Dark Moon Ritual – July 2006.
By Blayze

Circle is set up in darkness with the only light coming from the Lamps of Art upon the altar.

Also on the altar is a jug containing water, a small vial of black ink, a candle in a glass holder (tall enough to be placed within the bowl when it is full of water), a taper, flying ointment and incense or a dried herb bundle.

In the centre of the circle is a large black bowl (preferably ceramic or glass). 

Circle cast.

Quarters called.

Priestess: Tonight is the dark of the moon. A time of mystery and stillness, of reflection and peace. A time to find the power of the tides within and to look beyond the bright face of the Mother. 

(Holds up bowl)

We stand in a world between worlds, a microcosm of all that is and will be. We call the stars into the bowl of night, and search for Her hidden face.

Priestess sings invokation: 

Lady of Darkness and Lady of Night
What message do you bring?
What song do you sing?
Dressed in the guise of the Raven, the Raven

With hair like ebony spun into silk
And eyes as black as coal
That stare and pierce my soul
Will you come for me, will you come for me
My Lady, My Lady 

Priestess hands the bowl to Earth who holds it up and then places it on the ground once more.

Earth: Womb of earth we call upon thee to contain our magic this night.

Fire takes candle/holder and taper from the altar. Lights the taper from the altar candles and places the candle/holder within the bowl. 

Fire lights the candle in the bowl.

Fire: Fire of insight, let the shadow of thy dancing flame guide us this night.

Water takes jug from the altar and carefully pours water into the bowl, around the base of the candle/holder.

Water: Waters of life, joined are we by the call of the tides. Be thou our mirror this night.

Air takes up the incense or herb bundle from the altar and lights it from the candle in the bowl.

Air: Sweet breath of air, lend thy power to the wings of night’s messengers, for the good of all here gathered.

Priestess (or Spirit) takes up ink vial from the altar and carefully pours it into the water in the bowl.

Priestess: As the light of the moon turns from silver to black, so does the mirror’s face. 

As above and so below, let the power of spirit flow. 

Priestess anoints each participant with flying ointment (on the third eye). As she anoints she can say the line “as above…” to each person.

When all are anointed, participants to begin dancing around the bowl. They chant as they dance.

The object is to raise energy and to continue the dance until one person remains. This is the person who will be the scryer.

Chant:
Dark the Moon and dark the Night
Bring the gift of second sight 

Chant builds in speed and dynamics as the dancers circle the bowl. HPS or another participant(s) can drum for the dancers.

Eventually participants will drop out of the circle and collapse upon the ground. They can sit and let images come to them. 

The last dancer looks into the central scrying bowl. Any drumming to cease at this point.

Priestess allows an appropriate amount of time to pass. She may begin to drum quietly to bring participants out of trance, or use either a bell or singing bowl in the same way. Basically she needs to give them a sound to follow ‘home’.

Priestess: Still the wind, and still the earth, still the flame before the birth. Return ye now from whence ye came, from moon and star to earthly plane. So mote it be.

When all are back, participants can either discuss their experiences or have cakes and ale first.

Perform cakes and ale.

Farewell quarters

Thank deities.

Allow the candle to burn out.

Close circle.