Dark Moon Ritual
Thank you all for coming here tonight.
Please turn off or silence your mobile phones.
Cast the Circle and Call the quarters
(see other rituals for details of casting and closing a circle)
Welcome to this Dark Moon ritual.
The Dark Moon is often misunderstood; at times it was said to be evil, dangerous and a time when witches did their curses. It was even once thought to be caused by a separate planet or moon called Lilith that blocked out the Moon for three days each month. It is still mistrusted in some circles, and many Wiccans and Pagans choose not to acknowledge or use the Dark Moon in their work; many others do not even know about it. There is not much literature about it, but it is a separate aspect from the New Moon.
For me, the Dark Moon is about looking inside yourself. Sorting through the thoughts that are not needed or do harm and discarding them, giving them up to the Dark Moon. Everyone has a dark side, but it is how we use or abuse it which defines the kind of person we are.
I would like to ask you all to hold hands. I am going to blow out all the candles and I would like you to focus on the darkness around you and inside you. Then we will re-ignite the candles and talk about what we felt, if you feel comfortable doing so.
Blow out candles around the circle and on altar. Allow a few minutes for all present to meditate on the darkness within and without.
Re-light the candles and allow each person to express what they felt during the meditative moments, if they so wish.
Thank you all for sharing. I will now pass round the mulled punch. Blessed be!
Pour out and share round the mulled punch or other drink in the ritual chalice. Pour out a libation to the Moon Goddess.
Does anyone else have anything they wish to mention while we are all here together?
Allow time for all to say anything they wish to.
Thank you. We shall now release the elements and close the circle.
Release the elements and close the circle.
(Chant) May the circle be open yet forever unbroken. May the love of the Goddess be forever in your heart. Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.