New Moon
Some claim the New Moon is a time when no work should be done. But I believe it can be a very powerful time, to look within and confront our darker selves.
NEW MOON SHADOW EXPLORATION
Set the altar and cast the Circle as usual. Ignore the "P/S" speaking distinctions if this is done as a Solitary rite. Needed are a black cloak and a silver coin (or other small metal disc with two differing sides) for each participant. An additional Goddess candle is also needed, dark in color. Since these stanzas were taken from a song, they may be sung instead of merely recited, if the P/S feels so moved.
P: HELLO, DARKNESS, MY OLD FRIEND
I’VE COME TO TALK WITH YOU AGAIN
BECAUSE A VISION SOFTLY CREEPING
LEFT ITS SEEDS WHILE I WAS SLEEPING
AND THE VISION THAT WAS PLANTED IN MY BRAIN
STILL REMAINS
WITHIN THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE
PS lights additional Goddess candle and gazes into the flame.
PS: ON THIS NIGHT OF DARKNESS DEEP
WAKE THE SOUL FROM MORTAL SLEEP
HEAR MY WORDS THAT I MIGHT TEACH YOU
TAKE MY ARMS THAT I MIGHT REACH YOU
AND DISCOVER WHO TRULY PAYS THE COST
WHEN ALL SEEMS LOST
IN THE WELL OF SILENCE
PS blows out candle. All sit in silence for a time.P: TONIGHT IS A NIGHT OF SILENCE, REFLECTION, INTROSPECTION, AND TRANSFORMATION. THE MOON ABOVE US IS BLACK, HER FACE OBSCURED, LEAVING US IN DARKNESS. HOWEVER, IT IS A DARKNESS GIVEN BY THE LADY, AND SO IS NOT UNLIKE THE NOURISHING SILENCE OF THE WOMB. IN SUCH REGENERATIVE SECURITY, WE HAVE TIME TO REFLECT, TO BE ALONE WITH OUR THOUGHTS, TO LISTEN INTENTLY TO THE VOICE WITHIN. IT IS THE WISDOM AND INSIGHT GAINED ABOUT OURSELVES IN THIS TIME THAT WE SEEK TONIGHT, INSPIRED TO ACCEPTANCE OF OUR DARKER ASPECTS BY THE ASSURANCE THAT THE LADY WILL NOT LEAVE US IN BLACKNESS FOREVER
PS distributes cloaks and coins.
PS: WRAP YOURSELF NOW IN THIS SHROUD, ENCLOSING YOURSELF IN THE COMFORTING DARKNESS. LOOK AT THE TAILS SIDE OF THE COIN, AND THINK OF SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU CONSIDER A NEGATIVE TRAIT
Pause while all complete.
PS: NOW TURN THE COIN OVER TO THE HEADS SIDE. COUNTER THAT TRAIT WITH WAYS IN WHICH IT COULD BE SEEN AS A POSITIVE INSTEAD, OR THINGS YOU CAN DO TO RESOLVE THAT NEGATIVITY
Pause again.
PS: NOW HOLD THE COIN IN YOUR HANDS, AND DRAW POWER FROM THE MOON AND THE GODDESS INTO IT, AND INTO YOURSELF, SILENTLY CHANTING “TRANSFORMATION, REBIRTH.” IMAGINE A BEAM OF LIGHT ILLUMINATING YOU, SHINING DIRECTLY ONTO YOU, AND WHEN YOU FEEL BOTH YOU AND THE COIN ARE FULL OF THAT ENERGY, REMOVE YOUR CLOAK
Pause until all have removed cloaks.
PS: KEEP THIS COIN IN A SPECIAL, SECURE PLACE. WHENEVER YOU DOUBT YOURSELF, OR FEEL UNWORTHY IN ANY PURSUIT, HOLD IT AGAIN, FEEL THE ENERGY THAT RESIDES THERE, AND KNOW THAT THE DARK GODDESS HAS BLESSED YOU WITH THE POWER TO CAST A LIGHT THAT WILL DISPEL YOUR DARKEST SHADOWS. BLESSÈD BE!
ALL: BLESSÈD BE!
Now to Cakes and Wine.
NEW MOON SHADOW EXPLORATION
Set the altar and cast the Circle as usual. Ignore the "P/S" speaking distinctions if this is done as a Solitary rite. Needed are a black cloak and a silver coin (or other small metal disc with two differing sides) for each participant. An additional Goddess candle is also needed, dark in color. Since these stanzas were taken from a song, they may be sung instead of merely recited, if the P/S feels so moved.
P: HELLO, DARKNESS, MY OLD FRIEND
I’VE COME TO TALK WITH YOU AGAIN
BECAUSE A VISION SOFTLY CREEPING
LEFT ITS SEEDS WHILE I WAS SLEEPING
AND THE VISION THAT WAS PLANTED IN MY BRAIN
STILL REMAINS
WITHIN THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE
PS lights additional Goddess candle and gazes into the flame.
PS: ON THIS NIGHT OF DARKNESS DEEP
WAKE THE SOUL FROM MORTAL SLEEP
HEAR MY WORDS THAT I MIGHT TEACH YOU
TAKE MY ARMS THAT I MIGHT REACH YOU
AND DISCOVER WHO TRULY PAYS THE COST
WHEN ALL SEEMS LOST
IN THE WELL OF SILENCE
PS blows out candle. All sit in silence for a time.P: TONIGHT IS A NIGHT OF SILENCE, REFLECTION, INTROSPECTION, AND TRANSFORMATION. THE MOON ABOVE US IS BLACK, HER FACE OBSCURED, LEAVING US IN DARKNESS. HOWEVER, IT IS A DARKNESS GIVEN BY THE LADY, AND SO IS NOT UNLIKE THE NOURISHING SILENCE OF THE WOMB. IN SUCH REGENERATIVE SECURITY, WE HAVE TIME TO REFLECT, TO BE ALONE WITH OUR THOUGHTS, TO LISTEN INTENTLY TO THE VOICE WITHIN. IT IS THE WISDOM AND INSIGHT GAINED ABOUT OURSELVES IN THIS TIME THAT WE SEEK TONIGHT, INSPIRED TO ACCEPTANCE OF OUR DARKER ASPECTS BY THE ASSURANCE THAT THE LADY WILL NOT LEAVE US IN BLACKNESS FOREVER
PS distributes cloaks and coins.
PS: WRAP YOURSELF NOW IN THIS SHROUD, ENCLOSING YOURSELF IN THE COMFORTING DARKNESS. LOOK AT THE TAILS SIDE OF THE COIN, AND THINK OF SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU CONSIDER A NEGATIVE TRAIT
Pause while all complete.
PS: NOW TURN THE COIN OVER TO THE HEADS SIDE. COUNTER THAT TRAIT WITH WAYS IN WHICH IT COULD BE SEEN AS A POSITIVE INSTEAD, OR THINGS YOU CAN DO TO RESOLVE THAT NEGATIVITY
Pause again.
PS: NOW HOLD THE COIN IN YOUR HANDS, AND DRAW POWER FROM THE MOON AND THE GODDESS INTO IT, AND INTO YOURSELF, SILENTLY CHANTING “TRANSFORMATION, REBIRTH.” IMAGINE A BEAM OF LIGHT ILLUMINATING YOU, SHINING DIRECTLY ONTO YOU, AND WHEN YOU FEEL BOTH YOU AND THE COIN ARE FULL OF THAT ENERGY, REMOVE YOUR CLOAK
Pause until all have removed cloaks.
PS: KEEP THIS COIN IN A SPECIAL, SECURE PLACE. WHENEVER YOU DOUBT YOURSELF, OR FEEL UNWORTHY IN ANY PURSUIT, HOLD IT AGAIN, FEEL THE ENERGY THAT RESIDES THERE, AND KNOW THAT THE DARK GODDESS HAS BLESSED YOU WITH THE POWER TO CAST A LIGHT THAT WILL DISPEL YOUR DARKEST SHADOWS. BLESSÈD BE!
ALL: BLESSÈD BE!
Now to Cakes and Wine.