VARIATIONS
The foregoing is a sample of how one might do a New Moon Esbat. To help you have a fuller idea of some of the many ways in which this ritual can be done, we are also including some variations on the theme of visualizations and Acts of Power.
This is only a very narrow sampling of the potential variations you might employ. The idea is to attune to the energy of the New Moon for growth and increase –the ways to do this are endless. There are many, many books available from which you can glean ideas for ritual. Never be afraid to improvise –remember that ritual is an expression of the heart. Moreover as you gain practice and facility you will find that you prefer or excel in certain techniques more than others, and you will want to make full use of these.
Above all, remember that a ritual, to be effective, must raise energy. It should be a moving and enjoyable experience. Therefore always strive to keep it fresh and innovative.
Here are several examples of other Acts of Power which you might use in a New Moon Esbat. Do not by any means feel limited by these examples –they are only meant to inspire you. The potential choices of Act of Power which you might use in a ritual are endless, bounded only by your creativity and skill. Ideally, as you gain experience you will amass a large number of Acts of Power for use in ritual, which you will adapt to the needs of each individual ceremony. Never be afraid of innovation or variety, because it is important always to keep the ritual experience fresh.
ACT OF POWER 2: World Tree Visualization
“Close your eyes: relax and go inside yourself. Become aware of your Heart Chakra and imagine a ball of white light within it. This is the light of the Eternal Flame, your connection to Goddess –the Divine Spark within you. In this ball of light is love, and peace, and strength. Feel the love and power in the light –the love of the Goddess.
“Now imagine that ball of white light expanding –see it grow larger, filling your chest. Imagine it growing to fill your torso, moving out farther to encompass your arms and legs. See the ball of light expanding beyond your body, to form a ball of light around you. Feel the energy of the light: feel it surrounding you: feel it suffusing you. You are safe in the ball of light, for it is the light of the Goddess, and in it are strength, and love, and peace.
“Relax. Feel yourself floating within the ball of light. Let the ball of light lift you, carry you. Feel yourself rising up, gently carried by the ball of light, supported by the love of the Goddess.
“Imagine that you are floating, gently carried along by the night breeze. Comfortable. Safe. Supported by the love of the Goddess.
“The Earth is far below, and the stars are all around you. Below you see buildings, and roads, and trees, and rivers –but it is all far away from you. You are simply, peacefully floating.
“Consider your life for a moment, now that you are far from it, floating in the sky. What is important to you at this point in life? Think of a goal that you wish to work for. Something which you want to develop or to do. Something which you want to see prosper. Concentrate upon your goal. Imagine the goal strongly.
“Imagine the ball of light coming down to Earth now. Imagine it coming to a rest in a clearing in the woods. The image of the ball of light fades from around you, but its protection remains. Look about you: what do you see? What is the condition of the woods? How does it make you feel?
“Imagine yourself forming a ball of light between your two hands. A ball of clear, white light. In that ball, imagine your goal fulfilled. See the goal accomplished, within the ball of light which is between your hands. Focus and concentrate upon your goal.
“Now you will see a seed appear at the center of the ball of light between your hands. A single seed, glowing with light as if a tiny sun were within it.
“Make a little hole in the soil before you and plant the seed. Cover it over. And look into the sky above you –there you will see the first sliver of the waxing Crescent Moon. Speak to Her. Ask Her to send down Her light upon your seed.
“Now imagine a shower of white light raining down from the New Moon, and in the white light are millions of tiny, glittering silver stars. It only lasts a few moments, but it is indescribably beautiful, scintillating with energy.
“In front of you, you see a tiny shoot poke up through the ground. The shoot stretches upward, slowly growing into a sapling. As you watch, the sapling grows into a tree.
“The tree grows larger and larger. It grows taller than you. Then it grows taller than you can see. The branches of the tree spread out above you, reaching out in every direction –full of green leaves.
“And in the tree, you begin to see living things. Birds, animals –every kind of animal. Small animals that you would expect to see in a tree, like squirrels: big animals that you would not expect to see in a tree, like water buffalo. Aquatic creatures too, seemingly out of place. And people: all kinds of people throughout the branches of the tree. For this is the tree of life, and all life is in the tree.
“And moving through the branches of the tree, you perceive the Great Dragon, Uktena –the Ourobouros, the Tao: the movement of creation. Too big to truly see it, yet you feel it and catch glimpses of it among the branches.
“And then, up among the branches, you see it –Your goal. Fulfilled and successful, the goal appears already accomplished in the branches of the tree. Claim it as your own. Accept, and give thanks for it.
“Now you begin to see the glittering light of the New Moon begin to shine through the branches of the tree: white with millions of tiny, glittering stars sparkling throughout it. The light shines brighter, and brighter. It spreads out from the tree –it suffuses everything. You are engulfed in the glittering white light: it is all you can see: it fills you completely. And in the light is love, and joy, and peace…
“And the image fades. And you return slowly to yourself. On the count of three, you are back: One, slowly returning to the body: Two, a little more, almost there: Three, you are back, refreshed and invigorated.”
This visualization is not only intended as a spell to help you magically create your goal, but as a divination as well.
What was the clearing in the woods like when the ball of light first deposited you there? Was it healthy and thriving, or barren? This represents how you actually feel about your goal. If the clearing was not healthy and thriving, examine your feelings about the goal and look for crossed wires –mixed feelings that may tend to trip you up or lead to self-sabotage: when you find them, change them –reprogram them.
And what did the tree look like? This indicates how your goal will grow. Was it tall and straight? Was it interestingly gnarled? Was it healthy and verdant? How did it make you feel? If you do not like the answers to these questions, you may re-imagine the tree later, and send it healing energy -visualize it healed and healthy.
Acts of Power
Here are two more examples of Acts of Power which you might use for a New Moon. These are only examples, because the possibilities are endless. The first is an example of a spell which is used for a working in which everyone present is focused upon the same goal: for example the healing of a specific person, or peace in a time of troubles. The second is a divination to determine how the month will go for the individuals present (or a longer period of time if desired).
ACT OF POWER 3: Group Divination
Our final Act of Power for this section is a divination intended to determine how the month will go for the individuals present (or a longer period of time if desired).
For this you will need a Tarot deck, or other form of divination such as Rune Stones.
Pass the deck around the Circle and let everyone draw one card, which they should not look at yet. This card will represent what the month holds for them.
Now pass the deck around a second time. As each person receives the deck, first interpret the first card they drew –again this is what the month holds for them. For example the Chariot might be taken to represent achieving goals, while the Seven of Cups indicates confusion or misunderstandings.
Next, ask them to draw another card, and pass the deck on. Again they should not look at the new card.
Now send the deck around a third time. As each person receives the deck, interpret the second card which they drew. This card represents their interactions with the group in Circle: for example, the Ace of Cups suggests happy relations, the Three of Swords suggests that they may have a falling out of some sort.
Again, ask them to draw another card and pass the deck on around the Circle.
When everyone has drawn their third card, you will not pass the deck around again. Instead you will go around and interpret each card. This card represents the persons relationship with the world outside of the Circle: For example the Seven of Wands suggests achievement through hard work, while the Five of Swords suggests dissatisfaction with circumstances.