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The Chaste / Storm Moon Esbat
“I am the moon that rises from the twilight sea,
I bring men dreams that rule their destiny,
Bring the dream tides to the souls of men,
The tides that ebb and flow and ebb again…
These are the moon tides, these belong to me,
Hera in Heaven, in earth, Persephone,
Levannah of the tides, and Hecate,
Diana of the Moon, Star of the Sea.
These are my secrets, these belong to me…”
Dion Fortune, The Sea Priestess.
The moon and its movements have enchanted people all over the globe since the
beginning of time. There is something simply magical about the ethereal quality
of the moon’s rays – her presence covers the world with a delicate quality,
which can transform the most mundane of places into a tranquil place of wonder.
The majority of us probably give little thought to this glowing satellite, which
revolves in an unending dance around our planet. Many would say that this
glowing orb, which slips and slides in and out of our consciousness, really has
little relevance or effect upon our lives after all.
Yet when we consider, (even in the most fundamental of ways) the effect the moon
has on some of our lives we may be surprised. In these modern times of ample
street lighting and illuminated roadways it is easy to ignore the motions of the
moon, but when you are out in the country, the moon’s rays are very noticeable,
in their presence and absence. Moonlight is not only beautiful but also
practical.
Thus, if it is easy to not notice the moon at all in these modern times, how
many of us ever observe her movement?
The moon and her movements were incredibly important to our ancestors.
Archaeologists has discovered evidence to support the ancient worship of the
moon has been found. An artefact, believed to be one of the earliest Goddess
figures, was found in the Dordogne in Southern France. The statuette, a
wonderful voluptuous carving of a female form, holds aloft a horn-shaped object,
into which there are many cut-like markings. It is believed that the horn-shaped
object represents the moon, and the markings track the waxing and waning cycle.
This Goddess figure is thought to be 40,000 years old, a point in time that is
not only practically incomprehensible but a time at which the moon would have
been the only illumination in those long-gone, clear, vast skies.
The rythums of the moon are equally important as the sun, and, whereas the sun
is commonly connected to reason, rationality and consciousness, the moon is
equated with the unconscious, intuition and instinct – attributes considered to
be feminine in quality. Thus the moon throughout history has always been
considered to most as a female entity. Some classic Moon Goddesses recognised
today are those of Persephone, Hecate, Diana and Hera, all of whom are also
associated with prophecy and feminine magick. Whichever Goddess you feel
connected to, the Moon is a gateway to her power.
Moon magick is traditionally performed at the full moon, so as to maximise its
effectiveness, by utilising or harnessing the power of the moon and the blessing
of the goddess. This is what Esbats are for; to perform your magick, to give
thanks to the Goddess, and also to recharge our batteries as it were, celebrate
and honour the beauty of the moon and to connect with the universe.
Esbat celebrations
The half moon shows a face of plaintive sweetness
Ready and poised to wax or wane;
a fire of pale desire in incompleteness,
Tending to pleasure or to pain: -
Lo, while we gaze she rolleth on in fleetness
to perfect loss or perfect gain.
Half bitterness we know, we know half sweetness;
this world is all on wax, on wane:-
When shall completeness round time's incompleteness,
fulfilling joy, fulfilling pain? -
Lo, while we ask, life rolleth on in fleetness
To finished loss or finished gain.
By Christina Rossetti
Esbats are considered to be working festivities, in so much as they are the time
for you to cast spells, work healing magick, raise energy, and solve minor
problems. During a Full Moon Esbat, a witch will perform a ritual know as
“Drawing Down the Moon”. This means that, like recharging a battery, you are
focusing upon and accepting the Divine power of the Universe, and drawing it
within you - allowing it to empower and fortify you. In a coven environment this
would be performed by a High Priestess, but to a solitary, it is performed to
empower himself or herself solely.
February Esbat – The Storm Moon (13/02/06)
The Storm Moon of February (also known as the Snow, Chaste, Quickening or Hunger
Moon) is our wake up call. During this time, all in nature is pure and full of
potential. The hibernating creatures are beginning to slowly arouse themselves,
quickening their heartbeats, and creeping out or their dormant period. Mother
Earth is gently awakening full of quiescent possibilities. The Storm Moon uses
the same force upon us. There is a gentle pulling upon our consciousness at this
time, we become aroused to the latent forces within ourselves – now is the time
to turn the mirror in upon ourselves, and see what is reflected. A time to grasp
the buds of new paths and ideas, and like nature, be prepared to welcome life
anew.
Before we do so however, we must find our balance. Use this Esbat, to find your
inner cornerstone – the bedrock upon which you shall build upon your potential.
You may not know what lies ahead for you, but to utilise the power of the Storm
Moon means you make plans for your future with the blessing of the Goddess.
As we in the Northern Hemisphere well know, this is a tempestuous time of year
in terms of the in weather. So too is the relationship between God and Goddess.
The God is now Consort to the Goddess whilst the Goddess is changing from Crone
to Maiden, and will soon join the God to dance in the spring. As the weather
ebbs and flows between frost and thaw, the undercurrent of energy that is the
God slowly awakens the reborn Goddess. She is aroused from Her ice-capped
slumber and awakens. The Great Wheel has turned, and the time of transformation
is here.
A Storm Moon Ritual.
During this Month we also celebrate Imbolc, the halfway point between winter and
spring. Imbolc is a fire festival, a celebration of the waxing light. The
Goddess most revered at this time is Bridgit, a Celtic goddess of hearth and
home, of healing and transformation. It is particularly apt therefore that
during the Storm Moon Esbat (but 10 days after Imbolc), we appeal to the Goddess
Bridgit to help us in our quest to fulfil our potential. Persephone is also a
favoured Goddess at this time.
It can firstly be beneficial to equate ourselves with the moonlight. It is true
that many find darkness unsettling and gloomy, but to take the time to be out of
doors at night-time in a place that you feel safe (for example your own back
garden) can be extremely relaxing. Noise from traffic is much quieter, and
neighbours are indoors with their windows shut, especially at this time of the
year! Wrap up warm, make yourself a hot drink, and take the time to just sit,
and observe the peacefulness – soak it up. When you are comfortable and at
peace, take a while to reflect upon who you are, your strengths and how to build
upon them. This does not need to be a great long-term plan; it can be something
quite simple and basic, which is indeed in keeping with the concept that this is
a time for building upon our foundations. Once you have a come upon your desire,
take a pure white candle – (in a lantern holder or similar if the night is
windy), and whilst you light it, repeat quietly to yourself, what it is you
want. Once your candle is burning brightly, and the flame is strong, chant three
times:
“As I light the flame of fire,
Goddess Bridgit, this is my desire,
Help me find my truths untold,
Bring the light of inspiration,
To find my strengths, make me bold.”
Now sit quietly and watch the candle flame, and let the light of the Moon fill
you up.
Alternatively, if you celebrate your Esbats with your family, you may each light
a candle indoors, having taken your candles out into the moonlight earlier to
charge them. Write down the chant beforehand for your children, or sit little
ones on your lap whilst you chant it for them! Before you light them, each hold
your unlit candles, and imagine the power of the Goddess Moon flowing through
your body to strengthen it. Having done this, verbalise your desire for strength
and enlightenment – you may wish to use this alternate chant:
“Lady Moon make me strong,
That I may grow,
Hear my song.”
Which is much easier for little ones to remember! Light all the candles, and
place them upon your alter, fireplace or other appropriately safe place.
March Esbat: The Chaste Moon (14/03/06)
The Chaste Moon of March (also known as the Lenten, Seed, Sap, Worm and Hare
Moon) truly marks the celebration of Spring. It is the observance of the return
of the Goddess in all her Maiden glory. At this time of the year we prepare for
planting the fields and gardens, blessing the seeds for the crops in the hope
that the year’s harvest will be plentiful.
Like the Goddess of the Moon Diana, nature is poised - potential about to burst
into life all around us. Just as the Goddess has many faces and forms, so can
we. The circle dance never ends, only revolves again and again. Thus as the
Goddess ever renews her aspect, so can Her children.
This new journey began with the Storm Moon in February by firming our
foundations to prepare for change, and now is the time to discover our
potential. On the Esbat of the Chaste Moon, we look deep within ourselves to
strengthen our foundations ready to plant the seeds of our new lives, and
discover what lies there waiting, like the Maiden, to be fulfilled.
In just a week, the Sabbat of Ostara will be celebrated. The stirrings of Mother
Earth are now apparent, with the first spring flowers began to emerge from the
earth, the woodlands begin to bristle and rustle with new life and the birds
begin to return and serenade us once again – the song of the Robin is now not
the only song to be heard. Her Consort now seeks out the Maiden Goddess, and
their liaison grows in power and intensity. As this bond develops, so too can we
develop and cultivate new strengths to reach our own dizzy heights.
A Chaste Moon Ritual
On the night of the full Chaste Moon, select the symbolic seeds for your
personal spiritual growth that you would like to sow. They could be seeds of
understanding, seeds of courage, or seeds of tolerance for example.
You can plant these seeds simply with your will, by meditation or, for a family
ritual, you could choose to plant some spring bulbs, or seeds to produce the
seedlings for your vegetable garden, for example. Give each child a pot and
soil, and a handful of bulbs or seeds. Allocate to each of these bulbs or seeds
(as many as you need for each person) the quality you wish to nurture. For each
bulb or seed that is sown, repeat (if you so wish) the following incantation:
“Plant, sow, energize, and grow,
This is my wish (insert wish)
Goddess Moon make it so.”
Thus in the months ahead you can nurture your seedlings which is a fabulous
learning exercise for young children, to watch first-hand the power of nature.
This is also beneficial for older children, as by planting their wishes they are
personally responsible for their seedlings.
Whichever method you choose therefore, you make a firm commitment that your
seedlings will be nurtured and cultivated in the months that lay ahead, so that
they will grow, flower and bear fruit.
(To be used as a side column – or not at all as you prefer!)
After performing an Esbat ritual, it is a lovely idea to share a meal with those
involved. A great way of doing this, (that is also fun beforehand for the
children, and can be part of the day’s preparation), is to bake Moon Biscuits.
To do so you will need:
Moon Biscuits
295 grams flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
120 grams butter
230 grams sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1-teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon milk or cream
Using organic ingredients where possible, firstly sift the flour, baking powder
and salt into a bowl. In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until
it has paled in colour. Add the egg, the vanilla and the milk a little at a time
and blend until the mixture is smooth. Now add the dry ingredients a little at a
time. Put into the refrigerator and chill the mixture for at least 1 hour. Next,
roll out the dough to approximately 1/8 inch thick on a lightly floured surface
and cut it into circles with a round biscuit cutter, or a floured glass/mug.
Sprinkle with sugar. Bake on an ungreased baking sheet at 375 f, 190 c or gas
mark 5 for 8-10 minutes. For an extra special treat, melt a bar of dark organic
chocolate by the Bain-Marie method, or in the microwave (carefully!) and once
the cookies are cooked and cooled, dip half of the biscuit into the melted
chocolate to create half-moon cookies. Now, eat and enjoy!
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