"New Moon Ceremony"
(Using the Native American Medicine Wheel)
by Rev. Therese Inzerillo

… Begin by smudging yourself with sage and/or sweetgrass to purify your energy and transmute negativity.

… Create your sacred space by walking a circle clockwise to place a symbol of each of the elements in the respective directions. In the direction of the east, which represents the SPIRITUAL, you can light a candle as a symbol of the element of FIRE; in the south set a bowl of WATER to represent the element of water and representing EMOTION; (the east and south are the feminine aspects); in the west place a rock or crystal as a symbol of the element of EARTH and representing the PHYSICAL aspect; and finally, in the direction of the North place a feather representing the element of AIR and representing the MENTAL aspects (the west and the north are the male aspects). As you complete the circle ending in the direction of the east once again, turn and walk to the center and place a symbol of the Divine in the center of the circle. *

… Now that the symbols have been placed, walk the circle again and smudge your sacred space. Remember to always enter the circle from the east and always walk in a clockwise rotation. Don't forget to smudge the center of the circle also.

… During the two weeks prior to the New Moon gather some seeds in a small pouch and hold them during your meditations. Infuse into the seeds your thoughts, prayers, hopes, wishes and dreams. You can carry them with you throughout the day or leave at home in a sacred space (perhaps on your altar). If you have not done this during this two-week period place some seeds in a small pouch and hold in your hands and spend a few minutes prior to the ceremony to infuse your hopes, wishes, dreams and prayers into the seeds. You are now ready to begin your ceremony.

… If there are other participants other than yourself, smudge everyone before entering the sacred medicine wheel circle. If you feel you need to smudge yourself again, you should do so.

… Walk the circle beginning in the east and stop at each direction invoking the presence and honoring the spirits of each direction. Ask for their assistance, guidance, healing and protection and thank them for sharing their gifts. Do this in our own words or write down a standard phrase to use during the ceremony. An example would be:
"We honor the direction of the East, which is the place of SPIRIT, is represented by the element of FIRE and is the place of NEW BEGINNINGS. In the cycle of life it represents the stage of childhood - a time of innocence and new birth. As we enter this sacred space, we honor and invoke the presence of the Masters, the Angels, the ArchAngels, the Spirit Guides, the Power Animal Totems, the grandfathers and grandmothers and all of our relations, and all those celestial beings who come in the LIGHT and LOVE of GOD. We love you, we honor you, we thank you. A ho.

… Now sprinkle on the ground in that direction either some cornmeal or some tobacco as a "give away" as a symbol to give back to the spirits thanking them for their love and assistance.

… Repeat this process of honoring each direction and invoking the presence of the Masters, Angels, etc. for each of the directions - always walking clockwise. (You can use the narration above but remember to change the elements and stage of life.) Remember to include the center - honoring the ABOVE, the BELOW and the WITHIN. Thank you God.

… If there are others in the ceremony you can begin the ceremony with drumming, chanting, singing, storytelling or sharing with a talking stick or in any other fashion or ritual that you choose.

… Gaze up at the New Moon and spend a few minutes contemplating and visualizing the new beginnings that you choose to manifest in your life.
… When ready and one at a time, allow each person to walk the circle (clockwise) to the place once again of the East and enter the center CIRCLE. Carry your bag of seeds with you.

… Affirmatively and confidently pronounce to the universe all of the things that no longer have power over your life, releasing then. Now follow the following formula for manifesting your hopes, dream and wishes:

1. Put yourself into a state of joy. If this is challenging for you think of a time in your life when you felt very joyful and remember this situation. Allow the emotion of joy to overcome your entire being.
2. Visualize the thing(s) that you want to manifest. Allow yourself to experience it from a sensory perspective - what does it feel like, look like, taste like, sound like, etc. Hold the emotions.
3. Affirm out loud and claim this experience for yourself.
4. Hold this thought and the feelings for at least 17 seconds. (Science tells us that it only takes 17 seconds of PURE thought to manifest.) If doubts creep in - release them - and begin again for 17 seconds.
5. KNOW and BELIEVE that it is so. Affirm to the universe that it is done - claim it.
6. Give gratitude and thanksgiving that it is so.
7. RELEASE and KNOW that IT IS DONE.
8. If others are present have at least one person make a verbal affirmation of what you have chosen to manifest - speaking it back to you and the universe. Once the affirmation has been made everyone in the group holds the vision for at least 17 seconds.
9. If done in a group setting have each person write down the request of each person and hold the thought for each person for 17 seconds a day. The power of a group multiplies the energy and can help it to manifest quicker.

… After this formula has been followed for each person scatter the seeds into the circle or you can save them and scatter them later in a sacred place (a special garden or planter).

… Experience a sharing time if needed or sing or pray or drum in thanksgiving.

… If everyone feels complete and you are ready to close the sacred circle - do so by walking in a clockwise direction. Stop at each direction and thank and release the spirits. Everyone exits the circle from the East.
May this ceremony and the power of the New Moon bring to you your deepest hopes, wishes and desires for your highest good, now and always. A ho!

(* Editor's Note: Meanings for the four directions can vary by different traditions. As an example the east representing the air, the south representing fire, the west representing water, and the north representing earth. Apply the meanings that resonate for you.)