The Buck Moon: A Silver and Green Celebration
StartFragmentJuly is when the buck's antlers are truly showing their impressive size and when deer can be seen frequently in the fields and along roads, thus giving it the name of the Buck Moon. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time and the Full Hay Moon for this was the time that farmers brought in their first harvest of hay.
We chose to celebrate the buck aspect of the moon. Since spring, the deer have been out in abundance during the early morning and evening hours. The spots on the fawns backs are starting to fade and the bucks are now sporting some very impressive antlers. July is when antler growth reaches it's peak, potentially growing at a rate of nearly one inch a day1. It is truly a time to appreciate the majesty of the buck and all he represents. EndFragment
We spent the pre-ritual time chatting, setting up the altar and working on the flying ointment and witch bottles we would be making. First thing was to pick out the fresh and dried herbs for the ointment and bottles and to get the herbs for the flying ointment in the base oil to start the long steeping process. Followed by packing a basket full of all the supplies needed for the witches bottles and divination tools for the evening.
The Buck Moon calls to the colors of the year. Dark and vibrant greens and browns with splashes of color. Colors reminiscent of the forest and the fields with their spots of flowers that dance in the winds. The deer live and graze in both these places. We picked wild flowers from the fields to decorate our altar. A large, lovely crape myrtle sprig, wild carrot, and black eyed Susans, along with oak leaves to represent the strong male aspect of the buck. Deer bones, antler and buck motifs and a proliferation of candles also adorned the altar. It was a time for us to truly connect to the mystery of the forest and to embrace both the feminine aspect of the moon and the masculine aspect of the male deer.
The night was beautiful and by the time the sun set and the moon showed herself it was the perfect evening temperature for such a hot day. The moon was out in all her glory and we could easily see without the aid of candles. We assembled our witch bottles and placed them on the altar. Then, we did a couple spreads of cards and runes, all of which showed us the same meaning and gave some good insight into the same question we both had. It was a wonderful relaxing night that gave us a sense of calm as we were surrounded by the peaceful land around us.
We then closed the circle and went inside for our mini feast and to finish decorating our bottles. Both of us had specific symbols and stones that went onto the cord that sealed the bottles and contributed to the overall meaning for the bottles. We then finished up the flying ointment and called it a night.
The ritual was wonderful and filled with a tangible calming spirit. The moon was gorgeous and shone with a beautiful intensity that lit the land around us. Such a wonderful and glorious evening.
The next day, Silver was visited by a Buck and two does in her pasture. An occurrence that has not happened since she has lived there. It was an amazing and much welcomed sight. It seems our call to the Buck Moon was heard!
-Ayda
