Drawing Down the Moon

The title of this article is ambiguous. See Drawing Down the Moon (disambiguation) for additional meanings .

Drawing Down the Moon ( German "drawing down the moon") or Calling Down the Moon is an important magical ritual in some Wiccan traditions. As a counterpart there is also the ritual Drawing Down the Sun , in which a male priest invokes the sun god , but which is otherwise performed in the same way. The origins of the ritual are seen in ancient times; Thessalian witches were said to be able to control the moon, and ancient pottery depicts this. One of the first references to the drawing down of the moon can be found in Aristophanes , the oldest Roman in Quintus Horatius Flaccus .

Drawing Down the Moon plays an important role in and is a central part of the Esbat celebrations held on the full moon . The ritual is held in a circle under the full moon. The high priestess of the Covens goes into a trance and becomes the goddess , symbolized by the moon. This transformation can be accomplished with the help of a priest who invokes or draws the spirit of the goddess down into the high priestess and allows the goddess to speak to her followers through the high priestess. The high priestess assumes the position of the moon goddess or a pentacle (standing, with outstretched arms and legs), which symbolizes birth and rebirth; However, there are also instructions according to which their feet must be shoulder-width apart only after the goddess has spoken to them for the first time.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Rosemary Ellen Guiley: The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft & Wicca . 3rd edition, New York: Visionary Living 2008, p. 49.
2. ↑ ^{a b c d} Rosemary Ellen Guiley: The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft & Wicca . 3rd edition, New York: Visionary Living 2008, p. 108.
3. ^ Edain McCoy: Celtic Myth & Magick: Harness the Power of the Gods and Goddesses . First edition, 1995, Eleventh printing, 2004. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications 2004, p. 55.
4. ↑ ^{a b} Donald Michael Kraig : Modern Sex Magick: Secrets of Erotic Spirituality . First edition, Fourth printing, 2003, St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications 2003, p. 171.
5. ^ Edain McCoy: Celtic Myth & Magick: Harness the Power of the Gods and Goddesses . First edition, 1995. Eleventh printing, 2004, St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications 2004, p. 94.
6. ↑ ^{a b c} Raven Grimassi: Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft . Second edition, revised & expanded, first printing, 2003. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications 2003, p. 128.
7. ^ Edain McCoy: Celtic Myth & Magick: Harness the Power of the Gods and Goddesses . First Edition, 1995. Eleventh printing, 2004. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications 2004, p. 67.
8. ^ Rosemary Skinner Keller, Rosemary Radford Ruether , Marie Cantlon: Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America . Bloomington: Indiana University Press 2006, p. 814.
9. ^ Raven Grimassi, Stephanie Taylor: The Seeker's Guide to the Hidden Path . St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications 2007.
10. ^ Rosemary Ellen Guiley: The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft & Wicca . Third edition, New York: Visionary Living 2008, p. 56.
11. ^ Rosemary Ellen Guiley: The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft & Wicca . Third edition. New York: Visionary Living 2008, p. 235.
12. ^ Rosemary Ellen Guiley: The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft & Wicca , Third Edition, New York: Visionary Living 2008, p. 267.
13. ^ Patti Wigington: How To Draw Down the Moon .