March New Moon Ritual

I have been very busy with my Graduate school work this weekend.  Because I've been such a busy bee, I haven't had the chance to post my promised rituals for Ostara and the New Moon!  I'm a very bad blogger. 

Tonight is the March New Moon.  New Moons are a representation of the Goddess in the form of the Crone.  It is also symbolic of new beginnings, rebirth, and death.  The March New Moon can be seen as the death of winter and the birth of spring.  All around us we can see the signs of the coming warmth.  This morning I saw my first robin.  He was jumping around the raindrops in my backyard.  I couldn't help but watch and giggle.  Thank goodness neither of my kitties were outside!

I've often found that New Moons are the best time for meditation.  Full Moons rituals can be more elaborate as each has a name and purpose within the Wheel of the Year.  New Moons are separate in my practice.  I still conduct a small ritual, but the main purpose of the New Moon is to meditate and reflect on the self.  I seem to be doing a lot of reflecting lately and I think it is because I have so much stress in my life.  So, if you feel the same, I hope this short New Moon ritual is helpful for you.

You Will Need:
A Bowl of Water (Water)
A Bowl of Salt or Dirt (Earth)
A Feather or your favorite insense (Air)
A Yellow or Red Candle (Fire)

Arrange the items listed above as you see fit.  Everyone has their own preference for altar set-ups.  If you wish to have a traditional altar, feel free.

Ritual (This is my personal meditation.  Feel free to change it for your own needs/beliefs):

1. Light the red/yellow candle and incense (if using).  I usually arrange the objects around me in a circle and  I lay down.  I'd like to conduct this ritual outside, but it's always raining!

2. Raise your open arms and say "As [your name for the Goddess] are you known to me, for this is Moon of my Lady as the Crone, Lady of Darkness, of Wisdom, of Mysteries revealed.  The Wheel turns through birth, death, and rebirth, and every end is a new beginning.  You are the Passage from life to life; You are She who is at the beginning and the end of all time.  You, with Your Lord [your name for the God] at your side, abide in us all, so mote it be!" - from the Grimoire for the Green Witch by Ann Moura

3. Close your eyes and begin to meditate: While sitting or standing or laying down, cross your arms.  Imagine yourself walking in the woods toward your sacred space.  Concentrate on the feeling of the ground beneath you.  Focus on the cool feeling of the soil beneath your feet.  Feel empowered by the crunching of twigs and leaves as you walk.  As you walk, you notice a clearing in the trees.  There, in the clearing, you see an old woman.   She stands there, motionless.  However, a voice tells you to approach her.  There is nothing surrounding her except the trees.  They are leafless, but you notice the buds beginning to appear on the branches.  There is an immediate warmth surrounding the elderly woman.  Again, you hear a voice inviting you to take her hand and sit.  Together, you sit in the middle of the clearing, holding first one hand and then both.  Finally, she speaks, but only one word, "Listen."  You close your eyes, and focus on the sounds reverberating around you.  They are the sounds of spring: the robin, the scampering of small animals on leaves, water dripping from tree branches.  You open your eyes.  The old woman speaks again: "Listen, closer."  You begin to focus beyond the forest around you and you hear the Earth awakening.  You heart her heart beating and you feel it beneath you.  You begin to realize that your heart and the Earth's are beating together.  Feel yourself coming back to life with her.  Think of your mind, body and spirit opening up like a new spring flower.  You are reborn again.  Again, you open your eyes.  The old woman is now standing before you.  She speaks for the last time: "Rise."  As you stand before her, she takes your hand again and smiles.  That same warmth you felt when you first approached fills you again and you begin your walk back through the path.  Even though she is behind you, the Goddess is still walking beside you, holding your hand.


4. Slowly open your eyes.  You may still feel that warmth gaining in the meditation.  You may feel very emotional, especially if this is the first time you've seen the Goddess, in any form.  You may need a few moments with yourself alone.  Once you are ready, raise your open arms again and say: "You are the Dark Mother of All; the Tomb that is also the Womb.  You are at the beginning and end of life.  You dwell within us all for You are Life, the Passage to New Life, and Love; and thus do You make me immortal through in the cycle of Life, the Passage to New Life, and Love.  Love is the Law and Love is the Bond! So mote it Be! - from the Grimoire for the Green Witch by Ann Moura

5. Blow out the candle if you wish to end the ritual.  If not, you may wish to have cakes and wine.

I  also enjoyed the March New Moon ritual on A Pagan Tapestry. You may want also want to bookmark her blog.  I've put many of her posts into my Book of Shadows.