This is is a full moon ritual for the first full moon in March, 2018. Please feel free to copy, alter, or make any changes you feel would meet the needs of your group, coven, tribe, or yourself. It’s the last full moon before Ostara, and a great opportunity to cleanse and self-heal. This ritual uses the cleansing flames from fire for the clearing process. We encourage people to bring those things, or a symbol of them, that weigh them down, to the ritual for burning (and ultimately releasing); this can include just about anything. This ritual adds an extra step with the addition of a variation of a Native American Sacred Smoke Bowl Blessing, to help participants rid themselves of the really stubborn negative energies. Although I’m not a Native American, I sometimes include variations of practices and beliefs many tribes hold into my rituals – it is always done with the highest level of respect and reverence.
Instructional steps are shown in < > these are not spoken aloud
You’ll need the following items:
Quarter Candles (yellow, red, blue, green)
Large White Goddess Candle – I prefer a three wick candle to symbolize the triple Goddess
Paper and pencil for each participant
Fire pit or cauldron suitable for safely burning small objects and paper
White Sage smudge wand (with ash bowl)
Sweet Grass smudge wand (with ash bowl)
Cedar for Smudging (with ash bowl) Three large feathers or fans to spread the sacred smoke
Three Healers to do the smudging
Altar
Ritual Begins
<A call to action for the participants to stop talking, gather, and prepare to begin the ritual>
A circle gathering all around, high above and on the ground, a sacred sphere between the worlds, I do cast!
<Calling the Quarters>
Welcome great spirits of East – we feel the cold blasts of icy AIR as you hold our world tightly in the grip of winter – yet the same wind, blowing on our faces brings a hint of milder times soon to come <light yellow candle>
Welcome great spirits of South – your importance in never forgotten as the FIRE warms our faces and hands and the never-ending light shines brightly, to comfort us in dark times and always guide our people home <light red candle>
Welcome great spirits of West – it is no secret that we shall never thirst as the WATER that feeds all life is flowing around us and through us at the same time, creating harmony and balance in our lives <light blue candle>
Welcome great spirits of North – we watch and wait for the EARTH to awaken and reveal the new life; now hidden deep within her belly – anticipating the gifts of life that will be provided this season <light green candle>
Great Goddess – youthful maiden of spring – we ask for your presence in this circle tonight – join us under the ethereal glowing of the full moon – remind us that we are all sacred and every action we perform can change the world for the better – give us guidance in all we do, comfort in times of trouble, and the strength to be the best person we can be <light Goddess candle>
Opening statement
The first full moon of March has been known by many names. Native Americans called it the Worm Moon, the Magpie Moon or the Crow Moon. Europeans called it the Lenten Moon. Others have named it the Crust Moon, Chaste Moon, Sugar Moon, and Sap Moon, all for different reasons, but collectively marking the return of springtime to the land. It’s also the last Full Moon before the vernal equinox, Tuesday March 20th, which marks the end of winter. This year, March will have a second, full, or blue moon at the end of the month.
Our current full moon is in Virgo. That means the beginning of this month is an ideal time to focus things which need to get done; things at your job, tasks around your home and that lengthy spring cleaning list. Focus your energy on completing tasks, getting rid of bad habits, and managing stress.
This is also one of the best times this year to engage in magickal work concerning employment, intellectual matters, personal health, and addressing dietary concerns. Healing rituals for stomach, intestinal and nervous system issues are recommended during this period of time. Utilize the Full Moon energy to make positive changes in your life.
Lessons from the Noble Earthworm
As the temperature begins to warm and the ground begins to thaw, earthworms begin to show themselves – as they move through the soil, they eat plant debris and aerates the area creating a better and richer soil for vegetation to grow. These creatures are vital to the world, but are almost always overlooked as animal guides or totems due to their lowly status.
So what lesson can we learn in observing the worm? They have no eyes, no ears, no arms or legs, and yet somehow are able to find their way in life. They have no bones, nor a bony exoskeleton, yet they seem to know a safe path. They are sensitive to weather and know when to travel to the surface to “come out of the rain.” What we see in the earthworm is similar to what we call intuition. The difference between humankind and earthworms is that they always trust in their own feelings and act upon them, while we have doubts.
They are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female energy, demonstrating the true power of fertility and preserving their species. If injured, they can recover or regrow a missing portion of their bodies. They teach us that the best ways to heal ourselves originate from within. They eat waste and organic matter, trapped in the soil and recycle it into fertilizer to promote new growth. It’s also a strong message to all of us to participate in caring for the Earth; even the smallest action can be positive.
The lessons we should take from Earthworm are stewardship to the land, self-healing, and trusting our intuition. The regenerative powers of the earthworm reinforces our practice of clearing out the old to make way for the new – we cut away the things from our lives that weaken us emotionally, but we do so with the intention of filling those empty spaces with new growth.
On each full moon, after careful contemplation, we take time to release those things which are weighing us down. We take time to burn away our pain, to free ourselves from anxiety, to tear down emotional walls and to shake ourselves free from the chains of doubt. Releasing the past is the only way to open the door to your future.
<Offer paper and pencils for people to write down their list of things they want to break free from>
All Are Welcome to Approach the Fire – Watch as your negativity is carried away with the rising smoke
<Provide ample time for everyone to burn and meditate over what was released>
Spring is the best time to cleanse your spirit, your home and hearth, and your emotions. Watch those things you released move skyward in the smoke – you will feel lighter, as if a weight was lifted from your shoulders.
Three Smudges
For thousands of years, Native Americans have given the Sacred Smoke Bowl Blessing, a powerful cleansing technique to remove stubborn energies which seem to find a way to hang on to us. The smoke of the White Sage attaches itself to negative energies and carries it away, leading to a shift to the positive. The smoke of the Sweet grass attracts positive energies. Finally, the smoke of Cedar provides a layer of protection to allow your positive intentions and energies to safely grow and develop.
<assemble the three healers who will perform the smudging and prepare themselves by smudging one another first to cleanse their own spirits>
<the healers will smudge the participants in order as follows – sage, sweetgrass, cedar>
Take the lessons of the Earthworm home with you. With a clean and energized spirit, take the next steps to cleaning all parts of your life; clutter around your home is a sign of negative energy, so rid yourself of it. Shelve your books, organize your storage areas, and rod yourselves of the reams of stored paperwork we so love to hold onto.
You can take your time and do this cleaning over the next few weeks. It will benefit you enormously on your spiritual path.
Closing the circle
Spirits of the Earthly realm, thank you for your presence in our circle this night. May we be blessed with the abundance from your belly. We bid you farewell. <extinguish green candle>
Spirits of Watery realm, thank you for your presence in our circle this night. May we be blessed with the ability to flow with life’s currents. We bid you farewell. <extinguish blue candle>
Spirits of the Fiery realm, thank you for your presence in our circle this night. May we be blessed with the ability to see your light in any darkness. We bid you farewell. <extinguish red candle>
Spirits of the Airy realm, thank you for your presence in our circle this night. May we be blessed with the ability to see something positive in every vision. We bid you farewell. <extinguish yellow candle>
Great Goddess, we thank you for your wisdom and love. Thank you for the opportunity to share space with our brothers and sisters. Thanks you for making us aware the even the smallest of creatures, such as the noble Earthworm, can provide us with infinite wisdom if we open our eyes to it. Thank you for sharing this night with us in our sacred space. <extinguish Goddess candle>
This circle is now open!
Huzzah!
- March’s Full Worm Moon, 2024 - March 24, 2024
- Ostara 2024 – Celebrating Life - March 15, 2024
- Mysterious Waterfalls Around the World - February 16, 2024
hi! Do I only need to light a candle only for the Goddess or also for the God?
It’s your choice – some people choose to honor the God & Goddess, while others only honor the God