Epona Ritual for Charging a Crystal

Call the Goddess as Epona on a white horse of fiery Spirit, charging us to have faith in ourselves and our ability to move onward, blessed with all we have been given and have accomplished thus far, and inspired to build upon it. Obtain a quartz crystal point before this Full Moon, cleanse it with the four elements, salt water and incense smoke, and hold it beneath the Moon if you are able to work outdoors where you can see Her, within your mind's eye if you cannot. Visualize Epona on her horse emerging from the Moon and coming to stand before you. She beckons you to climb aboard and ride behind her. Hold Her around her waist so you won't fall off. Here we go! Epona's ride will take you through a series of pictures throughout your earthly environment that will appear in your mind as flashes of what you must do to structure your life in order to take best advantage of what you have achieved and can achieve for your benefit and that of others. Tell yourself that you will remember all you are shown on your ride and will act upon it. As your meditation draws to a close, see Epona return you to your body, comfortably still holding your crystal, now charged with all the messages of your meditation. With a cheerful wave, she flies off to the Moon. Hold the crystal up toward the Moon, saying:

Thanks to thee, Epona
For faith inspired, guiding me
I pledge to do as you have shown me,
This is my will, so mote it be!

Your crystal point will be your magickal charm as you charge forth. Consider mounting it as the point of a new wand, created by you from a branch of wood, sacred oak if you can obtain it. Other choices of magickal power: rowan, birch or poplar. Hollow out the end so that the less pointed end of the crystal can nestle within. A drummel tool is a major assist in this. Use epoxy to hold the crystal in place. If you wish, increase the depth of additional small hollows suggested by natural stubs or hollows along the shaft of your wand. These could hold other small stones or crystals of your choice. (Additional thoughts on wand making and other ritual tools, along with a picture of my personal handcrafted wand can be found in The Witch's Circle.)

New Moon in Gemini - June 17, 1:27pm PDT, 4:27pm EDT, 26 Gemini 57

Pick Up Stones for Effective Planning

Begin with a walking meditation in which you wander along thinking of (or discussing) what you will need to do in building new structures and a new sense of security in them, look for small stones along the way. As you find one that appeals, take it along. When you return home, arrange the stones into a pattern that pleases you, stacking some of them, as you wish. You could do this outdoors or indoors, perhaps in a flower bed, or in a box of sand. As you place each stone, let it represent a part of your plan and intent for your life. You could mark the stones to help you remember what each represents‹fine line permanent marking pens should do fine for this‹or you could diagram your arrangement on paper and make notes. When you are finished, charge your intent with spiritual energy with this little chant, and then close it with "By all the power of three times three, as I do will, so mote it be!"

Stones designed by my intent
My path and duty now I see
By Sun and Moon I do resolve
My plan becomes reality

Full Moon in Capricorn - July 2, 4:09am PDT, 7:09am EDT, 10 Capricorn 09

A Charm of Protection

For this Full Moon: a ritual to create a charm of protection, formed from natural elements, that you can keep within your home, on your altar or on a wall. Spend some time outdoors discovering and gathering some bits of nature with which you can fashion your charm‹vines or grasses that can be woven together, fallen feathers, small stones, seashells, anything shiny or Sun/fire colored. Look for things that remind you of each of the elements: fire, earth, air and water. Perhaps you can weave these things into a wreath, or glue them into a circular pattern on a background, such as a flat piece of wood or slate. In the center place a symbol of that which you would protect. A photograph would be most explicit, though any symbol meaningful to you can be used. All the time you are gathering and working, weave in your mind a luminous web-light of protection around whomever or whatever is the focus of your rite.

When you have completed your charm, stand barefoot upon the Earth and hold the charm up to the Full Moon, invoking Her blessing into it.

By seed and root, by stem and leaf,
By flower and fruit, I call to thee
O gracious Goddess, bless this charm
Infuse it with your energy
May that at center of my charm
By magick pow'r protected be
Encircled now with loving care
Safe from harm, so mote it be!

New Moon in Cancer - July 17, 4:25am PDT, 7:24am EDT, 25 Cancer 13

A Meditation for Spiritual Wisdom

Think through this meditation so you can remember it, or you could speak it into a tape recorder to play back. Then prepare for an uninterrupted and peaceful period during which you can access and learn from your spiritual exemplar. Concentration and focus are aided by masking potential distracting environmental sounds, so play recorded meditation music, preferably including surf sounds, softly in the background. You could also anoint and light a blue or silver candle and a stick of incense. Frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood or jasmine would be appropriate scents.

Center yourself by breathing deeply. With each exhale release the stresses of your day and with each inhale take in the peace of this special time. Close your eyes and gradually begin to visualize yourself seeing in the darkness a stairway leading down to where you can see a doorway. Through it you can feel a gentle refreshing breeze. There is a soft and inviting light glowing, beckoning you to come. The stairway has nine steps. Start down them and count them from nine to one as you go, with each step becoming more and more relaxed and deeper into a meditative state. Now, through the doorway, you can see that you approach an ocean beach. The black night sky is very clear and full of countless stars. The sea is calm, waves softly lapping against the sand and the night air is warm and comfortable. The soft glow of light comes from a small fire you can see within a stone fire ring, though nobody appears to be tending it. The beach appears to be deserted but feels very, very safe. Take off your shoes and walk toward the ocean, enjoying the sand under your feet, the ocean breeze, the sounds of surf. Wade in a little, if you wish. Presently, decide to explore the strange fire. Notice there are flat stones near it on which you can sit. Go there and sit. Gaze into the flames, feeling warm and safe. Think about your ideal self, either someone whom you admire and would like to emulate, or create a portrait in your mind of how you would most like to be yourself. See that person in appearance, expression, personality and attributes, adding detail to your image until it is so clear that suddenly your visualization takes form and stands before you, looks on you kindly, sits down near you and gently says, "You have called me. What do you seek? Tell your exemplar what you admire and would like to become. Ask what you must do to achieve that. Then quiet your mind and really listen carefully to what your exemplar tells you. Resolve to remember and to follow the advice. Thank your exemplar for this new wisdom you've been given. Then breathe deeply, being very conscious of your breath and count. On the ninth exhale, open your eyes and find yourself back in your room gazing at the flame of your candle. Write your remembrance of your exemplar's message while it remains clear to you, for reference and reminder of your resolve.

Full Moon/Blue Moon - July 31, 11:05am PDT, 2:05pm EDT, 8 Aquarius 51

Sun and Moon, Balanced Be

Assemble candles in white, yellow and blue, holders, lighter, and oil of fire correspondence (such as cinnamon or peppermint) and another oil for air (such as lavender or sage). Light a white candle as you invoke the power of Spirit, in which all Gods and Goddesses are One. Carve the yellow candle to represent the Sun with symbols of your personal, creative goals and purpose, and anoint it with the fire oil as you mediate on what is important to you in achieving your goals. Light the candle from the Spirit candle and place it in a holder about one foot to the right of Spirit. Carve the blue candle to represent the Moon with symbols of your group's goals and purpose, and anoint it with the air oil as you mediate on the group goals and how you, yourself, contribute to them, and how the group does or does not contribute to your personal goals. Light it from the Spirit candle and place it in a holder about one foot to the left of Spirit. As you gaze at the candles, contemplate the ways in which the two for Sun and Moon are balanced, and if they are not balanced, the areas that you need to work on. As you think about the activities you do for each, move that candle a little closer to Spirit. Which one are you moving the most? Does that work for you? Through this mediation, it will most likely become clearer to you how the activities represented by each candle mesh together in your life. If you feel that one of them is out of balance, draining too much of you from the other, then set boundaries around it. Encircle it with a ring of salt, and resolve where you will "draw the line" in order to reserve more of your time and energy for the activities of the other candle. Here is a chant that can be used as you work, to help set your intent:

By Sun and Moon, balanced be
Time for them, and time for me.
This is my quest, by fire and air
To find the path that's right and fair
Lady and Lord, inspire me
For highest good, so mote it be!

New Moon in Leo - August 15, 6:24pm PDT, 9:24pm EDT, 23 Leo 31

A Magickal Step Toward a Goal

Stand outdoors in the sunlight if you can. With feet firmly on Earth, stretch high and wide. Feeling light and energy pouring into you from above, say "As above!" Move your hands down slowly down over your aura all the way to your feet as you feel that energy moving through you. Now touching Mother Earth, feel the vast energy of life and growth within her. Draw on that energy as you say "So below!" and then move your hands upward over your aura as you feel Earth energy moving upwards throughout your body. Standing again, with hands over your heart, say "As within" and think about the ways you impact your world and others with whom you share it. Think of your intended purpose for this lunar cycle and commit yourself to it, and as you do, slowly move both your hands and arms outward, as if stretching to embrace the world, saying "So without." Now, with arms outstretched and head held high, slowly circle sunwise, seeing and feeling he magnificence of Nature all around you: "As the Universe," and returning to where you begin, hands crossed over your heart , "so the Soul!" Again, raise your hands to the Sun -- and the Moon and Mars whom you know are there, even though unseen in the bright sunlight -- and bow in thankgiving.

Now, purpose firmly in mind, take that first step toward your goal! The Moment of beginning, a moment of action, magic, power and grace, it is also a rite of magick!

Full Moon in Pisces - August 29, 7:22pm PDT, 10:22pm EDT, 7 Pisces 03

A Scrying Meditation

With a still pool of natural water, or if that is not available, a large dark bowl willed with water, go out beneath the Full Moon and scry. (If climate or circumstances to not permit this to be done in moonlight, a lighted candle or lantern may be used.) Have a few flower petals as an offering to the Goddess. Invoke:

Deep dark pool, by Full Moon's light
Lady of mystery, reveal to me
Hidden secrets of my soul,
Truths I should know to learn and grow
In love and trust, now flow to me.

Cast your offering of petals into the water, and stir it gently with your finger. Gaze into the water as the ripples wane into a still, dark pool and open yourself to what you may see, or insights felt within. When your meditation is complete, be sure to thank the Lady, and if your pool was a bowl of water, pour it back to Earth with respect.

New Moon in Virgo - September 14, 7;29am PDT, 10:29am EDT, 22 Virgo 06

Knot Magick

It's time to say farewell to summer leisure and get serious about work that lies before us. I usually find that the best way to get organized and get going is to make a realistic list of priorities, and deadlines for them (if obligatory dates of completion apply), and post it prominently where I can have the great satisfaction of crossing each thing off as I accomplish it. It is such a wonderful energy recharge and boost forward to cross something off! You can add an extra charge to your will to tackle your list with a little knot magick. Work with your list and a heavy cord about a yard in length within sacred circle. For each item on your list, focus with intent upon accomplishing it, and as you do tie a knot firmly into your cord, binding yourself to fulfill the obligation of that item. Chant:

Knot I bind, tight and true, bound am I that I will do
As pledged upon this list I see, with harm to none, so mote it be!

After your rite, hang the knotted cord beside your list. After you've completed an item, cross it off and untie its knot, releasing the magick and freeing yourself of the obligation to which it bound you. Chant:

Knot untied, I am set free!
My magick works, so mote it be!

Just think how successful that will make you feel!

Full Moon in Aries - September 28, 6:09am PDT, 9:09am EDT, 5 Aries 45

Fire Magick for Expressing Truth

Aries Moon, in reflecting the light of Sun in Libra, recognizes the power of peace and harmony, but also teaches us that on some issues there can be no compromise, for a life in denial of your own inner Truth is no life at all. The intent is to build inner power to recognize your own truth, to stand up for it, and if necessary, to fight for it.

Within your sacred space, carve a red candle with symbols of Mars and of your Truth, as you see it, and as you concentrate on this task, you will begin to know what you must do to express your Truth. Write on a small square of paper what you must do. Anoint your candle and your paper with the fire oil. Light the red candle. Catch the edge of the paper in the flame and hold it for a few seconds, then drop it into your cauldron to safely burn to ash. Now drum and chant (or dance and chant to the recorded drumming music). The widely known chant of Goddess names, likely familiar to you, is what I used for this rite within my book:

Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna

Alternatively, you could make up one of your own. Best for drumming is a chant that is simple with few words to be repeated in the rhythm of drumming. A suggestion:

Fire, bright, Truth and right!

When your energy has peaked, ground it by kneeling to the earth and giving back some of your energy to the Mother, while retaining what you need for yourself. Extinguish your candle, but relight daily for a few moments as you renew your commitment to speak and act according to your Truth.

Copyright © 2004 Maria Kay Simms