There are two posts today. The first is the Waning Moon Ritual so that you may prepare and read through for tomorrow evening. The second is the usual post and will be available tonight at 8:30 during the planetary hour of Mercury. Enjoy!
This ritual marks the final phase of the Ritual of Dedication begun at the start of this journey and should be done tomorrow, August 4th. The Moon remains in Cancer the entire day, so you may do this ritual at any time. If you want to make use of the Planetary Hour of the Moon as additional support those hours would be:
9:34-10:44am or %;49-6:59pm
and for the really late nighters- 12:17-:06am
Waning Dark Moon Ritual of Release
Sunday, August 4.2013
Moon in Cancer
You will need:
1/Silver (or Black) Candle (New Moon)
1/White Candle (Full Moon)
1/Black Candle (Dark Moon)
Black and white altar cloths
OPTIONAL for a physical working of release: Place on altar as part of ritual set-up
Glass cup or small bowl
small piece of Obsidian, Hematite,Jet or Quartz crystal placed in container as above with enough water to cover
Deep bowl to place crystal in after working
Coarse (or regular) Salt; enough to completely cover the crystal you have selected when placed in the deep bowl.
Set up your altar space with the black cloth on top of white. This represents the Waning Dark Moon phase and the waxing of its light soon to be reborn. The candles should be arranged in triangular shape with the White candle at center point, Silver candle as left base and Black candle on right side forming the base. The Silver candle on the left represents the New Moon phase (1st Quarter Waxing), the White – the Full Moon and the Black candle on the left- the Dark Moon (Last Quarter Waning).
Your journal and pen can be placed in front of the triangular candle formation.
Establish sacred space in whatever way is in keeping with your path.
Invoke the assistance of whatever Deity, guides or patrons you work with to inform and enliven this journey.
Standing in front of your altar begin by lighting the Silver candle. As you light this candle offer up words stating your intention of gratitude for all that has brought you to this place on the journey as you deepen your connection to the lunar energies and the mysteries of your lunar nature. Envision those insights that were newly revealed and the feelings of anticipation at the start of this journey.
Move to stand in front of the White candle. As you light this candle offer up words stating your intent of gratitude for the fullness and anchoring that was drawn to you at the time of the Full Moon. See this as the light of the Moon’s reflection as it waxed towards a space of full expression and expansion. Give thanks for the abundance of the blessings of deeper self knowledge that and the work you have accomplished.
Move to stand in front of the Black candle. As you light this candle offer up words stating your intent of release and refining what has been brought to the surface on this journey of the Moon. See this as the hidden light of Lady Moon working Her magick of cutting away, restoration and preservation of what is the viable seed to be birthed at the next New Moon.
Envision the orb of the Waning Dark Moon hidden, yet still holding the power of ebb and flow and harnessing of your emotional waters of deep inspiration held within. Open and allow yourself to connect deeply to the image of the waters of moon’s flow gently holding you as you are carried in Her black waters of renewal and re-creation. Soften your gaze and draw the stream of light that issues from Her flame into the center core of your being. Breathe into it, expanding its intensity and lengthening the depths of its connection. Envision this as the continual stream of informed connection that has been and will continue to be the place of deeper gnosis of the Moon and Her mysteries. Take a deep breath in and allow this energy to move through you; flowing like water, reaching the deepest recesses of your Being. Exhale long and slowly sending that energy back into the circuit that is forming between you and the energy you have called forth to permeate this candle. Breathe in this manner of receipt and release, ebb and flow for as long as you feel is needed; ending with a long exhale.
Sharpen your gaze and return back to the clarity of focus looking at the Silver candle of the New Moon. Once again soften your gaze and see the lines of connection between the Silver and White candles as they move towards your center and forming a triangle of enlivened space. Breathe into this connection of cycle of newness, now having matured and moved to a place of full peak and the completion of return to contraction and discernment. Soften your gaze and see the strengthen of the lines of energetic connection between your central core and the Black candle.
See optional physical working below ** these paragraphs or simply finish as written directly below.
Shift your clarity of focus to all three of the candles forming the triune power of the Moon’s phases and your inner intuitive and emotional self. As you move your gaze from one to the other offer up words of intent:
I call to the Dark Moon and the energy of light held in the place of quickening. I release to the great void and the healing waters of Cancer, the emotions that have restricted and been unproductive for more growth.
I release to the darkness of the waters of the great void those emotions that no longer serve and are ready for their transformation as one and part of the greater whole.
I call to the strength of the midnight Sun that flickers and shines in the waters of new creation. I draw up the intuitive sight to see with clarity and strength. And, I acknowledge the power of my own making that has flowed through me during this cycle.
So Mote It Be!
**Optional working:
You may also do a physical working of release if you wish. You will need a small glass bowl or cup and a crystal with properties that are absorption and the grounding of negativity. I chose a piece of hematite (see other suggestions in list at top), but a simple quartz crystal can be directed for this use as well. Place the crystal in the container with enough water to cover it before you begin the ritual.
Shift your clarity of focus to all three of the candles forming the triune power of the Moon’s phases and your inner intuitive and emotional self. As you move your gaze from one to the other offer up words of intent:
I call to the Dark Moon and the energy of light held in the place of quickening. I call to the energies of her New Moon and the strength of the Full Moon that have refined and enlivened my will and intent.
Move your gaze to the container holding the crystal and water and breathe deeply drawing up those emotions you wish to release to the healing waters. Pour as much as is needed into the crystal and breathe deeply and fully into each release:
I release to the great void and the healing waters of Cancer, the emotions that have restricted and been unproductive for more growth. I release to the darkness of the waters of the great void those emotions that no longer serve and are ready for their transformation as one and part of the greater whole.
Envision the energetic strands of each of those things that you released moving into the space of the water and ending within the confines of the crystal. Take a final deep breath, releasing the last of what you wish and see this final strand entering the crystal.
Now, envision the waters covering the crystal glowing golden and radiant. Breathe into this gold light, infusing it and empowering it with your intent. Allow this image to continue to expand filling the container and lighting the energy of the crystal as though from within. This is the healing and transformative action upon those things you have released. When you feel all is complete, make this final declaration:
I call to the strength of the midnight Sun that flickers and shines in the waters of new creation. I draw up the intuitive sight to see with clarity and strength. And, I acknowledge the power of my own making that has flowed through me during this cycle.
So Mote It Be!!
Breathe deeply into these words (or those of your own) and see them as being held in witness by the guides, deity or others you called into to assist this rite.
Offer up thanks to those you invoked to join in this ritual, and bid them hail and farewell. Ground and release your sacred space, again, in whatever way is in keeping with your path. And, lastly, snuff out the flames of the New, Full and Waning Dark Moon candles.
You will light these three candles on each of the remaining nights of this journey connecting to their combined energies and adding to these from your own energetic experiences. Continue to do this up to the day of the New Moon in Leo on Tuesday, August 6th as completion of the cycle and work.
Important Note: If you have chosen the option of physical working, libate (pour onto the earth) the water in the container that held the crystal, giving thanks as you do so for its healing properties and offering it in return to the Great Mother. Place the crystal in a deep bowl of salt; completely covered. The salt (of the earth) will absorb the energy and cleanse for another working as needed. Leave it undisturbed for several days.
Blessings on your journey as we walk the last few steps of this road together!
Temple of the Cosmic Spheres 