October's Full Hunter's Moon 2024 -Joining the Ancient Hunt

The Full Hunter’s Moon will peak on October 17th, at 5:27 AM, MST in 2024. It is the third Supermoon this year, and the closest moon to Earth in calendar year 2024. This moon will feature an Almost Lunar Eclipse, and even though the Sun, Earth, and Moon will be very closely aligned on this day, there will be no official lunar eclipse. Sky watchers will not be able to see the Earth’s shadow on the Moon.

Full Moon names are standard for most of the year, except for September, October, and sometimes November. All other months have names that stay the same, regardless of year. The full moon which comes closest to Mabon (the Autumnal Equinox) is always called the Harvest Moon and the full moon immediately after it is always called the Hunter’s Moon. Since moon cycles are 28 days and calendar months are 30/31 days, it’s always changing. This year, our Full Harvest Moon fell on September 17th, a mere 5 days before Mabon, earning it the title.

Other names for the October full moon are Dying Grass Moon, Harvesting Moon, the Sanguine Moon, the Ice Moon, the Freezing Moon, the Migrating Moon, the Travel Moon, and the Blood Moon, even when there is no eclipse. Additionally it has been called the Autumn Moon, the Pumpkin Moon, Ice Moon, Migrating Moon, Falling Leaves Moon, and the Drying Rice Moon. In the southern hemisphere, it is called the Egg Moon, Fish Moon, Seed Moon, Pink Moon, or Waking Moon.

Preparing for our 2024 Full Hunter’s Moon Ritual

Decorate your Altar with items significant of hunting (meat, skins, tools, etc.)
Quarter Candles (4 total) in these colors – Red (South), Yellow (East), Green (North), and Blue (West)
Goddess Candle – White, 3 wick type if possible
Paper & pencils
Fire pit, bonfire, or open flame (it is recommended that everyone be familiar with fire safety protocol)

Throughout this ritual, any text surrounded by these symbols < > should be considered instructional and not spoken aloud but done in accordance with the directions

Ritual Begins

This circle cast, now all around, look high above, across the ground, the energy fields becoming clear, a sacred sphere has gathered here. Now we rest within the pause, time stands still to aid our cause.

Opening the Circle

East
As light surrenders to the darkness, let us begin our sacred journey, turning first to the East. The night chill reveals itself to be both cleansing and exhilarating. As the light of the full moon shines, the sounds of long-ago hunting parties echo through the trees. The spirits of the ancestors are calling us. <light yellow candle>

South
Stop, hold fast and slowly turn to the South, eyes ever vigilant on movement, shadow, and the elusive creatures of the night. Let your vision become one with the night, your senses on high alert, and your spirit within gathering a calmness. Remember the tenants by which we exist. Take that which is given to us, but only that which we need. <light red candle>

West
Now turn your gaze to the West, where perhaps a shard of daylight still remains. Step softly and light, weaving through the underbrush, along hidden game trails, and riverbanks. The night has only begun and time resides with us and those who seek the same ends as we do. Let your mind reach out to distant hills, across wide plains, and into the gnarled patches of vines. Channel the energies of your prey and bid them to enter your sphere. <light blue candle>

North
Finally, look North and the light of the night sky. Our journey is about to begin, our walk into the lands between the worlds, and although the great veil is thin, it still holds sway over those who wish to pass. For now we seek the beasts of the land to nourish our bodies and those who depend on us, yet soon we shall seek the wisdom of those who cross over to teach and guide us. With swiftness do our points fly and with grace do they strike home. <light green candle>

Goddess
<Ritual leader should raise their arms high, near the circle center>
Great Goddess, the light of the Hunter’s Moon surrounds us, speaks to us, and fills our minds with messages of tremendous energy, awareness, and power. Tonight we live in the world of the ancestors, feeling the rush of the hunt, the cries of victory, and the knowledge that life will continue. We seek your presence in our circle, to watch over us as we let our spirits travel free. <Light Goddess candle>

Introduction

Hunters, warriors, spear throwers, and long runners. Welcome one and all. And the trapper, woodsman, and those who stand watch at the edge of tomorrow. Blessings to you. Yet lest we forget the huntress, the shooter, the bowman, and shaman. Our gratitude. For as we travel to the land of those who have walked before us, we do so under their guidance. Now, listen to the primal sounds of history.

Musical Interlude

Music, especially songs rich in pounding drums, chanting, a deep powerful bass, or words so pure, they produce an emotional response. For these songs raise energy. They draw power from the universe, into each one of us. For some, letting the music take hold, they discover a primal beast within, others find a connection, one both powerful and permanent. So as we bathe under the powerful lunar energy, let us focus on the sounds from long ago. The first is by Vígundr, a creator of Old Norse music.’ – The hauntingly beautiful chant is called Loddfáfnir. Our second selection brings a pounding drumbeat by Heilung called Anoana.

The Banishment of Negative Energy

To enter into a state of complete relaxation, serene and prepared to receive, we must cleanse our spirits. We must release those things which no longer serve us. Under the light of the Hunter’s Moon, we stand prepared to shed the things which add unnecessary weight. We stand ready to take control of our emotions, our hearts, and our souls. Polluted memories, darkness, and guilt, must be faced for what they are, processed, and then expunged, their weight gone forever. Take this moment to understand that emotional baggage weighs you down the same as physical baggage.

And yet, take note fellow travelers, none here do wear the darkness as a cloak. We are citizens of the world where sight exists when you open your eyes, bridges are crossed, and moments last for centuries. And yet, none can escape from negative energy. We tolerate bad behavior, we go to work, we interact with differing opinions, differing politics, and differing considerations for our fellow human being. Negativity finds a multitude of ways to insert itself into our lives and that weight often holds us back from true spiritual growth.

We’ve gathered many nights before, nights where the light of the full moon illuminated our circle, filled us with pure energy, and provided the push we needed to work magick, scry, and break free from negativity. We rely on one another to be supportive. We find peace and comfort in the hot coals of the fire. Different all, but much the same. We are the faithful travelers who refuse to have the past forgotten to the dust of time. We are a circle where energy flows without barrier, and answers come when called for.

Now take a moment to embrace the energy of the Full Hunter’s Moon. Trust in the energy. Dive deep into your subconscious. Seek out those things which hold you back, those things which consume your time and energy with no reward, the people who manipulate you, the places where you are ignored or exploited. Find the fears, the self-imposed limitations, and the unnecessary guilt. Focus on the energy vampires, the story weavers, and the ones who wish to influence. Your life is your own. The time is now to not only to release, but to banish that negativity.

<distribute paper and pencil to all>

Focus your thoughts, write down those things which you wish to shed the weight of. When you are ready, please approach the flames, commit the paper to the fire, watch it burn away, the smoke floating away in an act of permanence.

As you burn your sheet, say “I banish that which no longer serves me”.

<allow plenty of time here, and once all have participated who wish to, continue>

Embrace the lightness you have, now, at this very moment in time, for it shall bring you to new heights. Freedom to travel is what we seek tonight. Freedom to drift across worlds, across eras, and civilization. Free to find our ancestors as they roamed the thick woodlands, or crept across the barren grasslands. Encouraged to enjoin them, to share in their energy and emotion. Now listen to the sounds of VÖLUR, and let your body relax.

Let Us Join the Ancient Hunt

Our mind racing as not to be lost from our racing body. Surrounded by all things we open our eyes to see, beings we wish to engage with, a world that lives on in eternity. The energy of the Full Hunter’s Moon feeds our souls as we seek to commune with those who came before us. We are joining the hunt in the spiritual world.

<I recommend taking time while reading this. The goal is to bring everyone to a mild trancelike state>

Relax, give every muscle the freedom to let go. Surrender the stiffness, the stress, just give it up. Embrace the darkness, the moonlight, the stars in the night sky, and the atmosphere of this full moon night. Breathe deeply, and then release it, there is no need to hold back for you are safe in this circle. Close your eyes and listen, take in the echoes of the pounding drums, the vibration of the chanting, the feeling of freeing your mind from your physical body. Let the weight of chaos spill forth from you and embrace the lightness.

Let your body hold space as your mind crosses over. The feeling of weightlessness creeps up your legs and into your torso. You are on the edge of the moment when your breath slows and your mind takes complete control. Hang on that edge, resting your thoughts along the path to finding your ancestor. One will call, or possibly permeated your mind already. Capture your vibration in the central focus of your thoughts. Feed it with energy from the full hunter’s moon. Seek and you shall discover that moment in the past which draws you.

Each second of time awaits you. Discover the freedom that emerges from history. Close off the outside world of forest sounds, the crackling flames, and the whispering wind. Focus your thoughts and break free.

See that which you seek. Join your ancestors. Join the ancient hunt and ride deep into the forests, across the mountains and hills, seek the game, and the life that it provides. Feel the bowstring as it tightens across your chest, the weight of the spear in your hand. See the great alignment of the past and the present. Feel the blood rush as your prey holds, waiting for your strike, surrendering itself to you as a noble sacrifice of the turning wheel.

Join in the celebration. Feast, drink, and be merry. Savor this moment, but do not linger, for it is but a moment, and time beckons you to return. Offer farewells, not forever, but for the moment, and return back to your physical body.

Hunter's Moon

Closing the Full Hunter’s Moon Circle

North
Now, as we regain the connection with our physical self, it is time to close this Hunter’s Moon circle. Let us begin by turning to the North. As the hunt draws to a close, we are comforted with the quiet. We give no chase, no speed, nor quickness, for that time has passed. We are lighter, and we have a new perspective on things. <extinguish green candle>

West
Look West, rest your eyes, allow the universe to flow through you. Ponder on the night, the moment where you stepped away from this world and into another. Give those memories a permanent place in your mind, and hold on to the lessons learned <extinguish blue candle>

South
Turn to the South, for on this full Hunter’s Moon night, we are reminded of the great circle of life. As we give, so do we receive. As we search, answers are presented, but only if we focus to find them. Messages come from all points in the universe, and when we are vigilant, we can achieve true spiritual growth. <extinguish red candle>

East
And finally we turn our gaze once again to the East, and we do so with fondness and gratitude in our hearts. For we have been enlightened by the teachings of the great hunt. We are recharged by the moon. We have been blessed to share space with one another, and we leave here knowing that we are not alone in this world. <extinguish yellow candle>

Goddess
Tonight our visions of both the past and the future have been validated. As we spend our final moments basking in this powerful Full Hunter’s Moon lunar energy, we give thanks to the Goddess for making all things possible. Go now in peace. This circle is open, but the connection is never broken.