The Sacred Circle. Art by Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman
I originally shared this well-known ritual (and there are many variations) in a post a couple of years ago, but decided it needed to be shared again all on its own!
DRAWING DOWN THE MOON
This rite can be done during the Full Moon OR New Moon energy, alone or in Circle, and can be paired with other rituals or sacred work. If done at the New Moon, it brings in the power of unlimited potential, the raw stuff of the Universe, and is great for initiating projects. If done at the Full Moon, it brings in the power and majesty of harvest and completion.
There are as many variations of this age-old rite as there are practitioners. If how I do this rite doesn’t resonate with you, change it up so that it becomes uniquely yours. Or look for other variations out there; this is where Google is our friend and ally!
Ideally, this rite is done outdoors in the light of the Full Moon but can be done indoors (hopefully with a view of the Moon, but not essential). Of course, when doing at the New Moon, Grandmother Moon is not visible. If the Moon is NOT visible for any reason, imagine instead where it is: behind the clouds, below the horizon, and so on.
You could even focus your energies on something representing Grandmother Moon such as a moon bowl (learn how to create one here), a crystal, a drawing, a painting.
my Moon Bowl
The important thing is to create sacred space for your ritual… that is the place where the magic happens, no matter where you are.
And just like a shamanic journey allows you to enter non-ordinary reality, Drawing Down the Moon can be a mystical experience of altered consciousness
To Begin
This ritual is done standing, feet no more than shoulder-width apart, and preferably outdoors under the Full Moon light. If standing is not possible for you, be sure to find a suitable spot to sit or have someone bring a chair for you. And if you can see the Full Moon from indoors, it’s fine to perform the ritual there.
OPTIONAL: Bring some beloved music to play (softly, let’s not disrupt the night, LOL) during this ritual. One of my favourites is We All Come from The Goddess by Lindie Lila.
Start by breathing deeply and slowly until you feel the tensions of the day ebbing away. Focus on your breath, feeling that slow deep inhalation reaching into every part of your body and into your chakras. Focus on the Solar Plexus Chakra in particular, as it will support you in your Soul Work. Feel the Air energy reaching into every cell of your body, inspiring you, cleansing you. With each breath you exhale, feel any toxins, aches, pains, or unwanted thoughts to leave your body to be accepted by the outside Air for cleansing and returning to Mama Earth.
Open your Sacred Space in your preferred way, such as Calling in the Directions or casting a circle.
Call in your guides and allies, and all directions and elements, asking for their support.
Look up at the Moon. Really look at Her. Look at Her like you’ve never done before… deeply… feel Her light… feel Her energy.
Call out to the Goddess(es) of the Moon… Selene, Diana, Gaia, Áine, Arianrhod, Artemis, Isis, Luna, Mama Quilla. Thank LaLuna and the Goddess(es) for their guidance. Send them the love that they give you daily.
Continue breathing in LaLuna’s energy for a few minutes until you are fully relaxed and you feel nothing but you and the Moon.
Raise your arms with your palms facing the Moon, like a chalice ready to drink in the energy of The Goddess and the Moon. OPTIONAL: Bring your thumbs together, then your index fingers, to create a triangle through which you can gaze at the Moon.
Hold that position for as long as it feels comfortable. gazing at the Moon, reflecting on your Will (the Sun) and your Emotions (the Moon)… reflecting on your affirmation for this month… reflecting on the Goddess, as she reflects the Sun.
Invoke the energy of the Goddess in your own way, inviting her to infuse your Self with her power, her love, her magick, her ability to manifest and create. It can be as simple as chanting “I invoke The Goddess” until you feel her energy flow. Feel her energy fill your body… your spirit… your mind.
You ARE The Goddess and She is You.
Hold onto this feeling, this wonderful feeling of wonder, love, energy, awe, of being the Goddess.
Allow your emotions to flow freely during the rite. Laugh, cry, sigh, yell, giggle, sob, dance a jig, kiss a tree, whatever feels right. I have one friend who gets the hiccups (and the giggles) every time she draws down the Moon!
And you — or others, if working in Circle — may find that you start to channel the wisdom from The Goddess… let it flow. Trust it.
OPTIONAL: Before completing the rite, say your affirmation (or goal) for remainder of the month or make a request of the Moon and The Goddess, perhaps for their help and support… perhaps the granting of a secret wish you have harboured for a while.
Once you sense that the Drawing Down is complete, thank the Moon, the Goddess(es) and any other deities, guides, ancestors or allies that have come forward for you. Bring your arms back to your side and take a moment to breathe deeply and slowly once again, reconnecting to Mama Earth. Feel that Goddess power, knowing you can go forth with this energy.
Close your circle/sacred space as you opened it. Thank the directions, elements, allies, guides, goddesses, etc.
Should you wish to do more Soul Work or Magickal Working during your Full Moon work, this rite will empower your work.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks