Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

Book II: Rites & Rituals 109
and becomes a vessel for the Goddess, a transformation that allows the energy of the Goddess
to affect everyone in the circle. Once evoked, the lunar energy can be further directed
toward a particular purpose, such as healing, or those present can simply bask in the energy
until the ritual ends.
Communing with the Moon
Although the ritual of Drawing Down the Moon is traditionally done with a group, you
can conduct your own version all by yourself, or with one or two others. Your moon ritual
should take place outdoors on a night when the moon is full.
Purify yourself by bathing or showering (a bar of frankincense soap is a nice touch for
purification), then don clean clothing. If you have magickal robes or garb—particularly if
they are silver or white—these are ideal attire. If you have privacy, total nudity is even
better. You may also wish to wear magickal jewelry, particularly anything that includes moons
or moonstones. Ground and center yourself, then spend some time meditating on what it is
that you plan to do. You may wish to play soft background music on a portable CD player—
drumming, soft chants, Celtic harp music, Native American flutes, etc. Set up your altar as
desired, then cleanse and consecrate your space and cast a Magick Circle. Call the Quarters
and invite the presence of the God and Goddess.
Now, stand at the center of your Circle and raise your arms above your head, facing the full
moon. Speak to the Goddess that is the moon, asking her to fill you. Feel the energy as it flows
down your arms and fills your soul. Many report feeling a tingling sensation, or a feeling of
warmth. Most people feel very emotional at this time, and may laugh or weep.
After drawing down the moon’s energy, you may wish to dance, or just walk the inside
perimeter of your Circle in a deosil (clockwise) fashion. If you choose to direct the energy
towards another purpose, this is the time to do it. Otherwise, simply enjoy feeling the energy
move through you, and be aware of being blessed and enriched by its presence.
While still under the full moon, celebrate with “wine and cakes,” or some variation
thereof (see pp. 82-83). Finally, spend some time meditating on what you have accomplished.
When you’re ready, release the Quarters, close the Circle, then kneel and place your
hands on the Earth, sending the excess energy back to the Mother.
And finally, here is a tasty recipe for Esbat Cookies:
Jam or Chocolate Stuffed Cookies for Esbats
By Lezlie Kinyon
All one wants in a cookie: soft, buttery, and rich. Use a star-shaped tip or form into
crescent moon shapes for Esbats and other Circles. Children love to make these and everyone
loves to eat them!
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract or almond flavoring
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
Clean out 1/2 tsp. of vanilla seeds from
the inside of a vanilla bean with a sharp
knife to add interest to the cookies
Mix all ingredients in a food processor on pulse until they form a ball. Cover a cookie
sheet with cooking parchment and pipe the mix onto the sheet with the star tip—make little
stars and space an inch or so apart. Top with chocolate chips and bake at 350 degrees F for
15 minutes. Cool on a rack.
When cookies are cool, take two cookies, spread the bottom of one with your favorite
jam, and “sandwich” it with a second cookie. Arrange them on a pretty platter and serve.