IMBOLC RITUAL 2006

Imbolc or Imbolg is the in between time, midpoint between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara). Imbolc is a celebration of the return of light, the lengthening of the days. Imbolc is a celebration of new life, the quickening, the new growth of the first signs of spring. The name in Gaelic means “in the belly” (i mbolg) referring to the pregnancy of the ewes. Another name, Oimelc, which means ewe’s milk; heralds the life giving forces of spring. The birth of the lambs usually occurs during the two weeks prior to or after Imbolc.

The Celtic goddess Brigid presides over Imbolc. She is the triple goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft which is closely associated with fire and light. She is the light-bringer and the midwife, the transformer who helps to birth the growing light of spring. Brigid also lights the path that we need to follow for self-transformation and personal growth.

As the Earth begins to awaken from the sleep of winter, it is time for regeneration and creativity to spark within each of us. It is the time to shed the cloaks of darkness, those things that no longer serve us, to clear our obstacles so that our hopes and plans may come into fruition. The purpose of the ritual is three-fold:

1) To celebrate the lengthening days

2) To set personal goals for growth through the fertile months

3) To honor Brigid and ask for her guidance

Each participant holds his/her unlit candle

Casting the Circle

Priestess This is Imbolc, Midwinter. The days wax longer as winter loosens its grip on the world. This is the time for hope and renewal. We have come through the dark into the quickening light.

The Priest lights the Priestess’s candle. She turns to the person on her left and touches the flame of her candle to his/hers, saying

Share the light.

The priestess repeats this phrase as she passes the flame around the circle. When the candles are all lit the Priestess says:

The circle is cast. Gloom of winter be gone.

Participants place their candles on the floor behind them.

Calling the quarters

Each person goes to the edge of the circle in his/hers respective direction before speaking. The altar candle can be lit before or after speaking. The Priest or Priestess face the altar when evoking the Goddess or God.

North Spirits of 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. Be with us this day 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. Be with us this day 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. Be with us this day to celebrate the light.

West Spirits of west, powers of water, bring soothing rains to melt the snow and wash away the staleness of winter. Be with us this day to celebrate the light.

Priest Infant King, son of Great Mother, you bring the growing light and the hope of spring. Part the darkness with your renewed spirit. Be with us this day to celebrate the light.

Priestess Great Lady Brigid, goddess of healing waters and crossroads, dispel the gloom of winter, with your shining love. Be with us this day to celebrate the light. Hear our prayer.

Dear Goddess Brigid of the Kine
Bless these little fields of mine,
The pastures and the shady trees,
Bless the butter and the cheese,
Bless the cows with coats of silk
And the brimming pails of milk,
Bless the hedgerows, and I pray
Bless the seed beneath the clay,
Bless the hay and bless the grass,
Bless the seasons as they pass,
And heaven's blessings will prevail,
Brigid of the light, we hail

Bright blessings of Brigid at Midwinter. In this season of the lambs we celebrate nurturing and warmth with milk and cake.

The Priest raises the chalice of milk and plate of cakes, then hands the chalice to the Priestess and says:

Priest Sweet oats represent the sweetness of a mother’s love.

Priestess Milk represents the nurturing Goddess.

In unison May the Goddess give her blessing to this food.

After setting a little of both milk and cake aside for the Goddess, the Priest goes to the north side of the circle. Placing a piece of oak cake in each participant’s mouth/hand, he says:

Priest May Brigid’s love sweeten your life..

The Priestess passes out to participant a cup of milk. She says:

Preistess May Brigid’s love nurture your path.

When they have completed a circuit of the circle, the Priest and Priestess minister the rite to each other.

(Priestess hands out ribbons to be blessed to use for healing)

Priest Close your eyes and visualize a bright healing light infusing your ribbon

during the prayer. Open your eyes when you feel your ribbon is fully

charged.

Priestess Lady Brigid, hear our plea.

Vessels of healing let us be.

Bless this ribbon with your fire.

Empower it to banish dark ire,

To cast away all ill health,

Restore our strength and stealth,

To extinguish our trouble and strife,

And bring us good health and long life.

Priestess We stand at the crossroads of the year where Brigid will meet us. If we ask, she will guide us.

The Priesess takes a basket of straw/twigs and gives an even-numbered amount to each participant along with a length of white yarn.

Priest To make Brigid’s cross, take half of the straws in each hand. Lay one set perpendicular to the other, creating an equal-armed cross. Wrap the yarn over and under at the center to secure them. While you work, let your mind roam freely and think of yourself approaching a crossroads. When you arrive, Brigid is standing in the middle. She points to one of the roads.

When you finish making your cross, close your eyes and hold it between your hands. Mediate on the path Brigid pointed out to you. Let this path inspire you; let it bring you to a place of beauty. Let these thoughts and images flow into the cross you hold.

Priestess Now that we have asked the Goddess to set us on our paths, it is time to bring the energy down and begin to move back to our everyday level of awareness.

Close your eyes and become aware of the energy slowly unwinding through you. Feel it move down through your body. Become aware of your feet on the floor and the energy running through the floor to Mother Earth.

When you feel centered and grounded, you can stop sending energy. When you are ready, open your eyes.

Bright blessings of Brigid at Midwinter. In this season of the lambs we celebrate nurturing and warmth with milk and cake.

Priest Write a list of the things that you wish to release from you life with cleansing by Brigid’s fire. The fire for you to banish that which no longer serves you will be burning behind the building. Please feel free to place your card in the fire after the ritual is over and the circle is opened.

Closing

Priestess Great Lady, Brigid, we thank you for your guidance and for joining us in our circle. Stay if you will; go if you must . We bid you farewell.

Priest Young Son of Light, may you grow strong and bright as the year

progresses. Stay if you will, go if you must.

West Spirits of West, powers of water, we thank you for the warming rains

and for your presence in our circle.. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

South Spirits of South, powers of fire, we than you for piercing the darkness and

for your presence in our circle. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid

you.farewell.

East Spirits of East, powers of air, we thank you for a breath of spring and

for your presence in our circle. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid

you farewell.

North Spirits of North, powers of earth, we thank you for safekeeping life in

your welcoming body and for your presence in our circle. Stay if you will,

go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Priestess Our circle is open but unbroken. Its spark will remain in our hearts.

In unision Blessed Be.

Each participant extinguishes the candle they lit during the evocation as the circle is opened.

Participants can then take their cards to the fire to burn and meditate on letting go of the things that they no longer want in their lives.

Credit for much of this ritual must be given to Sandra Kynes, A Year of Ritual.777