SuperMoon

Saturday, May 5th will host the year's largest full moon -- a true Supermoon at that.  So what exactly is meant by the term 'super' moon?

On its elliptical orbit, the moon reaches perigee [the point when it passes closest to the earth].  When this close approach coincides with the whole illumination of the full moon... blam!  SUPERMOON!  Though, don't try to discuss this term with a full-blown astronomer.  They don't recognize it.  To them it just happens to be that perigee and the full moon share a day and because of it, the moon will be noticeably larger than it is when it is full at apogee (the point in its orbit farthest from Earth).

Yawn!

Good thing the Witching World knows there's more to our moon than just science!  The moon, in all of its phases -- from dark to waxing crescent and full to waning Crone -- embodies the Goddess aspect of our divinity.  She is a symbol of the ever-changing, ever-flowing energies around and within each of us.  There are many in our Faith who draw her down and soak in her light and who follow her through her cycle -- taking on new goals and projects as she grows; discarding negativity and completing what lies pending and in wait as she descends into darkness once again.

Image by Kane L Strand

In honor of Saturday's extreme Supermoon, I humbly share with you the ritual prayer that I wrote for my children to recite on the esbats.  For those of you with Pagan children of your own, I hope that you find its innocence touching -- [to hear my son's voices as they repeat it is nothing shy of angelic].

To our Esbat Blessing we like to add Moon Cookies [recipe provided] and a selection of incenses and essential oils under the moon's rule [camphor, jasmine, lemon, lily, melon, night-blooming cereus, sandalwood, stephanotis and water lily -- thank you to Scott Cunningham's "Magical Aromatherapy" for those particular correspondences].

Moon Cookie

MOON COOKIES
1C butter, softened
1/2C brown sugar
3/4C white sugar
2 eggs [cage-free please!]
2 3/4C flour
2TSP baking soda
1TSP vanilla

Oven: 375

Cream butter.  Add sugars.  Beat one minute.  Add eggs one at a time.  Beat well between eggs.  Slowly add flour and baking soda.  Then vanilla.  Beat well for three minutes.  Refrigerate ten minutes.  Roll out between parchment paper [with flour if needed].  Use a clean aluminum can [or circle-shaped cookie cutter] to cut 'full moons' from the dough.  Re-refrigerate to make the transfer to the cookie sheet easier.  

Bake 8 - 10 minutes.

We like to add two crescent moons to either side of the cookie in a light blue frosting to get the full effect of the triple goddess.  We also make them during crescent moon phases [any excuse for a cookie, right?!] and frost accordingly.


***A CHILDREN'S FULL MOON RITUAL

Begin by casting your circle -- to make it fun for a child, hold hands and move in a circle as you call upon the elements and invoke the gods.

PRAYER

 "Mother Moon, so bright,
so full and round,
do you know my voice
within the sound --
of life on earth,
of all the noise,
of cars, of tools,
of games and toys?
For though I’m small,
I am here,
the only Me
that you will hear.
Bless my dreams.
Keep them true.
And when fears I face,
please see me through–
from dark to light,
from night to day.
By you, I live
to laugh and play."

Reach your arms toward the moon and recite the following as you pull your hands toward the center of your chest, welcoming the energy being offered:

"I draw you down,
a light so whole
and keep you
in my very soul."

 
At the close of our prayer we blow our goddess a kiss as we proclaim, "Bless-ed Be".  And, of course, we end our night reading "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown.

Good night moon.  Good night cow jumping over the moon.
Good night stars.  Good night air.  Good night noises....
everywhere.