Seasons of Wicca: The Essential Guide to Rituals and Rites to Enhance Your Spiritual Journey - Ambrosia Hawthorn 2020
September Moon
Moon Celebrations (Esbats)
Rituals to Enhance your Spiritual Journey
Gregorian Calendar: The September moon is often called the harvest, wine, or singing moon. During this full moon, work on magic relating to protection, balance, emotions, well-being, and reaping what you have sown.
Celtic Tree Calendar: The Hazel moon is celebrated until September 1, and the Vine moon is celebrated from September 2 to September 29 (the Ivy moon, here, begins on September 30). The Celtic name for vine is muin, pronounced mwin. The Hazel moon is associated with manifestation, protection, knowledge, and wisdom, and the Vine moon is associated with protection, healing, and abundance.
BODY AND MIND ESBAT
September is the month of the Autumn Equinox, when the days and nights are close to equal in length. As such, the September full moon is a time of balance. Perform this ritual to balance both your body and mind.
Ritual Setting
Altar
Tools and Supplies
Wand or athame
Elemental representations
Deity representation
2 votive or pillar candles—1 black, 1 white (to represent body and mind)
Fire-safe plates or candle holders
Lighter or matches
Bell
Offering of choice—baked goods, 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. Place the black and white candles in the center of the pentacle on fire-safe plates.
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: “Goddess of the Harvest Moon, I invite you to join my circle tonight.”
3.Light the white candle, ring the bell, and say: “Candle of light and mind, burn and bring the power of peace.”
4.Light the black candle, ring the bell, and say: “Candle of night and body, burn and bring the power of harmony.”
5.Close your eyes and visualize the energies of the candles mixing together and finding balance.
6.When you feel ready, ring the bell and say: “Tonight, I seek balance in body and mind.”
7.Thank the Goddess and leave your offering: “Goddess of the Harvest Moon, I thank you for your assistance 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 candles or allow them to burn out. Leave the offering on the altar.
HARVEST ESBAT
This ritual, performed under the full Harvest moon, will help you honor the themes of gratitude, sharing, and “reaping what you’ve sown.” With this ritual, you’ll get a better look at what you’ve achieved through your hard work this year, using divination and the energy of the full moon to guide you in receiving and interpreting messages.
Ritual Setting
Altar
Tools and Supplies
Wand or athame
Deity representation
Elemental representations
Lighter or matches
1 cone or stick incense—cinnamon, nutmeg, sandalwood, or vanilla
Fire-safe plate or incense holder
Tarot deck, Oracle deck, or other divination system
Journal and pen
Offering of choice—baked goods, crafts, or foraged items
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 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: “God of the Sun, Goddess of the Moon, join my circle under the Harvest full moon.”
3.Light the incense on the fire-safe plate and set your intentions.
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 has improved this year? What are the benefits of my hard work? How can I reap these benefits?
6.Spend 5 to 10 minutes reflecting on the three cards, using them to help you interpret how you can reap what you’ve sown. Use the journal to take notes.
7.When you’re finished, thank the deities for their assistance and place the offering on the altar: “God of the Sun, Goddess of the Moon, 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.