How To Draw Down the Moon by Arianrhod Wolfchild (Admin)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

How To Draw Down the Moon

By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

In this beautiful and powerful rite, the practitioner invokes the Goddess directly into herself (or himself, as the case may
be). In
some variations, a High Priestess (HPs) may go into a trancelike state
and
speak the words of the Goddess, or it may be a formal monologue calling
upon
the Goddess in her many forms. Regardless of how you practice it,
Drawing Down
the Moon is best performed on the night of the full moon, or on one of
the
nights immediately before. While it’s more suitable to be performed
outside, if
the weather is inclement or your neighbors are easily startled, you can
hold
the ritual indoors.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 30 - 60 minutes

Here's How:

1.     Stand at your altar with your arms crossed over your chest, and feet together.
Face
towards the full moon. Say:

Goddess of the Moon, You have been known by many names in many lands in many times. You are universal and constant. In
the dark
of night, You shine down upon us and bathe us in Your light and love. I
ask
You, O Divine One, to honor me by joining with me, and allowing me to
feel Your
presence within my heart.

2.     Move your feet apart to about shoulder width, and raise your arms up and out to
welcome the Goddess into you. The next part is one that you can memorize
and
learn, or you can speak spontaneously from the heart. You will begin to
feel a
surge of energy, a palpable tingle – don’t worry, that’s the Goddess
making
Herself known to you. Feel free to change these words as you like. You
are
speaking for Her, in Her voice, so let Her say what She wishes. Say:

“I am the Mother of all life, the One who watches over all. I am the wind in the sky, the spark in the fire, the
seedling
in the earth, the water in the river.

3.     Continue:

"I am the vessel from which All Things spring forth.

Honor Me from within your heart! Remember that acts of love and pleasure are My rituals, and that there is beauty in
all
things.

Honor Me on this night of the full moon! I have been with you since the moment you were created, and shall remain with
you
always.

Let there be beauty and strength, wisdom and honor, humility and courage within you. If you need Me, call upon Me and
I
shall come to you, for I am everywhere, always.

Honor Me as you seek knowledge! I am the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone, and I live within you.

4.     Feel the power of the Goddess within you. When you are ready, conclude with:

I look down upon the sands of the desert, I crash the tides upon the shore, I shine on the mighty trees of the
forests, and
watch with joy as Life continues every cycle.

Be true to Me, honoring that which I have created, and I shall be true to you in return.

With harm to none, so it shall be.”

5.     Take a few moments to stand and bask in Her glow, and to meditate upon that
which
you have just experienced. Once the energy surge has subsided, lower
your arms,
and proceed with your ceremony as you normally would at the conclusion
of a
ritual.

Tips:

1.     Drawing Down the Moon is an altered state of consciousness, a ritual possession by
the
Divine. It is not uncommon to feel the energy of the Goddess for quite
some
time following Drawing Down the Moon, so don’t be alarmed if you feel a
heightened sense of clarity over the next few days. You may also feel
extremely
emotional -- it's not uncommon to cry or laugh spontaneously during this
rite.

2.     The above ritual is one that I created myself, but for
more variations on Drawing Down the Moon, there are excellent versions
in Wicca
For One by Raymond Buckland (pp. 87 – 89 and The Grimoire of Lady
Sheba
(pp. 167- 168).

By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

[WarMouse -Manager-]

One of my favorite versions from Hecate's Cauldron.