IMBOLC
Hundreds of years ago, when our ancestors relied upon the sun as their only source of light, the end of winter was met with much celebration. Although it is still cold in February, often the sun shines brightly above us, and the skies are often crisp and clear. As a festival of light, Imbolc came to be called Candlemas. On this evening, when the sun has set once more, call it back by lighting the seven candles of this ritual.
Cast Circle
Call Quarters
North- Spirits of the North, powers of earth, beneath the lingering snow life stirs in your bosom awaiting the warmth of spring. We call on your power of quickening.
All-Be with us this night to celebrate the light.
East- Spirits of east, powers of air, blow away the dark clouds of winter. Whisper gently to herald the light. We call on your power of awakening.
All-Be with us this night to celebrate the light.
South- Spirits of south, powers of fire rid the world of winter’s icy grip. We call on your power to hasten the spring.
All-Be with us this night to celebrate the light.
Spirits of west, powers of water, bring soothing rains to melt the snow. We call on your power to revitalize life.
All- Be with us this night to celebrate the light.
Goddess- Oh gracious lady, goddess of the healing waters and crossroads, dispel the gloom of winter with your shinning love.
All- Be with us this night to celebrate the light.
Seven candle center piece
Light the first candle. As you do so, say:
Although it is now dark, I come seeking light.
In the chill of winter, I come seeking life.
Light the second candle, saying:
I call upon fire that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.
Light the third candle. Say:
This light is a boundary, between positive and negative.
That which is outside, shall stay without.
That which is inside, shall stay within.
Light the fourth candle. Say:
I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.
Light the fifth candle, saying:
Like fire, light and love will always grow.
Like fire, wisdom and inspiration will always grow.
Light the sixth candle, and say:
I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.
Light the last candle
Fire of the hearth, blaze of the sun,
cover me in your shining light.
I am awash in your glow, and tonight I am
made pure.
Take a few moments and meditate on the light of your candles. Think about this Sabbath, a time of healing and purification. Do you have something damaged that needs to be healed? Are you feeling stagnant? Is there some part of your life that feels toxic or tainted? Visualize the light as a warm, enveloping energy that wraps itself around you, healing your ailments, igniting the spark of creativity, and purifying that which is damaged.
“This is the spell that we intone,
Flesh to flesh and bone to bone.
Heart to heart and vein to vein,
And each one shall be whole again."
Chant 9 times then we will release the energy to strengthen our intentions.
Open for comments before closing circle
Great Lady, your welcoming light is increasing all around us. Thank you for joining us tonight.
Hail and Farewell. Extinguish the candle in the center.
Spirit of the North, the earth begins to show new life. Thank you for joining us tonight. Hail and Farewell. Extinguish the candle in the North.
Spirit of the West, the rivers are filling and the waters are warming. Thank you for joining us tonight. Hail and Farewell. Extinguish the candle in the West.
Spirit of the South, the days continue to grow longer and are beginning to warm. Thank you for joining us tonight. Hail and Farewell. Extinguish the candle in the South.
Spirit of the East, there is a hint of March winds swirling around. Thank you for joining us tonight. Hail and Farewell. Extinguish the candle in the East.
The Circle is open but remains unbroken.
Meditation:
Visualize yourself walking along a path. You are traveling through a forest, and as you walk, you notice that the trees are covered with the vibrant hues of autumn. There are reds, oranges, and yellows everywhere. A few leaves have fallen on the ground beside you, and the air is cool and crisp. Stand for a moment, and take in the scent of fall.
As you continue down the path, you see the sky getting darker. The air has become brisker, and the leaves are gently falling around you. Soon, the trees are bare, and there is a crunching sound beneath you. When you look down, the leaves are no longer bright with autumn's colours. Instead, they are brown and brittle, and there is a light touch of frost on them. Winter has arrived. Breathe deeply, so that you can smell and taste the difference in the air.
The darkness is full now, but above you there is a full moon lighting your way. A snowflake falls in front if you, drifting down ever so slowly. Soon another drifts down, and another. As you walk further, the snow begins to fall heavily. The crunch of your feet on the leaves is muffled, and soon you can't hear anything at all. A blanket of pure white snow covers the forest floor, and everything is quiet, and still. There is a sense of magic in the air -- a feeling of being in some other, special place. The real world has vanished with the sun, and all that remains now is you, and the darkness of winter. The snow glistens in the moonlight, and the night is cold. You can see your breath before you in the moonlit air.
As you continue through the forest, you begin to see a faint glimmer of light ahead. Unlike the silvery light of the moon, this is red and bright. You are beginning to get colder now, and the idea of warmth and light is promising. You walk on, and the red light draws closer. There is something special about it, something of relief, change and warmth.
You walk through the snow, up a steep path, and the snow is now up to your knees. It is becoming more difficult to travel, and you're cold. All you want, more than anything, is a warm fire, and some hot food, and the companionship of your loved ones. But it seems that there is nothing but you and the snow and the night. It seems as though the light has grown closer, and yet is still unreachable. Eventually, you give up -- there's no reaching it, and you just keep walking through the snow.
As you come over the hillside, though, something happens. The forest is no longer surrounding you -- in fact, there are only a few trees left on this side of the hill. Off in the distance, to the east, the sun is rising.
You continue on the path, and the snow fades away. No longer are you walking through great drifts -- instead, you are on a muddy path, crossing an open field.
In the meadow are tiny buds. Grass is peeking up from the dead, brown earth. Here and there, a cluster of bright flowers appears beside a stone, or beside the path. As you walk, the sun rises higher and higher, bright and orange in its glory. Its warmth embraces you, and soon your night of cold and darkness is forgotten.
Spring has come, and new life abounds. Flowers and vines are beginning to grow, and the earth is no longer dead and brown, but vibrant and fertile. As you walk in the sun's warmth, you realize that winter has truly left you, and that you are renewed and reborn once more.
Stand and bask in the light for a few minutes. Meditate on what sort of abundance you are looking forward to this season. Think about what you will plant in your own garden, and what new life you will bring forth.
Replies
Beautiful and precieuse. Thank you, Don! How are you?