Did I tell you how much I love September?


Greeting the Lady of the Moon

Way back when I was trying to figure this "Pagan stuff" out, I was also trying to figure out which of my family's customs to use and which to discard. I was also trying to reconnect with the "natural" part of me. That was harder than I thought since I was mainly living out of suitcases, some weeks I would be in four different cities. Anyway, I hit the full moon thing.

Just how many nights should the full (and new) moon have? And when exactly did they occur?

At the time, I thought I wimped out. I took my family's notion which just happened to match some of the traditional English sources. Three nights for each. It made my life easier on the road because if I missed one night, I could still do something on the other two nights.

I experimented for a while with the exact time when the moon was full (or dark). That was more trouble than it was worth, I focused more on the clock than I did the rite. As I moved more towards Celtic reconstruction, I decided that if the moon looked full, that should be close enough.

I still do the three days. Depending on my life, the first night is the major rite and the next two are for touch ups or prep for things that I will use later. Moon-charged salt is still a favorite of mine.

Last night was the first night of the full moon. It was absolutely gorgeous, high and bright in the sky. Even the trees cast shadows. It looked more like just after twilight than full night.

In my desert, September and October are great. Not as many storms as April and May, cool enough so that most of the biting insects are gone. At least at night. Good thing too, because last night I did a moon bath.

I call it a moon bath, but there's no water involved. Just me shedding all the modern stuff and letting my inner wildman soak in all that amazing silver blue light over every inch. I've done it fully clothed and I have done it in as little as three minutes. But that can't compare to taking your time and doing it "nekid."

Just me and the kiss of the Moon.

It's probably the simplest ritual I use. No words, no calling on Names, no formal ritual space, no rhythm other than what the Moon brings out in me. Sometimes I howl, mostly I just keen. Even before I knew the word for it, it just seemed right. Or rite. *grins*

And it makes me buzz for days.

Posted: Mon - September 15, 2008 at 07:12 AM
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