In October, the night is longer than the day. The harvest is winding down; people are preparing their homes and their larders for the winter. In Celtic traditions, Samhain (SOW-en), which occurs on October 31st, is the end of the old year, with November 1st being the beginning of the new.

The phrase "Blood Moon" may have referred to animal sacrifices hundreds of years ago. More likely, this was the time when livestock would be slaughtered for food. The word "blood," in some traditions refers to the life force which courses through the Earth and her beings. In October, we become aware of a tendency to "nest," rather than exert ourselves, and we stock energy, in the form of food, for the winter. It is also the start of hunting seasons everywhere. It is a time to give thanks for what we have harvested during the year, new friendships, a raise, good fortune, etc. It is also a time to give thanks for the plants and animals that had to die that we might continue to live. It is not a time of guilt, for if nothing had to die, the balance of nature would not be maintained. This is simply a time to acknowledge that we are a part of the natural cycles, and not separate or exempt from their influence

The times of the Waxing and Full Moon are most commonly used for attacting, rather than banishing, energies. This ritual celebrates the life forces which support and nurture us throughout our life.

Sitting comfortably but upright, feel your weight on the chair or floor and relax into it. Imagine breathing in and out through your navel, taking a few deep breaths to settle in. Let your attention gather at a point at the base of your spine, imagine it as a point of energy. Notice what sensations you feel there.

Move your attention to the crown of the head, imagine a point of energy there.

Notice what sensations you feel.

Notice what sensations you feel.

Allow energy to move freely between these two points.
Let your attention come to rest at a point of balance along this line, deep within you, at the center of your being.

From this center of your being, imagine the line of light extending downward through your legs and feet, relaxing the toes and sinking into the earth.

Breathing out, let all tension and fatigue run down this line into the earth.

Breathing in, imagine drawing up, through the soles of your feet, fresh, transformed earth energy.

Allow it to fill your whole body from the feet up to the crown of your head,

bringing a feeling of being supported and cradled by the solidity of the earth.

Allow light and clearness from the heavens to radiate down the line of light to fill the whole body.

Breathe into the center of your being and feel the two energies, from the earth and the sky, together.

From this center let your attention be on your breath moving in and out.

Take some peaceful breaths of cleansing and renewal.

Feel the breath draw life into the body and the spirit. Breathe deeper and feel the breath draw not just from the air around you but also from the earth below.

Breathe in this earth energy with each breath.

Allow the life giving energies to pour into you and renew both your body and spirit.

Let the earth energy surround you and flow into you. Feel it pulsing through your veins and surrounding you altogether.

Continue to breathe this way, slowly and begin to relax even more.

As you sink deeper into this relaxation, feel yourself moving gently deeper into your body. ALlow it to melt into the floor beneath you.

Know that the floor is supported by the secure structure of the building, the building by the secure foundation and the foundation is supported by secure mother Earth.

You become aware that you are centered again within it. You feel it surround you and you are comforted by its familiarity.

You realize that your body has also been renewed and refreshed while you were in the midst of the profound love you just experienced.

This gives you great pleasure.

Now breathe deeply in and out and feel the body's life systems awakening.

Breathe deeply again and as you release the breath, you become aware of all the sounds of life around you.

You are now fully grounded...

"Oh Mother Moon, represented now in the Wheel of the Year by this Full Blood Moon,

You represent Life's energy.

that streams through my veins.

I celebrate the life force that supports me, my loved ones, and all beings as we move through life."

(Whisper, sing, chant, move, dance, beat drums, shake rattles. Express Life's energy, and feel that energy flowing through your veins.) Feel this energy!!

When your energy is at it's peak, pick up the Bloodstone or crystal you have chosen and hold it in both hands.

Hold the bloodstone above the flame.

Say this aloud: (no need to type)

"May this bloodstone be charged with my energy,

and the energy of Spirit,

that I might see it and hold it and be ever mindful of the energies of Life, which support and nurture all beings."

We let this energy go with love and recieve it back three fold...this we see

Take your cake or cookie and take a bite as you think of it as sealing the raised energy...then replace it on your offering dish or peyton.

Now take up the Red Wine and lift it to the moon in as toast to the Lord & Lady and give thanks in your own way.

*******"

Allow the candles to burn into the evening and Extinguish the red candle when the God and Goddess candles are extinguished before you retire.

Take the the remainder of the wine, the cakes, and the ashes from the incense, and the salt from the pentacle outside. Pour the wine on the earth and place the cookie, ashes and salt on the ground..

"I give these symbols of my thanks and devotion.
What I take I freely give.
Accept these offerings, Goddess and God.
May they strengthen my bonds with you."

Blessed be. "

Carry the bloodstone, or place it in your environment, until the next Full Moon.

We have come to this circle in perfect love and perfect trust,

We have created great magick this night, within ourselves and all present! That which will change and shape our lives.

As the night turns to day and the day turns to night, our dreams and goals we have set, this night, will come to fruition.

Remember this feeling of PASSION and carry it back with you to the mundane plane.

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Guardians to the Element of Earth, I thank thee for thy presence and aid. As the seed grows within, so shall it without.

Go if you must, harm none, but know you are welcome to stay.

Hail and Farewell!

Guardians to the Element of Water, I thank thee for thy presence and aid. With pure love within, so shall it be without

Go if you must, and harm none, but know, you are welcome to stay...

Hail and Farewell!

Guardians to the Element of Fire, I thank thee for thy presence and aid. With burning light within, so shall it be seen without.

Go if you must, and harm none, but know, you are welcome to stay...

Hail and Farewell!

Guardians to the Element of Air, I thank thee for thy presence and aid. With the air of change blowing within, so shall it be without!

Go if you must, and harm none, but know you are welcome to stay...

Hail and Farewell!

Great Father, Lord of the Beasts and growth, Thank-you for your blessing and love this night. You have sown the seed and so it shall grow...

You are welcome to stay but go if you must.

Hail and Farewell!

Great Mother, Lady of the Moon and life, Thank-you for Your blessing and love this night. You have nurtured the seed and it shall prosper.

Your Blessings are felt and we bid you farewell, Stay if You will, but go if You must...

Hail and Farewell!

Before I close the Circle, please ground and release any excess energy by bending to touch the ground with both hands, or whatever means feels right to you....

As I close my hand, the Mists dissipate and the Moon beams shine upon us all. This circle is closed but never broken.

Merry we Meet and Merry We Part to Meet Merry again another day. Blessings and Love to you all.

Blessed Be!

Now Please...Ground ...Ground...Ground!...Do this by clapping your hands and stomping your feet, touching the floor or sending the energy to your plants or emersing into water...whichever is best for you..