A New Moon (First Quarter) RitualThe first quarter moon represents both endings and beginnings. The old is gone into the stellar sea with the dark moon. The new arrives with a sliver of hopeful light appearing on the horizon. Wiccans use this symbolism for empowering new projects, starting groups, and personal development.
This particular First Quarter Ritual is intended for a study group; it's used to establish a good foundation for rapport with those involved.
For those of you who work alone, I suggest adapting this ritual's symbolism for times when you're embarking on a course of personal study, a new job for which you need to develop specific skills, and the like. Just adjust the candle's colour and your incense to match the intentions of the magick.
Preparations
Have elementally coloured candles at the circle's quarter points (unlit).
Sprinkle the ritual space with dulse, orris root, and copal for cleansing, and improved awareness.
All participants will also need to choose one candle to represent their presence in the sacred space, anoint it with a personal oil, and then put it on the altar in a candleholder.
The Altar
Use a silvery blue altar cloth with a white and black candle, an athame, a bowl of water, a bowl of salt, a goblet of wine, cakes, and censer with incense of your choosing.
The individual candles should be arranged in a circle to represent unity of mind and purpose.
Invocation
Light the candles at the quarter points while reciting each part of the invocation:
Protectors of the Forest and its People,
we/I call to you.
Oh enrichers of life and revelry,
be welcome.
East
Singers of the Songs of the Wind and the Birds,
we/I call to you.
In thoughtfulness, and with dedicated spirit,
welcome.
South
Leapers of Fire and Faith, and of blazing stars,
we/I call to you.
Come forth from the darting flames
and be welcome.
West
Waters of Mirth and Merriment, and of Neptune's gale,
we/I call to you.
Liberate your mist and waves of grace
and be welcome in this place.
Meditation and Visualization
Have everyone in the group hold hands around the circle and close their eyes.
Someone should read this meditation slowly, giving everyone present time to integrate the energies.
It is just beginning to grow from out of the darkness.
Focus on this energy, this power, and let it grow within you.
Slowly, perceptibly, it fills every corner of your being and pours outward to the center of this circle.
Here, it dances and mingles with the spirits of all those gathered...
bringing balance, harmony, tolerance...perfect love...perfect trust.
Let this energy swirl and combine, then burst outward in all directions, purifying everything in its path.
Breathe of this cleansing energy, and let it relax you.
Continue breathing of the light until you are comfortable in its glow, then open your eyes.
If you're working alone, you can use the visualization by changing the mention of "spirits" to "elemental powers".
In this case, consider preparing the guided meditation for yourself so you can listen to it while meditating.
The Ritual
One by one, all participants come forward, light their personal candles, and state their names.
They also mention any personal goals they have in joining the group.
When everyone is done, a discussion of the group, its purpose and goals, follows within the equality and protection of the circle.
Afterward the cake and wine are blessed by a chosen person, saying:
Let the sharing of this cup bring unity, accord and peace."
Each person takes a drink and passes the cup to the person on the right.
As the cup is passed, each says,
After this, chant the words to a song used in many Wiccan circles:
Within a circle
With no beginning,
And never ending.
Any remaining cakes and wine should be left as offerings to the spirits and Nature.
Other Activities
Look at the crescent moon over your right shoulder to bring luck.
Sow your aboveground crops now, and possibly your magickal herbs so they will grow full with power, like the moon grows in the sky.
Put yarrow sprigs on the altar during the ritual, then take them home and put the herb under your pillow to have propehtic dreams.
To increase your finances by the next first quarter moon, put nine silver coins on the altar to gather energy during the ritual.
Make sure they rest beneath the light of the waxing moon every night for seven nights after this, absorbing its energy.
Carry these in a white or silver pouch with you until money manifests, then give the coins to a good cause.
Closing the Circle
Crashing Waves of Joy,
thank you for joining us with waves of mirth.
Hail and farewell.
South
Keepers of the Cauldron of Faith and Fire,
thank you for joining us in the warmth of unity.
Hail and farewell.
East
Singers of the Wind, in whom magick takes flight,
thank you for joining us with blustery delight.
Hail and farewell.
North
Protectors of the Forest,
thank you for joining us in spirit and sanctity.
Hail and farewell.
Center
We have gathered together; we are one.
The circle is open, but not broken.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.
So Mote It Be!
Postritual Feast
In the spirit of sharing, enjoy a potluck feast.
