Seasons of Wicca: The Essential Guide to Rituals and Rites to Enhance Your Spiritual Journey - Ambrosia Hawthorn 2020
October Moon
Moon Celebrations (Esbats)
Rituals to Enhance your Spiritual Journey
Gregorian Calendar: The October moon is often called the blood, shedding, falling leaf, or hunter’s moon. During this full moon, work on magic relating to letting go, cleansing, karma, protection, divination, and spirits.
Celtic Tree Calendar: The Ivy moon is celebrated from September 30 to October 27 (the Reed moon, here, begins on October 28). The Celtic name for ivy is gort, pronounced go-ert. The Ivy moon is associated with healing, protection, and cooperation.
HONORING SPIRITS ESBAT
October is the month of the sabbat Samhain, during which the veil between the human world and the spiritual world is at its thinnest. A ritual honoring spirits is a great way to celebrate the Blood moon during this time. This ritual combines the energy of the full moon with offerings and deity.
Ritual Setting
Altar
Tools and Supplies
Wand or athame
Elemental representations
Deity representation
Bell
Cake and ale
PRIOR TO THE RITUAL
1.Prepare a baked “cake” offering of your choice (e.g., moon cookies, spiced muffins, chocolate cake, or other sweets). Pour a drink of choice as your “ale.”
2.Shower or bathe, visualizing all old or unwanted energies leaving your being.
3.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 cake and ale 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: “Wise Crone of the Blood moon, I invite you to my circle tonight.”
3.Ring the bell as you say: “Spirits of the night, join me under the Blood moon tonight; spirits through the veil, join me while the doorway is frail.”
4.Hold your offering up to the sky and say: “Under the Blood moon, I honor you; accept my offering and brew.”
5.Taste your cake and ale.
6.Sit back and meditate for 5 to 10 minutes on your intentions.
7.Thank the Goddess: “Wise Crone of the Blood 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.Cover the remaining cake and ale and leave it on the altar overnight as an offering. The next day, dispose of it by returning it to the earth.
WARDING ESBAT
The October full moon is also a good time for protection rituals. This protection ritual is performed in your kitchen and uses eggshells, which are known for their cleansing and protection properties.
Ritual Setting
Altar
Tools and Supplies
Wand or athame
Elemental representations
Deity representation
Mortar and pestle
6 to 12 eggshells
1 (8-ounce) glass jar with lid
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.
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: “Lord and Lady, I invite you to my circle tonight. Grant me your blessings and lend me your guidance.”
3.With your mortar and pestle, begin grinding the eggshells a few at a time to create a powder. Work clockwise to attract and “stir in” energy.
4.Once you have ground all the eggshells, pour the powder into the glass jar. Hold it up to the sky and say: “Great Lord and Lady, imbue your strength and energy, and bless this powder with protective power.”
5.Thank the deities and leave your offering: “Lord and Lady, I thank you for your blessings and guidance.”
6.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.”
7.Leave the offering on the altar.
8.Leave the jar open under the moonlight overnight. The next day, screw the lid shut. This jar of protective eggshell powder can be sprinkled around your home, car, or even on yourself to ward off negativity.