Seasons of Wicca: The Essential Guide to Rituals and Rites to Enhance Your Spiritual Journey - Ambrosia Hawthorn 2020
April Moon
Moon Celebrations (Esbats)
Rituals to Enhance your Spiritual Journey
Gregorian Calendar: The April moon is often called the wind, hare, planting, or pink moon. During this full moon, work on magic relating to change, emotions, planning, and new beginnings.
Celtic Tree Calendar: The Alder moon is celebrated until April 14 and the Willow moon is celebrated from April 15 to May 12. The Celtic name for willow is saille, pronounced sahl-yeh. The Alder moon is associated with courage, strength, enhancing your intuition and spirituality, and the Willow moon is associated with flexibility, knowledge, protection, and intuition.
EMPOWERING CHANGE ESBAT
This ritual will assist you in creating positive change in your life. Change can teach us flexibility, reveal our strength, and open up new opportunities. In this ritual, you will use divination, green crystals (representing transformation and change), and the energy of the full moon to guide you in interpreting messages.
Ritual Setting
Altar
Tools and Supplies
Wand or athame
Elemental representations
Deity representation
Tarot deck, Oracle deck, or other divination system
3 green crystals—malachite, chrysoprase, or amazonite
Lighter or matches
1 cone or stick incense—cinnamon, mugwort, rose, or jasmine
Fire-safe plate or incense holder
Journal and pen
Offering of choice
PRIOR TO THE RITUAL
1.Shower or bathe, visualizing all old or unwanted energies leaving your being.
2.Cleanse the altar.
PREPARING THE ALTAR
Place the tools and supplies on the altar. Place the elemental representations in a pentacle configuration. Place the deity representation at the top of the altar. Place the divination deck and crystals in the center of the pentacle.
THE RITUAL
1.Cast a circle of protection. Hold the wand or athame as an extension of your hand to gather and direct energy as you call upon the elements. Starting from the east and ending north, call upon the element of air for mental clarity, the element of fire for power, the element of water for fluidity, and the element of earth for stability.
2.Invoke the God and Goddess or deity of your choice by saying something like: “Goddess of the Moon, Maiden of Spring, I invite you to my circle tonight.”
3.Light the incense on a fire-safe plate and set your intentions to invite change into your life.
4.Shuffle the divination deck until you feel compelled to stop.
5.Fan out the cards on the altar. Pull three cards and ask three questions: Which area of my life most needs change? What action needs to take place in order to change? What will I gain from making these changes?
6.Spend 5 to 10 minutes reflecting on the three cards, using them to help you interpret what you need to change. Use the journal to take notes.
7.Place your offering on the altar and thank the deity: “Goddess of the Moon, Maiden of Spring, I thank you for your presence tonight.”
8.Release the elements in reverse order by beginning facing the north and ending east, thanking each element for their assistance and bidding them farewell. Then open the circle by saying: “I open this circle and release the energy back into the earth.”
9.Extinguish the incense or allow it to burn out. Leave the offering on the altar.
INTENTIONS AND MANIFESTATION ESBAT
The act of planning can make a big difference in your life by giving you control over your future. With this planning esbat ritual, you use the energy of the moon to help you set your intentions and manifest the change you want in your life. This ritual also uses meditation as part of the process of manifesting change.
Ritual Setting
Altar
Tools and Supplies
Wand or athame
Elemental representations
Deity representation
Lighter or matches
1 cone or stick incense—frankincense, lavender, sandalwood, or dragon’s blood
Fire-safe plate or incense holder
Journal and pen
Offering of choice—food, foraged items, or crafts
PRIOR TO THE RITUAL
1.Shower or bathe, visualizing all old or unwanted energies leaving your being.
2.Cleanse the altar.
PREPARING THE ALTAR
Place the tools and supplies on the altar. Place the elemental representations in a pentacle configuration. Place the deity representation at the top of the altar. Position the rest of your items in the center of the pentacle.
THE RITUAL
1.Cast a circle of protection. Hold the wand or athame as an extension of your hand to gather and direct energy as you call upon the elements. Starting from the east and ending north, call upon the element of air for mental clarity, the element of fire for power, the element of water for fluidity, and the element of earth for stability.
2.Invoke the God and Goddess or deity of your choice by saying something like: “Great Lord and Lady, grant me your blessings and guidance tonight.”
3.Light the incense on the fire-safe plate and set your intentions for the ritual to be guided.
4.Meditate for 5 to 10 minutes to calm your mind. Allow yourself to be led by your heart and desires.
5.Once you have finished meditating, write in the journal about your thoughts, ideas, desires, and goals. Allow yourself to dream big and dig deep within to access the things you want to manifest in your life.
6.When you’ve finished writing, thank the deities: “Great Lord and Lady, I thank you for your presence tonight.”
7.Place the offering on the altar.
8.Release the elements in reverse order by beginning facing the north and ending east, thanking each element for their assistance and bidding them farewell. Then open the circle by saying: “I open this circle and release the energy back into the earth.”
9.Extinguish the incense or allow it to burn out. Leave the offering on the altar.