Taken from Rachel Patterson's book 'Moon Magic'
Join Heather in this pre-recorded ritual that can be worked on any third quarter moon. The link can be found here
We all have them; we all repeat them. Bad habits and negative cycles are very easy to fall into, getting out of them is a little trickier. This ritual will help you break the chain.
You will need:
Large leaf herbs that you associate with the Moon - eg bay, eucalyptus, sage,
A dark candle
Soak a pinch of the herbs in a bowl of salt water overnight if possible. Then remove them from the water and leave them to dry.
Cast the circle
Walking deosil (clockwise) around the circle.
Maiden cast this circle white
Free from shadow, pure and light
Mother cast this circle red
Cast any negativity from our head
Crone cast this circle black
Grant us the knowledge that we lack
This circle is now cast unbroken
Call the quarters
I call to the East and the Element of Air, you who are mist and cloud, you who are fresh breeze and wild hurricane, Spirit of the Hawk, Spirit of the Sylph, hear me, bring into these rites purification and clarity, sweep through and remove stagnation. Blessings and Welcome!
I call to the South and the Element of Fire, you who are the crackle of bonfires, you who are the golden Sun and glowing lava, Spirit of the Phoenix, Spirit of the Flame Dancers, hear me, bring into these rites your spirit of creativity and passion. Blessings and Welcome
I call to the West and the Element of Water, you who are the Undines of the rivers, and the Sirens of the crashing ocean waves, you who are the Naiads of the Grottos, come to me, Spirit of the Shark, hear me, bring to these rites your deepest intuition and truest emotions, teach me to be flexible, to adapt and flow, like your waters. Blessings and Welcome
I call to the North and the Element of Earth, you who are bone and crystal, you who are tree and root and branch, Spirit of the Wolf, Spirit of the Gnome, I call upon you. Bring to these rites your spirit of prosperity, of stability and manifestation. Blessings and Welcome!
Deity
I call upon Diana, Goddess of the witches and the hunt, join this rite today and bring with you your magic and protection. Blessings and Welcome!
Spell work:
The Waning Moon phase is good for removing things, getting rid of obstacles, relieving illness and pain, banishing negative thoughts, releasing pain, guilt anger, anxiety and bad habits. Its time to let go of all that does not serve your higher good!
Place your dark candle in a suitable holder, put it on your altar and light it (don't light any candles on your altar)
Take the dried, salted herb leaves and slowly burn each one in the flame of the candle (you might want to drop them into a cauldron or flame-proof dish as you do this, as the salt will make the flame spit) As each leaf burns, say out loud what it is you wish to be rid of, burn the bad habits, bad cycles, unwanted energies and say goodbye to that which no longer serves you for the greater good.
When you have burnt all the herbs, sit quietly in front of the candle and clear out the negative thoughts from your mind and replace them with positive ones. Fill the void that you have just made with happy images and new plans.
If possible, allow the candle to burn out safely.
Feast:
Eat and drink something to celebrate your ritual and to
help you ground. Sprinkle some of the drink and food onto the
earth after the ritual as an offering to deity.
Deity
Diana, Goddess of the witches and the hunt, I thank you for your presence in this rite, may your magic and protection stay with me. Blessings and Farewell!
Release the quarters
Guardians of the Element of Earth, I thank you for your presence in this rite, I bid you blessings and farewell
Guardians of the Element of Water, I thank you for your presence in this rite, I bid you blessings and farewell
Guardians of the Element of Fire, I thank you for your presence in this rite, I bid you blessings and farewell
Guardians of the Element of Air, I thank you for your presence in this rite, I bid you blessings and farewell
Close the circle
Walking widdershins (anti clockwise) around the circle
This circle is open but never broken
Image by Bruno-adamo on Unsplash