The Adoration of the Maiden,
the Mother, and the Crone







I. The Maiden (Creirwy)

After sunset, as the Moon is waxing, but before it has trined* the Sun, face the Moon, make the Sign of Water**, and say:

Hail, Creirwy, full of joy,
Blessed Maiden who shines at night,
Sister, Daughter, and Consort of our Lord the Sun,
Blessed art thou who lights our way!

Make the Sign of Silence, then make the Sign of Arthur in Avalon***, and say,

Holy art Thou, Lady of the Universe,
Holy art Thou, Whom Nature hath not formed,
Holy art Thou, the gracious and beautiful One,
Queen of the light, and of the darkness, Amen.

II. The Mother (Arianrhod)

After sunset, and between its trines to the Sun, face the Moon, make the Sign of Water, and say:

Hail, Arianrhod, full of love,
Blessed Mother who shines at night,
Sister, Daughter****, and Consort of our Lord the Sun,
Blessed art thou who lights our way!

Make the Sign of Silence, then make the Sign of Arthur in Avalon, and say,

Holy art Thou, Lady of the Universe,
Holy art Thou, Whom Nature hath not formed,
Holy art Thou, the gracious and beautiful One,
Queen of the light, and of the darkness, Amen.

III. The Crone (Cerridwen)

Before sunrise, after the waning Moon has trined the Sun, face the Moon, make the Sign of Water, and say:

Hail, Cerridwen, full of wisdom,
Blessed Crone who shines at night,
Sister, Mother, and Consort of our Lord the Sun,
Blessed art thou who lights our way!

Make the Sign of Silence, then make the Sign of Arthur in Avalon, and say,

Holy art Thou, Lady of the Universe,
Holy art Thou, Whom Nature hath not formed,
Holy art Thou, the gracious and beautiful One,
Queen of the light, and of the darkness, Amen.

*In astrology, two planets "trine" each other when they are one hundred twenty degrees apart.

** The Sign of Water is made by making a triangle of the thumbs and index fingers, and, with all fingers extended, place the triangle over the heart, pointing downward.

*** The Sign of Arthur in Avalon, formerly known as the Sign of Osiris Risen, is made by crossing the arms over the heart, right over left.

****After the Full Moon, change "Daughter" to "Mother."

(c) 2004 by the author. "The Cauldron," which is from the Arthurian Tarot, is used with the kind permission of Miranda Gray and John and Caitlin Matthews (diolch!).

See what the Moon looks like right now.

The Arthurian Creed