The Full Moon Ritual is a Ritual performed during the full moon to worship Nyx. It was first introduced in Marked, as Zoey Redbird discovers she has some sort of connection to each of the Five Elements, Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Spirit.
Supplies for a basic ritual
- 1 yellow candle
- 1 red candle
- 1 blue candle
- 1 green candle
- 1 purple candle
- A lighter or matches
Additional supplies
- A smudge stick made of dried sage (for purification)
- Dried sweetgrass (for the drawing of spiritual energy)
- Eucalyptus (for healing and protection)
After the full moon has risen find a private area – outside is nice, but be sure it’s some place that’s not so dry you’ll catch it on fire.
Place the candles in the proper position on the ground, or if you have help you can have people hold the candles. Figure out which direction is north, then place the candles (whether they’re being held by friends or not) in their proper positions. The green candle goes in the northern most part of the circle. The yellow candle goes in the east. The red candle is situated in the south. The blue in the west, and the purple goes in the center of the circle.
When the candles are in their proper places the person leading the ritual stands in the center of the circle. The ritual leader should center herself by taking three deep, even breaths. The High Priestess should think about the energy of the earth surrounding her and pretend that she is drawing that energy into her body with the deep breaths. Then visualize a thread of energy and light following her and binding the circle. Everyone present for the Ritual faces each of the four directions as the High Priestess evokes the elements and casts the circle. She moves to the eastern part of the circle and summons Air. "It fills us and breathes life into us. I call air to this circle." Or the High Priestess may make up their own invocation. he then lights the candle.
Then move clockwise (or deosil) around the circle to the southernmost part of the circle and summon Fire and the red candle. Evoke the element by saying: "It warms and succors us. I call fire to this circle." Or the High Priestess may make up their own invocation. Everyone present for the Ritual then faces south. The High Priestess then lights the candle.
Continue clockwise/deosil to the west and summon Water. Evoke the element by saying: "It soothes and washes us. I call water to this circle." Or the High Priestess may make up their own invocation. Everyone present for the Ritual then faces west. She then lights the candle.
Move clockwise/deosil to the northern most position of the circle and summons Earth. "It sustains us. From it we are born, and to it we all shall return. I call earth to this circle." Or the High Priestess may make up their own invocation. Everyone present for the Ritual then faces north. She then lights the candle.
Return to the center of the circle and summon Spirit. "It is our essence. I call spirit to this circle." Or the High Priestess may make up their own invocation. Everyone present for the Ritual then faces the center of the circle again. She then lights the candle.
Your circle has now been cast. Until you close the circle, stay within it. If people are holding the element candles and/or standing around the circumference of the circle they, too, should remain in their places. Spend a little time quietly in the middle of the circle, experiencing the peace and stillness and the shifts in energy.
The Full Moon Ritual is not about changing your religion. It is about honoring the elements, appreciating the beauty around and within you, and spending time being in touch with your deity or higher power. Remember that the full moon is traditionally thought of as a magical time when the veil between the physical and the spiritual world is at its thinnest. It also symbolizes the completion of things (the full moon completes the moon’s cycle). As you speak, concentrate on magic and completion. This is also when you would want to light your smudge stick, or any of the other dried herbs you’ve chosen. Blow out the herb stick and let the sweet smoke waft about you as you move deosil around the inside of the circle.
When the High Priestess finishes the ritual is ready to close the circle, visualize it fading away as she blows out each candle in reverse or a counterclockwise direction. So begin with blowing out the spirit candle, then earth, water, fire, and finally air.