In two previous articles, we covered the basic steps present in most Wiccan rituals (Ritual Construction) and some important things to keep in mind when writing your own ritual (Composing a Ritual,) be it a solitary or group ritual. Now, I’ll give an example of a Full Moon ritual based upon these steps and key points to keep in mind.

This ritual is written for the solitary practitioner, but could be converted for a small group of 2 -3 people; it would not be suitable for any more than that. It is written to include only the most basic of items, for it is the intention and sincerity of the person performing the ritual that matters most –not the number of shiny tools and flaming candles.

The purpose is to align the person performing the ritual with Lunar energies and allow them to more strongly feel the effects, power, and influence of the Moon within their lives. It calls upon the Elements and Deity in the guise of Moon and Sun. This ritual is suitable to be performed in or outdoors, and should take less than an hour to complete.

If you have any questions as to format, word usage, intent, etc, don’t hesitate to comment or contact me for clarification.

For this ritual you will need:

• Four Stones (about the size of your hand or larger, any type, shape, or color) or Four Candles
• One White Candle (preferably a pillar style or taper in a candle holder)

Purification

• Begin first by purifying yourself. This can be done through a basic Ground and Center exercise: close your eyes, breathe deeply, and as you exhale feel all stress and worries leave on your breath: breathe out all that could prevent you from focusing fully on this ritual. Repeat this until you feel light and focused.
• Next purify the space. Move any debris or furniture out of the way so that you have enough space to move about comfortably. 

Creation of Sacred Space

• Set about the Stones or Candles so that there is one at each compass point: North, East, South, and West. 
• Set the White Candle at the Center of your space.
• Light the Candle (if you’re using Candles at the Quarters, light these first, beginning at North, then East, then South, and finishing at West; light the Center Candle last.)
• Ground and Center again, if you need to.

Casting the Circle

• Pick up the Center Candle and walk to the North Stone. 
• Walk the perimeter of the Circle, clockwise, holding the Candle in one hand, your other hand sweeps the edge of the Circle. Chant these, or similar words:

                                                                Cast about a Circle, round;
                                                               Strong as Iron, Light as Sound.

• Return the Candle to the Center. 
  

Inviting various Spirits and Deities

Calling the Quarters: Invoking the Elements

• Stand before the North Stone/Candle, raise your arms, and say:
  

                                                       The Moon shines bright upon the Earth;
                                                              All are gathered in Her praise.

• Feel the Element of Earth arrive at your Circle. 
• Stand before the East Stone/Candle, raise your arms, and say:

                                                             The Night Air decked in Silver light,
                                                             All are gathered to sing Her praise.

• Feel the Element of Air arrive at your Circle.
• Stand before the South Stone/Candle, raise your arms, and say:

                                                        A flash of Silver, stirring the Fire within us,
                                                    All who gather feel the warmth of Her embrace.

• Feel the Element of Fire arrive at your Circle.
• Stand before the West Stone/Candle, raise your arms, and say:

                                                 Tidal waters and emotions surge in Her presence,
                                                                    All are gathered in Her love.

• Feel the Element of Water arrive at your Circle. Return to the Center of your Circle. Feel the Elemental Energies and the energy of your cast Circle around you.
  

 Calling the Gods: Lady Luna and Lord Sol

• Center yourself again, if needed.
• Remain at the Center of the Circle. Raise your arms and Call the Lady, saying:

                                                             Sweet Mother of the Starry Night,
                                                                     Shining One of Beauty,
                                                          Descend here, with Your Silver Light,
                                                               Bless me with Your presence.

• Pause and feel the gentle tingle around you and through you as the Lady arrives.
• Center yourself again, if needed.
• Cross your arms across your chest, fists at your shoulders. Hold your head high and Call the Lord, saying:

                                                             Strong Father of the Radiant Day,
                                                                        Fiery One of Glory,
                                                           Descend here, with Your Golden Ray,
                                                                Bless me with Your presence.

• Pause and feel the warm tingle around you and through you as the Lord arrives.
  

Body of Work: Honoring the Goddess at the Full Moon

• Center yourself again, if needed.
• Pick up the Center Candle. Gaze at its flame for a moment, close your eyes and hold it aloft. Feel the Silver energy of the Moon swirling around you.

                                                              Mother Goddess, riding high,
                                                                   shining down upon us,
                                                           Silver light that casts no Shadow,
                                                            the Sun bows in Your presence.
                                                      
                                                            All are gathered here before You,
                                                              singing praises in Your name.
                                                                    Glorious Celestial One,
                                                           Within, Without: All are the same.

                                                             Simple flame lit in Your honor,
                                                                naught that can compare,
                                                            wrap me in Your silver essence,
                                                              Your love, that I might share.

• Pause and feel the Lunar energies about you. Focus on the point where you end and those energies begin, focus until that point disappears. Breath deep, and know the Lady’s presence.
  

Thanking the attending Spirits and Deities

Thanking the Gods: as One

• Stand, arms raised, and say these or similar words:
  

                                                               Merciful Mother, Fearsome Father,
                                                                      I stand here, your Child,
                                                     Thankful for All that I am: All that You have given.
                                                        Though, often I may forget my place in It All,
                                                        Always am I aware of my Connection to It All.
                                                                     In Your Honor and Grace.

• Extinguish the Center Candle.
  

Thanking the Elements

• Stand at the North Stone/Candle, arms raised, and say these or similar words:
  

                                                 The Lady sleeps and all the Earth is quiet.

• Stand at the West Stone/Candle, arms raised, and say:
  

                                                 The Lady sleeps and deep Waters hold still.

• Stand at the South Stone/Candle, arms raised, and say:
  

                                                    The Lady sleeps and Embers grow cold.

• Stand at the East Stone/Candle, arms raised, and say:
  

                                                 The Lady sleeps and the Winds are stayed.

Dissolving Sacred Space

• Stand at the North Stone/Candle, walk the perimeter of the Circle, counterclockwise. Have one hand sweep the edge of the Circle as you walk, pulling the energy of the Circle back into you.
• The Circle is open and the Rite is ended.

There almost always seems to be a little confusion as to these two terms. Often, too, they seem to be used interchangeably -which only adds to the confusion!

So, let's see if we can't set some things straight. 

The Dark Moon
Astronomically, this refers to the period when the Moon is not visible in the sky. This lasts between 1-3 days, depending upon your location. This is the period between the end of the Waning Moon up to and including the very start of the Waxing Moon, when the Moon is again illuminated by the Sun.

Astrologically and magickally, this refers to the period when the Moon is not illuminated in any way, it is the period between the end of the Waning Moon and the start of the Waxing Moon. 

The New Moon
Astronomically, this refers to the Midpoint of the Dark Moon, the time of which the Moon is exactly between phases, i.e. Waxing and Waning, as such, all times given for the New Moon on calendars, and even on the NASA website, are the Midpoint, the peak of, the Dark Moon.

Astrologically and magickally, this refers to the very beginning of the Waxing Moon, when the Moon is again illuminated by the Sun; that very first Crescent of Moon in the Sky.


I personally prefer to use the astrological and magickal definitions as I feel they are the most accurate. Also, it's interesting to note that these are fairly older definitions to these terms, being used originally as part of maritime, astronomical, and common vocabulary.

Perhaps the most misunderstood of all the Lunar Phases, though the Dark Moon is a very powerful and strong aspect, this energy is not well suited to magickal workings. At this time the force of the Moon’s energy is lessened so attempts to utilize it to one’s goal rarely pan out. 

However, though the energy is less, the effects are still just as great: the diminished amount and momentary absence causes its own sort of reaction, greatly different from that of its counter the Full Moon. These effects can be felt, on the one hand, as a feeling of restlessness and unease, anticipation and expectation. But on the other hand, the effects of the Dark Moon can manifest in us as tenuous emotions, heightened aggravation, and general impatience. 

It is during the Waning Moon, as the Lady grows smaller, that we are confronted by the energy of the Crone. But, come the Dark Moon, the Hag turns Her face away, and we are left to confront our shared destiny; the Dark Moon is a reminder of endings, of release, and of death. 

This is an in between time, a time of transition and change, of leaving one aspect behind us and preparing to enter another.

Beneath a Dark Moon our Lady takes pause and so, too, should we. Now is the time for reflection and careful consideration, now is the time to turn inwards and confront the shadows. 

The Moon can be a powerful ally for Witches. As an ever changing, cyclic being, Her energies can be used for any type of magickal goal one can think of. All that's required to successfully work with Her is a little bit of background information, then there's no limit to the ways you can utilize Her power in your magick.

The Lunar Cycle is divided into four phases, both astronomically and astrologically. The cycle “begins” with the New Moon, a tiny crescent gleaming in the sky just as the Sun sets, first appearing 1-3 days after the Dark Moon. This is the start of the First Quarter. At this time the Moon is referred to as a Waxing Crescent. The Moon waxes on (grows in size/light) until the Second Quarter, about a week later, when She’ll be half up lit up, a half circle (in the Northern Hemisphere: light on the right side, dark on the left, in the Southern Hemisphere: light on the left side, dark on the right*.) From now till the Full Moon, She is called a Waxing Gibbous. 

The Full Moon occurs about 2 weeks after the New Moon and is the end of the 2nd Quarter and the beginning of the 3rd Quarter Moon. The 3rd Quarter lasts until the Moon is again only half lit up in the sky, this time in the opposite direction, though (in the Northern Hemisphere: light on the left side, dark on the right, in the Southern Hemisphere: light on the right side, dark on the left;) this is the Waning Gibbous. Then, on till the Dark Moon, is the 4th Quarter Moon, the Waning Crescent. 

Each phases lasts about 1 week, with the entire Lunar Cycle comprising, roughly, 28 days.

Magickally, we find that the energy of the Moon varies during each phase and thus can be used for different magickal purposes. 

New Moon- new beginnings, great time to get started on long-term magick or spells that are cast over a period of time

Waxing Moon- as the Moon grows, so too does the amount of energy available: growth, expansion, increase, prosperity, fertility

Full Moon-the time of greatest power, a time of culmination and fruition: useful for healing, wishes, divination (especially scrying,) and strengthening your relationship with the Moon

Waning Moon- a time for decreasing magick: banishings, cleansings, purification, endings, protection

Dark Moon- a time of introspection and reflection, rest and preparation, a time for inner work: meditation, soul retrieval, astral travel, divination, Spirit communication

Acknowledging the Moon in all of Her phases will not only strengthen your connection with Her, thus making Her power more readily available to you, but it can foster a greater sense of balance and connection with all the Natural World.


* The different hemispheres see the Moon opposite (and upside down!) from each other's perspectives. In the Northern half, the light moves across the Moon from right to left, in the Southern half if moves from left to right.

Dark Moon
Lasting anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 days, depending upon location, the Dark Moon is highlighted by the New Moon. It is the end of one Lunar cycle, the beginning of another. This time is not suitable for magick. Turn your focus inward, find what needs to be fixed.

Waxing Crescent
First Quarter
A tiny sliver of Moon appears in the sky, steadily growing larger. This phase lasts for only about a week, but it is a great time to begin new tasks. Begin magick that needs time to build, culminating at the Full Moon, or magick that focuses on increase and opportunities.

Waxing Gibbous
Second Quarter
The power of the Moon grows strong and the force of the Full Moon will soon be felt. Magick and Spells started at the New Moon will have a good amount of energy behind them. This is a good time for strengthening that which has already been started, maintaining, adding last minute touches before the perfection of the Full Moon is upon us.

Full Moon
Rising at the setting of the Sun and setting at Dawn the next day, the effects of the Full Moon can be felt and Her energies utilized a full 3 days before and after the night of the Full Moon, making for a week's worth of magick.


Waning Gibbous
Third Quarter
The Lunar energies gradually decrease. Time for magick concerning banishings, cleansings, purification, endings, protection, and weight loss. Tye that which you wish to be rid of to the power of the Moon and as She descends into the shadows, so too, will  that which you need be done with.

Waning Crescent
Fourth Quarter
The Moon appears as just a sliver in the Sky, growing smaller with every passing night. Her force diminishes. With only a week left till the Dark Moon, now is the time to focus on completion: wrap up those spells you started last quarter and  begin preparations for the Dark Moon.