Dark Moon Ritual to Invoke Lilith:

• On one of the three nights before the New Moon breaks, set aside time alone, in a safe, cozy, dark space to carry out this ritual.  For instance, create a cozy nest of pillows and blankets in your ritual area in which to lie or sit during the meditation.
• Prepare yourself a mug of hot, soothing herbal tea.  I recommend making a lavender, peppermint, rosemary tea to alleviate anxiety and help clear your mind.  You can also try Easy Now by Traditional Medicinals.  Any herbal tea you find soothing and comforting is fine.  Drink your tea as you set up your space.
• Creating Sacred Space:

o       Set up a small altar with a single tea light candle, lotus incense and holder, and your item representing Lilith or your Shadow Self.

o       Purify the space and yourself with Sage or whatever you normally use.

o       Cast a circle and invite in elements, directions, guardians, guides etc… in your normal manner.

• Preparation:

o       Light your incense and tea light candle.  Dim or darken the lights so that your small candle sheds light on the symbolic item on the altar.

o       Finish your tea.

o       Sit comfortably and set your gaze on your altar.

o       Take 10 deep breaths, breathing in and out slowly, until you are relaxed and focused.

o       When you are ready, begin the ritual.

• Invocation:

o       “Tonight, on this darkest of nights, I am prepared to journey into the darkness, into my Shadow self, to meet my Lilith and listen to her story.  Inanna, you who have given me courage, guide my journey into the darkness and out of it again, as you have done yourself.  Lilith, ancient one, I invoke you to guide me into my darkness tonight to meet my Shadow self.”

• Guided Meditation:

o       Sit or lie comfortably.  Look at your symbol. Take a few deep breaths and feel your body connected to the earth.  Ground deeply.  <long pause>

o       Close your eyes. There is darkness all around you.  It is warm and inviting, like being held close as a child, by a loved one.   Let it comfort you.  <pause>

o       Ahead of you, you see an opening to a cave, dimly lit as if by candle or fire light.  Walk to the cave entrance, and enter it. <pause>

o       The cave entrance leads right into a passageway, lit softly as if by candle or firelight.   You will soon be walking down the passageway into the cavern below.  Before you go, you may ask any of your guides or guardians to join you on this journey.  <pause>

o       When you are ready, begin to walk down the passageway.  <pause>

o       The passageway curves gently to the left, and you realize that you are walking down a shallow slope.   The passageway is spiraling to the left slowly towards the central cavern below. <long pause>

o       As you reach the end of the passageway, you find yourself in a comfortably warm, large cavern, softly lit as if by candle or firelight.  Ahead of you, you see a dark pool, sparkling here and there with the reflections of the light. <pause>

o       There is a stone bench near the pool.  Go to it and remove your robes and jewelry.   Reach into your pocket, and pull out the gift of offering you brought for Lilith.   What is it?  What have you brought for Lilith? <long pause>

o       You see a small stone altar next to the bench, covered with lotus flowers and lilies.  Place your gift for Lilith on her altar. <pause>

o       You say to the darkness, “Lilith, I have brought you this gift.  I am ready to see you.  Please come and visit with me.” <pause>

o       Now, walk to the shallow, dark pool, and wade into it.  The water is warm and comfortable, and comes up to your knees.  Kneel in the water, it feels so good.  You decide to wash your face and smooth back your hair.   <pause>

o       As you wipe the water away, you see a beautiful, radiant, woman on the other side of the pool sitting on a bench.  She beckons you to come to her.  You realize that the woman is Lilith.  Go to her and sit down next to her as she indicates. <pause>

o       As she reaches for your hand, wise Goddess that she is, Lilith whispers to you and shows you parts of your Shadow Self, only that which She knows you are ready to meet.  <very long pause>

o       When you have seen and heard all that you came to discover, you find yourself in her warm embrace.   There are tears in her eyes, running down her face, as she understands where you have been and what you feel.  Lilith offers you a gift, take it from her.  What is it?  What has Lilith given you? <long pause>

o       Lilith gives you a hug, and you find yourself back in the pool, kneeling.  This time, your gift from Lilith is in your hands.  <pause>

o       You get up, and go over to your robes and get dressed.  You don your jewelry.  You see your guides or guardians standing nearby ready to lead you out of the cavern.  <pause>

o        The entrance to the passageway is ahead of you, and you walk back up the spiral, in the opposite direction, with your guides. <pause>

o       In front of you is the cave entrance, and you walk out.  You find yourself back in your own body.  Right here, right now.<pause>

o       You feel your toes and feet, your legs and belly, your chest rising and falling with your breath.  You feel your arms, your hands and wiggle your fingers.  Take a deep breath, a big stretch, and slowly sit up. <pause>

o       Take time now to write out your experience with Lilith in your journal.

• Closing

o       “Thank you Inanna for guiding me on this journey through the darkness.  Thank you Lilith for showing me what I needed to see.”

o       Give thanks and say goodbye to all elements, directions, guardians and guides that you invited into your circle.

o       Close or open circle in your manner.

o       Be sure to ground more fully by having a snack.

o       Take extra special care of yourself with the new knowledge you have.

Follow Up:

• For the rest of the moon cycle, follow up this ritual with daily reflection sessions on what Lilith showed you.   Write in your journal.  Keep track of your dreams.  Treat yourself well by eating well, drinking plenty of water, and taking, long, warm, herbal baths.  Get a massage or reiki if you can.
• If you feel fear or anxiety about your emotions or the process of integrating all that Lilith has shown you, invoke Inanna again during the New and Full Moon for courage. 
• If you feel that you want to speak with Lilith again, on the following Dark Moon, repeat the ritual.  Again, give yourself a month to process all that she has shared with you.Dark Moon ritual