of spindly, withered trunk off and fertiliEed the heck out of it. The ery top with it's few
dried and yellowed leaes she put in a "lass of fertiliEed water.
And despite all appearances, the top sprouted roots and the shoot has (een "rowin"
i"orously. The top with it's new roots was potted today. This is all -yn has to offer up.
%-ord and -ady, * can only hope to lie up to the e)a!ple this plant has shown. *t was
withered and to all appearances dead. And yet, it has suried and now is flourishin". =ot
only that, (ut * hae two thriin" plants fro! one. Ri"ht now, thin"s are lookin" pretty
(ad. Al!ost like all is lost. * do not know what is "oin" to happen in the ne)t few !onths.
*t looks pretty (leak, "ien the news of the past few days. $oth $ill and +re" hae "otten
(ad news at work in the last 84 hours. -ord and -ady, all * can ask is that you help us to
find the (est course and help us see it throu"h. <elp !e to follow the e)a!ple of that
plant and not "ie up. <elp !e to (eliee that we can !ake it throu"h and that we will
co!e (ack stron"er than (efore.%
>he looks around in apolo"y to (e such a downer durin" such a profound and (eautiful
ritual. Then -yn retreats (ack to the shadows as...
...so !uch has transpired this !oon, and ;eer is i!pressed that so !any (rin" requests for
aid to others. <e cau"ht 2wl's eye as >he responded to the petitions offered 5 (oth those
silent and those spoken. =ow, <e !oed (ack to the altar upon which so !any offerin"s
had (een left. <is left hand reaches out, (riefly touchin" the space a(oe each... and !any
new i!a"es for! in <is !ind's eye.
First the (a(y rattles... the sound of sidewinders raisin" warnin" and the "litter of siler
tokens for new(orn children, the happiness of recreation. %All thin"s in their ti!e, !y
sister.% Then the oran"e... tastin" of sweetness with a (itter ed"e and holdin" condensed
sunshine 5 lon" days ahead filled with (eauty and "race. +lancin" at $oudica, <e adds a
thou"htA %And no shorta"e of passion, dear sister.% =e)t, the purple (ook... fro! which
arises the Ace of ?ups. %/ncoer you face, (eautiful !other. >he had no !ore of a "low
than do you, aeons a"o when all was (orn. There are no pro!ises in life e)cept that we
!ay lie it.% The acorns hold his awareness lon"... this path is priate, yet <e s!iles
openly at sus (efore !oin" to her newly woen we(... fro! which hooes and antlers
flash. %.ou hae asked closer co!!une with the -ord of the <unt... thus are you "ien
that opportunity. Re!e!(er that a "ood teacher finds learnin" in another's instruction.%
And the sa"e... aro!atic, pun"ent, resilient 5 prosperin" in the "arden of a stron" wo!an.
%Tend this well, dear Mor"an. As your sa"e e)pands its reach, so !ay you.% 2er the
(loodstone... (lue, !oons and !edicine# healin". %@ess, 2ur ener"y she has, and you !ay
(e the enoy of her spirits.% Finally, to the newly sprouted one... "reen and "rowth,
dura(ility and reliance 5 and the potted one see!s to "low. %;earest -yn 5 neer apolo"iEe
for offerin" what is in your heart or for askin" to hae your needs !et. And yes, een
fro! the (rink a (etter life !ay (e (rou"ht forth. Take 2ur fla!e to your heart and e)pect
that (etter ti!es shall co!e.%
As the perspecties shift and shi!!er, ;eer NseesN the weae which e!anates fro! their
rite, een as he NfeelsN his own return to usual consciousness... a shudder, a sudden
departure of one war!th only to (e replaced (y another, and a "roundin". +lancin" a"ain
at 2wl, he sees a fa!iliar face. =o lon"er >he with who! <e has danced countless rounds
on the +reat 0heel, at least upon her surface. And ;eer NknowsN that the dance within a
;ance, the we( in the !idst of all weain", continues. Fro! across the years, a son" of
the AEtec nation co!es to hi!A
We only come to sleep
We only come to dream
It is not true no, it is not true
That we came to live on the earth.
We are changed into the grass of springtime
Our hearts will grow green again
And they will open their petals
But our body is like a rose tree
It puts forth flowers and then withers.
-ookin" up, ;eer spies a(oe the wide open skyli"ht a rin" a(out the full !oon at her
Eenith... and a !yriad of si)5pointed stars wheelin" "ently within ni"ht's e!(race. <e
returns to 2wl's side, and ar! in ar! they pera!(ulate the circle to"ether. 0est, >outh,
,ast, =orth... they thank and release fro! serice the spirits which hae dutifully warded
the circle this !oon 5 at the sa!e ti!e reco"niEin" their de(t to each. %2ur circle is open
(ut un(roken,% ;eer states as he !oes toward the eastern wall. %$efore we ad&ourn to
the "reat hall to feast and frolic, *'d like to share with you one !ore surprise of this place.%
And openin" the panel first discoered (y his dear sister ?loud, ;eer "ently pulls down a
second, s!aller leer. All are cau"ht (y the purr of a second set of (lades, a !uch s!aller
iris of leaded "lass at the skyli"ht's pinnacle. As the do!e itself slowly opens, thousands of
froEen stars descend fro! the heaens... so!e fallin" directly onto the cele(rants "athered
(elow, so!e dancin" "racefully in (reeEes "enerated (y the !eetin" of the fri"id air a(oe
and the !a"ically war! air within. And so!e, as thou"h with a !ind of their own, dancin"
in patterns which no science will eer e)plain...
;eer throws (ack his head 5 !outh open 5 and waits for the first to land upon his ton"ue,
(efore closin" the do!e and the skyli"ht and leadin" the "roup of !erry friends towards
the welco!in" feast in the ad&acent hall. As all !oe toward the ta(le, ;eer pauses to
close the heay doors which separate the hall and the ritual roo!. As he pulls the! to on
ancient hin"es, ;eer whispers 5 to the presence which occupies that space within 5 %A
thousand thank you's for the ;ance...%