Under the full moon the old stag lifts his crowned head, and between his antlers the light gathers as it does between the horns of the year. To bathe in that light is to be led into the wildwood of sleep.
This bath washes the day from the skin and dresses the body in moon-silver, opening the way for wide, wandering dreams full of green country and old paths. It is the gentlest of workings, asking only that you soak and let go.
The Working
- When the moon is full, draw a warm bath and let her light fall across the water if you can.
- Cast in a handful of salt to wash away the day, stirring it thrice with your hand.
- Scatter lavender, vervain, or rosemary across the surface, and add a few drops of oil for softness.
- Set a moonstone or clear crystal at the water’s edge to hold the light through your soaking.
- Lie back until the herbs drift about you, and speak the incantation to the ceiling as though to the sky.
- Rise without rinsing, wrap yourself in something soft, and go straight to your bed while the moon still dresses your skin.
The Incantation
Antlered king of the silver wood,
lead me where the old paths stood.
Moon between your crownéd horns,
carry me past the world’s sharp thorns.
Wash me clean in your cold light,
walk me through the green of night.
Carry the calm of the water into your sheets, and let the wildwood take you wherever the antlered one wanders.