Dark Moon Esbat to Honor Hecate

Dark Moon Esbat to Honor Hecate

Arrange your altar with all of your tools and other items the way you wish and then bless the altar saying:

I bless You now that You may aid
The energy flow as magick is made
I cast out negative energy
Leaving only the positive to live and breathe
Within you as I start this Rite
Blessed be in joy, love and light

Then pick up the wand and draw an invoking pentagram in the air above the altar.  Replace the wand and say:

Blessed Be, O Creature of Light
Tools now of magick with power and might.

RITUAL SWEEP WITH BESOM (going widdershins)

Witche's Broom, swift in flight
Cast Out Darkness, Bring in Light
Earth be hallow; Air be clear; Fire bright; as water heals
A sacred bridge this site shall be, as my will, so mote it be.

CAST THE CIRCLE 

with your magickal sickle or staff.  (Note, some Witches are using a Sickle to cast the Circle of Hecate.  The sickle is the symbol of the Crone--of harvesting and death.  It is an ancient women's tool--more so than the sword.)

I conjure thee, great womb of the Goddess Hecate
Cauldron of a Witche's power, within who's sacred precinct
are we separate from the world of care, safe from harm and strife.
May it be a shield against all wickedness and evil;
A boundary between the world of seekers
and the realm of the Mighty Ones;
 a guardian and protection that shall preserve and contain
the powers that we shall raise this night of the Dark Moon Wherefore, do I bless thee and consecrate thee in the name of the Goddess Hecate.

Bless and consecrate the water, incense, and salt which is on your altar with your athame by casting out any impurities and uncleanliness of the spirit unknown.  Then combining salt and water cleanse circle with a chant.  Then add your incense to your charcoal and cleanse circle chanting a chant. 

EVOKE  QUARTERS & LIGHT THEIR CANDLES

Winds of the East

Come to me now, O winds of the East Whirl and twirl 'til magick has ceased. Blow through my mind and the energy raise Blow away clouds and blow away haze. The Circle is opened--your power please lend Your presence is welcomed--I bid you come in.
(Light candle - draw an invoking pentagram in the air with your wand)

Fire of the South

Come to me now, O Southerly fires! Warm light, pure strength--add flame to desires Cleanse and purify all actions mundane Protect well this Circle with your pure light and flame. The Circle is opened--your power please lend Your presence is welcomed--I bid you come in.
(Light candle - draw an invoking pentagram in the air with your wand)

Waters of the West

Come now, O waters of the Western port! Tides rise and fall, and all harm abort. Wash away troubles and rinse away pain Wash over my spirit with your oceans and rain. The Circle is opened--your power please lend Your presence is welcomed--I bid you come in.
(Light candle - draw an invoking pentagram in the air with your wand)

Earth of the North

Come, Earthly power to me from the North! Lend your strength and stability-give me your support As your soil is fertile, this Circle shall be Nourish all works, as you nourish the tree. The Circle is opened--your power please lend Your presence is welcomed--I bid you come in.
(Light candle - draw an invoking pentagram in the air with your wand)

 

CIRCLE IS SEALED 

(make an invoking pentagram in the air over your altar)

The Circle is sealed and I am completely cut off from the outside world so that I may give honor to the Goddess Hecate, Great Goddess of the Dark Moon.
  LIGHTING THE TRIPLE GODDESS CANDLES

Three Candles I do Light In Honor of Thee, O Goddess this sacred Night White for the Maiden pure as Snow Red for the Mother full within, and Black for the Crone, old and wise

DRAWING DOWN THE MOON-

INVOCATION TO THE DARK GODDESS HECATE

I call upon She who unveils the mystery, Ancient Crone, Hecate, who reigns as darkness falls upon the unlit sky Queen of Heaven, Earth and the Underworld. Hecate, this is your time, Eternal Goddess, Lady of the Night. I have prepared this sacred Circle for you, O Wise One, Come now into me, your Priestess, Fill me with your presence O gracious Queen of Witches As I do perform this Rite in your honor.

(Imagine the Dark Moon and see this haze descending from the moon into you.  Feel Her slowly envelope you, starting at the top of your head and slowly moving down to your feet.  Feel this vibrating energy of the Goddess Hecate fill your very being.  When Her energies reach your feet, know that you are walking as Hecate, as She is you and you are She. 

Charge of the Crone Hecate

I am the Queen of Magick, hidden in the deepest night. I am the mystery of the other world and the fear that coils about your heart in the times of your trial.  I am the soul of nature that gives form to the Universe. My torches light the way for enlightenment and illumination. My sickle of death cuts away things that are dead & no longer needed It is I who awaits you at the end of your spiral dance. I am She who has no secrets but a thousand secrets. I am the aged Old Crone of Darkness who face of death portends life anew and filled with Luna's secrets. All acts of magick and mysteries are my rituals and My greatest ritual is love itself. You who seek to remove My veil and know My true face, Know that all your questing and efforts are for not, Until thy own face beholds and knows the mysteries of they own self. For you to truly know Me, you must look in your own heart and know and accept thy self. For those of you who call upon Me and My powers for magick, beware! For My magick is swift and without regards to the consequences. Those that know Me shall glide safely through troubles, For it is My dark cloak of protection that is wrapped about you. Close your eyes My child and call to me, for I am there, within your Darkness.  

PRAISE TO HECATE

In this most sacred Night of the Dark Moon And mystical hour of the night Does the Goddess Hecate reign supreme And in Her name do I now give Her praise. HAIL TO THEE HECATE; HAIL TO THEE HECATE HAIL TO THEE HECATE, TRIPLE GODDESS OF THE MOON

 

Blessings of Cakes and Wine

  - wine should be in Chalice and with athame bless the wine and then the cakes as follows:

I bless thee of Creature of Wine (cakes) Knowing that when I drink (eat) of the I partake in the powers of the mysteries of You Great Goddess Hecate

LIBATION 

 (Take the chalice of wine in both hands and hold it up and say:)

In honor of the O Great Goddess Hecate Do I pour this Libation and drinketh this Toast All Life is your Own All fruits of the Earth your power, your wisdom, your liberation I thank You for Your blessings and strength Join with me; Feast with me; Enjoy with me.
(You can pour a few drops of wine onto the ground in front of the altar as an offering to Hecate, if you are outside.  If you are in your temple, then pour some wine into your Libation bowl along with an offering of cakes) Then raise the chalice to your lips and drink.)

(You can now medicate, consult the tarot, or any other divinatory devices, or simply sit back and relax.   Remember eating of the cakes helps ground you from the energy of the circle, and from the cone of power that you built if you did magick.)

THANK YOU AND FAREWELL

O Hecate, My Queen, My Goddess You who awaits for me at the end of Life. I thank you for thy blessings and of your spirit from your Cauldron of the sacred fire on this night of the Dark Moon I bid thee farewell
(Put out Goddess candle)

Thanking the Triple Goddess

Wise Crone, who face is hidden from the starlit night Thank you for joining my sacred this night. I bid thee farewell
(Put out Crone/black Candle)

Mother, nurturer and giver of life Who dances across the nightly sky in your silvery light Thank you for joining my sacred circle this night I bid thee farewell
(Put out the Mother/red candle)

Maiden, bringer of new ideas and inspiration Who dances across the sky in carefree glee and anticipation Thank you for joining my sacred circle this night I bid thee Farewell
(Put out the Maiden/white candle)

QUARTERS RELEASED 

(I go widdershins, since I went deosil to welcome)

O twirling Breezes and winds of the East Who protected this Circle and witnessed all feats Of magick performed and blessing poured out I thank you for coming and gathering about. But now comes the time for this Circle to end I release you back to the dark, fertile realm where you reign Hail and farewell until I see you again.
(Put out candle - draw banishing pentagram in air with wand)

O Northern forests, mountains and plains Who protected this Circle and witnessed all gains Of magick performed and all blessings poured out I thank you for coming and gathering about. But now comes the time for this Circle to end I release you back to the dark, fertile realm where you reign Hail and farewell until I see you again.
(Put out candle - draw banishing pentagram in air with wand)

O Oceans and rainstorm and streams of the West Who protected this Circle and witnessed all quests Of magick performed and blessing poured out I thank you for coming and gathering about. But now comes the time for this Circle to end I release you back to the dark, fertile realm where you reign Hail and farewell until I see you again.
(Put out candle - draw banishing pentagram in air with wand)

O Southern Fires and bright, dancing flames Who protected this Circle and witnessed all claims Of magick performed and blessing poured out I thank you for coming and gathering about. But now comes the time for this Circle to end I release you back to the dark, fertile realm where you reign Hail and farewell until I see you again.

(Put out candle - draw banishing pentagram in air with wand)

Return to the East and draw a banishing pentagram in the air with your wand to break the seal of the Circle.

CALLING BACK THE CIRCLE

  ( I go widdershins in calling back the Circle.  Use whatever tool you cast the Circle with.  I prefer using my sickle of Hecate or staff/wand)

Power cast and then forgotten is power wasted Wherefore do I call Ye back O Circle of Power into my mighty staff (or sickle) By the holy flame, this Circle disappears and becomes no more Everything is as it was since the beginning of time.

The Circle is opened by unbroken May the love of the Goddess be ever in your heart Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet again

Roman Goddess Diana - Correspondences, Invocations, and Prayers

Seeing a beautiful statue of Diana on my feed tonight inspired me to make a post sharing my collected info of here. She has been my Matron Goddess for a year, having introduced herself to me in a time of sacred meditation. It was a highly moving experience.

Do you have any Matron/Patron Goddesses/Gods? If so, how did that come to be? Share your stories!

Diana

Goddess of fertility, wild places, and childbirth (Roman)

Zodiac: Cancer, Leo, Pisces, Sagittarius, Virgo

Solar System: Moon

Celebrations: Beltane, Ostara

Number: 1

Trees: Acacia, Apple, Beech, Chestnut, Cypress, Fir, Hazel, Horse Chestnut, Oak, Palm (date), Pine, Walnut, Willow

Herb & Garden: Jasmine, Lily, Mugwort, Poppy, Rue, Vervain

 Misc. Plants: Dittany, Mandrake, Moonwort, Wormwood

Gemstones & Minerals: Amethyst, Moonstone

Metal: Silver

From the Sea: Pearl

 Insects & Misc.: Bee, Scorpion

Animals: Bat, Bear, Cat, Cattle (cow), Deer, Dog

Issues, Intentions & Powers: animals, authority, beauty, discipline, empowerment, enmity, fertility, friend/ ship, goals, independence, knowledge, love, magic (moon, night), needs, nightmares, pregnancy/ childbirth, protection, secrets, shamanic work, strength, witches/ witchcraft, youth (young animals)

Invocation Ritual of the Maiden Diana
(For New Beginnings)

Taken from "Morgan Le Fey's Book of Spells and Wiccan Rites" by Jennifer Reif

 In this rite you will invoke the Roman Goddess Diana, Moon Maiden and Roman version of Artemis. She will bring you the blessings of a successful new beginning and remain with you until your goal is realized.

ITEMS NEEDED: 3 white candles and holders; a vase of flowers in white or pastel candles; sweet pea, myrrh, or lily oil.

THE ALTAR: Arrange the above on the altar.

BODY OF RITUAL: Anoint yourself with scented oil. Light one candle and say:

"Hail, Lady of the Silver Crescent,
Diana, Who is Maiden, and yet Mother of All,
Come, and attend this rite."

Light the second candle and say:

"I praise the Lady of Blossoming Fields;
How perfectly the fragrant lily reflects Your beauty.
You rise at every dawn of new beginnings.
You are the magic of all things
As they emerge from creation.
Without You, nothing is born or comes to fruition.
And so I praise You and honor You.
Lady, come and hear my prayer."

Tell Diana your endeavor and ask Her assistance. Then light the third candle, saying:

"May Diana bless my endeavor.
And lend Her powers unto my spirit.
May She bring me success and good fortune
And stay with me until all comes to fruition.
Ladt, I honor You and give You my fervent thanks,
Saying, Hail, Diana!
And Blessed Be!"

Allow the candles to burn down completely.

 

Invocations to Diana

Diana of the Rounded Moon,

The queen of all enchantments here,

The wind is crying through the trees,

As we invoke thee to appear.

The cares of day departed are,

The realm of night belongs to thee;

And we in love and kinship join

With all things that are wild and free.

As powers of magic round us move,

Now let time's self dissolve and fade.

Here in place between the worlds

May we be one with nature made.

Thy consort is the Horned One,

Whose sevenfold pipes make music sweet.

Old Gods of life and love and light

Be here as merrily we meet!

For ye circle's round we tread,

And unto ye the wine we pour;

The sacred Old Ones of this land,

Ye we invoke by ancient lore --

By magic moon and pagan spell,

By all the secrets of the night,

Dreams and desires and mystery,

Borne on the moonbeam's silver light.

Now may we hear, or may we see,

Or may we know within the heart,

A token of true magic made,

Ere from this circle we depart.

       (Pause...........)

O goddess-queen of night,

O Horn'ed One of might,

In earth and sky and sea

May peace and blessing be!

******************************************************************************

Diana our beautiful Lady, we ask that you come to us here in this beautiful  forest on this Full Moon night.  Please, observe and witness this Rite and the spirit in which it is performed.
We ask for your blessings in this undertaking. Know that our hearts are filled with love for you and that we are of your people.
We come before you now to renew the ancient bond, to reclaim what aspects of the Old Ways still remain open to us in this place and in this time.
Blessed Be.

**********************************************************************************

Diana, queen of night,
            In all your beauty bright,
            Shine on us here,
            And with your silver beam
            Unlock the gate of dream;
            Rise bright and clear.
            On earth and sky and sea,
            Your magic mystery
            Its spell shall cast,
            Wherever leaf may grow,
            Wherever tide may flow,
            Till all be past.
            O secret queen of power,
            At this enchanted hour
            We ask your boon.
            May fortune's favor fall
            Upon true witches all,
            O Lady Moon!

Prayers to Diana

Goddess of the forests and the Moon,
Diana of the Silver Crescent,
I chant my praises to you.
I lift my arms to your heavenly Crescent.
My thanks to you for caring for the woodland creatures,
For protecting the forests and meadow lands.
Protect me and mine, for we are your spiritual children.
Lovely Diana, I sing your praises.

********************************************************************************

Lovely Goddess of the bow!
Lovely Goddess of the arrows!
Of all hounds and of all hunting
Thou who wakest in starry heaven
When the sun is sunk in slumber
Thou with moon upon they forehead,
Who the chase by night preferrest
Unto hunting in the daylight,
With thy nymphs unto the music
Of the horn-thyself the huntress,
And most powerful: I pray thee
Think, although but for an instant,
Upon us who pray unto thee!

Hymn to Diana

 Queen and huntress, chaste and fair,

 Now the sun is laid to sleep,

 Seated in thy silver chair,

 State in wonted manner keep:

        Hesperus entreats thy light,

        Goddess excellently bright.

 Earth, let not thy envious shade

 Dare itself to interpose;

 Cynthia's shining orb was made

 Heaven to clear when day did close:

        Bless us then with wishèd sight,

        Goddess excellently bright.

 Lay thy bow of pearl apart,

 And thy crystal-shining quiver;

 Give unto the flying hart

 Space to breathe, how short soever;

        Thou that mak'st a day of night,

        Goddess excellently bright.

Simple Lunar Eclipse Mediation Ritual to Honor the Dark God and Triple Goddess - Oct. 18th

***Note: New "Contact" Page! ♥

A penumbral lunar eclipse will take place on October 18, 2013, the last of three lunar eclipses in 2013. It will be visible from the Americas (for the end), Europe, Africa, and most of Asia (the beginning of the eclipse will be visible in east Asia). The western part of the Philippines (including western Luzon and Palawan) can see the penumbral eclipse at moonset.

You can find out the best time for your ritual by using this calculator, I’ve included the time for EST near me below. Click Here for Eclipse Calculator

EST:

Event	Time in Buffalo	Direction	Altitude	Looks like	Comments
Penumbral eclipse begins	Oct 18 at 5:53 PM	72°	3.3° below	Not directly visible	Under horizon
Moonrise	Oct 18 at 6:16 PM	76°	0.0° below	Not directly visible	Under horizon
Maximum Eclipse	Oct 18 at 7:50 PM	91°	16.2°		Moon is closest to the center of the shadow.
Penumbral Eclipse ends	Oct 18 at 9:48 PM	112°	36.9°		The Earth's penumbra ends.

This eclipse is in progress during sunrise or sunset, so the Sun is displayed only partly in some phases, according to its altitude below the horizon. The animation's bottom edge represents an ideal, flat horizon, which is at the same altitude as the observer.

During the Lunar Eclipse, you have the energies of the New and Full moon. You also have the Dark God (sun) and Triple Goddess (moon). I’ve made a simple ritual for meditation and honoring the God and Goddess in their special aspects during this time for you to follow or adapt to your own needs. 

*Note: All items should be consecrated for this ritual. 

Needed Items:

*Athame

*Either: Purifying incense, bath soak, or oil

*Candles in the following colors:

(1 Black

*1 White

*1 candle out of any the following colors:

Blue, Brown, Indigo, Purple, Red

*1 Yellow candle

*Heat Proof Container, such as a cauldron

Items you may incorporate:

1 Green candle

·         White or silver altar cloth

·         Mugwort,

·         Camphor,

·         Sandalwood

·         Moonstone,

·         Selenite,

·         Pearl,

·         Mother of pearl,

·         Sapphire

·         You may draw the moon symbol on each of your meditation candles, the God symbol on the black candle, and the Triple Goddess symbol on the white candle.

You will be working with very strong energies, so it’s essential that you be pure. 

Simple options:

·         Purify bath soak/body scrub – Mix salt and Lemon essential oil

·         Smudge with Sage incense (a stick or herb on charcoal)

·         Blessing/Purifying oil (I use sage essential oil and dab it on yourself with  the following incantation:

"Blessed be my feet, that I may walk in sacred paths."
"Blessed be my knees that  I may kneel at the altar of the Ancient ones"
"Blessed be my second chakra that I may bring forth life, art, and joy."
"Blessed be my heart, that is formed in beauty, that I may love and receive love."
"Blessed be my lips that I may speak words of power in time to come"
"Blessed be my minds eye that I may see the unseen and receive messages of the Spirit"

·         Light the incense. I will be burning an equal blend of Frankencense and Myrrh. The Frankencense strengthens spirituality, while the myrrh does that and also aids in meditation.

*** If you don’t have these and want other suggestions, feel free to ask me. I can provide a larger list.

·         Cast a circle deosil 3x.

o   “Round and round the circles casts, joining present, future and past. I now create a sacred place, invoke the moon and sun from far in space.”

o   “Round and round the circles casts, joining present, future and past. Bound is this circle that I weave, out of sacred lunar energies”

o   “Round and Round the circles cast, joining present, future and past. Thrice is the circle cast this night and now begins our lunar rite.” 

·         Proceeding deosil go to the center of the circle and hold athame to the sky and say "As Above" then point it down saying "So Below!”

Ground and rhythmic breathing. I like to do “squared breathing” to center myself. To do this:

·         Inhale 4 seconds. Hold 4 secs. Exhale 4 seconds. Hold 4 secs. Continue.

.

·         As you breathe in, draw in the energy of the earth. You can feel it enter your body through the area, or travel through the ground, up your spine, spreading further with each inhale til it travels through your limbs, filling you, finally radiating out of your limbs and crown of your head.

·         With each exhale, release the dark energy. Saddness, frustration, worry, anger- anything bogging you down, anything that may way heavy on your heart. Send it back outside of you, into the universe to be reused by the Divine for greater purpose.

Drumming to the rhythm of your breathe or your heartbeat is also very centering. Tuning yourself both inwardly and outwardly creates the strongest connection to the Divine.

***For added effect of grounding and centering energy, light a green candle. Focus on the flame. Let your eyes go hazy. Then begin your breathing exercises, slowly letting your eyes close if they get too heavy.

·         Light a Blue, Brown, Indigo, Purple, Red, or Violet candle and then a yellow candle. These colors represent truth and clarity, what you will be meditating on.

·         Focus on the flame, allow a trance to take over. Ask for clarity and truth during this cycle. Ask to be released of any bonds that do not serve to your highest good.

“Lord and Lady,  please release me

Of all things hurting

That do not serve me”

·         Things to meditate on:

o   Where in my life do I need change, a new approach, or a fresh perspective?

Ø  Write on a piece of paper, then hold in to it, charging it with energy :

“By the powers around me, my goals I’ll achieve,

Blessed by the land, bless by the fire, blessed the air and the sea;

the Lord and Lady shall let it be”

o   How can I break through barriers? How do I arise from the ashes and soar to my highest potential?

Ø  Writing, holding, and charging time:

“From the ashes, like a Phoenix I rise

I shall reach my greatest good,

I will not let a single thing bind”

·         Time to burn the paper. As you go to light it:

“I now release and mold this energy

That it may go into the universe

And in the name of the Lord and Lady

Be utilized for the good of all whom it may concern.”

Honoring the God in his dark aspect, and the Triple Goddess.

·         Light a black candle, and then recite the Charge of the Dark God.

“Listen to the words of the Dark God, who was of old called
Lakchos, Donn, Anubis, Hades, Setesh, Hoder, and by many
other names:
I am the shadow in the bright day, I am the reminder of
mortality at the height of living.

I am the never ending veil
of Night where the Star Goddess dances.

I am the Death that must be so that Life may continue,
for behold, Life is immortal because the living must die.

I am the strength that protects, that limits; I am the power
that says No, and NO further, and That Is Enough. I am the
things that cannot be spoken of, and I am the laughter at
the edge of Death.

Come with me into the warm enfolding dark; feel my
caresses in the hands, in the mouth, in the body of one you
love, and be transformed.

Gather in the moonless night and speak in unknown tongues;
the Dark Mother and I will listen. Sing to us and cry out,
and the Power will be yours to wield.

Blow me a kiss when the sky is dark, and I will smile, but no kiss
return, for my kiss is the final one for all mortal flesh.”

·         Light a white candle. Recite the Charge of the Triple Goddess. 

“I am the waning Moon. The Goddess who is fading from the land. In the springtime, I sought my Lord and mated with him beneath the trees and stars.  

At Beltane I wed my Lord beneath the first blossoms of the hawthorn tree

And in the summertime, I ripened the apples in the orchards and fruit grew round and strong like the seed in my womb. At the corn harvest I cut down my Lord. That by His death our people might feed.

And now in autumn time, I descend beneath the Earth to dwell with my Lord in his dark kingdom until our child is born. At Winter Solstice, I will bring forth the child and renew our hope. And at Candlemas, I myself will return to renew the land.

I leave you but return to you. When you see my power fade and the leaves fall from the trees. When snow obliterates like death and all traces of me upon the Earth, then look for me inside the moon and there in the heavens you will see the soul of me soaring still amongst the stars. And in the darkest time when the moon is covered by shadow and there is no trace of Me

in Heaven or on Earth; when you look outward and your life seems cold, dark and barren, let not despair eat at your hearts.

For I am hidden. I am renewing when I am waning. I am readying for return.

Remember my promise and look within you and there you will find the spirit of me awaiting those who seek. For the well-spring of your being, I await you always.

I am Diana in Heaven, on Earth Persephone, and within you the dark Hecate.

Triple am I; the only three. My body Earth. My soul the Moon and within the innermost self: the eternal spirit of Me.

·         Feel free to perform spell work here, if you wish, It is my opinion the best kind of magick would be full moon, or dark moon magick such as spells for gain, goals, or self-discovery and insight and intuition.

·         Affirm:

“I am a witch!

I am at one with the Eath, the Universe,

And the Divine!

Let my life be free from strife and fear!

Let only Joy and Love come near;

With Blessings  given and received

I walk in Peace in Word and Deed!”

·         Snuff the candles.

·         Open the circle, proceeding around 3x widdershins:

·         "Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around.
I now Dissolve this Sacred Space and send all Powers back to place.

Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around.
Stay if you can, Go if you must, with Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.

Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around.
My Work is finished for the Night/Day and now I End my Magick Rite/Way."
Once the circle is closed, continuing widdershins into the center of the circle, say the following salute:
"(athame pointed up)The circle is open, (athame pointed down) but unbroken." 

I hope you are able to utilize this ritual for your highest good, or at least take something from it to supplement your own plan of honoring this time of special energies! 

Comments much appreciated, and feel free to shoot me any questions.

Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again!