Croning Ritual for Mary Jo
performed on the Labyrinth
January 24, 2002
by Sophia Linus
Alter in the north of labyrinth center - 4 red candles 4 yellow candles as
well as all other alter tools
Participants form circle on the labyrinth - everyone but mary jo - circle
size will vary on #people
Someone to escort Mary Jo into circle as hps and hp introduce her as the
new crone and she will be honored as part of this evenings full moon
ritual.
Cast the circle
Invite quarters
East - Goddesses and guardians of the east, keepers of
knowledge, champions of justice, eyes of the mind,
with your breath grant us new beginnings so we may
know our truths
South - Goddesses and guardians of the south, of the warm
lands, impart the fires of your desires, stir our
hearts with your flaming will. Awaken fires within.
West - Goddesses and guardians of the west, waters of her living
womb, serpents of the endless sea, birth us with the
waters of your living womb.
North - Goddesses and guardians of the north , cornerstones of all
earth magic power. Home of the old and wise ones. Find
us a place in your stone circle.
Invite the goddess :
Hail to the center, direction of the spirit.
Goddesses of the void, place out of time. Spiraling out to hold you
The center is calm and still. You dive into the unknown. Like in a
trance. It is hypnotic.
The goddess appears between the worlds. Keeper of the gates. She
turns her key.
Opening them for you, opening you enter. You are illuminated
with the light of all colors.
You dive into the unknown world. Phoenix rising to the sky. Void
out of time.
Invite the god:
Hp Spelcastor will do a wonderful job inviting the god.
Hps and hp make mention of the full moon and the transition of the
waxing to waning moon.
Hps: "This is also the time of life when there is a transformation from
maiden/mother to the crone and wisdom".
Hp: "Who is the crone?"
Hps: " A crone is a woman who has reached wisdom in her heart, who is
called on to arbitrate disputes, who is called on to soothe the wounds of
despair.
Hp: "Who else is the crone?"
Hps: "She is the goddess in her third aspect; she is magaera, hecate, the
goddess of unbound power. Folklore has it that crones bring good luck
when you see them on the street; if they smile on you, you will have a
very good day. They appear in important times to show the grace of the
goddess. Crones' wishes must be respected, for the goddess demands
this of the younger generation. Crones enjoy special favors; their magic
is stronger; their spells are faster; their loves are stronger.
Hps: "Would all the men turn to face outward and guard our circle while
the women will bring mary jo for her ritual anointing to receive the
clothes and name she will carry during her next phase of life as a crone."
(No patchouli for the anointing).
Mary Jo will take off her outer clock and the women will anoint her with
oil as we ask her what name she would like to be called in her new life as
a crone. She will tell us her new name (Moonstruck).
Hps and Hp will say to Mary Jo: "We give you the
name of Moonstruck, by the power of the goddess
of ten thousand names".
hps and Hp will introduce Moonstruck to everyone
in the circle. "we present to you Moonstruck, may
the goddess bless moonstruck with good health,
happiness and long life.
The men come and knell before moonstruck and the women bow.
Moonstruck will light the red candles on the alter:
"I light this first candle for the bloods that are gone.
The second candle for the children and heath the flow brought me.
The third for the flowering of my womanhood.
And the fourth for the labors ended in glory."
Hps:
"I release you, said the goddess of the red.
I accept you, said the goddess of the yellow ray.
I call you into my wisdom to grow in, I call you like a new maiden,
into my sciences, into my knowledge, into dreams to be manifest."
Moonstruck will light the yellow candles on the alter:
"I light this first yellow candle for the release from the reds.
This second one for the flowering of my skills.
This third one for friends and support.
And this fourth one for the blessings from above".
Hps: "Jennifer and Mary Kay, do you have something to say to your mother?"
Jennifer and Mary Kay will do their thing.
When they are finished then the men lift moonstruck up and take her to
each of the four directions to be blessed by the goddesses of each
direction and to be given strength, protection, and guidance by them.
While this is being performed all in the circle are laughing and shrieking
and drumming.
Then the men lay Moonstruck face down on the ground before the alter,
and all participants in the circle press her down into the ground..
Gradually, the pressings changes to stroking. Then all participants in the
circle start to stroke her and call her by her new name moonstruck Then
all get up and start to circle/dance/walk around moonstruck chanting
her new name:
Chant:
"We are the Changers, you are the changed
Moonstruck Moonstruck Moonstruck "
Raising a cone of power over her, giving her power to open her awareness
and work magic.
When everyone is finished, do the cakes and ale. And lots of well wishes for
Moonstruck
Cakes and Ale
Thank the goddess and the god
Great Goddesses of the void, of the center, and of the spirit, Thank
you for joining with us and blessing us and Mary Jo this evening in
our rite.
Great God, Thank you for joining with us and
blessing us and Mary Jo this evening in our rite.
Thank the goddesses and guardians of each directions
North - Goddesses and guardians of the north , Thank you for
watching over and being with us this evening in our rite.
West - Goddesses and guardians of the west, Thank you for
watching over and being with us this evening in our rite.
The circle is open but not unbroken.
South - Goddesses and guardians of the south, Thank you for
watching over and being with us this evening in our rite.
East - Goddesses and guardians of the east, Thank you for
watching over and being with us this evening in our rite.
The circle is open but unbroken!