May Full Moon Ritual

Moon of the Faeries

Setup
Items needed for this ritual include: Enough cut flowers to mark the perimeter of the circle. The flowers need not touch each other and can be spaced at intervals that seem appropriate; A basket with several cut flowers; Six candles in pastel or early spring flower colors; A small cauldron; A bowl filled with marigold seeds; A small sachets that contain morning glory and moon flower seeds; A tape or CD of music for meditation (optional).

Background
This is May, the time of opening, the time of blossoming. The world is gently wrapped in a sweet blanket of flowers. Fruit trees bloom and carry the promise of abundance to come. Newly arrived birds sing in the warmth of the strengthening sunlight. We do ritual in this soft part of the year to open our spirits to receive.

Flowers, a gift from the Lord and Lady, beckon to our souls. Their endless varieties give us beauty and fragrance to enjoy. Some flowers, such as lavender, can be used for healing and others, such as geraniums, can be used to enhance the flavor of food.

Like flowers, we are children of Mother Earth, and in this time of blossoming, we too need to open. Flowers are delicate and beautiful and serve to remind us that we need to be gentle with ourselves and to be able to find the beauty within.

Marigold seeds are used in this ritual. For centuries it was believed that to smell or gaze upon a marigold would lift cares and burdens from your soul. Tonight use the gift of marigold to lift the cares of everyday life from your shoulders and to help open your heart.

The Ritual
With the basket of cut flowers, walk the perimeter (deosil) of your circle, placing flowers at intervals along the floor. When you arrive back where you started, say:
With these gifts from the Mother,
And the magic of the Sídhe,
I pass from on realm to another,
Sacred this space, I decree.

Face each direction as you speak, and then light a candle. For the Goddess and God, face the altar.

The snowdrop, white and green flower of hope and first to show that the earth is awakening. I beckon to the spirits of North, of Earth to join me and sweeten my circle this night.

The carnation, Sweet William, your delicate fragrance borne on gentle May breezes sweetens my life. I beckon to the spirits of East, of Air to join me and sweeten my circle this night.

The marigold, bright and cheerful as the daystar it follows daily across the sky. I beckon to the spirits of South, of Fire to join me and sweeten my circle this night.

The iris, watery blue with three inner and three outer petals is the messenger of the Goddess. I beckon to the spirits of West, of Water to join me and sweeten my circle this night.

The rose, king of flowers. It is said that as a spirit passes from this realm it can only be accompanied by the rose. I beckon to the Lord to join me and sweeten my circle this night.

The Lilly, symbol of hope and grace, represents the triple ideal. I beckon to the Lady to join me and sweeten my circle this night.

Go to the altar and take a large pinch of marigold seeds. Cup the seeds in your hands and hold them near your heart. Close your eyes and think of how you want to blossom. Think of how you want to open and receive the good things that are waiting to come into your life. Think of your spirit opening like a flower. Let it bloom.

You may want to spend a little time meditating with music at this point.

When you have fixed in your mind the image of your spirit opening, go to the altar and place the seeds in the cauldron. The cauldron is an ancient symbol of the womb and of transformation. After you have placed the seeds in the cauldron, take a flower from the basket. Think of it as a precious gift.

Observe the flower. Let it be a symbol to show you the need to allow yourself to blossom and open. Be open to bring your special gifts to the world, and to receive from others; from the people you know as well as those from other realms.

Let your heart open as you move deosil around the circle and chant:
My heart is open,
With these words spoken,
In a vision of love this spell
Will not be broken.

When it feels appropriate, bring the chanting and movement to stillness. Use your usual method for grounding energy.

Extinguish each candle, respectively, after speaking.

Lady of All, I thank you for the gift of beauty that you bestow upon the world. Each time I gaze upon a flower I will remember that your fair hand created it. I ask that you bless me as you depart to your realm of beauty. Farewell, dear Lady.

Lord of All, I thank you for the gift of mystery that you bestow upon the world. Each time a flower’s fragrance envelopes me, I will remember that you helped create it. I ask that you bless me as you depart to your sweetly scented realm. Farewell, dear Lord.

Spirits of West, messengers of the Divine, I ask that you bless me as you depart to your watery realm. Farewell, dear spirits.

Spirits of South, servant of the daystar, I ask that you bless me as you depart to your fiery realm. Farewell, dear spirits.

Spirits of East, sweetly scented breezes, I ask that you bless me as you depart to your airy realm. Farewell, dear spirits.

Spirits of North, life-sustaining foundation, I ask that you bless me as you depart to your earthly realm. Farewell, dear spirits.

Take the sachet and hold it in your hands as you face the altar.

Thank you for this gift which will be a reminder for me to be open and gentle as a flower. May these seeds of morning glories and moon flowers bring sweetness to my days and nights. Like morning glories, may I greet each day with freshness. Like moon flowers, may I find the power of Luna always within me. In faith and unity, blessed be.

Copyright - A Year of Ritual
Llewellyn - Sandra Kynes

The full moon rituals:

January • February • March • April • May • June • July

August • September • October • November • December