Drawing Down the Moon

[Mairwen]

Looking for information on this. Any pointers would be good. Thanks!


(PS ~ that would be the RITE, not the book)

Mari
~ Blonde Gwyddon behind keyboard~

[Emy]

What kind of information are you looking for?

Found this on the net, it is just about the ritual itself though, and nothing more....

http://www.spiritonline.com/files/messages/9/107.html?964902407

[Mairwen]

I need to know what happens when this is done, and what it's done for ~ and also, what occasion calls for this to occur.

[Myst]

You can use it for any occassion wherein you want to draw extra energy from the Goddess, especially feminine related stuff (ie. helping someone get pregnant, helping someone who has reproductive problems, even punishing a rapist).... Sometimes it's done just for the joy of invoking Goddess into the ritual in a special way.

[Mairwen]

Now I'm even more confused. Wouldn't just raising group energies in the circle/sacred space do the same thing? Wouldn't doing it "for the fun of it" be a waste of energy??

Mari
the totally lost

[Myst]

Originally posted by Mairwen
Now I'm even more confused. Wouldn't just raising group energies in the circle/sacred space do the same thing? Wouldn't doing it "for the fun of it" be a waste of energy??


Ok consider "doing it for the fun of it" similar to doing it to bless all the people present and to bring joy. Some people do it "for fun" as well to have the Goddess present in the area to talk to or learn from. Raising group energies is good too, drawing down the moon is different tho. You can perform a ritual to symbolize the unity of male and female, the Great Rite is just one way of doing that. Like the Great Rite, this ritual is just a different way of doing things...

[Emy]

I'd say there is a difference from raising energy to drawing down the moon, when you are drawing down the moon the High priestess becomes the goddess, she incarnates in her during the ritual.... and that to me is not the same thing as raising energy. :)

BB

[Myst]

I didn't mean it was for "raising energy", I referred to it as "drawing extra energy from the Goddess", meaning asking the Goddess to be present to add energy to a working. This energy can be used for a purpose or to bless people. By "doing it for fun" I mean some people do it for the fun of having the Goddess present - to talk to her, learn from her, or just experience his presence.

Does that make more sense :)

[Emy]

Sorry if I offended you, I didn't mean to, I just wanted to point out that in this ritual the high priestess becomes the goddess. And that _that_ is what is sort of unique for this ritual IMHO. :)

And sure one can definitly do it "just for fun" :) or for other purposes like blessing etc as you mentioned.

Blessings

[Myst]

Originally posted by Emy
Sorry if I offended you, I didn't mean to, I just wanted to point out that in this ritual the high priestess becomes the goddess. And that _that_ is what is sort of unique for this ritual IMHO. :)

And sure one can definitly do it "just for fun" :) or for other purposes like blessing etc as you mentioned.

Blessings

No offence taken at all I promise, and you're absolutely right :) I was trying to say that it was just one way of doing it, and you were explaining why it's a unique way... :)

[Swanspirit]

of "Drawing Down the Moon" is to put the Priestess in a conscious trance . What the books dont tell you is what you learn from experience......
that the trance can be used to learn the will of the Goddess thru the Priestess, that the Goddess thru the Priestess might have words of wisdom to impart,that a path can be revealed to an end......that questions can be put to the Priestess at this time..... this is not done for play, and is not to be taken lightly, is also why the priestess should be experienced; because the results will be insufficient to the purpose.
Love and light
Swannie

[Emy]

oh, you are so right swanspirit, one can definitly ask lots of questions when the goddess takes place in the high priestess,
and also you are so right with your warning, this type of questioning is not something to do for fun.

:)

[Myst]

Originally posted by Emy
oh, you are so right swanspirit, one can definitly ask lots of questions when the goddess takes place in the high priestess,
and also you are so right with your warning, this type of questioning is not something to do for fun.

:)

Ok apparently my statement of doing it "for fun" has been completely misconstrued. I wasn't saying just anyone should try doing it for fun, or that it's something to take lightly. Just that some people find it "fun" to invoke the Goddess to speak to and gain energy from instead of just raising group energy

Doing something "for fun" does not always mean doing it without experience or without reverence.

Sheesh.:rolleyes: :D

[Emy]

No, well I do know what you mean WillowRaven, and in the sense we are talking about here, doing things for fun but with respect and reverence is totally ok with me, please go ahead and do the ritual :), however I don't think anyone should go on with the questioning part of the ritual if one isn't absolutly sure of what one is doing, and that the questioning part of the ritual should be planned carefully in advance... because that part is somewhat risky, IYKWIM... :)

BB

[Myst]

I think all this is good info. Everyone's made good points and shared and it's all good. To me, drawing down the moon just to ask questions and spend time with the Goddess, even though it's "for fun" rather then for any specific working or goal, is a valid reason. I'm sure if She minded She wouldn't join us. That's just me tho :)

[Mairwen]

Originally posted by Swanspirit
of "Drawing Down the Moon" is to put the Priestess in a conscious trance . What the books dont tell you is what you learn from experience......

Okay, this is so not what I am asking here. I'm an Elder in my Tradition. However, I know next to little to nothing about Wicca. I want/need information about Drawing Down the Moon, not to DO it, but to be able to understand it better so I can find a correllary (if any) in my Tradition.

So, I've seen a ritual on the net and have been explained over and over how it's done. But why is it done? Is there a specific occasion or reason? Is it done with a specific deity or what?

[Revelation]

Mairwen--

The questions you ask are the same ones I"ve been asking myself for years.

I do not perform this ritual. I think it is fairly pointless.

Supposedly the point is to embody the Goddess, such that she may be felt more fully by the other members in the circle. The HPS herself doesn't really *get anything* out of the experience for herself, other than a blissful, contented feeling. But drawing down isn't intended to be "enlightening" (the way some books would have you believe). It is not a vehicle for communication. It is an attempt to personify the ethereal for what appears to be no other reason than to feel Her presence.

Now, I can maybe see how this might be useful were the HPS performing some very important ritual, like a Rite of Passage, such as a wedding, or an initiation. In those instances, I could see how it might be interesting and even useful to have the GOddess Herself participating in such a ritual. However, from my own personal experience and belief, this is unnecessary, for GOddess doesn't ever "go away" anyway. All we have to do is ask for HEr blessing and we shall have it.

I see the drawing down as a poetic image, and nothing more. IT is a lovely rite to watch--the priestess does seemt o light up from within, and it is lovelyto feel that warm glow throughout the circle. However, apart ofromt he poetry and the aesthetics of the rite, it seems virtually useless.

*dont yell at me, these are my thoughts and opinions only*

[Myst]

Originally posted by Revelation
I do not perform this ritual. I think it is fairly pointless.
..
*dont yell at me, these are my thoughts and opinions only*

*yells madly*

Err just kidding. It's funny, because Mari and I were just discussing that it seemed largely symbolic and ritualistic and that the Goddess is always present anyway. :)

[Mairwen]

Originally posted by Revelation
The questions you ask are the same ones I"ve been asking myself for years.

I ask because it's not part of my Tradition. Some people are discussing it on a list I'm on, and I'd love to join the conversation, but I don't think/doubt we'd be talking about the same thing. The more I'm learning, though, the more I realize that we're not. Soooo ... I am even more clueless at this point. Most of Wicca is way over my head, anyway.:rolleyes:


Supposedly the point is to embody the Goddess, such that she may be felt more fully by the other members in the circle.

Well, can't they do that by invoking her themselves??:confused:


The HPS herself doesn't really *get anything* out of the experience for herself, other than a blissful, contented feeling.

Yeah, I was relating what we do to someone earlier and described the way I felt as being at a train station, sitting on a bench waiting for the train to arrive.


It is an attempt to personify the ethereal for what appears to be no other reason than to feel Her presence.

Seems kinda wasteful (energywise) and redundant, yes?


In those instances, I could see how it might be interesting and even useful to have the GOddess Herself participating in such a ritual.

Aren't they anyway? Don't you invite them in and ask them to participate?:confused:


However, from my own personal experience and belief, this is unnecessary, for GOddess doesn't ever "go away" anyway. All we have to do is ask for HEr blessing and we shall have it.

Right.

[Mairwen]

Okay. Now I know the difference. Thanks everyone for your help!

(ie, what we do isn't at all like a Wiccan Drawing Down; I didn't think so, but I wanted to be sure)

[Swanspirit]

can be an essential part of any
ritual to invoke the Goddess..... for any reason you would do a ritual..... a Crossquarter.... a fullmoon .. a handfasting.... even a "wiccaning" or a Birthing Blessing, but if you feel its pointless, or a waste of energy , or dont wish to do it for whatever reason ... then dont do it :>.
It is always strictly up to the individual to choose what they will and will not do :>
I dont think its harmful to increase ones conscious awareness of archetypal energy , I think its helpful :>, and that is one thing I have seen and experienced with drawing down the Moon , and the Goddess which I invoke is the one that is most closely connected to the moon in my own pantheon.
Love and light
Swannie

[Mairwen]

Well, like I said, I was looking at this from a non-Wiccan perspective for further understanding of something outside my personal Tradition. I got that, and for those who were able to help me on IM's today, I thank you very much! :D

[Swanspirit]

I am solitary .......... a Cottage Witch ...
And I hope it helped ......
Love and light
Swannie

[Lilu]

Originally posted by Revelation
Now, I can maybe see how this might be useful were the HPS performing some very important ritual, like a Rite of Passage, such as a wedding, or an initiation. In those instances, I could see how it might be interesting and even useful to have the GOddess Herself participating in such a ritual. However, from my own personal experience and belief, this is unnecessary, for GOddess doesn't ever "go away" anyway. All we have to do is ask for HEr blessing and we shall have it.

I've never performed the drawing down ritual, never felt the need. I've seen it done, and like others said, it's very poetic and nice to watch, but I personally don't find the ritual necessary or part of my *way* to feel the Goddess.

I agree with Revelation, the Goddess doesn't ever "go away" and in all of my rituals, I only have to ask that the Goddess choose to join me in circle and she has done so. I am usually in a semi-trance state I guess, and feel/see (in my clairsentient way) her there in her own right, without needing my body as a channel. I think I prefer that.

Lilu

[Mairwen]

Thanks Lilu!

[talamh]

Drawing Down the Moon and Drawing Down the Sun are very special. Of course the Goddess and God are always present.... but we still invite/invoke them to our Circles, don't we? So Drawing Down the Goddess and/or God is one extra step... we use it for "special occasions" like an Initiation ....

i've always described ritual as visual poetry.. and taking part in ritual is to become one with the poetry. It is also a good way to learn to work with energy flow..... sometimes the energies speak and decide to do things in a different way then what you had actually planned.... then you have to decide whether you trust it enough to let it flow.. or whether you are going to hang on to your plan and "keep to the script". i find this happens more when we have done a Drawing Down. ( i find going with the energy flow always leads to something special).

What i would like to ask people is.... do you always Draw Down the Goddess on a woman and the God on a man? i know in some traditions there are "dreadful" warnings that an HP should always Draw Down the Goddess on a woman and an HPS should always Draw Down the sun on a man.

But we have learned that sometimes it is just appropriate to Draw Down the sun on a woman or the moon on a man.. and the gender of the person doing the Drawing Down is irrelevant.... i'm wondering if the fact that several people in the Circle are bisexual had any influence on this or whether it's something that just flowed in and of itself? bb talamh