Dark Moon Ritual – May 2006
By Blayze

Preparation:
Altar & Altar Tools
Brazier / Kindling / Logs (if indoors use camp oven / meths)
Cauldron containing Brew
Chalice and ladle
Drums
Scrying bowl / black mirror

Offerings:
1 stick of appropriate wood per person (Apple used for Applegrove)
1 bowl of mixed barks – sacred woods or herbs
1 cauldron of brew (Mulled Apple Juice with Whiskey)
Flying Ointment 

Set up
Offering bowls and ointment are placed upon the altar.
Hot cauldron and ladle are placed beside cauldron
Elemental lanterns are placed in each quarter
Fire is lit before ritual begins.

Ritual

Blessing of Salt and Water
I consecrate and bless this salt and water, in the names of our Gods and our Ancestors

Blessing of Air and Fire
I consecrate and bless this salt and water, in the names of our Gods and our Ancestors

Circle Cast
By the blade a circle born, between the worlds a boundary formed, by the powers raised herein, to guard without and hold within, be this circle cast.

Quarters
Face East: I call to the Raven of the East, messenger from the dark to the dawn. I ask that you join with us this night.

Face North: I call to the Dingo of the North, hunter of the desert realm. I ask that you join with us this night.

Face West: I call to the Barramundi of the West, swift one of the rivers and streams. I ask that you join with us this night.

Face South: I call the to Wombat of the South, dweller in the deep earth. I ask that you join with us this night.

Central Invokation
Our Lady of the Moon and Our Lord of Death and Resurrection, we do build this circle, a place sacred and apart in thine honour. Descend we pray and fill this place with thy love and thy power this night.

All to stand around fire and join hands as the invokation is sung.

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

Mine own eyes reflect your stare
As I gaze into the light
We are one, born into the night
As the Raven, the Raven.

So mote it be (spoken)

HPS gives each person a stick of wood. She places her stick into the flames as an offering uttering words she feels are appropriate.

Each person does the same, they speak during the offering if they wish.

When each person has made their offering, the HPS then takes up the bowl of sacred barks. Again she offers some to the flames with appropriate inspired utterance.

The bowl is handed around and each person makes their own offering.

The HPS then fills the chalice with the brew. She gives one person the chalice to drain and libate a couple of drops. When the cup is empty she re-fills it and gives it to the next person who libates and drinks. This continues around the circle with the HPS drinking last.

HPS returns chalice to the altar and then takes up the flying ointment. She anoints each person on their third eye. 

When all have been anointed the HPS instructs the participants in the chant they will use as they dance around the fire. 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 flames. 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. (If several dancers collapse at the same time, leave scrying bowl and just let everyone seek the messages that come to them).

The last dancer is given the scrying bowl and is tranced down into it. HPS and participants start to hum and intone.

Once the scryer is tranced down, questions can be asked.

When the scryer is ready to return they are brought back out of trance and given food and drink.

Cakes and Ale.

Farewell Quarters
Face East:
Raven of the Eastern Skies, messenger of darkness to the dawn, we thank you for your presence here and ‘ere you depart for the Eastern Realms we bid you Hail and Farewell!

Face North:
Dingo of the North, hunter of desert sands, we thank you for your presence here and ‘ere you depart for the Northern Realms we bid you Hail and Farewell!

Face West:
Barramundi of the West, swift one of rivers and streams, we thank you for your presence here and ‘ere you depart for the Western Realms we bid you Hail and Farewell!

Face South:
Wombat of the South, dweller in deep earth, we thank you for your presence here and ‘ere you depart for the Southern Realms we bid you Hail and Farewell!

Dryghton

Close Circle
By the earth that is Her body
By the air of Her sweet breath
By the fire of Her bright spirit
And by the water that is Her blood
May the circle be open, but unbroken
Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet Again!