the cold moon is the full moon in december. its name comes from the fact that around this time of year, the weather starts to become colder, even snowing in some regions. this year, it falls on december 4th in gemini, which means it especially encourages communication, community, and clear thinking. rituals and spells are centered around reflection, release, and renewal, mirroring the energy of december & winter. it’s also perfect to finish up preparations for the winter solstice.
rituals & spells ❄️
add seasonal items to your altar & space
make moon water
release negative energy from the past year
clean your space and get rid of old objects
meditation to connect with your intuition
scrying or divination in general
gratitude towards people, entities, deities, etc., who have helped you in dark times
shadow work & journaling
donate to local shelters or food banks
spend time in nature
ancestor work
correspondences ❄️
ELEMENT: Fire
COLORS: Silver, white, blue, gold, green, black, red
This is posted waaaaaay ahead of time, but I wanted to do it before I forgot! (This month is super busy with my birthday coming up.) The script is mostly the same as 2024's, but I made some tweaks and rearranging to work with the Full Moon rather than the New Moon, and made the Maypole Dance much less complicated LMAO (It was a mess when I tried to do it at the ritual.) If y'all use it, please let me know!
Thank you, everyone, for coming to Kindred Circle’s gathering.
Please feel free to place items on the altar or in the basket to be charged by the energy of our circle.
There will be opportunities for personal sharing during our time together. Please know that sharing is always optional, and you are always welcome to pass if you wish.
We seek to honor sacred space and help all of us feel welcome and safe by respecting the confidentiality of our circle and avoiding cross-talk.
Introductions
Let’s begin by introducing ourselves with our name, pronouns, and a brief response to the following question: “What is a project that you’re currently planting the fertile seeds of?”
Grounding
We gather tonight to honor and connect with the energies of the Cold Moon, allowing ourselves the comfort of this time together and with sacred Spirit.
I invite you to take a moment to get comfortable for a brief grounding meditation. Close your eyes if you wish, or you may prefer to gaze at our altar. When you are ready, take a couple of deep breaths.
Speak a little more slowly and allow brief pauses so that people can absorb and connect with the meditation instructions.
Gently press the soles of your feet into the ground, and imagine the energy of the Earth flowing into you. Breathe in the energy, and exhale the mundane that you carry with you. Feel your roots reach into Mother Gaia’s core, and take in her stability and healing.
Once you feel that your energy is stable and positive, sense the weight of your body as it rests in your chair. Feel how you are supported by the earth beneath you, and fed by the life-giving sun above. Take another deep breath, bringing your awareness back into your body. Wiggle your fingers and your toes, and gently open your eyes.
Circle Casting
To cast the circle, we will sing the following three times together: “We are a circle, within a circle, with no beginning and never ending.” Please stand as you’re able.
As I form the sacred circle with my wand, envision a warm, bright light of protective and healing energy forming as a giant sphere around the group.
ALL: We are a circle within a circle, with no beginning and never-ending. (x3)
Form circle deosil around the group with wand (x1) to the pace of the chant
Invocations
Please stand as you’re able and willing as we invoke the elemental spirits at the cardinal directions. We will begin facing East, then turning South, West, North, and Center. Caller for the East, please start us off when you feel ready.
East/Air Quarter Caller: Guardians of the East, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of knowledge and wisdom, guided by Air, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!
Light yellow candle.
ALL: Hail and welcome.
South/Fire Quarter Caller: Guardians of the South, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of energy and will, guided by Fire, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!
Light red candle.
ALL: Hail and welcome.
West/Water Quarter Caller: Guardians of the West, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of passion and emotion, guided by Water, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!
Light blue candle.
ALL: Hail and welcome.
North/Earth Quarter Caller: Guardians of the North, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of endurance and strength, guided by Earth, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!
Light green candle.
ALL: Hail and welcome.
Center/Spirit Quarter Caller: Guardians of Above and Below, we call upon you to watch over the rights of our Kindred. Powers of grounding and balance, guided by Spirit, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Hail and welcome!
Light white candle.
ALL: Hail and welcome.
Ritual Intention Statement, Meaning & Symbolism
Beltane, also known as May Day, Walpurgis (WAAL-pr-guhs) Night, and Floralia (flo-RA-li-a), marks the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. The name and festival Beltane are Gaelic in origin, derived from the words “Bel,” meaning “bright,” and “Tene,” meaning “fire,” as well as the Sun god and Goddess Belenus (bell-in-uss) and Étain (AY-teen). Beltane is considered to be the oldest holiday in Gaelic tradition, dating back to at least the 10th century.
In modern Pagan practices, Beltane represents the Sacred Union between the Mother Goddess and Horned God, conceiving the Harvest Child. The phallic maypole and yonic wreath of flowers and ribbons represent their Rite. As such, Beltane has become a time for fertility and sexuality, and it’s also associated with creativity and love. Bonfires represent fertility, protection, and the longer days of summer, and crops, beauty, and creativity continue to grow.
Beltane is also associated with fairies of Gaelic lore, specifically the Aos Sí (ace SHE). The veil is thinnest at this time, much like at Samhain (SAA-wn), allowing them to pass through. The Aos Sí (ace SHE) were appeased with offerings of food and drink to prevent their troublesome natures and in hopes that they would grant wishes.
Along with Beltane, we also celebrate May’s Full Moon tonight. Also known as the Flower Moon in Algonquin due to the abundance of blooming flowers, and the Milk Moon in Old English due to the frequent milking of cows. The Full Moon is the time for celebration and gratitude toward yourself and others, along with harnessing your inner magick.
The Flower Moon, under the sign of Scorpio, is heavily associated with many of Beltane’s themes. It’s time to embrace your passion and sensuality, and to connect with your beauty and self-love. In addition, it’s also time to explore the darker parts of yourself and delve into your shadows, allowing personal growth and positive change as we reach the midpoint of the year and start to see our intentions manifest. Fertility doesn’t strictly refer to sex, but can also indicate that new plans are in action.
A variety of deities are associated with both Beltane and the Flower Moon. Of them, notable gods and goddesses are Pan and Aphrodite from Hellenic polytheism, Flora and Diana from Roman mythology, as well as Cernunnos (care-NEW-noes) and the Green Man from Celtic paganism.
The fires of Beltane and the Flower Moon ignite our internal passion, and it’s time to use it to enjoy the pleasures of life, as well as promote our growth.
Meditation
Now, I encourage you to get comfortable as we enter a meditative state. Slowly inhale through your nose, and then exhale through your mouth. Repeat this a few more times, and let your eyes flutter shut as we prepare to enter the theatre of the mind.
It’s a warm spring afternoon. The sky is cloudless as the Sun shines above, illuminating the prairie you stand in. The earth feels warm and tender underneath your bare feet. Wiggle your toes in the grass and feel the wildflowers in various colors tickle your toes and ankles. The fresh breeze smells of roses and honeysuckle, and birds chirp in nearby shrubs.
You spot a circle of people partaking in a dance before you. Colorful dresses and tunics flow in the wind, and flower crowns of daisies and daffodils sit on their heads. They cheer and sing, their voices floating on the wind. As you approach, those nearest you smile kindly and open their arms to welcome you to join in. You enter and hold their hands, quickly feeling joy and warmth. You turn with them, the energy transferring from hand to hand.
Your hands release at the height of the energy, and you each dance independently. You use all the power you gathered to dance. Shaking your arms and legs, headbanging, spinning around, whatever brings you the most joy. You dance and dance until you’re worn out, then lie down in the grass and stare at the sky.
You regain your breath, breathing in and out deeply. As the Sun begins to set, the sky has turned from bright blue to shades of pink, purple, and orange. The Sun God begins to depart, taking the youthful energy of the day with Him. The Moon Goddess now enters, bringing the serenity of the night sky and stars. The people you danced with under the Sun lie on the ground with you, softly humming a hymn to welcome Her presence.
The Moon is Full and bright, Her light cascading down onto the prairie. Her soothing glow comforts you, and as you bathe in Her light, you feel yourself renewed with beauty and love for yourself and the others around you. The stars shine with Her, adorning the sky with constellations.
As you lie in the grass, think of what you’ve achieved in the past weeks. What has served you well, and what is ready to be released? The Moon offers Her guidance, helping cultivate your internal growth as She passes through Her many phases. But don’t forget that the power for change lies within you.
Wait in silence for 60 seconds.
You gently close your eyes as you lie in the grass after freeing the unwanted and thanking your achievements. It is time for rest and recovery after a long day with the God and Goddess. You are safe from all danger, protected by those Above and Below. You drift off into a reverie, awaiting what the next day brings.
As we end this meditation, center yourself and take another deep breath. Feel your feet ground you as you return to this plane. Once you are ready, slowly open your eyes.
Cone of Power
The Cone of Power is an extension of our Circle’s energy, often visualized as a silver cone of energy. It’s a container of our inner strength and purpose, and in magical workings, we raise and direct our energy toward our goals. Our Cone will be harnessed with a chant, as follows. Let’s practice a few times until we get the hang of it.
ALL: Goddess and God
Moon and Sun
We link hands
And become One
Let’s now connect hands, right over, left under. As we chant, I invite you to visualize the energy flowing clockwise through our circle as the chant grows in speed and power. Once the cone of power has reached its peak, we’ll call release to send our energy out into the universe.
Repeat louder & faster until energy is built, then call release.
Workings 1 - Maypole Dance
As I mentioned earlier, dancing around the Maypole is a Beltane tradition that dates back to before the Middle Ages in Europe, and we’ll be bringing that tradition to life today! Everyone, grab a ribbon from the Maypole.
Let each person take a ribbon.
Every other person will go left, and the others will go right. (Help turn people to face the right way if needed.) The aim is to weave up and down around each other as we turn in a circle so that the ribbons will tie up around the Maypole! It can get really chaotic, but that’s the fun of it.
Offer to test dance out by starting slowly. When ready, begin Maypole Dance playlist and dance until ribbons are completely tied around Maypole.
Simple Feast
Now that we’ve released our energy, it’s time to ground back into the material plane. For ale, we have bubbly, ________________ provided by ________________, and still, ________________ provided by ________________. We also have ________________ for cakes, provided by ________________.
Pass around cakes, cups, and drinks with a volunteer.
May you never hunger.
ALL: May you never hunger.
May you never thirst.
ALL: May you never thirst.
Blessed be!
Workings 2 - Manifestation Ribbons
As this is the Full Moon, we’ll let go of the old, but this time on ribbons for a Beltane twist! If anyone would like a copy, I have a guide to ribbon colors and their meanings. Cut yourself a ribbon that connects to your intention for the coming weeks.
Allow time for people to cut ribbons and grab pens.
Feel the ribbon in your hands. Think of what the color means to you and your goals for this lunar cycle phase. Imagine untying the ribbon from a physical representation of your previous intention, freeing the energy into the world. When you're ready, write your manifestation on the ribbon and hold onto it for now.
Light the bonfire.
Bonfires are another Beltane tradition used as a method of protection and purification. Historically, Gaelic people walked livestock between two bonfires and sprinkled ashes over crops. The Fire element is also associated with transformation, making it the perfect method for releasing intentions! As you toss your ribbon into the fire, visualize its Sacred power freeing the energy, ready to return to the cycle of the Moon and Earth.
Let everyone toss ribbons into bonfire.
Check-Ins / Sharing Final Thoughts
Before we close the circle, I’d like to open the floor for anyone who may wish to share, whether it be a poem, song, chant, anecdote, or story in the theme of tonight’s ritual, or anything from your personal experience tonight that you wish to share in this sacred space of community.
Once it seems nobody else wishes to share, thank everyone for sharing with the group and for being here tonight.
Devocations
Let’s stand once more to close the circle together. We will move in reverse order of how we called in the quarters, starting with the Center, then North, and so on.
Center/Spirit Quarter Caller: Guardians of Above and Below, powers of grounding and balance, guided by Spirit, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!
Extinguish white candle.
ALL: Hail and farewell.
North/Earth Quarter Caller: Guardians of the North, powers of endurance and strength, guided by Earth, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!
Extinguish green candle.
ALL: Hail and farewell.
West/Water Quarter Caller: Guardians of the West, powers of passion and emotion, guided by Water, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!
Extinguish blue candle.
ALL: Hail and farewell.
South/Fire Quarter Caller: Guardians of the South, powers of energy and will, guided by Fire, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!
Extinguish red candle.
ALL: Hail and farewell.
East/Air Quarter Caller: Guardians of the East, powers of knowledge and wisdom, guided by Air, we thank you for watching over the rights of our Kindred. May you be forever blessed. Hail and farewell!
Extinguish yellow candle.
ALL: Hail and farewell.
Circle Closing
May the circle be open, but unbroken, may the love of the Goddess be ever in your hearts. Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again!
ALL: Blessed be!
Closing Statements
Thank you for coming, everyone! Please join us for fellowship and gathering, along with drinks and snacks.
Bibliography
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Beltane Correspondences. Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/31666003614457079/. Accessed 4 May 2024.
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Did some lunar work with my student group on Saturday. It's so nice to have one of those rare occasions where the timing works out well and the weather co-operates so the full moon is shining through the window while you do your working.
Sabbats are the eight major festivals of the year derived from the ancient Celtic or western European (German) traditions and from the four seasonal transitions of the year. Sabbats create a cycle of holidays called the Wheel of the Year.
Each Sabbat is an opportunity to worship gods/goddesses/deities, welcome changes of nature, draw on spiritual powers, and practice healing magic.
History of Sabbats:
There was not much history I could find about the history of Sabbat. However, it was founded by Gerald Gardner, the founder of wicca, and Ross Nichols in the 1950s. The term sabbat is partially taken from the Hebrew word Sabbath.
Some historians theorize that the decorative connotation of Sabbat as it was applied to heretics and witches was possibly anti-semitic since Jewish people were also classified as heretics/evil by Christians.
Wheel of the Year:
The Wheel of the Year consists of Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, Mabon, and Samhain. A guide to the Wheel of the Year is reposted above.
Esbats are monthly celebrations/rituals revolving the cycles of the moon. Typically, they are celebrated every new moon/full moon
Celebrations involve honoring the Goddess of the moon, visualizing goals for oneself, offerings, giving thanks, casting spells, and reflecting on personal growth.
History of Esbats:
I could not find much history on Esbats. However, it was also created by Gerald Gardner. Esbat is of French origin derived from the word s'esbattre.
Calendar (2025):
There's at least one full moon/lunar event and one new moon each month. For example, September 7th is a full moon known as the "Corn moon" The calendar of new moons and full moons/lunar events is reposted above.
