FULL MOON ECLIPSE IN SAGITTARIUS – MAY 25TH
Image: Bob Woods
Who says you need to be a shaman, a wizard or living in an ashram to conduct (or take part in) a full moon ceremony and connect with the natural cycles of mamma Earth? We can all make use of the supercharged full moon energy this week by conducting our own celebration – we’ll show you how!
THE MAY MOON
This month’s extra potent full moon is also a lunar eclipse in Sagittarius. Over to you, Astro Twins, to explain its significance; “Lunar eclipses always take place during full moons, and bring about manifestations and completions. This one is the final in a series on the Gemini-Sagittarius axis, which began on December 21, 2012. As such, we may be putting the final touches on issues that have been stirred up since December 2012. As Sagittarius rules travel, higher education and entrepreneurial ventures, events in these realms will be the focus of the weekend. Since this eclipse is the last in the series, odds are, you already have big plans in the works. Now we can put the final touches on them or deliver the coup de gras to a pattern we’ve been trying to break.”
THE CEREMONY
The full moon will occur this Saturday, May 25th at 12:25 a.m. EST, though it’s not necessary to conduct the ceremony exactly at this time. The best time for the ceremony is either Friday night or Saturday night as the full moon energy will fully support the process on both these evenings. Invite your friends and ask everyone to bring a healthy dish or beverage – the rest is up to you.
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
- Sage/Smudge Stick
- White candles (white symbolizes purity)
- A bouquet of white flowers (optional)
- Your favorite oracle or tarot card deck (optional – we suggest The Goddess Oracle for full moons)
- Lighter and/or matches
- Any significant objects you’d like to place in the altar – these can include crystals, symbols of things you’d like to release, small statues, images of goddesses, etc.
- A tapestry or blanket to lie on, plus pillows for everyone to sit on. Make it comfy
FOR INDOOR CEREMONIES…
- A package of tea candles (one for each person)
- A large bowl filled with mantra-infused water
FOR OUTDOOR CEREMONIES…
- Paper and pens for every person
- A fire safe bin
THE VENUE
Ideally, find a safe space outside where you can bask in the light of the full moon in all her glory. But above all, choose a place where you can safely relax without interruption (so your living room is going to work perfectly too – just get your roommate to be out if they’re not going to join).
ATTIRE
If possible, wear all white. This symbolizes purity and will expand your auric radiance, man. Have fun with it! Dresses above, from a selection, www.marahofmann.com
THE RITUAL
Before the guests arrive:
Set up the space. Place a tapestry/blanket on the floor with pillows for people to sit on and create an altar in the middle of the circle. The altar can include a bouquet of white flowers, crystals, a tarot/oracle card deck, the bin (if outside) or bowl of water (if inside), white candles, etc.
Light the sage/smudge stick to clear the space for the ceremony. As you walk around the space, allow the sage smoke to fill the area while holding the intention to purify by repeating a prayer, such as: “I cleanse this room of any impurities, negativity, or anything that does not suit or support the full moon ceremony.” Call in any guides, goddesses, archangels, etc. to hold the space – try calling upon Archangel Michael, Archangel Raphael, Archangel Haniel and all beings from the highest realms of light and sound who wish to help facilitate the ceremony. They’ll be listening! You can invoke these beings in by simply stating, “I call upon ____.” If you are conducting the ceremony from indoors, visualize the full moon during preparations.
Once the guests arrive:
Ensure all the candles/props are set up. Have everyone sit in a tight-knit circle. If outside, pass out a sheet of paper and pen for each person. If inside, give everyone a tea candle. Feel free to put on calming music in the background – maybe some meditation-chanting music that isn’t too distracting. Once everyone is comfortably seated, you are now ready to begin the ceremony! So here it is, step-by-step:
- Ask everyone to close their eyes. Guide the participants through a series of deep inhalations and exhalations.
- Call upon Archangel Michael, Haniel, Raphael (or any saints, angels, beings of your choice), and the spirit guides of everyone present. Request that they help protect and guide the ceremony.
- Read a paragraph or two out loud about the current energy of the full moon. Mysticmamma.com always has a cool summary for this – or you can read the paragraph listed in this article.
- IF INDOORS: Ask everyone to visualize the full moon in the middle of the circle. Tell them to bathe in its milky light – breathe in its energy. After a few breaths, guide the participants to ask the full moon what they need to release for their highest good. After a few minutes of breath and meditation during this process, ask the participants to direct the things they wish to release into the tea candle sitting in front of them. After this process, everyone can open their eyes. Now go around the circle, and one by one, ask each person to share what they wish to release. If someone prefers not to share out loud, they can say it in their head. Upon stating what they are releasing, have them light their tea candle and place it in the water bowl and shout “BE GONE!” – go around the circle until everyone has spoken. (SKIP TO STEP 6)
- IF OUTDOORS: Ask everyone to bathe in the moon’s milky light and breathe in its energy. After a few breaths, guide the participants to ask the full moon what they need to release for their highest good. After a few minutes of breath and meditation, ask the participants to write down all the things they wish to release. After everyone finishes, go around the circle and have each person state what they are letting go of. When they finish speaking, have them place the sheet of paper in the fire safe bin.
- Pick up the tarot/oracle card deck and choose a card to represents the next moon cycle – something everyone can remember and focus on in the coming weeks. Read the meaning out loud.
- Hold hands and read a closing poem or prayer – sometimes it’s fun to sing a song together or read an affirmation together. Thank the moon, guides, and everyone present for participating.
- IF INDOORS: howl at the moon and celebrate!
- IF OUTDOORS: light the papers on fire and shout “BE GONE!” everyone can howl at the moon or yell and chant at this point – get the energy moving!
THE FEAST
Now it’s time to celebrate. Conduct a toast to the coming moon cycle and enjoy a delicious meal together. Put on festive, upbeat music and dance the night away! As a treat to yourself for conducting such an enchanted evening, bathe in the flowers used for the full moon ceremony before you go to sleep, and allow the night’s magic to bless you in the coming weeks!
Next month: Full Moon feasting menu, as suggested by our favourite foodies.
Madeline Giles is a Senior Editor at www.thedailylove.com
@_MerMadeline
