Buck Moon Cleansing Ritual

  It's been more than 3 months since our city was placed in a quarantine and truthfully, the situation got the best of me. I have never felt more lonely and anxious my entire life. It is as if everything is going south while my mind is still up north. It is a struggle in so many areas of our life and I am recognizing it in finding the best ways for me to cope with the situation. 
 
      It is true that most days gone by as dark and seemingly mundane, but there are also those days where a ray of sunshine lights upon me - where I learn something new, something significant that could help me get through life not only in this time of crisis. One of which is learning about spiritual herbalism and light magic. 

     Spiritual herbalism? Light magic? What on earth are those? You might probably be cynical about my current state of mind having said such words and that's totally okay. It's the thing with magic among other things unseen. They are not tangible and readily available with physical manifestations, but it is also where its charm lies. It only works when you believe. Our minds are capable of believing in horrors - curses, the devil, and other malignant things so it wouldn't hurt to believe in its contrast - light, spiritual healing, and love. Isn't love itself a form of magic? Point is, we believe what we want to believe and we are free to do such long as we don't put someone in peril.

     Spiritual herbalism is basically the use of herbs which are deemed to have strong vibrations of energy. This is grounded on the idea of animism; the belief that all living things have life (not just humans) and that connecting with them will bring us closer to our mother- the nature and our core being our true selves. I don't think this must be subjected to criticisms if you respect all living creatures the higher being has bequeathed us. For this cleansing ritual, some herbs will be used. I'm no botanist but, I do have references for this one primarily the Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham.

     Somehow, especially for the conservative minds, the word ritual immediately connotes horror tales pertaining to dark magic but such notions aren't absolutely true. It is true that some rituals as do exist but the word ritual refer to any spiritual ceremony. Meditation is a ritual. Praying is a ritual. Lighting a candle or an incense is a form ritual. It depends on your religion or your personal beliefs. For me any ritual is essentially our own way of connecting to God.

       I am doing this moon ritual not because I pray to the moon but because I recognize its power to draw me closer to God. When I say God, you are entitled to your belief. I am Roman Catholic but you can surely do this one regardless of your religion. A moon ritual is just a simple way to ponder on new beginnings and hoping for a good tomorrow all while letting go of what you no longer need to be the best version of yourself.

      The Buck Moon cleansing ritual is done in a full moon of the month of July. It got its name from Maine's Old Farmer's Almanac noting the phenomenon wherein male deer (buck) grow their antlers. It symbolises maturity and beautiful endings before branching on new beginnings. This year's Buck Moon is going to take place on July 4/5 depending on the moonrise schedule in your area. In our country, it is going to be on the 5th of July at exactly 12:44PM. This year's buck moon must be somehow special since a penumbral lunar eclipse will also take place.

        A full moon ritual  is a time to ponder and let go of things that you feel are weighing you down. An ending but remember, that with it comes a new beginning. Meditate upon the things that you would like to cleanse in order to pave way for a new path after one has closed. 

I'm using the mortar and pestle to mix together my spices which you may not also do. 

You may carve spiritual symbols on your candles as well. Some wants to carve the pentagram symbol but I do mine with the cross symbol.

A small bowl of rice is good to include since it calls for prosperity. Rice is one of the sacred grains along with oats, barley, wheat, rye, etc. 

Afterwards, you may put all the spices you have in the mortar, mix them, or you may pound them slightly together to call upon their energy.

With the blank paper with you, write down all the things that you want to let go. It could be negative emotions, thoughts, or bad habits that are hindrances for you to start a new. Think carefully about those things and remember to keep things at ease. Once you feel cathartic, burn the paper.

Take a bay leaf and write down whatever good things that you genuinely hope for. Remember to only pray for good things, things that would not harm others in any way. Your intentions must be grounded on good things. Burn the leaf.

Say a thank you prayer and your full moon cleansing ritual is complete. 

I hope that we could do this together and that we may find that inner cleansing and healing that we hope for with the moon as our guide. Happy spiritual cleansing! Good luck!

love lots, 

Tin