Waning Crescent to Dark Moon Ritual
December 2006
by Blayze

This ritual takes advantage of the last of the cleansing waning energies before the stillness of the dark moon and the renewal of the new moon.

Set-up
The altar is set in the centre of the circle. The black Dark Moon Shield serves as the altar top. The altar tools are crystal and glass to represent the last of the moon's light. The water is in the libation bowl which is boat shaped rather than round, as this represents a journey. There is a libation jug fill of red wine and a chalice of red wine also. A crystal bell is used for all calling and summoning.

The layering of the elemental energies over the the altar and libation bowls takes on a cleansing function and consecration of space within the circle cast, rather than as a separate act as within the Dark Moon ritual.

Ritual
All participants stand around the central altar and ground and centre. Those who will be working with the specific elements stand at the cardinal points around the altar.

Earth takes up the salt and mixes some into the libation bowl of water. 

Earth: “Womb of Earth, we ask you to cleanse us as you join with the sacred waters of life.” 

Water then takes libation bowl from the altar and asperges the circle.

Water: “We take this water, consecrated by earth and with it create the sacred space, between the worlds, beyond the ninth wave we journey”

Fire then lights the fire candle upon the altar and takes it around the circle. When they arrive back at the altar they place the fire candle within the libation bowl.

Fire: “Fire of insight, illuminate the world as we dance in the shadows of your creation.”

Air then takes crystal censer and takes it around the circle. They then cense the altar and the libation bowl.  After they have spoken they place the censer back upon the altar.

Air: “Breath of Air, cleanse this space as you carry divine messages upon the breeze”

HPS then takes the bell and forms the circle space with it. She walks the circle three times saying:

HPS: “By the ringing of the bell we cast this spell, to form and bless this temple well.”
“Once” when she returns to start
“Twice” on the next turn
“Thrice” on the final turn
“Our sacred space is born!”

Quarters then call elements silently but alert the quarters with the ringing of the bell.

All join hands for central invokation.

Central Invokation

HPS then takes up the libation jug of wine.

HPS: “We come together at the cusp of the waning moon and the dark. A time of mystery before the stillness. A time of cleansing between the worlds.

As the last crescent fades from view and turns to dark, so does the mirror's face!”

She then pours the red wine into the libation bowl where it mixes with salt, water, air and flame.

HPS: “Now is the time to shed our skins, to cleanse the last of the month's detritus from our bodies... there to rest in the stillness of the Dark and aid in the renewal of the moon at the New, cleansed and absorbed and re-empowered.”

She anoints each person on the forehead with the wine and water.

HPS: “Moon's blood, cleanse you.”

Everyone begins stamping and swaying and ridding themselves of the that which needs to be cleansed. They begin to move about the circle, dancing and chanting.

All: “Cleansed are we, renewed we'll be!”

When the dance peaks, all to channel the energy into the libation bowl.

A door is then cut in the circle and the HPS takes the libation bowl outside the circle. She carefully takes the candle from the bowl and pours out the liquid onto the ground, saying appropriate words.

She then comes back in, closes the gateway and places the empty bowl and the flame upon the altar.

She takes up the chalice of wine and speaks words to remind all that they now are in the period of stillness and prophecy. They enter this phase in a cleansed state.

All drink wine from the chalice as it is passed around.

All contemplate this mystery.

Share cakes.

Farewell Quarters with the bell.

Thank any deities called.

Close circle three times.