| VINE THE VINE MOON COINCIDES WITH THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX WHEN THE BOUNTY OF THE HARVEST IS CELEBRATED. FRUITS AND WINES ARE CENTRAL TO THE HOLIDAY FEAST, AND A PORTION IS ALWAYS SACRIFICED TO THE GOD AND GODDESS, WHOSE UNION PRODUCED THE HARVEST. THE VINE MOON'S ENERGIES ARE ALSO USED FOR SEEKING THE BLESSINGS OF INSPIRATION FROM THE DEITIES. YOU WILL NEED WINE OR FRUIT JUICE, AN APPLE (SYMBOLIC OF WISDOM AND SACRED TO THE CRONE GODDESS WHO RULES IN THE FALL), A SHARP KNIFE, AND A LONG PIN OR NAIL. MAKE A WINE TOAST TO THE GOD AND GODDESS, OFFERING IT AS A GIFT TO THEM. VISUALIZE THE GOD AND GODDESS FILLING THE WINE WITH THE ESSENCE OF UNITY. TAKE THE KNIFE AND SLICE THE APPLE CROSSWISE TO REVEAL THE FIVE-POINTED PENTAGRAM INSIDE. POUR SOME OD THE WINE INTO THE CENTER OF THE APPLE, AND RESEAL THE APPLE WITH THE PIN. KEEP IT THROUGH AUTUMN AS A TALISMAN TO DRAW TO YOU BOTH WISDOM AND DIVINE INSPIRATION. |
| IVY IS THE FEMININE AS HOLLY IS THE MASCULINE- THEIR ROLES AS EMBLEMS OF THE UNIVERSAL CREATOR ARE PRESERVED FOR US IN THE MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS HYMN, "THE HOLLY AND THE IVY". THE IVY MOON STRENGTHENS OUR INNER RESILIENCE. BEGIN YOUR RITUAL OF EXORCISM INSIDE A PROTECTIVE CIRCLE INTO WHICH YOU HAVE INVITED ALL THE ELEMENTAL SPIRITS AND THE WISE CRONE GODDESS. ON A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER, WRITE DOWN THAT WHICH YOU WISH TO BANISH. LIGHTLY DAB PATCHOULI OIL AROUND THE EDGE TO HELP GROUND IT'S NEGATIVE INFLUENCE. DAB ROSEMARY OIL ON YOUR BREASTBONE TO HELP YOU BOUNCE BACK FROM THIS CHALLENGE. BURN THE PAPER IN A HEAT-RESISTANT BOWL AND SAY: BANISHED BE (INSERT NAME OF PROBLEM), THE BLIGHT; BURN TO ASH AND BURIED THIS NIGHT. BURY THE ASHES FROM THE BOWL OUTSIDE UNDER A STRONG TREE, AND COVER THE SPOT WITH IVY LEAVES. |
| REED THE REED MOON IS CONNECTED TO THE SOLAR FESTIVAL OF SAMHAIN, THE TIME WHEN WE ARE OPEN TO CONTACT WITH ANCESTOR SPIRITS, STRENGTHEN OUR FAMILY TIES, AND GATHER IN SUPPLIES FOR THE WINTER AHEAD. FIRST, TAKE YOUR TIME TO COLLECT ITEMS YOU FEEL LINK YOU TO YOUR ANCESTORS AND PLACE THESE OBJECTS ON AN ALTER. LIGHT A CANDLE FOR EACH SPIRIT WHOSE NAME YOU CALL ALOUD, THEN LIGHT ONE MORE FOR FRIENDLY WANDERING SPIRITS. ONCE YOU SENSE THEIR PRESENCE, OFFER THEM FOOD AND DRINK. THANK THE SPIRITS FOR MAKING SACRIFICES THAT MADE YOUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE, AND FOR GIVING YOU STAMINA TO COPE WITH ADVERSITY. THINK OF ALL THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF YOURSELF AND HONOR THEM WITH BLESSINGS. FOR EXAMPLE: BLESSED BE THEY WHO MADE ME TALL AND REDHEAD. BLESSED BE THEY WHO MADE ME SMART AND PATIENT. BLESSED BE THEY WHO GAVE ME ARTISTIC TALENT. BLESSED BE THEY WHO GAVE ME A SENSE OF HUMOR... |
| ELDER THE ELDER MOON IS BOTH THE END OF THE CELTIC LUNAR YEAR AND A TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT. THE DAY AFTER THE ELDER MOON RESIDES IN A NO MONTH, BUT IS A SOLEMN SPIRITUAL DAY KNOWN AS THE SECRET OF THE UNHEWN STONE OR THE FEAST OF THE POTENTIAL. DURING THIS MOON, PLAN TO MEET YOUR SHADOW SELF OR CO WALKER- THE PART OF YOU THAT RESIDES IN THE OTHERWORLD. WHO IS THE KEY TO YOUR COMPLETENESS. IT REFLECT THE TRUE SELF OF THE YEAR GONE BY, SO THAT YOU MAY PREPARE TO FULFIL THE POTENTIAL OF THE YEAR TO COME. TURN YOUR ALTER TO THE WEST AND LIGHT ONE BLACK AND ONE WHITE CANDLE. GAZE BETWEEN THEM INTO A PORTAL TO THE OTHERWORLD. CALL OUT TO YOUR OTHER SELF TO APPEAR TO YOU BETWEEN THE CANDLES. WHEN THE IMAGE IS VISIBLE, COMMUNE WITH IT IN WHATEVER METHOD SEEMS APPROPRIATE. LEARN FROM THIS SELF ALL YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR TRUE EARTHLY NATURE. OFFER YOUR SHADOW SELF FOOD AND DRINK BEFORE BIDDING IT FAREWELL. PLEASE NOTE: WHEN WORKING WITH THE SHADOW SIDE OF THE SELF. EMOTIONS PLAY A LARGE PART IN OUR MAGICK. PLEASE PREFORM THIS IN SACRED SPACE BECAUSE YOU MAY CALL FORTH SOMETHING YOU MAY NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH. IF YOU DO DECIDE TO CONTINUE PROCEED WITH CAUTION.. THANK YOU |