Wednesday 17 August 2011

Post No. 301 - A ritual for New Moon in Virgo

I haven't done much ritual writing for a while, so I thought I would have a go at this again for the coming New Moon, which is in Virgo (Dark Moon is at 1:05pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time), Monday 29th August, so I would celebrate the New Moon when it is visible, on Tuesday or possibly Wednesday evening). This is a fairly conventional Wiccan ritual, based on Southern Hemispher correspondences. I've summarised the core here, and have copied in a complete ritual running sheet (including preparations) after my signature block. Enjoy :)

START OF SPIRIT CENTRE
The essence of Virgo is, to me (and I’m not an astrologer), analysis – tending towards self-criticism. The New Moon is about new beginnings, so this combination raises the possibility of a new attitude towards oneself – a new self critique, in a sense. To do that, it often necessary to let go of the old that is inappropriate, strengthen what is old and appropriate, and bring in whatever is new that you wish to strengthen. The key here is knowing what is appropriate, and what is not.

The ritual core is:


Invoke (by chanting their names with increasing vigour) the runes Perthro (for revealing the unknown), Dagaz (for transformation) and Sowelu (for wellness).

Reflect on the three aspects:
- the old that is inappropriate,
- the old that is appropriate, and
- the new that you wish to strengthen
What are they? Are there any actions that symbolise each characteristic to you? Is there any action you can do in the next fortnight to symbolically bring in the new or strengthen the appropriate old, and something else that you can either not do, or do that would symbolise letting go of the in appropriate old? Do not choose something that is the whole change itself – that risks undoing this by not being done, you are looking for something symbolic.
Write the old that is inappropriate on a piece of paper, and the old that is appropriate and the new that you wish to strengthen on a separate piece of paper. Burn the paper with the old that is inappropriate in a cauldron (safely! Cauldron on a fire and heat proof surface, away from anything that is flammable) or bury it so the earth can recycle those energies.
As you do this, visualise yourself doing the symbolic actions, commit yourself in front of all the powers and Deities invoked to doing the actions (whether silently, mentally, or out loud), and chant something along the lines of:
My Higher Self, my Inner Self, my greater Whole is wise. In the Light of that Wisdom, I release that which I no longer need, and welcome the new. In wisdom, change to allow a wiser, better me.
Devoke (by chanting their names with decreasing vigour) the runes Perthro, Dagaz and Sowelu.
END OF SPIRIT CENTRE

Love, light, hugs and blessings

Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")

Tags: rituals, new moon, emotions, change, transformation,

First published: Wodansdagr, 17th August, 2011

Last edited: Thursday, 18th August, 2011


All rituals consists of 5 major parts, which you will notice below are segmented into the five elements. Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Spirit, but not in that order. Each Elemental correspondence has its own unique role within the ritual.
In most cases they are broken down as follows:
· East – Air – Athame – Opening – This is the basis of preparation, introduction of the ceremony.
· North – Fire – Wand - Invocations – This is the basis of invocations, prayers of the ceremony.
· Spirit – Centre – the ritual itself.
· West – Water – Chalice - Offerings – This is the time of offerings, libations, and honour
· South – Earth – Pentacle – Closing – This is the time of devocation and opening of the circle.
THE RITUAL
Phase
Actions
Words (if wish to provide guide or use particular words)
People
Overall direction of ritual:
Ritual leader
Collate items required:
· Cauldron and match
· salt, water
· athame
· copy of order of ritual / running sheet / speaking notes
Ask for and brief volunteers
Air – East - Athame OPENING
Cleanse salt, water, incense and fire.
Charge salt, water, incense and fire.
Cleanse and charge area.
Participants waiting outside to Ground and Release, and make sure watches are removed and mobile phones are turned off.
- hand over water, visualise yellow-white light from hand into water, 3 Clockwise, to the south, circles while say
“Behold, I exorcise you, O creature of Water, casting out from you any impurities which may lie within!”
- hand over water, visualise blue-white light filling water, 3 Sunwise (to the north, anticlockwise) circles while say
“And I do bless and consecrate you to this work!”
- hand over salt, visualise yellow-white light from hand into water to force out negativity, 3 Clockwise, to the south, circles while say
“Behold, I exorcise you, O creature of Earth, casting out from you any impurities which may lie within!”
- hand over salt, visualise blue-white light filling water, 3 Sunwise (to the north, anticlockwise) circles while say
“And I do bless and consecrate you to this work!”
- add three pinches salt to water (to make Holy Water) and say
“Behold, the salt is pure! Behold, the water is pure! Purity into purity then, and purity be blessed!”
Walk Sunwise (to the north, anticlockwise) and asperge (sprinkle with Holy Water) while visualise filled with yellow-white light.
“Behold I cleanse and purify this space.”
Turn to face inside of circle, visualise blue-white light and say.
“I bless and consecrate this space.”
Cast circle
“Behold I do cut apart a space between the realms of humankind and of the Might Ones – a Circle of Art, to focus and contain the power raised herein!”
Invite participants into circle and smudge
Fire – North - Wand
INVOCATIONS
Invoke the Four Quarters
East (air)
Example only: “Hail unto You, O Guardian of the Watchtower of the East, power of Air and intellect. We pray that You will be with us this night in our circle, and that You will give Your blessing and Your aid to this our undertaking! We bid you hail, and welcome!”
North (fire)
Example only: “Hail unto You, O Guardian of the Watchtower of the North, power of Fire and manifestation. We pray that You will be with us this night in our circle, and that You will give Your blessing and Your aid to this our undertaking! We bid you hail, and welcome!
West (water)
Example only: “Hail unto You, O Guardian of the Watchtower of the West, power of Water and emotion. We pray that You will be with us this night in our circle, and that You will give Your blessing and Your aid to this our undertaking! We bid you hail, and welcome!”
South (earth)
Example only: “Hail unto You, O Guardian of the Watchtower of the South, power of Earth and integration. We pray that You will be with us this night in our circle, and that You will give Your blessing and Your aid to this our undertaking! We bid you hail, and welcome!”
Invoke the Goddess
Example only: "Divine Mother Goddess, All-Bountiful, All-Beautiful, Source and Sustenance of Existence: we do invoke You, asking now for your aid and guidance in this our undertaking.– May Your Divine Love be as a light within our hearts, now and always! Light our path, guide and strengthen us, enfold us in Your love, Divine Mother – we thus pray! Holy One, we bid You Hail and Welcome!"
Invoke the God (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Example only: "Holy Father God –Son, Brother, and Consort of Our Lady- we do invoke You asking now for your aid and guidance in this our undertaking.–. May Your Divine Love be as a light within our hearts, now and always! Light our path, guide and strengthen us, enfold us in Your love, Divine Father – we thus pray! Holy One, we bid You Hail and Welcome!"
Invoke your Patron Deity (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Invoke the Ancestors (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Example only: “O Mighty Ancestors, Beloved Ones Who have gone before, We invoke You and ask You to join us and to Bless us! Ancestors of the Correllian Tradition, Priestesses and Priests, Mothers and Uncles of the lineage, Spiritual family which aids and supports us –lend us Your inspiration and Your love, Your guidance and Your aid this night, we pray. Beloved Ones, we bid You Hail and Welcome!”
Spirit – Centre
RITUAL
The essence of Virgo is, to me (and I’m not an astrologer), analysis – tending towards self-criticism. The New Moon is about new beginnings, so this combination raises the possibility of a new attitude towards oneself – a new self critique, in a sense. To do that, it often necessary to let go of the old that is inappropriate, strengthen what is old and appropriate, and bring in whatever is new that you wish to strengthen. The key here is knowing what is appropriate, and what is not.
Invoke (by chanting their names with increasing vigour) the runes Perthro (for revealing the unknown), Dagaz (for transformation) and Sowelu (for wellness).
Reflect on the three aspects:
- the old that is inappropriate,
- the old that is appropriate, and
- the new that you wish to strengthen
What are they? Are there any actions that symbolise each characteristic to you? Is there any action you can do in the next fortnight to symbolically bring in the new or strengthen the appropriate old, and something else that you can either not do, or do that would symbolise letting go of the in appropriate old? Do not choose something that is the whole change itself – that risks undoing this by not being done, you are looking for something symbolic.
Write the old that is inappropriate on a piece of paper, and the old that is appropriate and the new that you wish to strengthen on a separate piece of paper. Burn the paper with the old that is inappropriate in a cauldron (safely! Cauldron on a fire and heat proof surface, away from anything that is flammable) or bury it so the earth can recycle those energies.
As you do this, visualise yourself doing the symbolic actions, commit yourself in front of all the powers and Deities invoked to doing the actions (whether silently, mentally, or out loud), and chant something along the lines of:
My Higher Self, my Inner Self, my greater Whole is wise. In the Light of that Wisdom, I release that which I no longer need, and welcome the new. In wisdom, change to allow a wiser, better me.
Devoke (by chanting their names with decreasing vigour) the runes Perthro, Dagaz and Sowelu.
Water – West - Chalice
OFFERING
This is traditionally done with a chalice of juice, wine or water passed around the company within the circle AFTER the dedicationary offering has been completed.
Then it is common practice to pour out a small libation, and dedicate that to your Ancestors, physical and spiritual, and to all your friends in Nature, seen and unseen.
Dedicate what remains in the Chalice to the Goddess and the God.
(After the ritual, the libations may be emptied outside, or otherwise respectfully disposed of.)
Earth - South - Pentacle
CLOSING
It is now time to give thanks, and close the ritual
Devoke the Four Quarters
North (fire)
Example only: “Guardian of the Watchtower of the North, power of Fire and manifestation. We thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
West (water)
Example only: “Guardian of the Watchtower of the West, power of Water and emotion. We thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
South (earth)
Example only: “Guardian of the Watchtower of the South, power of Earth and integration. We thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
East (air)
Example only: “Guardian of the Watchtower of the East, power of Air and intellect. We thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
Devoke the Goddess (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Example only: "Divine Mother Goddess, All-Bountiful, All-Beautiful, Source and Sustenance of Existence: we thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!
Devoke the God (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Example only: "Holy Father God –Son, Brother, and Consort of Our Lady, we thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
Devoke your Patron Deity (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Devoke the Ancestors (optional / depending on type of ritual)
Example only: “O Mighty Ancestors, Beloved Ones Who have gone before, we thank You for Your presence here tonight – we thank You for Your aid, and Your guidance. May there be peace between us now and always. Go if You must, stay if You will, we bid You hail, and farewell!”
Take down the Circle itself.
Example only: “As Above, So Below. As the Universe, so the Soul. As within, so without. Merry meet. Merry part. And merry meet again.”
Ground and release all excess energy.