Moon of Descent |
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Meditation
for this Ritual We have entered the dark of the year. Days grow cold and nights long. The earth begins her winter’s rest. The Crone beckons: “Come into the darkness, explore what lies within.” November is a time that is betwixt and between. We have passed through the gateway of Samhain into the dark of the year, and we await the rebirth of light—the rebirth of the Lord at Yule. This moon, the Moon of Descent, gives us the opportunity to descend within ourselves and find the inner realm. It is through this inner place that we can connect with other realms. Tonight we are going to visit our inner realm. Close your eyes and get comfortable. Become aware of your feet on the floor. Feel your energy move through your feet, down through the floor, down through this building directly to the earth. Feel Mother Earth’s energy join with your energy. Your body may feel heavy as it becomes grounded. Now, draw the energy up through your body. Feel the vital life-force move through you. As you feel this movement, become aware that you are walking through the woods. Leaves blanket the ground and the air is crisp. You walk along a path that follows a small ridge overlooking a slow-moving river. The path splits to skirt around two trees that grow in the middle of the path. These trees are about four feet apart. These are the gateway trees. Stop in between these trees, raise your hands to shoulder height and place one of your palms on each tree. Say to yourself, “And so, I enter.” Feel the energy of the trees move through you. When you are ready, move onward. The path curves to the left, but you continue forward. You see that the ground slopes into a small valley where a stream trickles down a little stepped waterfall. You move forward down the steep slope where bare rock provides rugged steps. As you climb down you notice a large gnarled oak tree growing from the rock. This is the Merlin tree that guards this enchanted valley. You begin to feel the energy of land. The only sound is the trickling water farther down the slope. When you reach level ground beside the Merlin tree, you turn to your left. The ground below the path you left before climbing down forms a straight right angle that towers 20 feet above you. Where the rock and earth is cleanly sheered away, a few small ferns have taken root. A narrow alcove in the rock wall is the size of a small door. Soften your gaze and look at this rock wall. Part of it opens inward like a door. You enter, and follow the path. There is a wall on your right, but the left seems to slope away, and even though you cannot see where it goes, you are not fearful of falling. There is a soft light from the rock above; just enough to allow you to see the path. Even though it is autumn, this underground route is not cold. It is as if the earth itself is providing warmth. Ahead you hear voices. You cannot discern what is being said, but the voices sound friendly. As you draw near, you find that you are on a balcony overlooking a cavern. It is a great hall set with long tables. There are other beings below talking in groups. There is lively music. To your left is a staircase that leads down to the floor of the hall. As you descend, a few of the beings notice you, but go back to their conversations. Despite being in a different place, you do not feel intimidated and you begin to walk through the hall. There is an empty bench at the other end. You walk towards it and have a seat. From here you can listen to the music and watch the others. What you hear and see may hold messages for you; things that may guide you through the dark of the year. As you enjoy the music, one of the beings may come and sit beside you. You may ask questions, but do not demand answers. Even if a being does not speak with you directly, conversation that you overhear may hold information for you. Listen and feel the warmth of the energy that surrounds you. If you are compelled to walk around this great hall, do so. (Pause for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. This can be in silence or music can be inserted.) It is time to begin your return journey. If you have been speaking with one of the beings, thank them for their gift of wisdom. In return, offer them a gift. It may be a piece of jewelry that you wear, something in your pocket, or a piece of your clothing. Give something that has value to you and give it freely. Once you climb the stairs to the balcony you may want to pause a moment and look at the hall. Does it seem different from when you entered? Retrace your route along the dim passage, then through the doorway where you find yourself standing next to the wall of rock below the Merlin tree. Instead of climbing back up to the path in the woods, walk further down the slope to the stream and tiny waterfall. There are small pools along the steps between each small fall of water. The little valley pulses with magic energy and it makes you smile because you haven’t felt this close to the web of life since you were a child. Dip you hand in the silvery reflection of a pool and thank the beings below in the Underworld. It is time to return to your own world. Climb up the slope, using the roots of the Merlin tree to steady you. Find the path and follow it. At the gateway trees in the middle of the path, pause again. Place a palm on each tree and say to yourself: “And so I leave, to return again.” The forest around you begins to fade. Become aware of this room. Feel your feet on the floor. Become aware of your energy and the earth energy that has been holding you. Let excess energy flow to Mother Earth as you return to your everyday consciousness. When you are ready, open your eyes. The
Ritual When you return
to where you started, say: Go to the edge of the circle in each direction to speak and then light a candle. For the Goddess, stand before the altar. Quiet caverns, deep places of the Underworld. I beckon to the spirits of North, of Earth, to join me in my circle this dark night. Soft breath, still air of silent places. I beckon to the spirits of East, of Air, to join me in my circle this dark night. Single candle, small flame that casts a soft light. I beckon to the spirits of South, of Fire, to join me in my circle this dark night. A few drops, a small trickle that seeps below the surface. I beckon to the spirits of West, of Water, to join me in my circle this dark night. Sister Luna, your pale sheen prompts us to be quiet, to be still, to listen. I beckon to you, join me in my circle this dark night. Meditation When the meditaion is finished, take an acorn or hazelnut from the altar and close your hand over it. Think of it as a gift from the forest, and remember the beings you met and saw in the Underworld. Know that your journey there gave depth to your inner journey. Know that your inner world touches other realms.
The pale light within the earth is mirrored by the soft light of the Moon. Sister Luna, I thank you for standing guard on my journey and for your presence this night. Stay if you will, go if you must. I bid you farewell. Enchanted streams and underground pools. Spirits of the West, of Water, thank you for your presence this night. Stay if you will, go if you must. I bid you farewell. Soft light that shines within the earth. Spirits of the South, of Fire, thank you for your presence this night. Stay if you will, go if you must. I bid you farewell. Gentle air that follows the paths and fills the caverns of earth. Spirits of the East, of Air, thank you for your presence this night. Stay if you will, go if you must. I bid you farewell. Quiet places, magical places that hold knowledge and wisdom from the deep realms. Spirits of the North, of Earth, thank you for your presence this night. Stay if you will, go if you must. I bid you farewell. Ring
the bell gently three times, and then say:
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