Drawing Down The Moon Ritual

The Drawing Down the Moon ritual is the act of drawing down the Goddess. It is one of the dominant customary among many modern-day Wiccan customs.

In this striking and influential ritual, the expert prays the Goddess directly into herself or himself, depending on the situation. A High Priestess (HPs) might enter a trance-like phase & request the goddess to acquire her body.

Wiccan Ritual of Drawing Down the Moon

During the Drawing Down the Moon ritual, the goddess symbolized by moon also known as the triple goddess is invited by the High Priestess to enter her body and speak through her directly.

To summon the spirit of the Goddess, the High Priestess (HPs) is often guided by the High Priest (HP).

Thus, till the time the spell continues, the Goddesses speaks through the body of the high priestess.

The message of the Goddess might be either directed communicated in the single tone via the high priestess or it makes take the form of a monologue between many forms of the Goddess.

As per the various religious texts and scripts, there is no particular time for conducting the rite but the priests prefer to do it at night of the full moon or on 1 night before.

While tradition says that the Drawing Down the Moon is best performed in the outdoors but people fear of their neighbors and tenants getting disturbed and therefore prefer to do it inside only.

History and Origin of the Ritual

The origin of Drawing Down Moon dates back to the 2^nd century BCE where the portrayal of two women and the moon on an ancient Greek vase was used to represent it.

Claudian's 1^st book against Rufinus mentioned in the 145^th line that Megaera, one of the Erinyes, in the guise of an old man, speaks to Rufinus.

"Despise not an old man's feeble limbs: I have the gift of magic and the fire of prophecy is within me.

I have learned the incantations wherewith Thessalian witches pull down the bright moon, I know the meaning of the wise Egyptians' runes,

the art whereby the Chaldeans impose their will upon the subject gods, the various saps that flow within trees and the power of deadly herbs;

All those that grow on the Caucasus rich in poisonous plants, or, to man's bane, clothe the crags of Scythia; herbs such as cruel Medea gathered and curious Circe."

Video: Drawing Down the Moon Ritual

In ancient times, it is believed that the Thessalian witches were the one who controlled the moon. As per the swathe:

"If I command the moon, it will come down; and if I wish to withhold the day, the night will linger over my head; and again, if I wish to embark on the sea, I need no ship, and if I wish to fly through the air, I am free from my weight."

Jason Mankey at Patheos explains,

"Drawing Down the Moon is the process of directly calling deity into a mortal vessel. When a High Priestess (or Priest) draws down the moon she draws the Goddess inside of herself.

Once the Goddess is there, the Priestess is absent, and the Goddess speaks through her daughter and interacts with those around Her.

Drawing down the moon is hard work, a lot of people aren't ready to do it, and it's not something you generally see at (open) large rituals."

The drawing down of the moon ritual is often belied to be derived from the Vangelo.

There is a very beautiful poem in which the drawing down of the moon is written has been used as the base for moon drawing down by the Wiccan tradition since the ancient times.

Both the rites i.e. the Cochranian and the Gardnerian form the important part of the ritual or the practice.

This has been mentioned several times in Reginald Scot's "The Discoveries of Witchcraft".

In the 21^st century, this ritual is performed by many cultures and traditions although the original form is said to have originated from the Gardnerian Wicca.

This is considered to be the core of Alexandrian Wiccan and Gardnerian rites.

During the current modern times, the HPs (i.e. the high priestess) may recite the Charge of the Goddess, which has been written by Gerald Gardner and Aleister Crowley, in the text-based form that exists today.

Mel D. Faber describes the customary in psychoanalytical terms of trying to join with the caring mother original.

True Drawing Down Ceremonial

In the 21^st century, some self-contained Wiccans celebrate the ritual under the light of the Moon-forming a circle-like shape.

The High Priestess will stand just like the Goddess with actions as mentioned below;

A 'Y' shape formed by hands and the body.
Both the arms help upright straight.
Palms open and upwards lifted.

True Drawing Down Ceremonial — True Drawing Down the moon Ceremonial

To draw down the moon is not very easy but various ways have been inscribed in different cultural texts and therefore you need to follow all the instructions carefully given in your traditions.

Version 1:

In this version or ritual of drawing down the moon, you need to stand on a platform with your arms crossed over your chest and the feet altogether.

Now look upwards straight towards the moon and say the following lines;

Goddess of the Moon, you have been known by many names in many lands many times. You are universal and constant. In the dark of night, you shine down upon us and bathe us in Your light and love.

I ask You, O Divine One, to honour me by joining with me, and allowing me to feel Your presence within my heart.

Version 2:

Now keep both the feet apart with the width of your shoulders and raise your arms upwards, calling the Goddess into your body and pray for the well-being of everyone.

Slowly you feel the rise in energy levels and sudden entry of positivism and a deep prick.

You must feel confident now like this in an indication that the Goddess is making contact with you directly.

These words are completely changeable as you are speaking into her voice. Just memories them so that you could speak directly from your heart.

However, remember that she might speak whatever she wants and you must be ready for it. Say;

I am the Mother of all life, the One who watches overall. I am the wind in the sky, the spark in the fire, the seedling in the earth, the water in the river.

Carry on with:

"I am the vessel from which All Things spring forth. Honor Me from within your heart! Remember that acts of love and pleasure are My rituals and that there is beauty in all things. Honor Me on this night of the full moon!

I have been with you since the moment you were created and shall remain with you always. Let there be beauty and strength, wisdom and honour, humility and courage within you.

If you need Me, call upon Me and I shall come to you, for I am everywhere, always. Honour Me as you seek knowledge! I am the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone, and I live within you."

Now you must be feeling the power of the Goddess into your body and soul due to drawing down the moon ceremony.

As soon as you get this feeling, you should conclude by saying the following lines;

I look down upon the sands of the desert, I crash the tides upon the shore, I shine on the mighty trees of the forests and watch with joy as Life continues every cycle.

Be true to Me, honoring that which I have created, and I shall be true to you in return. With harm to none, so it shall be.

Take some time and stand with open arms and try to relax in the light of the Goddess.

Now try to meditate and think of all the positivism and gain some peace from the drawing down the moon ritual.

Once the flow of energy has lowered a bit, slowly lower your arms and advance with your ritual as you usually would at the end of a customary.

Conclusion – Drawing Down the Moon

The ritual of Drawing Down the Moon has been in practice since centuries & is a great way to call the Goddess on earth and interact with the people via your own body.

It has different interpretations in different cultures, however, it's origin is believed to be in Wiccan Culture and traditions.

If you have nay other experience with this ritual, then feel free to share it with us!