First let me tell you a little about my beloved Queen. When I first came to the Path, she made herself known to me, I read a great deal about her, in the various books and sites on line, but she frightened me, she seemed so dark, being a Goddess of death, blood and battle. I felt, caught in the old perceptions of Christianity, that she was an evil goddess, to be avoided at all costs. But try as I might I could never connect with the other Goddesses, I kept coming back to Her, finally after a great while I decided to just allow her in, and in she came with a roar and the beating of great black wings, she came to my life and brought to me, so much, strength, courage to face any situation head on, she gave me a voice in the times I felt most voiceless, she gave me the Sovereignty over my own life, I own it, but with that came the responsibility of all my actions and words. She is indeed a goddess of death, but along with death comes the promise of new life, there can be no endings with out a new beginning. She is the Goddess of warriors, but not just those who carry weapons and carry on in conflict, although these men and women have a special place in Morrigan"s heart I believe, she is the goddess of those who fight for right and justice, who seek to make a bad situation better, and those who fight to gain power and ownership of their own lives. She is a triple goddess with the Babd, the maiden aspect and Macha, the mother aspect, and finally Nemain is the crone aspect, the three together are Morrigan, which translates as GREAT QUEEN, she is the wife/lover of Dagda, the Good God and the king of the Tuatha De Danan, but she has been known to take lovers when she choose.

Her many aspects are: Fate, Death, Rebirth, Magic, Revenge, War, Warriors, Change. Morrigan is also the Goddess of the Priestesses Animals sacred to her: Crow, Wolf, Black horse

Her connection to the moon: The Morrigan is a Moon Goddess.

Her moon is the Dark Moon She is a powerful goddess that helps to find the truth and fights at your side for Justice ( not only what you consider justice to be) .

Goddesses Associated with the Morrigan: Baba Yaga, Kali, Anahita, Sheela-Na-Gig, Coatlicue, Sekhmet, Hecate

These are just some of what I have learned of my Matron, she is so many things, and older than most think, she is my most Beloved and I welcome sharing her with you, that you may come to know her as I do, a Goddess of great power and empowerment.

Morrigan, New (Dark) Moon Ritual

Intent: Finding inner strength, intuitive wisdom, remembering the great cycle and changes you are a part of. Items Needed: 2 candles, red/black. Small bowls for water. Stone (ideally from a river or lake). Permanent markers. Cakes, Red wine. Bottle of water.

Before ritual begins, give everyone a river stone, write on it something in your life that needs to be strengthened, transformed or banished. Ground and Center: All together Cleanse space:

Salt in Whiddershins Read /Chant together

Begin in West, (Morrigan’s direction) Around this circle thrice, No evil in this space shall light.

Around this circle thrice, Salt, water and smoke suffice. Around this circle thrice, Only the good may light. So out, out, out evil Away! Stopping in the West (where you cast circle from) to end Chant

Water: Whiddershins Sprinkling space and people

Incense: Sun wise (Deosil) Smudging (using Donna gift) space and people

Cast Circle: All say together Thrice about the circle is cast. Let nothing remain within save that which is in accord with our Will and the intent of this rite. This is a place that is not a place, a time that is not a time, between the worlds and beyond. Let all be welcome who would share the blessings of this ritual. So mote it be.

Call Quarters: All say together, while remaining in your quarter, turn and face each quarter as called. Spirits of West, Water We call to you. The Blood of life, The Passion of life, The Water of life, It flows from thee to me, Be with us now.

Spirits of North, Earth We call to you. The Flesh of life, The Strength of life,

The Earth of life, It moves from thee to me. Be with us now

Spirits of East, Air We call to you. The Breath of life, The Knowledge of life, The Wind of life, It blows from thee to me, Be with us now.

Spirits of South, Fire We call to you. The Heat of life, The Will of life, The Fire of life, It burns from thee to me, Be with us now. Call the Goddess: All say together Great Morrigan, Mighty Queen, Warrior Goddess Fierce is your Name for terrible is your power. Great Morrigan, you who are Macha, Badb, Nemain Restorer of women’s soul and heart. You who remind us of our dignity and divine worth Goddess of priestesses, and witches Great sorceress Dark Goddess of death, destruction, Prophecy, justice, and vengeance belong to you Goddess of fiery passion Great Morrigan phantom Queen, Queen of my heart Triple Goddess and so much more I honor you my Mother, my Matron, I honor you with my heart and work.

Welcome and Blessed Be.

Divination and Meditation: Everyone takes a few minutes to ground and center…. Meditation: get comfortable, relax Start with: Sharon will guide unless someone else would like to. One deep breath in then out slowly. Second deep breath in then out slowly: you are getting closer to the inner space in your mind Third deep breath in then out slowly: You have reached the inner space in your mind. Now breathe slowly letting your mind be as still and silent as you can. Imagine the lifeblood of Goddess flowing through your veins. That the power is within you. It is not something dark to be feared, but a very real strength from love and life. You can take that strength and defend yourself if need be, but you can also take that strength to heal and spread love here and now. You feel within you the strength, courage and love of Morrigan. You are ever changing in life. As you stand, sense Morrigan's presence, see if she speaks to you, and thank her for her wisdom.

Dayna will read: Be still and listen. Enchantment… is her name. Hear her voice in the wind, the sea, and the land. Reach out and embrace her and she will speak. Her familiar is the carrion crow, knower of the dead, attendee of battles. She is of the land, the moon, and the sea. She is the cow of fertility, the hunting wolf, and the eel of electricity. She is wise, sly, and daring. She is the Queen, the Oracle, the Warrior, and the Witch. She is the Sorceress that will not be ruled, the Weaver of Time, and the Teacher of Mysteries. She is kin to the Badb and Macha, for together they are the Sacred Three. Come walk with her near the sea’s kiss, let her show you the Old Ways and your innate power. Come join her under the moonlight and learn the Ways of the Warrior and the Queen. Let her show you all that’s in between. Her ways are dangerous and difficult, but her gifts are true and blessed. Swallow your

fear and come to her, and you will discover true beauty, strength, and courage. Will you take the risks and learn her lessons? Or will you hide from her and all she has to give you? Ponder, now, what will you choose?

**Sharon will read** Now take a deep breath in then out slowly. Now take a second deep breath and feel your surroundings, you’re coming more awake. Now take a third deep breath and open your eyes and enjoy the peace of your surroundings and your kin within the circle.

Divination: Come to a comfortable sitting position. To represent the ever- changing life, gaze into your bowl of water. Allow the mind to relax, and the thoughts to come. What do you see, looking back at you? What do you feel? Take the time to see and hear the messages. When you intuitively know this period of illumination has come to an end take your river stone and place it into the water. This is the cauldron of rebirth. What did you write on your stone that needs to be strengthened, or transformed in your life? Or is the stone simply you, jumping into the mystery of life? Imagine what you need coming into that stone and into you. When the time is right, take the stone and place it in your hand. If you like, recite the following poem, or another chant that calls to you and your personal Goddess.

Oh Great Goddess Morrigan, (or Hecate, or who ever your personal Goddess is) Hear Me You are the birth and life and death that creates rebirth and renewal. You are the healer, the giver at the strongest time of need. You anoint the dead, you bless the land and create the harvest. Protect me and Guide me on my travels, as I know only you can stand so strong. A true warrior shows strength in their own vulnerability, and I stand with you.

Place the stone somewhere you can see it and be reminded of yourself as Goddess. Carry it with you when you need strength. *** If you feel light headed or not quite yourself drink some water or put your hands to the ground*****

Bless the Cakes and Ale: Enjoy our time together, talk, laugh, whatever comes.

Good Night to the Great Queen and the Quarters

Good night Goddess, Great Queen: Your blessing is this: Peace to the sky Sky to the earth Earth beneath sky We thank you this night for sharing in our rite. For walking with us, for speaking to us, for changing us and shining through us. Go in Peace Great Lady. So mote it be

Good night Quarters: Spirits of West, Water We thank you for your presence in our circle and for your gifts of life. We bid you hail and farewell, until we meet again Blessed Be.

Spirits of North, Earth, We thank you for your presence in our circle and for your gifts of strength. We bid you hail and farewell, until we meet again. Blessed Be.

Spirits of East, Air We thank you for your presence in our circle and for your gifts of knowledge. We bid you hail and farewell, until we meet again. Blessed Be.

Spirits of South, Fire We thank you for your presence in our circle and for your gifts of will. We bid you hail and farewell, until we meet again. Blessed Be.

Closing Statement: We shall go forth in the many directions the Lord and Lady have tasked!

Close Circle:

All Say: The circle is open but never broken, Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet Again!