Full Moon Ritual
by Anza Faie

adaptation of Nan ty Derwyddynn ritual by

Church of Four Quarters
October 23, 1999

In Service to the Lord: Orren Whiddon

In Service to the Lady: Pamela Alexander

Elders in Leadership: Roger and Carolyn Grandstaff

Summoners: East, South, West, North,

Guardian, Maiden, Altar Set Up Team

Intent: The Intent of this ritual is to honor the Full Moon of " Keeping"

(The Lunar names were developed by Anza; the Moon of Keeping refers to the time of storage, keeping food, family, and hope alive during the dark half of the year. This Moon is usually dedicated to Vesta, Roman Hearth Goddess, as the first fires of Warmth are lighted)

Altar Set-Up: The altar will need a cloth, preferably orange or yellow, a God candle and a Goddess candle (also preferably orange or yellow) A chalice of red wine covered by a yellow cloth, a chalice of water covered by a white cloth, a cake covered by a brown cloth, a bell, the Church sword, Orren’s blade, a shallow dish of seeds and grains, a large chalice of water uncovered, the liturgy book on its stand. Small censer with charcoal and black copal incense. Also, if possible, a brazier filled with charcoal, and resin-type incense.

Celebrants and Participants will Gather together at 7:30 p.m. in the "staging area" (either across from the Stone Circle or in the living room of the Farmhouse, weather dependent)

Carolyn and Roger Grandstaff will stand at the Head of the Line.

The Guardian and the Maiden will approach , the Maiden going to Carolyn, The Guardian to Roger.

They will kneel to receive the blessing of the Elders.

Carolyn: (to the Maiden) In the name of the Lady, do you enter this place, of free will, with joyful spirit, to serve them who most serve us?

Maiden: (to Carolyn) Of my free will, with a heart full of joy, I enter this place with intent and Gladness.

Roger: (to Guardian) In the name of the Lord, do you enter this place, of free will, with mind of strength and duty, to serve those who most serve us?

Guardian: (to Roger) Of my free will, with a mind of strength and duty, I enter this place with intent.

Guardian and Maiden will rise together, and arm in arm, pass between Roger and Carolyn, and take their positions at the entrance to the Circle.

East Summoner with gender-balanced partner will approach Roger and Carolyn

(masculine to Roger, feminine to Carolyn)

Carolyn: (to Both) In the Name of the Lord and the Lady, do you enter this place of free will to serve them who most serve us?

East Summoner: Of our free will we enter this place with intent.

This will be repeated for each Quarter, with Roger questioning South, Carolyn questioning West, and Roger questioning North.

Pam and Orren will then approach the Elders and kneel to receive their blessing.

Carolyn (to Pam) Of you own free will, In the name of the Lady, do you now come to celebrate her rite with us?

Pam (to Carolyn) Yes, Mother, Yes Grandmother, sister, lover and friend, I am come to follow you in your way.

Roger (to Orren) Of your own free will, in the name of the Lord, do you now come to celebrate his rite with us?

Orren (to Roger) Yes, Father, Yes Grandfather, brother, lover and friend, I am come to follow you in your way.

Pam and Orren will rise, and bow to Roger and Carolyn, who will process to the Circle, arm in arm, with Pam and Orren following.

Now the altar set-up team will lead the rest of the procession to the Guardian and Maiden into the Circle two by two in gender-balanced pairs inasmuch as possible.

When all are assembled

Pam will ring the bell three times.

The Maiden and the Guardian will enter the Circle and stand at the altar, the Maiden to the Southeast of Pam, the Guardian to the Southwest of Orren

The Maiden will take up the Bell,

Pam will take up the censer,

Orren will take up the sword,

The Guardian will take up the bowl of Grains.

They will stand at the altar (Maiden at East, Pam at South, Orren at West, Guardian at North)

They will elevate their tools for the consecration.

Pam will ask blessings on the tools

With Maiden leading, then Pam, Orren, and Guardian, they will process to the East.

They will cast Circle, with Pam giving the invocation:

A Circle is cast, not by what we exclude, but by what we bring into it, so I create this as a place whereby we bring the best of what we are, to share with each other, and to stand freely before those who are served, and those who watch and remember. In the name of the Lord and the Lady, this Circle is cast.

So mote it be.

All: So Mote it be.

Pam, Maiden, Orren, Guardian return to "home" position (Pam at East, Maiden Southeast of Pam, Guardian Southwest, Orren at West)

Pam will ring the Bell three times

Turn East

East Summoner: Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Lords of Air, I,-------, priest/ess of the Lord and the Lady, do stir, summon and call you up, to protect and serve us in our rites this night. (Draw invoking pentagram) So mote it be.

All: So Mote it be.

South Summoner: Hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Lords of Fire, I -------, priest/ess of the Lord and the Lady, do stir, summon, and call you up, to protect and serve us in our rites this night. (Draw invoking pentagram ) So mote it be.

All: So mote it be.

West Summoner: Hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Lords of Water, I ------, priest/ess of the Lord and the Lady do stir, summon, and call you up to protect and serve us in our rites this night. (Draw invoking pentagram) So mote it be.

All: So mote it be

North Summoner: Hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Lords of Earth, I------, priest/ess of the Lord and the Lady, do stir summon and call you up to protect and serve us in our rite this night. (Draw invoking pentagram) So mote it be.

All: So mote it be.

Pam will ring bell three times.

Guardian and Maiden will move deosil to the North side of the Altar.

Partners of Summoners will move into the center of the circle facing the Summoners

Pam and Orren will join hands, facing each other.

Pam will bestow the five-fold kiss on Orren, speaking the words while Maiden and female quarter principals "mirror" her actions.

Pam kneels, kissing Orrens feet, says

"Blessed be thy feet that have brought you in these ways"

Pam, still kneeling, kisses Orren’s knees, says,

"Blessed be thy knees that kneel at the holy altars."

Pam, still kneeling, kisses Orren's staff, says,

"Blessed be your staff, its power and mercy, without which I would not be"

Pam rises, kisses Orren’s heart, says,

"Blessed be thy Breast, formed in strength, and the true heart contained within"

Pam kisses Orren's mouth says,

"Blessed be thy lips that utter the sacred names"

Pam ‘circles’ Orren with her hands says,

"Blessed be you, great work of the Lord and the Lady, for all you have been, all you are, and all you will be. So mote it be."

Orren will bestow the five-fold kiss on Pam, speaking the words while Guardian and all male quarter principals ‘mirror’ his actions

Orren kneels, kissing Pam's feet, says

"Blessed be thy feet that have brought you in these ways"

Orren, still kneeling, kisses Pam's knees, says,

"Blessed be thy knees that kneel at the holy altars."

Orren, still kneeling, kisses Pam’s womb, says,

"Blessed be your womb, source and return, without which I would not be"

Orren rises, kisses Pam's heart, says,

"Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty, and the true heart contained within"

Orren kisses Pam's mouth, says,

"Blessed be thy lips that utter the sacred names"

Orren ‘circles’ Pam with his hands says,

"Blessed be you, great work of the Lord and the Lady, for all you have been, all you are, and all you will be. So mote it be."

All principals return ‘home’

Pam raises her hands in the God invocation position. And Orren stands before her

Pam: From deep to on High, The Goddess calls the God

So He and she can grasp the reins

And ride, as one, the twin-horsed chariot,

Let the Hammer strike the anvil,

Let the lightning strike the Earth

Let the Lance ensoul the Grail

Let magic come to birth.

HPS: Listen to the words of the Horned God, the Guardian of all things wild and free, and Keeper of the Gates of Death, whose Call all must answer:

HP: I am the fire within your heart.....The yearning of your Soul.

I am the Hunter of Knowledge and the Seeker of Truth

I stand in the darkness of light, I am He who you have called Death.

I am the Consort and Mate of Her we adore, and I call upon you.

Heed my call, my beloved ones, come to me and learn the secrets of death, and of peace.

I am the corn man flayed at harvest, and the full fruit of the trees.

I am He who leads you home.

Scourge and Flame, Blade and Blood - these are mine own, and my gifts to you.

Call unto me in the forest wild and on hilltop bare, and see me in the Darkness Bright.

I who you have called; Pan, Herne, Osiris, and Hades, I will speak to you as you search.

Come dance and sing; come live and smile, for behold: this is my worship.

For you are my children, and I am your Father.

On swift night wings it is I who will lay you out at your Mother's feet, to be reborn and to return again.

If you dare to seek me, know that I am the untamed wind,

the fury of storm and the passion of your Soul.

Seek me with pride and humility, but seek me best with your full love and strength.

For this is my path, and I love not the weak and fearful.

Hear my call on long Winter nights and we shall stand together,

Guarding Her body Earth as She sleeps.

Orren stands before Pam

HP: I invoke and call upon you, Mighty Mother of us all, bringer of all fruitfulness; by seed and root, by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit, do I call upon you to descend upon the body of this, your servant and priestess.

After this, he touches her with his right forefinger on her right breast, left breast, womb, right breast, left breast, womb, and right breast again, while saying:

HP: Of the Mother darksome and divine

Mine the scourge, and mine the kiss;

The five-point star of love and bliss -

Here I charge you in this sign.

The HP rises, and HP & HPS face the group and deliver the charge, saying:

HP: Listen to the words of the Great Mother; she who of old was also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerredwen, Dana, Arianrhod, Isis, Bride, and by many other names.

HPS: Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, together you shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me, who is Queen of all the Wise. Ye who would fain learn all magic, but have not yet won its deepest secrets, there ye shall assemble, and I shall reveal many things that are yet unknown. You shall be free in your rites, and as a sign that you be free, you shall sing, feast, dance, make music, merry, and love all in My presence. Hold pure your highest ideal, strive ever toward it, let none dissuade you or turn you aside. For Mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and Mine also is joy on earth. For My law is love unto all beings. Mine is the secret that opens upon the door of youth, and Mine is the cup of the wine of life, which is the Cauldron of Cerridwen, the holy grail of immortality. I grant knowledge of the spirit eternal and beyond death I give peace, freedom and reunion with those who have gone before. Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice. For behold, I am the Mother of all things, and my love is poured out upon the earth.

HP: Hear now the words of the Star Goddess: She in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, and whose body encircles the universe.

(WHILE PAM DELIVERS THE 2^nd HALF OF THE CHARGE, ORREN WILL LIGHT THE BRAZIER ON THE ALTAR)

HPS: I, who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire in the heart of man, call unto thy spirit. Arise and come unto me. For I am the soul of nature, that gives life to the universe. From Me all things proceed and to Me they must return. Before my face, beloved of God and Man, let your own innermost self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite. Let my worship be within the heart that rejoices, for behold: all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you. And you who seek to know Me: know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not unless you know this, the greatest of the Mysteries: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without. For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and it is I that is attained at the end of all desire.

Pam returns to altar

Orren speaks of safekeeping, of the need to husband our resources, to be wise and frugal, to kindle our hearth fires and tend our families; he will remind all of tradition, of family memories, and that the so-called dark half of the year is the quiet, hidden, growing time.

Pam will deliver a brief homily to Vesta, the Hearth Mother.

Pam will ring a bell three times

Maiden will move to East

Guardian will move to West

Orren will move to North

Pam will invite all present to come to the altar, to warm their hands and hearts at Vesta’s fire, and to remember to leave a heartfelt prayer as offering to the Goddess, she will pray over the flames and move to South.

While people are praying, a soft chant will begin-WE NEED A CHANT AND SOME VOLUNTEER SINGERS HERE

When all the folk have prayed, with Orren praying last, Pam, Guardian and Maiden will return ‘home’

Pam will take up the chalice and Orren the blade

Orren: For in the Days of Old, the Body of Woman WAS the altar

Come, let us all share the loving cup of the God and the Goddess

(He holds the blade aloft)

Blade of my heart and my intent

Help us all to remember

That what is given is received back threefold

Help us all to remember

To receive as graciously as we give

Pam: For in the days of Old, the body of Man WAS the power

Come, let us share the loving cup of the Goddess and the God.

(She holds the chalice aloft)

Chalice of my heart and my intent

Help us all to remember

That what is received must be given back three times

Help us all to remember

To give as graciously as we receive

(Let’s try to keep the tension and the passion vibrant and symbolic here)

Orren: As the blade is to the man

Pam: So the chalice is to the woman

Both: And conjoined, they bring forth all fruitfulness

Pam holds the chalice while Orren uncovers and blesses cake, crumbles a piece as libation

Pam blesses wine, pours a libation

Maiden takes chalice of water

Guardian splits cake onto second plate

Maiden to East

Pam to South

Guardian to West

Orren to North

Distribute cakes and wine to all

(If group is large, altar set-up team should see that there are extra chalices of wine and water at West and North)

When all have partaken,

Maiden will offer both cake and wine to Guardian, thanking him for his strength

Guardian will offer both cake and wine to Maiden, thanking her for her joyful heart.

Pam will offer cake and wine to Carolyn, thanking her for wisdom

Orren will offer cake and wine to Roger, thanking him for his guidance

Pam will offer cake and wine to Orren, in acknowledgment of the God within, both hidden and manifest

Orren will offer cake and wine to Pam, in acknowledgment of the Goddess within, both hidden and manifest

Orren will thank the God

Pam will thank the Goddess

North will dismiss: Hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Lords of Earth, we thank you for your protection and aid in our rites this night, before you must depart for your bountiful realms, we beg your blessings upon us. Go if you must, stay if you will. Hail and farewell.

West will dismiss: Hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Lords of Water, we thank you for your protection and aid in our rites this night, before you must depart for your bountiful realms, we beg your blessings upon us. Go if you must, stay if you will. Hail and farewell.

South will dismiss: Hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Lords of Fire, we thank you for your protection and aid in our rites this night, before you must depart for your bountiful realms, we beg your blessings upon us. Go if you must, stay if you will. Hail and farewell.

East will dismiss: Hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Lords of Air, we thank you for your protection and aid in our rites this night, before you must depart for your bountiful realms, we beg your blessings upon us. Go if you must, stay if you will. Hail and farewell.

Pam and Orren take hands

Both: By our will made manifest,

We are holy,

We are blessed,

The Circle cast,

Now open be,

As it is said,

So mote it be.

All: So mote it be.