Apple Harvest Full Moon

I was fortunate enough to join the Apple Harvest Full Moon Circle out at Circle Sanctuary this past Monday. It was a gorgeous evening that began with apple pressing and some sweet freshly pressed apple cider. I met some lovely people and before I knew it, it was time to join the circle for the ritual.

Led by Selena Fox, we did a beautiful meditation with an apple, performed a healing circle, and raised our cups of cider to the glorious Goddess as She rose above the trees illuminating the night with Her beautiful white light. The sky was clear and She shone down upon us with Her smiling face and enveloped us in Her loving embrace.

It really was a night to remember. And the thing that I took away with me was the feeling of connectedness with like-minded souls and a connection to the Goddess that you only get when you go out into nature and commune with Her.

Labyrinth Walk

The other day I was in a crystal shop chatting with the owner who was showing me around the store and pointing out all the new and interesting crystals she had gotten in recently. During my time there she handed me a crystal sphere which was supposed to be black tourmaline, but alas, it was only glass. To be sure though, we pulled out some pendulums and worked with them awhile . . . yes, definitely glass.

Entering the labyrinth.

Walking the labyrinth.

Anyway, during our conversation she mentioned a labyrinth that was built by a lady out towards a small town about an hour's drive away. When I got home I opened up my computer and went to her website 'Peace - Labyrinth'. I was amazed and in awe of what this woman had accomplished in a relatively short period of time.

Because last night was a full moon, I thought it would be wonderful to go out and walk the labyrinth. It was a cloudy evening, but I had hoped it would clear off. Unfortunately it didn't and it even proceeded to rain lightly. 'No matter', I thought, 'since we drove all the way out here, I'll walk the labyrinth anyway'.

Well, it wasn't the experience I'd hoped for, but it was interesting and fun just the same. I plan on going out again on a Sunday for a quieter and more contemplative walk and am going to take in the next full moon festivities which will include drumming.

Crystal Skull.

I'm inspired and will make this a frequent part of my spiritual practice. If you have access to a labyrinth perhaps you'd like to check it out . . .

Blessing Water

At times during our rituals Blessing Water is called upon to cleanse, consecrate or bless the objects we use in our Sabbats or Esbats, especially those items placed on the altar. So with that in mind, I went searching for a way to make Blessing Water. Some ways seemed to simple, like not enough effort was put into them, and others were so elaborate that I'd be up half the night. So what I did was incorporate a little of both and come up with a way to make Blessing Water that called upon some effort by me and that was also simple to do.

Since Tuesday night was a full moon, I planned and set about making my blessing water . . .

Blessing Water Ceremony

You'll need: Spring Water and Sea Salt

On the evening of a full moon and before the full moon rises, set out your container of water.

At midnight, under the full moon, do the following ritual.

While performing the Three-Fold cross say:

"Oh, Great One, Lord and Lady of all that can be surveyed and not,
I call upon you and need your assistance in this moment.
I bring forth this water in which I request your blessings."

Hold up the container of water to show it and say:

"Bless this water with your wisdom, guidance, love, healing, purification and power."

Place the container on your altar. Hold your hands over it and say:

"I banish thee, O element of water,
of all negativity both seen and unseen,
and bless thee in the name of the Great One."

Imagine a brilliant blue-white light filling the water.

Hold up the container of salt to show it and say:

“Bless this salt with your wisdom, guidance, love, healing, purification and power.”

Place the container on your altar. Hold your hands over it and say:

"I banish thee, O element of the Earth,
of all negativity both seen and unseen
and bless thee in the name of the Great One.”

Envision the same brilliant blue-white light entering the salt.

Add three pinches of salt to the water and stir it three times in a deosil direction. Perform the Three-Fold cross over it and then with both hands, hold the container at eye level and say:

"I cleanse and consecrate this water in the name of the Great One.
May it enhance and purify all that it touches.
With the water so blessed, may this harm none,
With these final words, let it be done.
As I will it, so mote it be.
Blessed Be!”

When done let the water sit out under the full moon and collect it in the morning before sun rise.

Your Blessing Water is now ready to be poured into a pretty container for use in your rituals.

Breathing In the Essence of the Moon

It's been overcast here for what seems like days and nights on end. I haven't seen the moon in all her glory and I could feel it . . . the lack of something.

Finally it cleared off last night and I was able to go outside for a few minutes (it was freezing cold) and take in the beauty of the Full Moon. I could breathe in her essence. And as I made my way back into the house, I realized that that's what's been missing . . . just breathing and basking in the essence of the moon.