The Dance: The 7 Queens and the Moon
The cycle of the Pleaides is something that
I have found to be important within my spirituality across the last 7 years. I
have, in that time, shared various rituals I have designed to help nurture a
connection to the Other who are aligned with these stars. That cycle has slowly
grown across time, moving towards a fully fleshed out ritual cycle, and focuses
on points within each calendar year, however there are also two floating
alignments which don’t occur within a yearly cycle but rather at intermittent
points. I have previously discussed one of these points, when the Pleaides are
conjunct with Venus, and now I would also like to offer a ritual for times when
the Pleaides are conjunct with the moon. This occurs every month but not on a
fixed cycle, as the timing is based on both the moon’s position and the variable
position of the Pleiades.
For those who are fully immersed in a
ritual cycle focused on the Pleaides this ritual might replace the more common
witchcraft practice of celebrating the moon’s cycle alone, particularly the
full moon. However the exact tone of each celebration would be influenced by
the point in the moon’s cycle that it is conjunct with the 7 Queens. My
personal preference would be:
Full moon – time for all magic and to
celebrate the beauty of life
Waning moon – time for releasing and
celebrating the joy of letting go of things that you have outgrown
New moon – time for deeper connection to
the Good Folk and divination.
Waxing Moon – time for magic focused on
growth and healing, and to celebrate the potential in all life
More generally the conjunction of the Pleaides
with the moon represents a time to reflect on and embrace beauty, joy, and
pleasure. It is a time to connect deeply to the Other and receive messages from
them, as well as to take some small time to honour your own power and enjoy
life. It is also a good time to bless items, such as ritual tools.
The focus of this ritual is particularly
sensual so you might consider taking a ritual bath beforehand, incorporating things
that make you feel happy or beautiful. You might add rose oil to the water, for
example, to cleanse and bless, and make extra effort to dress up in a way that
feels special to you personally. Have fun with it, because enjoyment is part of
the point.
Ritual
Find a good space open beneath the sky
where you can see the stars above you. If this is not possible due to weather
concerns try to set up an altar near a window or perhaps arrange some
appropriate artwork near your ritual space. If necessary this entire thing can
be done as a visualization exercise. My own outdoor altar for ritual work
usually contains space for offerings, water in an appropriate container,
candles, and a token representing the Fairy Queen I honour. For this festival you
might use something to symbolize all 8 Queens, or focus on a specific one, and
you could design this cycle to focus on a different queen each month sequentially.
Have fresh water and some kind of offering
on hand; I prefer apples, honey, or milk, but anything fresh and natural is a
good option. Alternately one may offer song, dance, poetry, art, of items
created with your own skill.
Create sacred space as you see fit if you
wish to. I usually do this now by moving counterclockwise around my space
sprinkling water and chanting to open the way between worlds. You can also
dance the circle or sign it around as that energy aligns with the purpose of
this ritual.
Invite in any goodly inclined spirits,
allies, Fairy Queens or Kings, or Liminial Gods you wish to include. You might
instead choose to invite all of the 7 Queens. We invite, we don't invoke,
evoke, or compel. They either come as we call or they don't.
I might say something like:
"I call to all goodly inclined
spirits,
spirits of the land, spirits of the air,
Fair Folk who would be my friends,
Friendly ones who aid my liminal path,
Liminal gods, Fairy Queens and Kings,
Lady of the Greenwood, Queen of the Wind,
Queen of the Wave, Queen of Winter,
Queen of Flame, Queen of Horns, Crane
Queen,
I invite you all to join me here
As I honour the journey
Of the celestial Fairy Rade
Aligned with the dance of the Moon."
After this is done wait a moment and
observe. Use all your sense to note if there is any obvious response to your
call. This may be obvious, such as the wind picking up or the temperature
changing, or it may be a more subtle feeling of presence. Don't rush but wait
until things feel settled.
Say:
"Tonight the Seven Queens meet the moon
In their journey across the sky
A great dance in the heavens
7 shining stars burning brightly
Joined by the moon, dancing her[1] cycle
A time of joy and of magic,
A time of power and of pleasure,
The gates are open, may
They be opened wider
The Queens look upon the land
May they bless what they see"
Put out the offerings you have brought and
pour out a bit of water.
"I offer sweet honey cakes [or
whatever you are offering]
And pure clean water
To all the queens
To the liminal gods
To those beings that
would aid me
to the spirits of air
and of earth"
At this point if there is anything else you
would like to do in your ritual - sing, dance, chant, divination, meditate,
journey - do it. The conjunction with the moon is particularly good, as
previously mentioned, for blessing items and for divination or journeywork to
connect to the Other. Be open to hearing what they might tell you. Also keep in
mind this ritual is intended to remind us of the beauty that surrounds us,
through the dance of the stars, and should incorporate things that make you
feel happy or express joy. Have fun in whatever you do, as much as possible.
When you feel ready to say goodbye, say:
"The Queens brighten the sky
The light of their celebration
Shining down upon us
Our worlds are intertwined
As they have been and will be
Praise to the 7 Queens,
May they bless us,
Praise to the moon,
May she bless us,
May their joy be ours
And our joy be theirs"
Pour out the water that is left. Say
"May my words honour the Queens
May my actions honour the liminal Gods
May my allies stand with me
May there be peace between me
And the spirits of the air and earth
May there be friendship between me
And all goodly inclined spirits."
Take down your compass/circle or sacred
space however in a way that reflects how you created it. In my case here I'd
normally walk it clockwise sprinkling a bit of earth or leaves and asking that
the space be returned to its former state.
Take down your altar when you are finished.
Ritual Feast
Part of my own celebration will include a
feast or meal following the ritual, including food that I particularly enjoy. A
portion of that meal will be set aside and then left out as an additional
offering. Dreams that happen following the ritual should be particularly noted.
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