Calendar of the Moon
20 Beth/Poseideion

Winter Waning Moon

Colors: Silver, white, and black
Element: Water
Altar: Upon a black cloth place a silver or white runner, four silver candles, a cauldron with dry ice in it, a silver vase containing some naked birch twigs, some dry stalks of burdock, a few briar canes, a round moon-shaped mirror, a silver bell; and goblets containing pale white wine, anise liqueur, white corn syrup, and extract of bitter almonds, a spool of silver thread, and a small vial of jasmine oil.
Offerings: Do community service for the mentally ill.
Daily Meal: White food.

Winter Waning Moon Invocation

(As the invocation is spoken, one who has been chosen to do the work of the ritual unwinds the silver spool of thread, and given part of it to every one present to hold.)

Call: Hail Luna of the dying month!
Response: Hail Selene of the fading moon!
Call: Bound in the silver web, be free,
Response: Dying in formless flame, now live,
Call: Maddened where madness is a joy,
Response: Fearful where fear is resurrection,
Call: Hold thou fast to this frail thread
Response: Until the last false light be shed.
Call: Until the Earth brings forth the dead,
Response: Until the ancestors forth are led.
Call: White of star, white of bone,
Response: We will lead each other home.
Call: We are risen in her light,
Response: Where the dying live again,
Call: Silver serpent, silver spider,
Response: All show fair within her mirror.

Chant (to be done with eyes closed): LUNA LUCINA LUMEN LUMEN

(While the chant goes on, the thread is rewound. One who has been chosen to do the work of the ritual brings the goblets around for each to drink, one at a time. For the first, they say, “Taste madness.” For the second, “Taste purity.” For the third, “Taste sweetness.” For the fourth, “Taste bitterness.” Anoint all with jasmine oil, and say, “Scent of dreams.” The bell is rung, and all exit.)