To honor the birthday of the goddess Artemis, bake or buy a small cake or cupcake. In Moon Magick, D J Conway recommends this ritual be performed on the night of the March crescent - it feels more appropriate to me to do the ritual on the night before or the night of her actual day.
Dress in nice clothes as if you were entertaining a friend. Cover your altar or spiritual place with a nice cloth. Put the cake with a small candle on it in the middle of the altar. Set pictures or statues of animals around it for decoration. Artemis loves cats of all kinds, deer, and all wild animals. Set a glass of juice or wine next to the cake.
Take a sip of juice and light the candle. Sing "Happy Birthday" to the goddess if you wish - or simply and sincerely wish her a happy birthday. Then say:
"Lady of Wild Things, Moon Huntress,"Mistress of magick and enchantment,"I chant your lovely name for protection."Artemis! Artemis! Artemis!"I whisper your praises to the Full Moon."Cradle my restless, worn spirit"In the secret places of your deep woodlands."Renew my life, swift Artemis."
Cut yourself a piece of the cake and eat it. Drink the juice. Tell the goddess why you need protection. When you are finished, thank her for the help that will come. Put the remainder of the cake outside as a feast for the birds and animals.
From: Moon Magick
NOTE: This ritual can be tweaked for use for any god or goddess on his/her day. Simply find an appropriate invocation - or rewrite the one above to fit, and decorate the altar with whatever might please your chosen deity.
ANOTHER NOTE: I think it's nice to simply honor the gods without necessarily asking for anything in return. A powerful blessing could be as simple as a recitation of her names and titles. For example:
"Hail Mistress of the Animals"My heart opens to the Moon Huntress"Blessings to She of the Wild"Love to the Most Beautiful"Praise to the Lady of Many Shrines and Many Cities"I Worship the Lady of the Wild Mountains"Adoration to the Opener of the Womb"Gratitude to the Mistress of Magic and Enchantment"Artemis! Artemis! Artemis!"
For maximum effect - repeat each line three times.
Closing thoughts and invocation by Shirleytwofeathers
Reference: ceremonial-magic.blogspot.com
