Spring Equinox - Aries/Libra Full Moon

Ritual written* and led by Janine
(Friday 21/9/07)

Introduction...

The message of the Spring Equinox and the Aries Full moon is to bring our ideas into physical reality. What do we want to bring into our lives, and how do we make our ideas become something of real substance in the outer world, rather than a simple passing fancy? What might seem a passing thought can become a powerful force for change if we seize upon it rightly?

Tonight we are connecting to Shakti the Goddess, the Divine Mother who creates and embodies the entire Universe. Shakti is the Supreme Energy of Shiva (Supreme Consciousness), Shakti is also worshipped as Brahman (the Ultimate Godhead), holding that all other forms of Divinity are but Her diverse manifestations. To achieve worldly contentment, divine enlightenment and ultimate liberation we should Surrender to Shakti, the Divine Feminine!

To prepare for this ritual you need sandalwood oil and sandalwood incense, as well as a wand or a long-stem rose, you will also need a chalice filled with spring water and a bowl of water as well as a bowl of salt. Your altar should face the east, but be in the centre of the circle. You will also need a brass or silver, clear-toned bell.

The Ritual...

Priestess - rings bell
All - chanted - OM

Priestess - "In the begining was the word, the sacred sound, and from it arose SHAKTI, she who dances, the eternally changing one."
All - chanted - "OM"
Priestess - "We celebrate with Shakti tonight, in her changes, and allow her to dance through our lives, transforming us."
All - chanted - "OM"
The priestess takes the wand and blesses the salt, saying
This salt symbolizes the pure seed of Shiva, that eternal bliss that enters our awareness in meditation
She blesses the water saying,
This water is the water of Shakti's womb, which is within each of us, and which brings the pure awareness to birth in our conscious minds
She combines the two and blesses it with the wand saying,
"it is done"
She sprinkles the outer perimeter of the circle with this mixture moving anti-clockwise, as all chant together
All- chanting - "KALI Durge Namo Nama"
(This chant asks the female energy in the crone form to remove all the obstacles and impurities from us that we may become enlightened) The priestess then lights the sandalwood incense and censes the outer perimeter of the circle with it, moving anti -clockwise.
All - chanting - "OM NAMAHA SHIVAIA"
(This Mantra honors the LORD - the Divine self within us)

Quarter Calls

East

Priestess - "Hail to the East"
All- "Hail to the East"
We invite the Devas of the air to swirl and dance around us tonight bringing us new ideas from the dawn and renewed inspirations like a breath of fresh air.
All - "so be it"

North

Priestess - "Hail to the North"
All - "Hail to the North"
We invite the Devas of the North, of the noon-time, to dance around us tonight, giving us the gift of passionate love and warm friendship from the powers of fire.
All - "So be it"

West

Priestess - "Hail to the West"
All - "Hail to the west"
We invite the Devas of the West, of water and of the sun-set land to dance around us tonight giving us the gift of happiness that comes with love and friendship"
All - "So Be it"

South

Priestess - "Hail to the South"
All- "Hail to the South"
We invite the Devas of the South, of the earth, to come from the land of midnight and dance around us, giving stability and security to our lives and our magick this night"
All- "SO be it"

HP

She returns to the East once more and salutes it again with her wand and says,
"Hail to the East"
All - "Hail to the East, from whence wisdom arises"
She returns to face the altar in the Centre of the circle and raises her wand high she says
HP - " Come forth Shiva, through the Dance of Shakti,
Come forth and reveal to us the Divine Self"
All - "So be it" She chants the SACRED OM and anoints her 3d eye with Sandlewood oil then says,
So do we prepare the throne of Shiva
She then anoints each one in the circle as they individually chant the sacred OM, So do we prepare the throne of SHiva"
HP then takes up the wand or the rose again, and casts the circle 3 times from the East and moving anti clockwise while saying
First casting - "I cast the light of the Pure awareness, of Shiva, to protect us and bless us"
All - "So Be it" Second casting - "I cast the pure force, which is Shakti, to enfold us in a shield of love and bliss"
All- "So Be it"
Third casting - I cast the power of Wisdom from the Gurus and Sages of all times and their wisdom gives us safety this night"
All - "So be it"
All join hands and dance around the circle three times to signify the dance of Shakti . Everyone sits on the floor.
HP - This is the night when the moon is full and when the forces personified as Shiva and Shakti are balanced and harmonious. Let us greet the Shakti and allow her energy to rise in us that it may be joined to her consort, Lord Shakti, that the pure awareness may break forth within us"
At this point we meditate for 15 - 20 minutes focusing on energizing the 3d eye and opening the Psychic awareness.

Feel the energies rising from the base of your spine up to the centre of your forehead. Rejoice and know that Shiva and Shakti are being united within you.

After this has been done the HP says
"Now picture the light emerging through the top of your head and connecting to the rainbow light that is now coming from everyone in the room to form a ball of multi-hued light above the centre of the circle see the light growing stronger and stronger, take a deep breath and on the count of three release your breath and know that the light is going out to enlighten the world and everyone in it.
All - "So be it"

HP waits a moment or two then arises, goes to the altar, takes up the chalice. She blesses the Chalice of Spring water saying
When Shiva and Shakti are one the pure fruit of enlightenment is born in us
All -"So Be it
Om Namaha Shivaia"
Water from the Chalice is poured out and handed to each one, HP saying
"Remember that THOU ART GODDESS"
"Remember that THOU ART GOD"

HP takes up the bell and rings it
ALL - chanted - "OM"
HP "It is done"
Ground the energy returning it to the Earth, HP then raises her wand and says
"Thanks be to Shiva and Shakti for these moments to share in their blissful union May our awareness grow, becoming constant and bringing enlightenment"
All - "So be it"
She snuffs out the altar candles for her.

Closing

South

We thank the Devas of the South, of the earth, for coming from the land of midnight and for dancing around us, bringing stability and security to our lives and magick this night"
All- "So be it"

West

We thank the Devas of the West, of water and of the sun-set land for dancing around us tonight giving us the gift of happiness that comes with love and friendship"
All- "So be it"

North

We thank the Devas of the North, of the noon-time, for dancing around us tonight, giving us the gift of passionate love and warm
All- "So be it"

East

We thank the Devas of the air that swirl for dancing around us tonight bringing us new ideas from the dawn and renewed inspirations like a breath of fresh air."
All- "So be it"

HP

Then from the east she takes her wand, and opens the circle moving clockwise and saying
We open the circle and bring our BLISS of Awareness into our daily lives, as a blessing to all"
All- "So Be it"

The High Priestess rings the Bell and says
"The circle is now open but not unbroken, may the peace of the Goddess be ever in our heart. Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.

(11) Photos by Janine