“And the blessed wild apple,

Laughing for pride.

The tree most likely

To smile from beside the rock!”

“I am a lure from paradise”

• Apple and a blade for cutting

• Small disk for each to take home with pentacle or small picture of  apple

• Thirteen stones around the Circle

The Casting

All stand within the area to be created as sacred space.  Hold hands, connect, ground and center in whatever way feels appropriate.

"I am your sister, I give you my hand, together we form a strong circle."

One priestess should then walk the boundaries of the circle using Her Athame, drawing the circumference of the Circle.

Next each of the Elements is invoked into the Circle – different women calling them in one at a time, beginning in the North with Earth.  That person carries the blade or broom or whatever ritual object may be used to the person standing in the East and hands off ,  continuing around the Circle until again reaching North.

“Our Sacred Space is enclosed by thirteen stones.  We sit within this Circle of protection, our stones surrounding us with their beauty, each containing a lesson of the Sacred Two-Fold Year of the Goddess, who is both lunar and solar.  Within this space, know you are safe and surrounded by Her love.

This Circle is closed to the outside world and we are now between the worlds.

We consecrate this space with Her Sacred name, 

Sheila na Gig and Cailleach Bera  (koy-log-vayra)

Have women read about the Goddesses of the Promise Moon

Now is the time for learning, of remembering, the most ancient Moon Mysteries of the Goddess ...

Priestess returns to the first stone and picks up the apple.

 “I am a lure from paradise”

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, when the Earth was very young, there lived a people, who were also very new to the Earth. They spent their days in lovely sunshine with abundant food and water, so that life was very good and they were very happy.

One day, when they woke up in the morning, the sky was not blue, but had turned dark and gray and a fierce wind was blowing all around. They had never seen anything like it and they were very afraid. The air was no longer warm and they were very cold and scurried around looking for something to keep them warm.

On the next day and the day after that, they awoke and found that the skies were still dark and the winds cold. They also saw that the beautiful green leaves were falling to the ground and they were very, very afraid. They had never experienced anything like this before and began to be afraid that all that they knew was ending.

Just at that moment when they were the most afraid, they looked above them into the clouds, and a beautiful spirit, came down to them traveling on a ray of sunlight. She was so beautiful that it took their breath away. She spoke to them and her voice was soft and kind.

She said, "Do not be afraid, my children. What you see is not the end, but merely a changing of the seasons. It is time for the Earth to rest, to be still for a while, so that it may replenish itself and grow strong again, so that when it is time, once more, she will give you fruits and grains, and rich tasty food to eat and warm sun upon your backs."

I give to you this promise, that all this will come about, but I do not wish for you to be afraid.  Therefore, I will share a sign with you, so that each time you feel a little bit afraid, you may look and see that what I say is true."

She reached up into a beautiful tree and plucked from the branches, a rich, ripe, red apple and brought it down before them. She took her blade and sliced through the apple and twisting it apart, she said. "I give to you this blessing, that all life is eternal, that what is born will fade away but will return again, as life renewed."

She held the apple up and showed them. In the very center of the apple there was a star and as they looked with amazement, she told them, "Each time you see this star, remember my promise, all life is eternal and everlasting, each ending is really a beginning and my love remains with you forever. 

Cut open the apple ….

“Behold the Sacred Promise"  

Blessed by the Goddess, we all came to be,

In this dimension from the Sea.

Born of the Air, that enveloped the Earth

That harbored the Fire, the seed of our birth.

Blessed by the Goddess, with the promise of rebirth.

Here follows a period of talk and discussion of the Mysteries of this Moon.  Here would be a good time to talk of promises to come – other symbols of promise.  Goddesses of this time – bring out many examples. 

It is also a time to work magic …  this Moon’s energy being The Promise, work magic for what is held within as our future together.

 “It is done!”

The chalice is shared.  The wine is offered to the Goddess.  The cauldron is extinguished.

With the thrice ringing of the Bell, the Rite is complete.  

This family, in love, has gathered to share

With the Elements: Earth, Water, Fire & Air.

From this Circle of Mystery now depart

To live in the Circle of our Mother’s heart.

Through our efforts may Life be as One

In Her love, it is done!