Take Bath with herbs, or shower. Relax and ground.
Cleanse area with besom/smudge yourself with sage or herb of your liking. Rosemary is very cleansing.
Cast circle. Smudge your alter well.
Bless the alter (good to do every new moon if you do nothing else): "I bless this alter that you may aid the energy flow as I stand in front of you and worship the honor of the Gods. I leave only positive around my alter of wisdom and love, casting out any negativity. May all that is placed on my alter be used with the best of intentions for all, so mote it be."
Call Quarters...
Goddess Calling: "O Goddess of both Moon and Star. Who rules all planets near and far. Who rules the Earth and all within, who sets the time our lives begin. Who gives me strength and self-worth, who brings me happiness and mirth. With every loving touch you give unto this plane on I now live. Please surround me now with your abundent love and touch this circle with your wisdom. Join this sacred rite, O Mother_____, shower upon me your love and light!"
God Calling: O Lord of Places wild and free, who sows the seeds that we might be. Who fertilizes all on the Earth, and brings me pleasure, joy and mirth. You are the sun that shines from above who warms me with your fatherly love. Please decend now from above, and touch this circle with your love. Join me in the sacred rite, Oh Lord _____ lend me your strength and might!"
Then I describe the ritual as an affirmation: "People who honor the Goddess truly honor the Goddess in themselves. Change begins on the new moon, the old left behind-building on the positive and acknowledging the negative to be thrown away to start anew. It is the birth of anything. All things are possible. May I live with purity and love in the present so I create a positive and strong future."
Rededicating yourself to the craft:
"O Goddess Mother, gentle and mild, look down and bless me for I am your child."
Bless water and salt, visuallize this liquid becoming pure and surrounded with white light.
Touch top of head with the oil and say, "Bless me Mother, who is your child."
Touch your 3rd eye and say, "Bless my mind's eye that I may see you clearly."
Touch your ears and say, "Bless my ears to hear your voice in the wind".
Touch your lips and say, "Bless my mouth that I may speak well in your name".
Touch your heart and say, "Bless my heart that I may show compassion as you do".
Touch your solar plexus and say, "Bless my center of my energies, so that I am centered on your Earth."
Touch your feet and say, "Bless my feet, that they always walk the Wiccan (Celtic, etc.) path and never stray."
Meditate for a few minutes. Look in the mirror on your alter and see the Goddess looking back. It's you!! :)
The New Moon marks the first day on the lunar calendar.
Morgan Le Faye