Seasons of Wicca: The Essential Guide to Rituals and Rites to Enhance Your Spiritual Journey - Ambrosia Hawthorn 2020
November Moon
Moon Celebrations (Esbats)
Rituals to Enhance your Spiritual Journey
Gregorian Calendar: The November moon is often called the mourning, frost, or beaver moon. During this full moon, work on magic relating to fresh starts, dreamwork, energy, spirit guides, meditation, and connections.
Celtic Tree Calendar: The Reed moon is celebrated from October 28 to November 23 (the Elder moon, here, begins on November 24). The Celtic name for reed is negetal, pronounced nyettle. The Reed moon is associated with healing, divination, and protection. In the Celtic calendar, November marked the new year.
FRESH START ESBAT
November is a great time to hit the reset button, mentally, spiritually, and physically. It’s the month of the Celtic new year, so you can use November’s full moon energy to start afresh. This ritual uses a feather or besom, a blue candle, a bowl of water, and salt to renew yourself.
Ritual Setting
Altar
Tools and Supplies
Wand or athame
Elemental representations
Deity representation
Bowl of water
Pinch salt
1 pillar or votive candle—blue
Fire-safe plate or candle holder
Lighter or matches
Feather or besom
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 water, salt, and candle (on the fire-safe plate) 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: “Goddess of the Mourning Moon, I invite you to my circle tonight.”
3.Light the blue candle and say: “With this flame, I burn all that burdens me.”
4.Wave the feather upward through the heat of the flame and say: “With this feather, I lift all that weighs on me.”
5.Sprinkle the salt into the bowl of water and say: “With this salt, I purify all that troubles me.”
6.Hold up the bowl of water and say: “With this water, I cleanse all that ails me.”
7.Close your eyes and focus on creating a fresh start for yourself.
8.Thank the Goddess and leave your offering: “Goddess of the Mourning Moon, I thank you for your presence tonight.”
9.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.”
10.Extinguish the candle or allow it to burn out. Leave the offering on the altar.
ENERGY WORK ESBAT
November is a time to cultivate healing and get in touch with your inner energy. In this ritual, you’ll work with your own energy so you can feel healthier and stronger than before. This is a simple ritual that involves dressing a candle and working with the energy of the full moon.
Ritual Setting
Altar
Tools and Supplies
Wand or athame
Elemental representations
Deity representation
3 crystals—clear quartz
1 taper or pillar candle—purple
1 ounce carrier oil—olive, grapeseed, or apricot kernel
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
Fire-safe plate or candle holder
Lighter and matches
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 in the center of the altar. Place the elemental representations in a pentacle configuration. Place the deity representation at the top of the altar. Position the crystals in a triangle formation inside 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: “Lord and Lady, I invite you to my circle tonight.”
3.Dress the candle by pouring carrier oil down its sides. Be careful not to get oil on the wick. Sprinkle the salt and rosemary over the oiled parts of the candle.
4.Place the candle on the fire-safe plate and light it.
5.Close your eyes and focus on the candle. Visualize your energy flowing through you continuously. Practice containing and focusing on your energy for about 20 minutes.
6.Thank the deities and leave your offering: “Lord and Lady, I thank you for your presence tonight.”
7.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.”
8.Extinguish the candle or allow it to burn out. Leave the offering on the altar.