Ritual: An Imbolc Celebration

Things you will need:

* one large candle (your choice of colour)
* four small candles (one of each: yellow, red, blue, green)
* candle holders for the four candles
* a lighter or matches
* two bowls of dirt
*a small watering can filled with water
* one packet of flower, herb, or vegetable seeds (choose seeds that represent a goal or idea that you’d like to bring into your life)
* freshly made bread
* butter
* a cup of milk
* a libation bowl
* a small hand towel

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Place the large candle, lighter, two bowls of dirt, watering can, and seeds in the center of your sacred space. If you are performing the celebration inside, be sure to cleanse your area with sage ahead of time. Put the four small candles at the edges of your sacred space: yellow in the east, red in the south, blue in the west and green in the north. Sitting facing the east, ground and center yourself, taking as much time as you need.

Once you feel relaxed and connected to the four elements, stand and walk to the east. Hold your hands up above your head and say:

“Hail to the Guardian of the East,
The simple Cherry Tree.
Beautiful and gentle, pure and willing sacrifice,
You understand the cycle of life and death and rebirth.
Bring to me the peace to acknowledge the inevitable
And to welcome my growth.
Cherry Tree, Spirit of Air, I welcome you!”

When you feel the presence of the east enter your sacred space, walk to the south, raise your hands, and say:

“Hail to the Guardian of the South,
The quickening Rowan Tree.
Fiery and nourishing, physical and spiritual healer,
Your berries support life while your bark soars with spirit.
Bring to me the knowledge of the ancient ways
And the strength to use it well.
Rowan Tree, Spirit of Fire, I welcome you!”

Feel the energy of the south enter your sacred space. Then walk to the west, hold your hands above your head, and say:

“Hail to the Guardian of the West,
The giving Apple Tree.
Loving and opening, emotional and otherworldly center,
You know the heart is the key to happiness.
Bring to me the acceptance of my inner truth
And the generosity to share it with the world.
Apple Tree, Spirit of Water, I welcome you!”

Once you feel the calming presence of the west in your circle, walk to the north. Hold your arms above your head, and say:

“Hail to the Guardian of the North,
The enduring Holly Tree.
Bright and gay, protective and compassionate partner,
You shift with the currents of change, adjusting to seasons and spirituality.
Bring to me the courage to alter my perceptions
And the ability to persevere through trials.
Holly Tree, Spirit of Earth, I welcome you!”

Be sure to light each candle after you have requested the presence of each elemental tree. Having called for the aid and guidance of the four directions, return to the center of your sacred space and sit down. Think of the goddess Brigid in all her many guises: powerful smith, watery healer, illuminating muse, preserved saint, forgotten goddess, fire, sun, land, divine. When you feel her nearby, place your hands over your heart and say”

“Most blessed Brigid,
Bright Arrow,
Arousing, swirling, teaching,
Direct my words and
Focus my art
To resonate your will
Beneath the sky, beneath the sea.
Goddess of the sun and
Of the eternal fire,
You inspire.

Most sacred Brigid,
Sudden flame,
Shaping, melding, purifying,
Forge my hands and
Guide my heart
To do your bidding
Beneath the sky, beneath the sea.
Goddess of the sun and
Of the eternal fire,
You transform.

Most honoured Brigid,
Living light,
Calming, soothing, restoring,
Mend my wounds and
Allow your love
To shine through me
Beneath the sky, beneath the sea.
Goddess of the sun and
Of the eternal fire,
You heal.

Most blessed Brigid,
Living light,
Bright Arrow,
Sudden flame,
Goddess of the sun and
Of the eternal fire,
Arise like a shining sun
And join me in my circle!

Brigid, goddess immortal, most blessed,
I light this candle
In fiery offering to you.”

Light the large candle and take some time to gaze undisturbed into its flame. Feel its warmth and envision the goddess Brigid welcoming you with open arms. When you feel relaxed and open, put the two bowls of dirt in front of you and concentrate on the holiday Imbolc. When you feel ready, say:

“Imbolc is a time to plant my seeds, to begin anew, forging ahead to create my own destiny. The Goddess, as young mother, protects and nurtures the God, just as the earth protects and nurtures the warming seeds in the ground. May she protect and nurture my inner seed, my inner growth, so that I may flourish in the beauty and vastness of spring. We are all flowers waiting in the gentle arms of the Mother for the soothing warmth of the equinox sun. We are all burgeoning power, waiting for our time to bloom.”

Plunge your hands into one of the bowls of dirt. Feel the dirt between your fingers, warm and dry or cool and moist. Close your eyes and empty your stress, anxiety, concerns, and worries into the soil. Feel your old hurts and old impressions of self seep out of your heart, making their way into your long fingers. They move slowly but deliberately into the very tips of your fingers, and when you are ready, they release into the soil, freeing you from their self-destructive grip. When you have emptied yourself of the negative in your life, in your spirit, and in your soul, shake the dirt from your fingers. Hold your hands over the first bowl of dirt and cleanse them with water from the watering can. (You will have to do one at a time). Wipe your hands on the towel.

Pour the seeds into your hands, holding them tightly. Concentrate on the goal or ideal that you would like to bring into your life. Your goal is like these seeds, burgeoning with possibility, not quite sprouted but filled with the life force of the goddess Brigid. With your mouth pressed tightly to the seeds, say:

“By Brigid, goddess of the forge and transformation, I name thee (your goal or ideal).
By Brigid, goddess of the hearth and healing, I name thee (your goal or ideal).
By Brigid, goddess of bard craft and creativity, I name thee (your goal or ideal).”

Blow lightly on the seeds, placing your energy and essence onto them, melding the two energies into one. Then plant the seeds in the second bowl of dirt and water them with the watering can. Hold your hands over the newly planted seeds, and send them love and support. Be the Goddess to these seeds just as the goddess Brigid nurtures the seeds of your dreams.

Place some bread and butter and milk into your libation bowl as a sacrifice for Brigid and the four elemental trees. While you do this, state:

“I honour Brigid and the Cherry, Rowan, Apple, and Holly Trees for sanctifying and sharing in this ceremony with me. I give you this sacrifice of my hands and my heart as a symbol of my love and connection to you.”

Then eat and drink as much bread and butter and milk as you would like. When you have cleaned up the food and drink, concentrate once again on the goddess Brigid. Hold your hands out to her and say:

“I thank you, Brigid, for your presence here in my circle,
For giving me warmth of heart and hearth.
As the sisters of old, I have honoured you
In the traditional way.
May my love for you be felt through time and space,
Across the universe, upon the earth, and under the sea.
Although the light of this candle goes out,
I carry your flame in my breast.

Most blessed Brigid,
Living light,
Bright Arrow
Sudden blaze,
Goddess of the sun and
Of the eternal fire,
I guard your flame.

Blessed be.”

Quench the fire of the large candle and then say:

“I thank the Holly, Apple, Rowan and Cherry Trees for their presence in my circle. May I forever learn from their generous gifts and hidden, secret knowledge. May their trunks grow tall and sturdy, and may they be honoured for their nurturing, mature wisdom. May their presence be remembered and enjoyed for all time.

Hail to the Holly Tree, tree of courage and change.
(Blow out the green candle).

Hail to the Apple Tree, tree of love and generosity.
(Blow out the blue candle).

Hail to the Rowan Tree, tree of inspiration and healing.
(Blow out the red candle).

Hail to the Cherry Tree, tree of beauty and sacrifice.
(Blow out the yellow candle).

I honour you. Blessed be.”

Return to the center of your sacred space and say:

“My rite is ended. May I go with the peace and love of the Goddess in my heart. Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again!”

Imbolc Chant

“Dread Lord of Death and Resurrection,
Of Life, and the Giver of Life;
Lord within ourselves,
Whose name is Mystery of Mysteries,
Encourage my heart,
Let thy Light crystallize itself in my blood,
Fulfilling of us resurrection.
Thus I banish winter,
This I welcome spring;
Say farewell to what is dead,
And greet each living thing.
Thus I banish winter,
This I welcome spring!"

(“A Witches’ Bible” - Janet and Stewart Farrar)

Imbolc Ritual

A symbol of the season, such as a representation of a snowflake, a white flower, or perhaps some snow in a crystal container can be placed on the altar. An orange candle anointed with musk, cinnamon, frankincense or rosemary oil, unlit, should also be there. Snow can be melted and used for the water during the circle casting.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the Circle.

Recite The Blessing Chant:

“May the powers of The One,
The source of all creation;
All-pervasive, omnipotent, eternal;
May the Goddess,
The Lady of the Moon;
And the God,
Horned Hunter of the Sun;
May the powers of the Spirit of the Stones,
Rulers of the Elemental Realms;
May the powers of the stars above
And the earth below,
Bless this place and this time,
And I who am with You.”

Invoke the Goddess and God:

Invocation of the Goddess

Crescent One of the starry skies,
Flowered One of the fertile plain,
Flowing One of the ocean’s sighs,
Blessed One of the gentle rain;
Hear my chant ‘midst the standing stones,
Open me to your mystic light;
Waken me to your silver tones,
Be with me in my sacred rite!

Invocation to the God

Blazing God,
You Who are the King of the Gods
Lord of the Sun,
Master of all that is wild and free;
Father of woman and man,
Lover of the Moon Goddess and protector of all the Wicca;
Descend, I pray,
With Your Solar ray of power
Upon my Circle here!”

“This is the time of the feast of torches,
When every lamp blazes and shines
To welcome the rebirth of the God.
I celebrate the Goddess,
I celebrate the God;
All the Earth celebrates
Beneath its mantle of sleep.”

Light the orange candle from the red candle on the altar (or at the southern point of the circle). Slowly walk the circle clockwise, bearing the candle before you.

“All the land is wrapped in Winter.
The air is chilled and
Frost envelops the Earth.
But Lord of the Sun,
Horned One of animals and wild places,
Unseen you have been reborn
Of the gracious Mother Goddess,
Lady of all fertility.
Hail Great God!
Hail and welcome!”

Stop before the altar, holding aloft the candle. Gaze at its flame. Visualize your life blossoming with creativity, with renewed energy and strength.

If you need to look into the future or past, now is an ideal time.

Celebrate the Simple Feast: Hold up a cup of wine or some other liquid between your hands to the sky, and say:

“Gracious Goddess of Abundance,
Bless this wine and infuse it with Your love.
In your names, Mother Goddess and Father God,
I bless this wine.”

Next, hold up a plate of cakes (bread, biscuits) with both hands to the sky and say:

“Powerful God of the Harvest,
Bless these cakes and infuse them with Your love.
In your names, Mother Goddess and Father God,
I bless these cakes.”

The Circle is released.

(“Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner” - Scott Cunningham)

An Imbolc Ritual

Altar Setup

The altar is covered in white satin, gold and silver confetti, and lacy cut-out snowflakes. Above, more snowflakes hang. On the altar are all the standard ritual tools, a special bowl of blessed water to be used later, along with the usual water bowl used for purifying the space. A grouping of candles of many sizes and earth colours stands in the North quarter of the room. There are three other groupings of candles in the room - the direction East, South, and West, on small tables. A tray of candles for the center - the direction of Spirit - stands ready to be placed in the center at the appropriate time. All of the candles are elementally appropriate in colour, yet they vary greatly in size and type. A single white candle stands lit in the bottom of the cauldron or large bowl, which is on the floor in the center of the room. This is the only light in the room. A small vase of white roses is located on the altar also.

Smudge the area in which the circle is to be cast, then smudge yourself. Take special care to waft the smoke over your whole body. Anoint yourself with some oil over your third eye.

Pre-ritual Message

“I begin in darkness (snuff candle in center)… in the seed-place, the place of deciding, of becoming… The place where nothing is as yet established. The gleaning is over, the Dark Time has ended, the Wheel has turned.

As the Sun grows in strength, I turn to face my future. What will the coming year bring? What will I learn? How will I work change in my life? These are the questions I ponder this Imbolc, knowing that it is up to me… to spark the seeds of my own illumination, here… now… tonight!
Here, in this place that is not a place, in a time that knows no time… in this place of choice and change. I know that I can create my own transformation, for this is the place where though begins, where only a glimmer (relight candle) can cast the shadow that defines the difference between light and dark, the place where I can begin to illuminate my own Mysteries…”

Casting and Calling

Take three measures of salt from the Earth dish with your athame, or two fingers and stir it, deosil, into the water vessel, then imbue it with purifying energy, and sprinkle it around the perimeter of the circle. Return the vessel to the altar.
Lay a measure of incense on the charcoal; then imbue it with charging energy and carry it around the perimeter of the circle. Return the censer to the altar.

Cast your Circle.

Call the Quarters

“Greetings, East,
By dawn’s fresh scent
I welcome the winds of change
Bright morning sky, gentle Spring,
Which fans the Sacred Flame,
I seek you and I call you to my
Sacred space tonight
That I may know the truth within
By the power of your light.
So come, oh East!
And bless me now with the power to
Understand
And may blessings return then
To you, my source
On the morning’s gentle wind.
Blessed be.

Greetings, South,
By high noon’s heat
I welcome the fires of change
Bright summer sky, high noon Sun
The earth’s most Sacred Flame.
I seek you and I call you to my
Sacred space tonight
That I may know
The desire of my will
By the passion that burns so bright.
So come, oh South!
And bless me now with the power to
Work my will
And may blessings return then
To you, my source
And the Sun keep climbing, still.
Blessed be.

Greetings, West,
By twilight stars
I welcome the tides of change
Sweet evening skies of romance true,
Which temper the Sacred Flame,
I seek you and I call you to my
Sacred space tonight
That I may honour my truth with love
By the courage you bring the light.
So come, oh West!
And bless me now with the powers to
See and to dare
And may blessings return then
To you, my source
Upon the misty air.
Blessed be.

Greetings, North,
By midnight’s silence
I’m here to learn of change
By cobalt skies and Mysteries deep,
Which hold the Sacred Flame,
I seek you and I call you to my
Sacred space tonight
That I may manifest the truth
By the power of your might.
So come, oh North!
And bless me now with the power to
Manifest change
And may blessings return then
To you, my source
In their sacred names.
Blessed be.”

Invite the Goddess

“Fiery Brighid, goddess of the forge, of healing and of poetry, come! Blessed goddess with the flame-bright hair, who inspires me to greater visions, who is the Lady of Creativity and Eloquence, who fuels the bright flames within, come! I ask you to my circle tonight, that I may see and illuminate my own life, my own Mysteries. Mighty Brighid, come! Please, be here now! Blessed be.”

Invite the God

“Lugh, Bright Lord of the morning skies, of noon and afternoon’s heat, come! Radiant Warrior who saved you people with your bright sword, who is the Celtic God of drive and of action, come! I ask you to my circle tonight that I may learn the truth of the illumination I seek, that I may act on what I’ve learned, with courage and strength. Bright Lugh, come! I ask you to be here now! Blessed be.”

The Message

“Tonight, I stand in the seed-place, between the worlds to be certain, but also between the dark and the light. For the Dark Time has long been ended, and now the first stirrings of life and light are coming forth. Although all may seem dormant still, there is life teeming under the soil. Even as I go now to explore my own Mysteries, just as Persephone learned in the Underworld, so I know I will return to celebrate the truth and light, just as Kore will soon return and warm the earth again.”

Take a moment to cleanse your third eye with the salt water, then get comfortable, ground and center, and take some deep breaths. Go within, and sink your roots deep into the earth… see them going deeper and deeper, down to the very foundations of bedrocks, of spirit, of being. See your roots probing and exploring your own dark spaces, your own Mysteries, your core… And as you see and feel these dark spaces opening, know that now it is time to bring some of the more puzzling of these Mysteries to light… and just note these areas which you would have knowledge of, and remember. Remember, noting all that is still in want of illumination. Know that you are still in that seed place, where new clarity and understanding can dawn. As you come up from the depths of meditation, know that you have the power to bring this illumination to your life: you have the will and the desire… and the skill. Open your eyes when you are ready, and relight the candle before you.

Know that all of the things we would wish to illuminate come from somewhere, some elemental force rules them. Light a plain white candle from the candle in the center and then snuff it and place the tray of spirit candles on top of the cauldron or bowl. Rise and light the other candles in the room while chanting. As you chant, walk your circle deosil, pausing in your steps and your chant as needed to focus on that which you wish to have illuminated. When you are ready, light a candle of prayer for each thing as it comes to you, each in its proper place of Air, Water, Earth, Fire and Spirit.

Chant

“Within, within,
To Mysteries dark and deep
I shine a light for wisdom, bringing
Answers that I seek.”

Continue the chant, letting power build to a peak after all the candles are lit, then fire the energy into the candles, knowing that the answers you seek are all coming to you in their proper time.
When you are ready, stand and say your thanks and goodbyes.

“Farewell, North,
By midnight’s silence
You give me strength to change
By cobalt’s skies and Mysteries deep,
Which hold the Sacred Flame,
I thank you for the gifts you brought
To my sacred space tonight
That I may manifest the truth
By the power of your might.
Blessed be.

Farewell, West,
By twilights stars
You bring the tides of change
Sweet evening skies of romance true,
Which temper the Sacred Flame,
I thank you for the gifts you brought
To my sacred space tonight
That I may honour truth with love
By the courage you brought to light.
Blessed be.

Farewell, South,
By high noon’s heat
You bring the fires of change
Bright summer sky, high noon Sun
The earth’s most Sacred Flame,
I thank you for the gifts you brought
To my sacred space tonight
That I may know the power to will
By the passion the burns so bright.
Blessed be.

Farewell, East,
By dawn’s fresh scent
You bring the winds of change
Bright morning sky, gentle spring,
Which fans the Sacred Flame,
I thank you for the gifts you brought
To my sacred space tonight
That I may know the truths within
By the power of your light.
Blessed be.”




Thank the Goddess

“Fiery Brighid, Goddess of the Forge, of healing and of poetry, I thank you! Blessed goddess with the flame-bright hair, who inspires me and fuels the bright flames within. I thank you for coming to my circle tonight that I may see and illuminate my life, my Mysteries, Mighty Brighid, again I thank you! Please, stay if you will, but go with my blessings if you must! Blessed be!”

Thank the God

“Lugh, Bright Lord of the morning skies, I thank you! Radiant Warrior God of drive and of action, I thank you for coming to my circle tonight and helping me learn of the truths I sought. I ask that you continue to help me, that I may act on what I’ve learned, with courage and with strength. Bright Lugh, again I thank you and bless you as you go on your way - but please stay if you will! Blessed be!”

Open the Circle

“The Circle is open,
But unbroken.
May the peace of the gods live forever in my heart.
Merry meet, merry part,
And merry meet again”.

Pick up the Circle.





(***”Dedicant” - Thuri Calafia***)

The Imbolc Vow

The Wheel turns again and Spring returns.
Warmer's the rain; Sun brighter burns.
The daring sprout its thrusts does make;
And I, devout, so undertake.
From the belly, from the mind,
Imbolc's spell as a vow shall bind.
What once I sought I now shall bring,
And make, from thought, a certain thing.