This is is a full moon ritual for the May 2020, Full Flower Moon (May 7th, 4:45 AM, MST). This full Moon will be the last of the three supermoons to occur in 2020. The Full Flower Moon get’s it’s name from Native Americans as spring flowers are literally opening everywhere you look. It is also known as the Corn Planting Moon, Mother’s Moon, and the Milk Moon.
In order to perform this ritual as written, you’ll need the following items:
Quarter Candles (yellow, red, blue, green)
Large White Goddess Candle
Large Gold or Yellow God Candle
Paper and pencil for each participant
Fire pit or cauldron suitable for safely burning small objects and paper
Altar
This is intended to be performed outdoors, under the light of the full snow moon – dress appropriately and use proper fire safety.
<Anything in the ritual that is contained with <> should be understood as instructional for the ritual leader and should not be spoken aloud>
Ritual Begins
I cast this circle all around, high above and below the ground, a sacred place between time and space, where all are welcome and all are safe!
Calling the Quarters
East
As the spring winds slip ever so gracefully across the land, we turn our eyes to the East and give high praises to the great spirits of Air. We welcome you to our circle on this night when the moon is full and shining across the world. <light yellow candle>
South
The last of the warming rays of the sun have just dropped beneath the horizon as we turn to the South, where the great Fire spirits make their home. We give thanks for your attendance in our circle tonight and offer high thanks and praises for the gift of light which you’ve bestowed upon us. Keep our path illuminated as we move from place to place so that no harm or accident will fall our way. <light red candle>
West
The sound of moving Water conjures up memories of things both beautiful and filled with adventure, as we look to the West, we are filled with a sense of comfort, joy, and protection. You honor us by joining our circle and offering us the endless gift of cleansing waters, which regenerate both our bodies and our spirit. <light blue candle>
North
Finally all souls turn toward the North, where the great spirits of Earth make their homes. Those who have traveled through the densest forests and across the highest mountains, still find the time to share their blessings to us mortals. We give high praise for the many gifts, the teachings, and for attending this circle tonight. <light green candle>
Great Goddess, Great God, we humbly, and with great praises and honor present ourselves as our truest selves. We are those who work the land, and drive the herds. We are servants, messengers, disciples, and students. We are kings and queens and lords of our own domains. We are individuals, and yes, we are a family. Together you bring balance to the world and the world smiles upon us. Thank you for attending this circle on this Full Flower Moon <light Goddess & God candles>
Musical Interlude
Choosing the right music to complement your full moon ritual is paramount – I’ve been known to pull in all different types of genres, but I don’t think I’ve ever chose a full-on bone jarring heavy metal song…that is until today. Out song is called Pagan Moon, by Beherit. It’s dark sounding, but musically tight and you’ll find yourself ‘into it’ pretty quickly.
Opening statement
We gather tonight under this full flower moon, perhaps in smaller groups than last year, but certainly bigger than last month when the great virus was upon the land and we were alone. Now that the world is starting to once again find itself and people are remembering that terrible things have come, but those terrible things also go, we are coming back to life. And yet, we do so with so many questions waiting to be answered. We wonder whether the world will ever go back to the way, “it used to be”.
At this point, none of us know what the future might bring, but we can appreciate what the past is teaching us. I say teaching, because what we’ll be discussing tonight hasn’t really been solidified as “taught” and still has a chapter or two, to be read. Each month gives us an opportunity to look outward and learn from the world from a scholarly approach. If we look closely enough, with a free and open mind, we can see the future…or one possible future. Use the energy of the Full Flower Moon to supercharge your mind’s eye and let it take a look around.
Recognizing Value
The great virus of 2020 should have opened everyone’s eyes to recognizing value. I’m not talking about net income, the stock market, or even a purse full of cash. No, what I’m talking about is human value. When the virus took hold, some people disappeared, and some people stepped up their game. Some people were in high demand, while others temporarily faded from our thoughts. We watched as some people put their lives at risk, countless numbers of times, while others went into hibernation. Some spoke, some even complained, while others let their actions speak for them.
Our world has just received a wonderful eye-opening and in case you missed it, the full flower moon is a perfect time to get caught up. Up until now, those who ran big companies were considered valuable, as were celebrities, and professional athletes. Internet superstars and talking heads had audiences of millions. We were programmed to consume, collect, and once we’ve had our fun, to dispose of those things and buy the newest one. We were in fact, being brainwashed into thinking what was wrong, was actually right.
Fast forward to today. Look at the clerk in your local supermarket, or the first responder who lives in your subdivision. Look at the guys who pick up your trash and the ladies who are manning the school lunch counters. Across the land, regular people are doing incredible things. Your mail is still being delivered, your doctor is still treating patients, and the highways are still filled with trucks moving fresh produce, milk, eggs, and meat from growing areas to your local store. Field workers are still picking fresh greens and warehouse workers are still packing and shipping everything from canned soup to microwaves. Despite the possibility of infection, these so-called, entry level or bottom of the ladder workers are punching in every day to keep the world running.
By now you’re probably deep in thought about what I’ve just stated. You’re probably thinking differently about the people that may have seemed invisible to you just a few short months ago. You’re starting to see that not only are they valuable, but they are very valuable. I also bet many of you will leave here and be forever changed. You’ll not only say hello to the woman stocking the shelves, but you’ll do so with an appreciative smile on your face. You might even go out of the way to tell a police officer, thanks for being on the job. You’ll see that value isn’t measured by giving a speech or running for office. Value is earned.
Clearing and Cleansing on the Full Flower Moon
Each month we examine how our lives have changed, both for the good and for the worse. We also examine what events, actions, or people contributed to those changes. And once again we see both the good and the not-so-good. We see that some things are propelling us forward, while others are holding us back. This is very important, because if we’re held back for some reason, then we cannot grow.
Negativity and negative people often go hand in hand when it comes to roadblocks. Anger, impatience, greed, manipulation, jealousy, lust, corruption, and laziness are all products of negativity. Narcissism, manipulation, control issues and bullying are all tools of negative people. When we allow those feelings to remain inside us, or those negative people to keep influencing us, we start to forget about the important things in life like love, compassion, helpfulness, and the desire to become something better than we already are.
This full flower moon offers us the opportunity to make a course correction. Just as Mother Nature presents the earth with a fresh coat of foliage and flowers each season, you can use this ritual to clear out all the weeds and debris and replace them with a beautiful array of fresh colors and renewed feelings.
If you can see negativity in your life, now is the time to banish it, once and for all. Our ancestors have taught us that all things can be washed away in the cleansing flames. Together we can witness as the collective baggage of the past is consumed and the smoke travels far away. By burning the remnants of things useless and without value, we free ourselves to find new and positive things to fill those empty spaces.
<Offer each person paper/pencil to write things down>
Write down the things you wish to rid yourself of, but be realistic. If you only halfway feel ready about something, then don’t rush it. Each month offers another chance to cleanse and clear. When you are ready, approach the fire and burn your list. As you burn each item, state the following, “I give up freely that which is no longer serving me”
<Once everyone has burned their items, have the group join hands and say the following>
We gather tonight by the light of this Full Flower Moon; we feel the warmth of spring on our faces and know that the heat of summer is soon to be realized. The light has already returned and we are have shown we are ready to refresh our lives by first ridding our bodies and minds of that which no longer serves us. We are now cleansed with the great fires of the South carrying the negative energies away. May the next turn of the Wheel bring us love and compassion, abundance and prosperity, fertility and life – As the moon above, so the earth below. So Mote it Be!
Once you’ve chosen to release the negativity, you will be lighter and ready to take on something new and positive. Fill those spaces you’ve just cleared with something positive and then feed it and you’ll soon feel growth from within; growth that will be beneficial to your everyday life, but also growth that will help build a solid foundation for your future.
Cakes & Ale
Depending on the weather and the make-up of your group, you may choose to have a few libations and food at this time. Talk, share stories, and get to know your fellow citizens of the earth.
Closing the Full Flower Moon Circle
Earth spirits, we offer our eternal thanks for joining us in our full flower moon circle. All thoughts are on planting, growing, and spending time with the earth. Bless us and bless that which we plant in the coming months. We bid you farewell. <extinguish green candle>
Water spirits, thank you for your presence in our circle. Before you leave, we ask but one simple thing. Grant us ample rain as we nurture the delicate seedlings and herbs, in their infancy. We bid you farewell. <extinguish blue candle>
Fire spirits, without your presence in our circle, our cleansing ritual would not be possible. We continue to honor your light, the heat, and the ability to transform our lives. May we leave here tonight with eyes wide open to the possibilities of great things in our future. We bid you farewell. <extinguish red candle>
Air spirits, so much gratitude and so many praises for your presence in our circle this night. The light winds on our faces constantly remind us that the most powerful things are often unseen and unpredictable. Leave us with the understanding that we do not need to know why everything is as it is, we just need to be thankful for it. We bid you farewell. <extinguish yellow candle>
Great Goddess and Great God, we thank you both for your wisdom and love. Together you have shown us that all things possess two sides, two energies, and only together can total balance be achieved. Give us the guidance to look at all things in life with an even approach and open mind. <extinguish Goddess candle>
This circle is now open!
Huzzah!
Author’s Note
If you found this full moon ritual enjoyable, I invite you to take a look at my complete library of pagan and full moon rituals at this link.
- October’s Full Hunter’s Moon 2024 -Joining the Ancient Hunt - October 12, 2024
- September’s Full Harvest Moon Ritual for 2024 - September 12, 2024
- May’s Full Flower Moon 2024 – Blessed Abundance - May 22, 2024
