Full Moon Circle Ritual Structure

[crowdog66]

I finally got around to codifying the ritual structure for the Full Moon Circle I run every month. So, here it is. :-)

Full Moon Circle Ritual Structure

1) Establish intent.
2) Construct ritual outline.
3) Set up temple.
4) Purify participants.
5) Ground and center.
6) Create sacred space.
7) Summon the Quarters.
8) Invoke the God and the Goddess.
9) State intent and raise energy.
10) The working.
11) Simple feast.
12) Farewell to the Goddess and the God.
13) Farewell to the Quarters.
14) Release the space.

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NOTE ON RITUAL FORM: In our rites, we often use archaic language as a means of distinguishing sacred space from mundane/secular space. The cakes and wine blessing is from New Moon practice.

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4) PURIFY PARTICIPANTS: With the elements.

First, fire and air (lit charcoal and incense). These are blessed separately, first charcoal, then incense: "May the blessings of the Goddess and of the God be upon this (charcoal/incense), symbol of (the fire that enlivens us/the air that inspires us)."

Once blessed, some incense is placed on the charcoal and passed around the circle, with each person holding the bowl for the next, offering it with the blessing: "By the warmth of fire and the sweetness of air be purified", and holding it while that person purifies themselves. The bowl is then passed, with the salutation: "Blessed be."

Then, earth and water (salt and water). These are blessed separately, first water, then salt: "May the blessings of the Goddess and of the God be upon this (water/salt), symbol of (the oceans that birthed us/the earth that sustains us)."

Once blessed, some salt is added to the water and passed around the circle, with each person tracing the Goddess (or God) symbol on the forehead of the person to their left, acknowledging the sacred within them: "Thou art God/dess."

6) CREATE SACRED SPACE: The circle is cast with the athame:

"We consecrate this circle of power as a temple to the Ancient Ones. Here may they manifest, and bless the endeavors of their children gathered in this sacred space. We stand now between the worlds, before the veil of the Mysteries. May the Lord and Lady guide us and protect us on our magical journey."

7) SUMMON THE QUARTERS: The four cardinal directions are saluted, and the elements/qualities associated with them are called upon to aid us in our work.

"Hail, ye Mighty Ones of the (direction), powers of (element)!
We do summon, stir, and call ye up to attend and protect this rite,
And to stand guard at the (direction) wall of our temple.
(State traits/correspondences associated with that element.)
Be with us now!
Hail, Spirits of the (direction) -- hail and welcome!"

11) SIMPLE FEAST: A sharing of "wine and cakes", with a blessing.

For the cakes: "Creature of earth and water, of air and fire, we bless thee that ye may nourish us body and in spirit, in the names of the Goddess and of the God." The cakes are then shared around the circle, with the salutation: "May you never hunger." A single piece is left as an offering to the Lord and Lady.

For the wine: "As the athame is to the male, so the chalice is to the female, and in their joining, we are blessed." The wine is then shared around the circle with the salutation: "May you never thirst." A mouthful is left to be given to the Lord and Lady afterwards as a libation.

13) FAREWELL TO THE QUARTERS:

"Mighty Ones of the (direction), powers of (element)!
We thank thee for attending and protecting this rite,
And for standing guard at the (direction) wall of our temple.
Hail, Spirits of the (direction) -- hail and welcome!"

15) RELEASE THE SPACE: The person who cast the circle uncasts it, after which all join hands, saying: "Behold the mystery of the unbroken circle. The circle is open, but never broken! Merry we meet, and merry we part, and merry we meet again."

X-posted to wiccanmoons.