Moon Ritual (11/10/11) w/ Apple Crisp -- The Snow Moon

Synopsis: The Spirit of the Goddess and the Mysteries of the God reside in all things (and all places). This ritual is meant for the night of the full moon or the night before it. This ritual focuses on personal growth, connection through nature to the Divine (time of year note: this moon offers a time to take root and prepare for inner Transformation. Strengthen communication with the deities who seem closest to you. The leaves are almost gone and the trees pull into themselves to sleep and wait out the winter for the return of spring). For the purpose of this ritual, prep a cooking space where you can set up ritual bits or in the case of pagans incog-NEATO a few candles and incense to set the mood and some music to help focus.

Ritual items needed:

(ritual concept and recipe supplied by http://www.cucinaaurora.com/recipes.php?view=37)

Athame (if you have one) or Boline (or blessed knife) to cut the crisp and inscribing sigils on apples

Incense (juniper, spices, cedar, lemon, sage, etc.)

Candles

Offering plate and mug


Filling:

5 large apples (preferably Cortland Apples) peeled and sliced thin
1/4 cup water
juice from 1/2 of a lemon (1-2 tsps)

Topping:
1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats (uncooked)
1/2 cup butter or margarine softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 TBSP cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine apples with water and lemon juice in a deep medium size baking dish. Set aside. Combine flour, oats, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts to form a crumb mixture. Distribute evenly over apples in baking dish. Bake, uncovered 45 min - 1 hour, until edges bubble and top is a deep golden brown. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Ritual Pre-prep:

Place the apples in the sacred space. You can do a circle if you wish or just sweep the kitchen clean clockwise, focusing on the glow of protective, purifying energy it creates. Meditate a few minutes if desired imagining you are the tree that gifted these apples. Thank the G&G for all the improvements that has happened this year, this past month and the days leading up to this moon. Reflect on how the tree has turned inward and on the bounty it is thinking about for the spring and how such Transformation might be possible in your own life. Even the apples themselves will be transformed by this ritual! Visualize the crone as this is her time of year (for me it is Baba Yaga and her connection with the elements as well as the Goddess Jana, who I honor for every full moon) ask the crone to help you “see” the symbols of the elements. Carve on the apples the elemental sigils. Ask Jana (or other preferred Goddess & God) to bless the water, spices, etc (light candles, incense, etc – if you already haven’t done so).

Cut apples and follow the recipe. When combining the topping, stir clockwise thinking of the blessings and changes you wish in your life to increase. Then stir counter clockwise for the things you would like to see diminish. Equal turns of both, if possible.

Cover apples, bake, cut the first slice for the G&G, thank them for coming, cut for the rest and enjoy!

Optional: Everything is better with honey! When it is fresh from the oven, drizzle a little honey on top. Go wild and draw a pentacle of honey or a life spiral or some other sigil of power. :)

Afterthought: While you are waiting on the crisp to finish baking, why not take the time to do a little divination, write some resolutions in your BOS that will help you to attain the changes in your life, or meditate a little more?