DARK MOON ESBAT HP/HPS: We are gathered here in recognition of the dark, to celebrate the dark mother, the crone of time, grandmother of us all! All ears hear! The circle is about to be cast, let none be present but of their own free will! Be it known that we are in the presence of the dark Goddess. HPS circling deosil with the salt, casts the first circle saying: I cast the circle thus! With salt; deep from the womb of the Mother! From oceans deep and cold I consecrate this space! So mote it be! HP circling deosil with water saying: I cast the circle thus! With water, ancient and old; with the life blood of the world, I consecrate this space! So mote it be! HPS circling deosil with censor saying: I cast the circle thus! With fire and air clean and hot, I consecrate this space! So mote it be! HPS: And ever it was thus! ALL: So mote it be! Calling of the quarters: Ancient one of elemental air, I call and summon thee by name! Raphael of the wide ranging air! Sylph of the endless skies we bid you come! Stand in our presence and guard this circle cast. ALL: So mote it be! Ancient one of elemental earth, I call and summon thee by name! Oriel of the fertile plain! Gnome of forests deep, we bid you come! Stand in our presence and guard this circle cast. ALL: So mote it be! Ancient one of elemental fire, I call and summon thee by name! Michael of flickering flame! Salamander of scorchy fire! We bid you come stand in our presence and guard this circle cast. ALL: So mote it be! Ancient one of elemental water, I call and summon thee by name! Gabriel of oceans and streams! Undine of pools and ponds, we bid you come stand in our presence and guard this circle cast. ALL: So mote it be! HPS: And ever it was thus! From the beginnings of the world, air and earth, fire and water!! The circle is sealed! CHANT Lady weave your circle tight, Spin a web of glowing light. Earth and air, fire and water, bind us to you ever. (repeat until energy is "fine and flowing") HPS: Dark Mother!! Crone of time!! We ask your presence and your blessing! All things to you must go, though darkness and death are your domain you promise peace and rest! Thy gift is life! Yours is the hand that turns the wheel and cuts the thread. Be with us this magickal night. Give each of us your wisdom and bless our rite! ALL: So mote it be! CHANT Hecate, Hecate of visage dower, Dark Mother, Dark Mother come with power. Hecate, Hecate of visage dower, Dark Mother, Dark Mother crone of time. (repeat until cone is well established) (Chant should be done while circling altar) MAGICK is done at this time! HPS takes chalice and says: Dark Lady, Mother of night, we thank you for your presence and wisdom (pouring liquid into libation bowl) as the fruit of the vine was plucked and pressed, it came to know the touch of death and thereby we are sustained and carry on! Offering to HP saying: "May you never thirst." HP takes chalice and offers to HPS saying: "May you never thirst." Chant "Lady weave your circle..." while being passed to rest of group. HP takes the cakes and says: Likewise as the grain of the field ripened and fell beneath the scythe it came to know the touch of death, whereby we are sustained and carry on! HP offers cake to HPS saying: "May you never hunger." HPS takes cakes offers to HP saying: "May you never hunger." Chant "Lady weave your circle..." while being passed to rest of group. HPS: And ever it was thus! ALL: Blessed be! HPS: Dark Lady of the waning moon, we thank you for your presence and your blessing, and in silence we turn within and willingly offer to thy realm that which is old and outdated, that which no longer has life and no longer grows. We offer to thy Blade which we no longer need. (each person in turn ignites their petition and tosses it into the cauldron saying: "So mote it be!" HP: And ever it was thus! That which falls to the hand of the crone finds regeneration and new life! CHANT She changes everything she touches and everything she touches changes! (repeat as to replenish cone) HPS: Grandmother! Blessed thou be! Depart to thy realms if thou must stay it thou will. Thank you for the lessons learned this dark moon night! ALL: Blessed be! Dismissal of quarters. Ancient ones of elemental air! Thank you for your vigil here! Leave with us a renewed mind as clear as air! Blessed be! ALL: Blessed be! Ancient one of elemental earth! Thank you for your vigil here! Leave with us steadiness and patience! Blessed be! ALL: Blessed be! Ancient one of elemental fire! Thank you for your vigil here! leave with us swiftness and action, a flaming soul to always do what is right! Blessed be! ALL: Blessed be! Ancient one of elemental water! Thank you for your vigil here! As you depart leave with us the fluidity of water that we may have compassion for our fellows as well as our selves! Blessed be! ALL: Blessed be! HPS: Let all ears hear! The circle is open but remains unbroken! Brothers and sisters are we children of the Lord and Lady! May they always dance within our hearts. Merry did we meet, merry do we part, merry we meet again. ALL: Blessed be! Simple feast.