Ritual 23: Monday, June 4, 2007

Waning Moon

Sacred trios abound in wisdom traditions around the world. Hinduism conceives of God in personal terms as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva -- the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer aspects of the divine. Christianity has its holy trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Norse mythology honors the Norns, three sisters who Spin, Weave and Cut the threads of life.

The Christian calendar marked yesterday as Trinity Sunday. In fact, all Sundays in that faith are considered sacred to the three aspects of God. There is room enough -- and need -- to honor both the intrinsic masculine and feminine within the dance of life. Let today, then, and all Mondays mark a celebration of the three aspects of the Goddess -- Maiden, Mother and Crone.

The Triple Goddess is symbolized by three phases of the moon. The waxing crescent speaks of the Maiden, whose young energy is just beginning to blossom. The round full moon belongs with the Mother, whose round full womb nurtures all of life. The waning crescent is the domain of the Crone, whose life energy is declining but whose wisdom approaches the infinite darkness of the new moon.

In honor of this Trinity Monday, whose waning face in the night sky still wears more the fullness of Mother than Crone, reflect on your own resonance with the Triple Goddess. How do you live the innocence and growth of the Maiden? Where in your life are you the caretaking Mother? How do you express the wisdom and detachment of the Crone? Use your journal to record your thoughts on the Triple Goddess within.

Now turn your attention to the Triple Goddess outside yourself. Who are the Crones in your life? What wisdom have they shared with you? Who are the Mothers in your life? How have they nurtured you? Who are the Maidens in your life? How have they inspired or enchanted you?

For each face of the Triple Goddess, think of three people. Write down their names and your words of gratitude for their Maidenly, Motherly, or Crone-ly influences in your life.

Choose one of these nine souls and send her a card affirming your appreciation of her Goddess graces.

Say aloud as you seal the envelope:

Goddess within, Goddess without
What I see in thee, I see in me

Close the ritual with three claps, one for each aspect of the Triple Goddess.

After the ritual, share your experience in our community section.