COTH Full Moon Ritual - Maiden Mother Crone
by Blayze, Bird and Brand
(Adapted from Moon ritual format by Patricia Crowther – Lid Off The Cauldron)

This ritual is a combination and revelation of Men's mysteries and their relationship with the Triple Goddess at the Full Moon. 

Men to gather and set up the circle. Upon the altar is a large mirror, and three glass candle holders (yellow, red and purple – or clear, red and black) There is also an aspergum as well as the usual altar tools.

The Maiden, Mother and Crone wait outside the circle. Maiden is dressed in White, Mother in Red and Crone is cloaked in black.

The men cast the circle and call the quarters. After the central Invocation, the HP performs a Drawing Down The Moon to call the Maiden, Mother and Crone into the circle. After he performs the invocation he cuts a doorway into the circle. The three women enter the circle one at a time.

Maiden enters the circle and lights the yellow candle with a taper – taking the flame from the Goddess candle upon the altar.

Maiden turns and speaks to the men about new beginnings and potential. She places her candle upon the altar. She then moves to stand on one side of the altar.

Mother enters the circle and lights the red candle with a  taper – taking the flame from the Goddess candle upon the altar.

Mother turns and speaks to the men about the full moon and fertility of ideas and energy. She places her candle upon the altar. She then moves to stand on the other side of the altar.

Crone enters the circle and lights the  purple candle with a  taper – taking the flame from the Goddess candle upon the altar. 

Crone turns and speaks to the men about the turning of tides and completion. She places her candle upon the altar. She faces the men once more.

The three then move to the altar and take their candles. They bend down and reflect the flames in the mirror that faces the men.

After a short period of time the women then place the candles back on the altar and move to the centre of the circle. 

They dance around the circle nine times chanting.

Three in one, one in three, bright and light and dark are we! 

The first three circles the women are apart.

The next three they hold hands.

The final three they have their arms around each other's waists.

At the end of the chant they hold for a moment and then break apart. They then take from the altar one object each. Maiden takes the aspergum, Mother takes her candle, Crone her athame.

They stand before the men, Maiden facing the left, Mother in Centre (facing forwards) and Crone facing the right. They say the chant once more.

Three in one and one in three, bright and light and dark are we! 

They hold up their objects  and each of the men are then questioned about what each aspect means to them.

The men each make an observation (the Maiden, Mother and Crone may comment upon these as to their own natures).

When the discussion is complete, all three place their object back upon the altar. The mother takes the chalice and holds it in front of her. The Maiden and Crone kneel on either side of her and support the chalice. The Mother then performs the Charge of the Moon.

I am She who rides the night skies
I am She who sings in the tides
I am She who bathes the hills in silver, shining bright.

Hold up a mirror to see my face
Gaze upon still waters
Chant my names and I will hear your call.

I am the maiden of the stolen glance
I am the mother of the sacred dance
I am the crone who knows the secrets you hide in the dark.

I am the giver of blessing to those who look beyond my bright face,
For I am the moon and I am always with thee.

She takes takes the wine around to each of the men, kissing them in turn. Maiden and Crone drink and then the chalice is replaced on the altar.

The men are then invited to scry into the mirror one by one.

As the men come up to scry the women chant:

Three in one, one in three, bright and light and dark are we! 

When all of the men have scried, the Maiden, Mother and Crone take the cakes from the altar.

They assume the same positions as with the chalice and the Mother blesses the cakes. She takes them around again.

The Maiden, Mother and Crone then depart the circle leaving the men to farewell and close.