GROWING MOON: April 2001
written by, Wolfwings

“The Candle is lit, the Ritual has Begun”

Ground/Center

Intro: Now is the time of the Growing Moon, ever increasing creation, ever flowing, ever growing. This is the time when the grass turns green, the snow melts away, becoming the nourishment for new and renewed life. Tonight we celebrate and participate in the growth of life as we come to embrace the changes in season and in our selves. On this night of the Growing Moon we increase our strength and energy as we walk on onward on our journey.

Purification (Earth/Water): add three pinches of salt to water and say something like, “Salt and water, three times blessed, like the oceans of life, purified and blessed.” Then take the salt-water, walk deosil to the North, begin to sprinkle the outline of a circle and say something like, “blessed be this circle, purified by water and salt. Water to clear away old and unneeded energies, Salt to ground the water, and mixed to purify.”

Charge (Fire/Air): light the incense, if not already lit, place hand over or near burning incense and say something like, “Air and Fire, combined together to create the force that will charge this circle.” Then walk around the circle deosil, starting in the North and say something like, ”Air and Fire, smoke and flame, together they charge everything, in this space.”

Cast Circle: Take your wand, sword, or athame, walk deosil until you reach the North then start to create the circle and say something like,
“From the North and to the East, I cast this circle, then to the South and round to West, I cast this circle, and from the West connecting to North, the circle is cast.”

North: take the extra candle, remember to light it from the candle of art, begin to invoke the North by these words or your own,
“Hail North, powers of Earth,
the Death Crone and Rebirth,
we ask you to join our circle,
to aid us in your wisdom,
Hail and Welcome!”
Light the North Candle

East: using these words or your own invoke the east by saying,
“Hail East, powers of Air,
from the great eagle, to the mayfly,
we ask you to join our circle,
to aid us with your connection,
Hail and Welcome!”
Light the East candle.

South: using these words or your own invoke the south by saying,
“Hail South, Powers of Fire,
snakes, salamanders, and bonfires,
we ask you to join our circle,
to aid us with your strengths
Hail and Welcome!”
Light the South Candle.

West: using these words or your own invoke the west by saying,
“Hail West, Powers of Water,
from seahorses to Whales to fresh and salt water
we ask you to join our circle,
to aid us with your intuition
Hail and Welcome!”
Light the west Candle.

Center: using these words or your own invoke the south by saying,
“Hail Spirit, Powers at the center
Father Sky and Mother Earth,
as above, so below
we ask you to join our circle,
to aid us with your energy
Hail and Welcome!”
Light the Center Candle.

Goddess: using these words or your own invoke the Goddess by saying,
“Full Moon Mother,
shining pale and bright like no other,
join us on this April night,
shed upon us your wisdom and light,
the gift of growth you bring to us,
to share lessons given by your trust.
Hail and Welcome!”
Light the Goddess Candle.

God: using these words or your own invoke the God by saying,
“Young Cerrnunus
join us in your youth,
bring to us your energy,
of fertility and youth,
and as you grow in strength
we will grow with you.
Hail and Welcome!”
Light the God Candle.

Activity:
Materials: pen(cils) and paper.

Currently the Earth is changing where we live. The Sun is fertilizing the earth as it increases the light that is shed each day. We all are beginning to feel the renewed strength of spring as our connection to the ever growing life around us becomes more aware. These are the days when changes occur faster than they have during the darker months. As our environment changes, so must we (even if we don’t want to). From lessening our layers in wardrobe and opening our houses to fresh air to changing jobs and/or semesters and plans and priorities.

Each covener takes their pens and papers and writes out their current priorites for the Summer and current season…. Family, coven, friends, etc. Take time to reflect on these priorities. Look at the weaker priorities, why are they weak? How could/would you change it? How could we help you to keep to your priorities?

Discuss with covenmates.

Meditation: (led by Wolfwings)

Closing statement