Full Moon Ritual Script - February 2024
For the Full Moon Esbat this month, I'm in charge of leading it and writing the script! I got the OK to share the script online, so here it is! If you'd like to use it, please tag me in it!
DO NOT INTERACT: TERFS, SWERFS, TRANSMEDS, ANTI-TRANSUNITISM, TRANSPHOBIC, HOMOPHOBIC, EXCLUSIONISTS, CONSERVATIVE, NAZI, TRADWIVES, ANTISEMITIC, ANTI-BLM, ANTI-ASIAN, XENOPHOBIC, ABLEIST, ANTI-POP CULTURE PAGANISM
Meditation
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Feel the air come in through your nose and out through your mouth. Take a moment to center yourself.
You find yourself at the entryway to a lush forest in the middle of the night. There is a light dusting of snow on the ground and the pine trees in front of you, and a slight chill to the air that leaves goosebumps on your skin, but not too cold that it becomes uncomfortable. You feel pulled to enter the forest, a gentle energy calling you from deep within the woods. You make your way in, the snow and branches crunching under your footsteps.
As you venture through the forest, you see small shrubs and tiny, white primroses beginning to bloom. The plants line your pathway as you find your way, helping you along. As you go deeper, you encounter a fork in the path. As you ponder which way to go, the voice that called you into the forest calls you again. You look up and notice a white owl standing on a branch leading to one of the paths, and it hoots, beckoning for you to follow.
You follow the owl, its wings almost angelic as it flies from tree to tree. Come with me, you feel it say as it leads you. It acts as a guide, preventing you from straying from the path. The trees thin out as you continue, and you reach the opening of a glade. The owl stops and turns its head towards the open space. Here we are, you hear in your mind.
As you step into the open space, you are greeted by a large lake. The light of the Moon ripples off of the waves, and you are shown Her Divine energy. The Moon glows, radiating Her gentle, guiding power. It radiates from the lake, filling you with calming energy. Come, My child, she calls to you. In Her Full Mother phase, She invites you to come near the waters. Be Blessed by my energy. You take off your shoes and dip your toes into the water, chilly but filled with cleansing power.
Think of what you yearn most for, and look into My waters. You look into the water, watching your reflection in the waves. You see your reflection morph into your manifestations, the successes to come as the Full Moon shows Her strength. You feel your body rejuvenated, not only by the power of the Moon Goddess but also by your own strength and will to meet your accomplishments. You are Blessed by Her, full of renewed power for the coming year.
My chosen animal will guide your way home, She says. Do not forget your blessing, and feel My energy with you every day. You thank the Moon Goddess for her guidance and energy, bowing your head in respect. You step out of the water and slip your shoes back on. The water The Moon cleansed you with is not uncomfortable or soaking your shoes. The owl hoots once more and flaps its wings, calling for you. You follow it through the grove, the Moon’s guiding light shining as you return from where you came.
As we end this meditation, center yourself and take another deep breath. Feel your feet ground you as you return to this plane. Once you are ready, slowly open your eyes.
Chant & Calling the Quarters
We’ll sing “We Are a Circle” now. Feel free to stand, but don’t feel pressured to.
ALL: We are a circle within a circle, with no beginning and never-ending. (x3)
Form circle deosil around the group with wand (x1) to the pace of the chant
Now, to call the quarters.
East/Air Quarter Caller: Guardians of the East, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of knowledge and wisdom, guided by Air, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!
Light yellow candle
ALL: Hail and welcome.
South/Fire Quarter Caller: Guardians of the South, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of energy and will, guided by Fire, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!
Light red candle
ALL: Hail and welcome.
West/Water Quarter Caller: Guardians of the West, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of passion and emotion, guided by Water, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!
Light blue candle
ALL: Hail and welcome.
North/Earth Quarter Caller: Guardians of the North, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of endurance and strength, guided by Earth, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!
Light green candle
ALL: Hail and welcome.
Center/Spirit Quarter Caller: Guardians of Above and Below, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of grounding and balance, guided by Spirit, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!
Light white and black candles
ALL: Hail and welcome.
The Meaning of the Moon
February’s Full Moon, also known as the Snow Moon, is named for the time of year when snow is typically at its heaviest. It’s also known as the Quickening Moon due to many animals expecting birth and the “quickening” of the Earth below our feet in the spring, or the Hunger Moon, because of the difficulty of finding food during the harsh winter months. While the nights are getting shorter, winter is not yet behind us.
Nonetheless, it’s a time to celebrate new beginnings, courage, and self-reflection. It’s a time to mark the completion of a cycle and meditate on what you’ve done not only successfully, but where to improve in the future. The Snow Moon shows there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and the warmth of spring in the coming months will bring new joy.
The Snow Moon for 2024 is under Virgo, symbolizing purification, healing, and grounding. The energy around you changes with the Moon’s phases, allowing for further growth and banishment of negative energy. Spring is on its way, and the old thought patterns of 2023 are now behind us.
Writing and organization are also key themes. You may have felt the urge to pick up a paper and pen or clean your workspace, which is typical and encouraged! It’s an excellent time to start Spring cleaning and make your home and hearth comfortable as we await the colorful blooms that Ostara will bring in March.
As displayed in the Triple Moon Goddess, the Full Moon is the Mother. According to Jung’s theory of the Collective Unconscious, the Mother is a symbol of the Divine Feminine, filled with nurturing, loving, and compassionate energy. Examples of the Mother include the Goddesses Demeter and Selene from the Hellenic pantheon, Ceres from Roman mythology, or the Badb from Celtic lore. The archetype persists in Pagan influences and other religious influences in pop culture, such as Selûne from The Forgotten Realms or The Dolorosa from Homestuck. (Author's note: I know The Dolorosa is based on The Virgin Mary, but She still embodies the Mother archetype)
As the Earth slowly awakens around us for the changing seasons, She is there to guide us. The Mother represents growth, new life, and the love of all creatures on Earth. Though it may seem slow, new life is beginning to bloom. Her earthly womb is fertile, and the Spring will offer birth to all manner of flora and fauna. As the Full Moon rises above, Her Grace will continue to bloom.
Cone of Power
Now, for the Cone of Power. Stand if you’re able, with hands linked. Left hand under, right hand over.
ALL: Ancient Lady, Ancient Moon
Rising now above us
We gather in Your sacred grove
Asking that You bless us.
Repeat louder & faster until energy is built, then call release.
Drawing Cards & Intentions
Full Moons are a time particularly suited for divination and connected to the Fae, as it was thought they’d be particularly active under the light of the Full Moon. I invite each of you to pull a card from my Fairy Tarot deck.
Walk around with deck fanned and allow each person to pull one card.
Inspect the card. Look at the imagery in the artwork. Read the description at the bottom of the card. Now, take this information in. Think of how it applies to your accomplishments this past Moon cycle and what you want to manifest in the future. It’s time to be grateful for yourself and your power and celebrate big and small events.
Pass around papers and pens.
With these in mind, take a paper and pen and write your intention for the coming weeks. It can be anything. For example, good health, time for relaxation, or the energy you need for practicing your Craft at home. Once you’ve written your intention, fold it up and place it in the cauldron. We’ll light it at the end of the night.
Simple Feast
It's time for cakes and ale. We have unleaded, ________________ provided by ________________, and leaded, ________________ provided by ________________. We also have ________________ for cakes, provided by ________________.
Pass around wafers, cups, and drinks.
May you never hunger.
ALL: May you never hunger.
May you never thirst.
ALL: May you never thirst.
Dismissing the Quarters & Farewell
Now, to thank the quarters.
North/Earth Quarter Caller: Guardians of the North, powers of endurance and strength, guided by Earth, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!
Extinguish green candle
ALL: Hail and farewell.
West/Water Quarter Caller: Guardians of the West, powers of passion and emotion, guided by Water, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!
Extinguish blue candle
ALL: Hail and farewell.
South/Fire Quarter Caller: Guardians of the South, powers of energy and will, guided by Fire, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!
Extinguish red candle
ALL: Hail and farewell.
East/Air Quarter Caller: Guardians of the East, powers of knowledge and wisdom, guided by Air, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!
Extinguish yellow candle
ALL: Hail and farewell.
Center/Spirit Quarter Caller: Guardians of Above and Below, powers of grounding and balance, guided by Spirit, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!
Extinguish white and black candles
ALL: Hail and farewell.
The Circle is open, yet the Circle remains as its magical power is drawn back into us.
ALL: Merry meet, and Merry part, and Merry meet again! So mote it be.
Bibliography
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Special thanks to @elunoir-unlovable for the help with the native pronunciation of Badb!
