Contents and Information Needed for the Ritual:
The Altar should be in the center of the Circle of worship. The altar cloths can be any color. However, ritual school schemes can embellish the ceremony. For example, a black and white altar cloth could symbolize the night sky and the white moon. It can also represent the Black Pillar of the Tree of Life as designated as the feminine pillar and white as the color used for the symbolism of purity.
There are Three Trinity candles used during the Great Rite are typical white. However, Esbats do not usually observe the Great Rite. Instead, the Trinity Candles used are red for Jesus, white for the Father and black for the Mother in a special candle lighting ceremony that represents all three aspects of the Christian Godhead. Place this ritual after the Invocation and before Drawing Down the Moon.
As much silver as possible should be worn by the practitioners on the night of any Esbat. Silver is a tremendous psychic conductor and is the metal associated with the moon. To reinforce this natural tool for empowerment, silver candle sticks, the silver chalice and Communion tray, and the silver bowls for blessed water, should all be found on the altar. Silver colored items and also white glasswork help to create a beautiful altar.
Other symbols associated with the moon are white flowers, salt, and the gem called moonstone. A nice decorative addition to the Circle of Worship is any seasonal blooming white flower; decorating the altar, itself with these flowers adds to the visual beauty. Adorn the Circle with plenty of white candles (even marking the parameter of the Circle).
Other herbs and flowers often used in Lunar Rites are all night-blooming flowers or white flowers. These flowers include jasmine, carnations, gardenia, the lily, iris, and white roses.
The concept of white roses is a southern tradition for Mother’s Day, in which we present our earthly mothers with white roses if her mother has left this earthly realm. This is a maternal sign of respect. Using this ideology, one can adorn the circle with white roses, white rose buds, and the altar with white rose petals as a tribute to our Celestial Mother, who is of another realm.
The perimeter of the Worship area can also be marked with salt. The Gospel of Philip makes notice that the Goddess Sophia is often referenced as “the salt” and the disciples did not know how to properly have their meal without salt. Salt purifies and consecrates the worship area; salt is also white and fits the over all scheme of this night of Glory to The Lady Divine.
The Casting of the Circle is very important. It should be 9 feet in diameter, as nine is the number of the Goddess, and the numerical value assigned to the moon. However, when working indoors the circle size will have to vary, so this detail should not be a point of concern as it is the overall intent of the practitioners, not the letter-perfect execution of the service.
Pre-Ceremony Preparation
Purification of Self: a purification bath with Roses (white if available)
Attunement Tea: Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Anointing Oil: Moon Oil
Incense: Sandalwood
Semi-Precious Stones: Moonstone and Amethyst
Assemble your worship altar
The Altar should be in the center of the Circle.
The Altar cloths should be black and white.
The Chalice for the Fruit of the Vine (wine or grape juice) and
The tray of Bread for Communion is needed.
Consecrate the Intended Sacred Area by the Elements
Using four elements separately: holy water, incense, non-iodine salt, and a candle, four coveners should walk the parameters of the circle once proclaiming the purification by the four elements. Remember, we affiliate the elements of Earth and Water with the Mother God and we affiliate the elements of Air and Fire with the Father God. Therefore, it may be more appropriate in a mixed Circle, for the female practitioners to perform the Earth and Water consecration responsibilities and a male practitioner to perform the Fire and Air consecration responsibilities.
The first covener should ask the Goddess to consecrate the Water towards the goal of purifying the Circle in the name of the Lady Divine and then sprinkle the water just inside the parameters. Likewise, the second covener should ask the Goddess to consecrate the salt which represents the element of Earth toward the goal of purifying the Circle in the name of the Lady Divine and sprinkle the salt within the edges of parameter of the Circle.
The third covener should then ask the God or male aspect of the Divine to consecration the Fire towards the goal of purifying the Circle in the name of the Lord Divine and walk the parameters of the Circle with the lit candle. Then lastly, the fourth covener should petition the Lord Divine with the incense, representing the element of Air toward the goal of purifying the Circle. The fourth covener should walk the parameters of the Circle waving the incense in symbolic spirals or in the pattern of the pentacle at each quadrant point.
Combining the elements of Earth (salt) and
Water (requesting the blessings of
The Mother Goddess) to sprinkle the Sacred Area
Followed by Fire and Air in the form of incense
(Requesting the blessings of The Father God).
Casting a Christian Circle of Worship
On Esbats, cast the Circle by widdershins or walking counterclockwise, using your projective hand to direct the energy within you into a circle around you. Some practitioners use an athame, others may use only their hand.
Remember to always keep your receiving hand (your left hand usually if you are right handed) palm down for grounding. You can move your entire body around the parameters of the circle or only your projecting hand while standing at the center of the circle. Regardless of your technique, due to the intent of perfect love and perfect trust, the desired results will be the same.
Casting the Circle
[Walk the Perimeter of the Circle Twice]
I conjure Thee O Sacred Circle of Power
In the Name of the Holy Mother, Father and Son!
I call upon your Presence and Blessings
Of this Lunar Rite
As the Three Shall Be One!
[Walk the Circle a Third Time and Say]
I Declare this Circle Properly Cast and Protected by The Holy Trinity!
Assembling the Quadrants
[Invoke/Invite the angels, archangels, spirits and/or keepers of the
Watchtowers, the directions, the elements, and
Powers that reside in them.]
Hail to the Ladies of the Watchtowers
Of the East
Keepers of the Powers of Wind and Air
We invoke thee!
Be With Us and Bless Us
This Night of Lunar Worship
Hail to the Ladies of the Watchtowers
Of the South
Keepers of the Powers of Fire and Flame
We invoke thee!
Be With Us and Bless Us
This Night of Lunar Worship
Hail to the Ladies of the Watchtowers
Of the West
Keepers of the Powers of Water and Intuition
We invoke thee!
Be With Us and Bless Us
This Night of Lunar Worship
Hail to the Ladies of the Watchtowers
Of the North
Keepers of the Powers of Mother Earth
We invoke thee!
Be With Us and Bless Us
This Night of Lunar Worship
The Invocation of the Goddess
Hail to Our Goddess!
The Most Glorious Mother Spirit
Our Luminous Lady Divine:
Holy is Your Place in Heaven!
We ask you to be One with Us
Celebrating this Full Moon Rite
We feel your lunar energies come nigh
Our Celestial Mother rules the Night Sky.
We Invoke Thee – Great Goddess!!
The Mother of All Living Things
The Mother of Our Loving Saviour:
She Who Is Hope and Angel’s Wings.
Come now and Descend upon us:
Bathe us in Our Lady’s love,
In our Perfect Circle – forever floating on the pure
White wings of a dove!
Holy Mother, Spirit of Righteousness
Bless Us this Night, Dear Goddess!
Statement of Purpose
Hail Sisters and Brothes!
We Gather Tonight on this (Month’s) Eve
For the Monthly Full Moon
As We Celebrate this Lunar Rite and
To honour the female principle
Of the Divine God Pair:
She is our Goddess
She is Our Mighty Heavenly Mother!
We gather to glorify and Commune
With The Supernal Goddess and
Queen of Heaven!
While so many of Christ’s Children have
Forgotten You Holy Mother
Tonight, We Assemble to
Show that we have Not!
Lend us your Wisdom and Understanding
Show us Your Divine Love
O Dear Celestial Goddess,
The Divine Bride of our God
Be With Us Tonight in our Worship!
The Candle Light Ceremony
[The Priest and Priestess or Elder should position himself or herself
In a benevolent pose
And begin to light the three candles]
(The Elder lights the black candle for the female principle of The Divine)
We Invoke Thee,
O Blessed Goddess
Who Dwells Among Us!
She, Who is Understanding
Commune with Us Tonight
As we celebrate you, Our Lady Divine.
(The Elder lights the white candle for the male principle of The Divine)
We Invoke Thee,
Father in Heaven
Come Be Among Us!
He, Who is Wisdom,
Watch Over Us Tonight
As we celebrate Our Lady Divine.
(The Elder lights the red candle for the Child principle of The Divine)
We Invoke Thee,
The Only Begotten Son
Come Be Among Us!
He, Who is Mercy and Compassion,
Bless Us Tonight
As we celebrate Our Lady Divine.
Charge of the Goddess
Listen now my children to the words of the Great Mother,
Creatrix of the Universe, She who Is
The Spirit that Moved Upon the Waters
In times of old, I am called by many names among
All of Humanity:
Asherah, Sophia, Mother Mary, the Holy Spirit,
Mary Magdalene, Eloi, the Bride, Levannah, and Jerah.
I am that I am. I am your Goddess.
I am the Mother of all Living Things,
I am the Mother of my only Begotten Son,
In Whom, I am well pleased.
Whenever ye have need of any thing, once in the month,
Better it be when the moon is full,
Assemble yourself in some secret place,
And adore the Spirit of the Divine,
Who is Queen of Heaven.
I am the gracious Goddess,
Who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of the world.
Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and
Beyond death, I give peace, freedom, and reunion
With those who have gone before.
I do not demand sacrifice; for behold,
I am the Mother of all living,
And my love is poured out upon the earth.
I am the beauty of the Green Mother Earth,
The White Moon among the stars,
And the mystery of the waters:
The Upper and the Lower Firmament.
I am the warmth in the hearts of all humanity.
Call upon your soul; arise and come unto Me;
For I am the Soul of the World, She who gives Life to the Universe.
From Me all things proceed, and Unto Me
All things must return;
And before my face, beloved of God and of men,
Let Thine innermost Divine self be enfolded
In the rapture of the infinite.
Let My worship make melody in your hearts;
For behold, all acts of Love and Kindness are my rituals.
Therefore let there be beauty and strength,
Power and compassion, honour and humility,
Mirth and reverence within you.
And thou who thinkest to seek for me, know thy seeking
And yearning shall avail thee not unless thou knowest the mystery:
That if that which thou Seekest thou Findest not within,
Thou wilt never find it without.
For behold, I have been with you from the beginning;
And I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
Drawing Down the Moon
We Prepare Now to Draw Down the Spirit of the Moon!
Our Luminous Goddess,
We summon Thee and Invoke Thee
Mighty Mother of us all.
Symbol of Delicate Beauty and Understanding
With Your Unsurpassed Strength
Be With us tonight!!
As we Raise Our Hands
We Feel the Energy of your Divine Love
In our Fingertips – In our Hearts
And In our Soul.
We hold our Hands Upwards toward the heavens
To feel your Motherly Touch
We stand together in Praise
We invoke Thee to Descend upon this Circle
And Pour out your Light and Loving Grace
Tonight – Fulfill Us
As We Draw Down the Moon!
Prayer of the Lady Divine
O Hail to the fair moon,
Our orb of the night;
Symbolizing our Mother in Heaven
Until the morning light
Beloved Mother by the full moon
Shine Down With Delight
And Guide our Minds and Hearts
Like the Oceans and Tides
The Moon, She is appointed for seasons:
For when the Sun is going down.
The Sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the Moon by night.
Shall we be established forever as the Moon,
And as a faithful witness in Heaven?
Blow Up the Trumpet in the New Moon,
In the Time Appointed
On Our Solemn Feast Day.
The Sun to rule by day,
The Moon and Stars to rule by night.
Behold O Sun of Righteousness
The Moon Is Full and Our Mother
The Triple Goddess is One Tonight:
Maiden, Mother, and Crone
Earth and Heaven are One
And we are One with The All
Blessed Be Our Mother Spirit
[Blessed Be!]
Blessed Be Our Lady Divine
[Blessed Be!]
Blessed Be the Mother of our Saviour Jesus Christ
[Blessed Be!]
Procession of Names
[The members should walk the Circle widdershins. The many names
Of the Mother are called one by one and honored by the entire Circle.
This can be executed as statements by the
Priest, Priestess, Elder, or leader of the Circle;
The procession of names can also be executed as call and reply with
The members of the Circle.]
Heavenly Mother – Fair Goddess:
You are Known by many Names
Among your Christian Children.
We call for you:
The Shekinah, Asherah,
Inanna, Sophia,
The Holy Spirit, Elohim, the Virgin Mary,
Mary Magdalene.
Hail to the Shekinah!
[Blessed Be the Goddess!]
Hail Asherah!
[Blessed Be the Goddess!]
Hail Inanna!
[Blessed Be the Goddess!]
Hail Sophia!
[Blessed Be the Goddess!]
Hail to the Holy Spirit!
[Blessed Be the Goddess!]
Hail Elohim!
[Blessed Be the Goddess!]
Hail to the Virgin Mary!
[Blessed Be the Goddess!]
Hail Mary Magdalene!
[Blessed Be the Goddess!]
[Hailed by the leader of the Circle:]
Through these words we have uttered
Through these names we have called
The Presence of the Lady Divine
Dwells among Us!
Let us Adore Her
Let us Be Thankful
Let us Praise Her
She is Her Holiness!!
Blessed Be the Trinity
Blessed Be unto the Holy Trinity:
Blessed Be the Mother, the Father,
And the Holy Son!
[Blessed Be the Trinity!]
Blessed Be the Goddess, On this Lunar Rite
Shine on us Mother – thy Heavenly Light!
[Blessed Be the Mother!]
Blessed Be Our God, the Infinite One
Father of Jesus Christ, the Symbol of the Sun!
[Blessed Be the Father!]
Blessed Be to Our Lord, Who Died on the Cross
Our Saviour and King, So that None maybe Lost!
[Blessed Be the Son!]
We Give Thanks for All the Blessings We Receive
We Give Thanks and We Give Praise
Blessed Be to the Holy Trinity
As we feel the Divine Powers Raise!
Blessed be the Divine
[Blessed Be!]
Blessed be The One
[Blessed Be!]
Blessed be the Triune God
[Blessed Be!]
Blessed be the Spirit of Old – Blessed be the Spirit of The All
[Blessed Be! – Blessed Be!]
Let Us Now Thank the Holy Trinity
For All of the Blessings that We Receive
We Give Thanks and We Give Praise
Blessed Be to the Holy Trinity
As we feel the Divine Powers Raise!
Circle chant - Raising the Cone of Power
Lady Divine - Spirit Moonlight – Goddess Above - Bless Us Tonight
Lady Divine - Spirit Moonlight – Goddess Above - Bless Us Tonight
Lady Divine - Spirit Moonlight – Goddess Above - Bless Us Tonight
[Continue the Chant as long as Needed]
Releasing the Cone of Power
Let Us Now Release this Divine Energy
Into the World to Comfort and Protect
All that is lacking in the presence of the Mother Spirit
As She is, true Nurturing and true Understanding:
May She Bless All in Her Divine Path!
Blessed Be!
[Blessed Be!]
Time for Meditation and Reflection
Communion
Circle Fellowship
[Passing of the white candle]
I rejoice with my Circle gathered tonight
To praise The Lady Divine as I
Pass this white light:
(Personal desire or petition spoken here)
Parting Prayer & Songs
Closing Thoughts/Benediction
This Lunar Rite is now Ended
Our Beloved Goddess has been Honored
And we have felt her Loving Touch Tonight
Divine Mother we ask you to dwell within us always!
Guard Us and Guide Us
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
Bless us with your Knowledge and Vision to See
If It Be your Will – So Mote it Be!
[So Mote It Be!]
Thanking the Deities
As we humbly thank all the elements, spirits,
Fairies and the Angels for being with us this Lunar Rite
To Honour our Goddess, Queen of Heaven!
We acknowledge our the Holy Trinity:
Jesus and the Lord and Lady Divine,
We ask you to stay if you will or go if you must
As we are always comforted
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust!
Blessed Be!
[Blessed Be!]
Dismissing the Quadrants
We wish to thank the Ladies of the Watchtowers
Of the North, who command Mother Earth
For being with us
This Night of Lunar Worship
Stay If you Will – Go if you Must
Hail and Farewell!
[Hail and Farewell!]
We wish to thank the Ladies of the Watchtowers
Of the West, who command the Waters, Oceans, and Lakes
For being with us
This Night of Lunar Worship
Stay if you Will – Go if you Must
Hail and Farewell!
[Hail and Farewell!]
We wish to thank the Ladies of the Watchtowers
Of the South, who command Fire and Flame
For being with us
This Night of Lunar Worship
Stay if you Will – Go if you Must
Hail and Farewell!
[Hail and Farewell!!]
We wish to thank the Ladies of the Watchtowers
Of the East, who command The Air and Blowing Winds
For being with us
This Night of Lunar Worship
Stay if you Will – Go if you Must
Hail and Farewell
[Hail and Farewell!]
Dismissing the Circle