The Primal Sea
From Moonweb 21
T his ritual recreates the forming of the world's oceans from fresh water and dissolved salts of earth, and reminds us that the (re) creation and cleansing of these oceans continues today as it has for millennia.
Beginning near the New Moon, assemble a handful of small, capped vials and bottles, clean and with any labels removed. Think of all the sources of water around you: local lakes or streams, rainwater, a spring, the kitchen tap, a fountain, dew. Use the bottles to collect water from as many sources as you can, one source to a vial. Set them in a window where the Moon will shine on them each night until your ritual on the Full Moon.
On the night of the ritual in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed, ground and center according to personal tradition. Bring to this place your collection of waters, a large goblet or waterproof bowl, a handful of salt (preferably sea salt) in an open container, and candles or stick incense to mark the directions of the four quarters. You might also have any personal working tools, such as athames or wands, if it is your practice.
Light a candle or incense stick at each point of the four Quarters. When the Full Moon begins to rise, carry the collection of waters to each direction in turn, beginning in the East. Call the blessings of the quarter on the waters and on your rite, and then invoke the gods and goddesses of the world's oceans using these or similar words of invocation:
East:
Dylan, Dylan of the Sea
Ride on white and foaming steeds
Cleanse our eyes that we may See
And fill with beauty all our deeds
South:
Mary, robed in sea and spray,
Mother of the Ocean's groves,
Teach us how to walk your ways
And swim the currents of your Love
West:
Yemaya, Goddess dark and deep,
Queen of currents, Queen of tides
Your Flood awakens hearts asleep
And heals the wounds where sickness hides
North:
Goddess of the Frozen Sea
Sedna, Sealwife of the North,
In Ocean's depth we come to thee
We stroke thy hair to call thee forth
Return to the center of the ritual space, set down the water vials, and take up the container of salt. In similar fashion, calling forth the same blessings and the same deities, consecrate the salt. Return to the center, and take up the bowl or goblet. As you recall the source of water in each of the vials, pour them one by one into the bowl. When all of the water is poured out into the bowl, take the bowl in one hand and salt in the other, then turn to face the rising Moon. Feel Her energy radiating through you and into the water and the salt; both water and salt are filling with Moon energy as you draw the Moon into you. Pour the salt into the water, imagining as you do the Primal Sea from which all life on earth has sprung and invoking the memory of that Primal Sea with this or a similar rune:
Rain of Sky and Salt of Earth,
From Your union springs our birth
Set down the salt container and stir the salt water with your preferred ritual tool, inscribing a pentagram over it and consecrating it for this ritual. Walk to the eastern perimeter of your ritual area and sprinkle the salt water lightly over the boundary of your circle, intoning:
Salt and water, Primal Sea,
Where you cast, of ill be free
Return with the remaining water to the center of the circle. Sit so that you can see into the chalice or bowl of salt water, and preferably so that the Moon is also reflected in its liquid. Gaze onto the surface of the water until you feel your mind emptying of all distractions, all unease, and all stress. Feel the pull of the Moon on the water in the bowl, on the blood in your body, on the water in the glass vials. When you feel completely relaxed again, dip your forefinger into the bowl of water and anoint your forehead in the region of the Third Eye; feel the Moon energy awaken your inner senses.
Remember again where you got each vial of water originally. Feel the water in the bowl calling to the water in those original sources, visualizing as you do the healing energy of the Moon pouring into the bowl, filling it with energy and power, brimming with the particular qualities and qualities of the water sources. As you do, visualize all the rivers, streams, and waterfalls of the world flowing to the ocean, purifying it and diluting all the harmful elements that people have put into the world's seas. Imagine all the energy you have raised this night flowing with the waters into the seas.
When you feel the energy has flowed out of your circle into the World Ocean, continue to gaze into the water. The Moon may grant you a vision.
When you feel you have accomplished all you came to the circle to do, return again to the eastern edge of your circle space. Thank each element and each ocean guardian in turn from East to North, extinguishing each candle or incense stick as you do. Lastly, turn and face the Moon and thank Her for the energy you received for yourself and for the world's oceans.
Take any remaining water in the bowl or chalice straightaway to the nearest source of running water and pour it out to join the sea. The rite is ended.
MOONWEB is an occasional publication of Circle Cithaeron, a scholar's circle and teaching collective following and Eldrytch Tradition of work with wild nature. For more information contact: Circle Cithaeron, POB 15461, Washington, DC 20003 or email keer1@aol.com | 
