New Moon Ritual- July 2001
Coven of the Silver Branch
written by, Wolfwings

The coven gathers, grounds and center and performs a group breath.

Declaration of Intent

Foxglove-- Now is the time of darkness, when the moon hides behind the veil, a time of mystery and renewal. During this phase our environment is enshrouded in darkness, disabling our sense, and turning us inward. This is a brief period of stillness and self discovery, it is a period between the old cycle and new. Let this be the time to realize the steps in our path, to prepare to face the coming changes and renewal, and to celebrate the new aspects in our lives.

Wolfwings-- lights the candle of art and says:
�the candle is lit, the ritual has begun.�

Casting the Circle:

Blackwood-- Salt-water purification.

Take up the chalice of water and say,
"Blessed be thou creature of water."
Then, take up the bowl of salt and say,
"Blessed be thou creature of Earth."
Proceed to add three pinches of salt to the water and mix together.
Take the salt-water mix and sprinkle it around the circle deosil (clockwise) starting in the north, saying,
"Clarity of water, element of life, joined with the power of earth. With this I purify the circle. So mote it be.�

Shining Star-- Charging with fire and air.

Take up the incense burner, sprinkling fresh incense on the charcoal, saying,
"Blessed be thou creatures of air and fire, combined to create the charge."
Take in around the circle, starting in the north, saying,
�Power of Air- breath that moves us and Power of Fire� Sparking life combined I charge this circle. So mote it be.�

Foxglove-- Casting the circle.

Walking deosil (clockwise) around the circle, saying these or similar words:
"I cast this circle, purified and charged, we are now between the worlds as the Goddess is behind the Veil. The circle is cast. So mote it be.�

Invoking the Quarters

Blackwood-- Invoking the North
"Hail North, Power of Earth,
the Death Crone and Rebirth,
We invoke you and call you,
To join our circle,
To aid us with your wisdom.
Hail and Welcome!�

Coven echoes: �Hail and Welcome!�

Shining Star-- Invoking the East
"Hail East, Powers of Air
breath and communication,
Great Eagle and Swift Mare.
We invoke you and call you,
To join our ritual,
To aid us with your intellect.
Hail and Welcome!�

Coven echoes: �Hail and Welcome!�

Foxglove- Invoking the South
"Hail South, Powers of Fire,
play, passion, and great bonfire.
We invoke you and call you,
To join our ritual,
To aid us with your strength.
Hail and Welcome!�

Coven echoes: �Hail and Welcome!�

Wolfwings-- Invoking the West
"Hail West, Powers of Water,
whale wisdom, clarity, undine daughter.
We invoke you and call you,
To join our ritual,
To aid us with your intuition.
Hail and Welcome!�

Coven echoes: �Hail and Welcome!�

Blackwood- Invoking the Akashic
�Hail Center, Powers of Spirit!
Ancent ones, ancestors, realm of eternal spirit.
We invoke you and call you,
To join our ritual,
To aid us in your guidance.
As Above, so Below,
Hail and Welcome!�

Coven echoes: �Hail and Welcome!�

Invocation of the God and Goddess

Shining Star-- Invoking the Goddess
"Crone of the new moon,
Dark mystery in full bloom,
Join us on this new moon night,
Under darkness, veiled from light.
Hail and Welcome!"
Light the Goddess candle.

Coven echoes: �Hail and Welcome!�

Foxglove-- Invoking the God
�Lord of Darkness, Lord of Light,
join us on this new moon night,
shed upon us inner light,
and dare to let us walk the night.
Hail and Welcome!"
Light the God candle.

Coven echoes: �Hail and Welcome!�

Activity

Coveners find a comfortable space within the circle to sit or lay. Wolfwings will lead us through a meditation: Spiraling into a Black Hole.

Cakes and Ale

Shining Star takes up the cup, and Foxglove takes her athame and places it in the cup, saying,
�As the athame is to the male,
so the cup is to the female.
Conjoined, they bring blessings.
So mote it be.�

Blackwood takes her athame and blesses the cake saying these words or those she chooses,
�Bless be this cake, food of the earth,
may it nourish our souls and our bodies.
So mote it be.�

Cakes and Ale are shared by all.

Farewell to the Goddess and God.

Foxglove-- Farewell to God
Takes the God candle in hands, and says
�Great Lord of dark and light, we ask that you continue to guide us and aid our inner senses, so that we may walk our path with strength and courage. Stay if you will, go if you must. Hail and Farewell.�

Coven echoes: �Hail and Farewell!�

Shining Star-- Farewell to Goddess
Takes the Goddess candle in hands and says,
� Dark Mother, Wise Crone, we ask that you continue to guide us with your wisdom so that we may learn and grow as we walk our path. Stay if you will, go if you must. Hail and Farewell!�

Coven echoes: �Hail and Farewell!�

Farewell to the Four Quarters.

Blackwood- Farewell to the Akashic Realms
Stands at the altar, raises her arms and says,
�We Thank you Spirits for sharing with us your power and guidance. Stay if you will, go if you must. Hail and Farewell!�
Blows out the candle.

Coven echoes: �Hail and Farewell!�

Wolfwings-- Farewell to the West
Walks widdershins (counterclockwise) to the West Candle, raises her arms and says,
"We Thank you West, Powers of Water, for sharing with us your power and intuition. Stay if you will go if you must. Hail and Farewell!�
Blows out the candle.

Coven echoes: �Hail and Farewell!�

Foxglove- Farewell to the South
Walks widdershins (counterclockwise) to the South Candle, raises her arms and says,
"We Thank you South, Powers of Fire for sharing with us your power and strength. Stay if you will go if you must. Hail and Farewell!�
Blows out the candle.

Coven echoes: �Hail and Farewell!�

ShiningStar-- Farewell to the East
Walks widdershins (counterclockwise) to the East Candle, raises her arms and says,
"We Thank you, East, Powers of Air for sharing with us your power and intellect. Stay if you will go if you must. Hail and Farewell!�
Blows out the candle.

Coven echoes: �Hail and Farewell!�

Blackwood- Farewell to the North
Walks widdershins (counterclockwise) to the North Candle, raises her arms and says,
"We Thank you, North, Powers of Earth for sharing with us your power and widsom. Stay if you will go if you must. Hail and Farewell!�
Blows out the candle.

Coven echoes: �Hail and Farewell!�

Opening the Circle

Foxglove-- Opening the circle.
Walking widdershins (counterclockwise) around the circle, saying these or similar words:
"I hereby open this circle on the night of a new moon, returning us from between the worlds to the present time and place."

Wolfwings-- blow out the lamp of art,
"The fire is extinguished, the ritual has ended."