"Rituals," in MY world, are simply anything one does to bring one's self peace of mind (yes Christians, even reading your bible is a ritual).
Monthly Pagan Moon Rituals
January is known as the Wolf Moon by those of olden times. They would have recommended that you plan your self/family a ritual of protection around your home and your family.
In days of old, February was known as the Storm Moon. It is believed that this is the time of the year that they would ask the Old Ones for help in planning their future endeavors.
March, oddly enough, was known as the Chaste Moon; in which this time of the year they would come to terms with their current desires.
April, seemingly the favorite of almost every denomination or group out there, is known as the Seed Moon. Namingly so because its the best time to plant your seeds, both mentally & physically. For is April not the month of spring time?
May seems to me to be a month of reassurance. Its like even in times of old, we needed to remind ourselves that we were and are doing what we should and need to be doing. The Hare Moon, seemingly a perfect time to plan yourself a ritual to reaffirm your personal goals... you know, because that wild hare in us just wants to be free of all of our obligations.
June seems to be known as the Dyad Moon by those of old; a time when they would plan a ritual to balance their spiritual and their physical desires, something many of us seem to let ourselves forget to do in todays day and age.
July, ah, the sweet smells of summer time(at least in the Northern Hemisphere). The Mead Moon, it seems to tell us to sit back and sip on something with some honey while you decide what you will do once your goals have been met.
August, the Wort Moon, when people of olden times would plan a ritual to help themselves preserve what they had already accomplished throughout the year.
September, the month known as the Barley Moon, is a month set aside for the giving of thanks to all of the beings in this universe that make us, or have made us, what we are today.
October, everyones erie favorite, the Blood Moon. Which is once again a month dedicated to being thankful for all we have and all we are and all of which that has made us what we are.
By the people from times of old, November was known to be the Snow Moon. A time in which they would prepare a ritual to rid themselves of negative thoughts and vibrations, for no one wanted(or wants) to carry the previous years negativity on with them throughout the new comming year.
Peaceful December, also known as the time of the Oak Moon. A time to remind ourselves that we must remain steadfast in our convictions to ourselves and to those in our lives(no matter how small their part in our lives are).
**Information on this topic was sourced from:
healing.about.com/od/moon_magick/a/full-moon-ritual.htm
January is known as the Wolf Moon by those of olden times. They would have recommended that you plan your self/family a ritual of protection around your home and your family.
In days of old, February was known as the Storm Moon. It is believed that this is the time of the year that they would ask the Old Ones for help in planning their future endeavors.
March, oddly enough, was known as the Chaste Moon; in which this time of the year they would come to terms with their current desires.
April, seemingly the favorite of almost every denomination or group out there, is known as the Seed Moon. Namingly so because its the best time to plant your seeds, both mentally & physically. For is April not the month of spring time?
May seems to me to be a month of reassurance. Its like even in times of old, we needed to remind ourselves that we were and are doing what we should and need to be doing. The Hare Moon, seemingly a perfect time to plan yourself a ritual to reaffirm your personal goals... you know, because that wild hare in us just wants to be free of all of our obligations.
June seems to be known as the Dyad Moon by those of old; a time when they would plan a ritual to balance their spiritual and their physical desires, something many of us seem to let ourselves forget to do in todays day and age.
July, ah, the sweet smells of summer time(at least in the Northern Hemisphere). The Mead Moon, it seems to tell us to sit back and sip on something with some honey while you decide what you will do once your goals have been met.
August, the Wort Moon, when people of olden times would plan a ritual to help themselves preserve what they had already accomplished throughout the year.
September, the month known as the Barley Moon, is a month set aside for the giving of thanks to all of the beings in this universe that make us, or have made us, what we are today.
October, everyones erie favorite, the Blood Moon. Which is once again a month dedicated to being thankful for all we have and all we are and all of which that has made us what we are.
By the people from times of old, November was known to be the Snow Moon. A time in which they would prepare a ritual to rid themselves of negative thoughts and vibrations, for no one wanted(or wants) to carry the previous years negativity on with them throughout the new comming year.
Peaceful December, also known as the time of the Oak Moon. A time to remind ourselves that we must remain steadfast in our convictions to ourselves and to those in our lives(no matter how small their part in our lives are).
**Information on this topic was sourced from:
healing.about.com/od/moon_magick/a/full-moon-ritual.htm
Full Moon Time is a wonderful time for doing rituals.
Here are some examples of Full Moon Rituals by Selena Fox, created as part of her practice of the Circle Craft Tradition:
Greeting of the Rising Moon
When possible, do this rite outdoors- in a natural setting.
As the sun is setting, and at least fifteen minutes before moonrise,
go to a place with a good view of the rise of the Full Moon on the horizon.
Sit or stand meditatively, with your focus on the horizon.
Notice the glow appearing on the point of the horizon where the moon will rise.
As the moon rises, raise your arms up, speak or sing a welcome while doing so.
If you wish, follow this with a sitting or standing meditation.
Moonlight Bask
Go to a plae illuminated by the light of the Full Moon.
Turn off electric lights and other forms of illumination.
Meditate on yourself glowing with the moonlight as you lay down, sit, or stand.
You may want to hold a "sacred" tool or object as you do this- so that it, too, will bask in the moonlight.
When possible, do this rite outdoors;
if you must do this indoors, do it by a large window and if at all possible- open the window.
Moon Dance
In silence or With song, In rhytms or In raps, In solitude or In friendship;
Dance by the light of the Full Moon.
Begin by attuning yourself to the moon and one or more associated aspects of the Divine.
Then, dance estaticly in free form and/or folk dance styles.
When you are done sit meditatively and give thanks.
Drawing Down the Moon
"Drawing Down the Moon," refers to ritually connecting with the power and wisdom of a Full Moon divinity
.
In some Wiccan traditions; this is done by a priest of a group, calling the Moon Goddess into the priestess in order for her to become the 'living embodiment' of the deity during the ritual.
However, there are also other types of Drawing Down the Moon rituals.
In the Circle Craft Tradition,
all participants in a group ritual "Draw Down the Moon" by simotaneously evoking the Moon Goddess within themselves.
We also "Draw Down the Moon" as a personal rite by the following method:
Do a personal "Drawing Down the Moon" in a private place where you are not likely to be disturbed.
Create a sacred Space.
Then, hold your arms above your head, curving them slightly and holding your palms toward each other-
so that as you do this you get a great sense of being a great chalice.
Invoke the Full mooon goddess, or some other Full Moon Divine, from which you wish to link with.
As you do the invokation, call to mind the image of a shining disc of moonlight coming down into yourself through your sacred chalice posture. Drink in the power, wisdom, and light of the moon goddess.
Then slowly move your arms so that your hands overlap each other on your heart area.
Experience yourself as becoming one with the disk of moonlight and ithe moon goddess.
Experience yourself glowing with Lunar radience, power, and wisdom and continue to resonate for several minutes.
Then recieve, reflect on, and remember your experiences and/or any guidance that comes to you.
When you sense it is time to enol the ritual, give thanks to the Moon Goddess and Sacred Moon.
Then end the ritual & eat some food to aid in grounding.
Write about your experiences.
Moon Mirror Healing
Place a silvered mirror, face up on an alter or other sacred place so that the light of the Full Moon shines upon it.
In the center of the mirror, place a symbol to represent the one seekeing healing.
The symbol could be a photo, crystal, lit candle, piece of jewlery, lock of hair, name on a card, or some other object.
Use the symbol on the mirror in the moonlight as a focal point as you imagine the one needing healing is becoming well and then is healthy.
After the ritual, deliver the symbol to the subject of the healing.
Cleanse the mirror you are using by washing it with a mugwart potion or passing it thru mugwart smoke-
Or some other cleansing incense so that the mirror will be ready to use for other healing works in the future.
Chalice of Spiritual Wisdom
Fill a chalice, cup, or other drinking vessel with clean and delicious water- preferably from a well or spring.
Hold the Chalice up so that the light of the Full Moon shines upon the water it contains.
Honor the Divine as Full Moon with an invokation or chant.
Ask the Divine to energize the water and bless you with spiritual wisdom.
Then drink of the water in the chalice, meditate, and pay attention to any guiedance you recieve as you do this.
Give Thanks.
Pour out any leftover water in the Chalice-
as an offering onto the land where you did the Ritual or give it to a tree or other plants.
Here are some examples of Full Moon Rituals by Selena Fox, created as part of her practice of the Circle Craft Tradition:
Greeting of the Rising Moon
When possible, do this rite outdoors- in a natural setting.
As the sun is setting, and at least fifteen minutes before moonrise,
go to a place with a good view of the rise of the Full Moon on the horizon.
Sit or stand meditatively, with your focus on the horizon.
Notice the glow appearing on the point of the horizon where the moon will rise.
As the moon rises, raise your arms up, speak or sing a welcome while doing so.
If you wish, follow this with a sitting or standing meditation.
Moonlight Bask
Go to a plae illuminated by the light of the Full Moon.
Turn off electric lights and other forms of illumination.
Meditate on yourself glowing with the moonlight as you lay down, sit, or stand.
You may want to hold a "sacred" tool or object as you do this- so that it, too, will bask in the moonlight.
When possible, do this rite outdoors;
if you must do this indoors, do it by a large window and if at all possible- open the window.
Moon Dance
In silence or With song, In rhytms or In raps, In solitude or In friendship;
Dance by the light of the Full Moon.
Begin by attuning yourself to the moon and one or more associated aspects of the Divine.
Then, dance estaticly in free form and/or folk dance styles.
When you are done sit meditatively and give thanks.
Drawing Down the Moon
"Drawing Down the Moon," refers to ritually connecting with the power and wisdom of a Full Moon divinity
.
In some Wiccan traditions; this is done by a priest of a group, calling the Moon Goddess into the priestess in order for her to become the 'living embodiment' of the deity during the ritual.
However, there are also other types of Drawing Down the Moon rituals.
In the Circle Craft Tradition,
all participants in a group ritual "Draw Down the Moon" by simotaneously evoking the Moon Goddess within themselves.
We also "Draw Down the Moon" as a personal rite by the following method:
Do a personal "Drawing Down the Moon" in a private place where you are not likely to be disturbed.
Create a sacred Space.
Then, hold your arms above your head, curving them slightly and holding your palms toward each other-
so that as you do this you get a great sense of being a great chalice.
Invoke the Full mooon goddess, or some other Full Moon Divine, from which you wish to link with.
As you do the invokation, call to mind the image of a shining disc of moonlight coming down into yourself through your sacred chalice posture. Drink in the power, wisdom, and light of the moon goddess.
Then slowly move your arms so that your hands overlap each other on your heart area.
Experience yourself as becoming one with the disk of moonlight and ithe moon goddess.
Experience yourself glowing with Lunar radience, power, and wisdom and continue to resonate for several minutes.
Then recieve, reflect on, and remember your experiences and/or any guidance that comes to you.
When you sense it is time to enol the ritual, give thanks to the Moon Goddess and Sacred Moon.
Then end the ritual & eat some food to aid in grounding.
Write about your experiences.
Moon Mirror Healing
Place a silvered mirror, face up on an alter or other sacred place so that the light of the Full Moon shines upon it.
In the center of the mirror, place a symbol to represent the one seekeing healing.
The symbol could be a photo, crystal, lit candle, piece of jewlery, lock of hair, name on a card, or some other object.
Use the symbol on the mirror in the moonlight as a focal point as you imagine the one needing healing is becoming well and then is healthy.
After the ritual, deliver the symbol to the subject of the healing.
Cleanse the mirror you are using by washing it with a mugwart potion or passing it thru mugwart smoke-
Or some other cleansing incense so that the mirror will be ready to use for other healing works in the future.
Chalice of Spiritual Wisdom
Fill a chalice, cup, or other drinking vessel with clean and delicious water- preferably from a well or spring.
Hold the Chalice up so that the light of the Full Moon shines upon the water it contains.
Honor the Divine as Full Moon with an invokation or chant.
Ask the Divine to energize the water and bless you with spiritual wisdom.
Then drink of the water in the chalice, meditate, and pay attention to any guiedance you recieve as you do this.
Give Thanks.
Pour out any leftover water in the Chalice-
as an offering onto the land where you did the Ritual or give it to a tree or other plants.