Imbolc ritual with the 4 elements by wiccan willow

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Imbolc ritual with the 4 elements

 

 

Guardians of the East
Wind of enlightenment, and inspiration
Lend your powers to our circle this night,
That our minds may open to new ideas

Guardians of the South
Fire of passion and transformation
Lend your powers to our circle this night
That our love may sustain the land

Guardians of the West
Water of life and purification
Lend your powers to our circle this night
That our hearts may be strong and whole

Guardians of the North
Earth from the beginning of time
Lend your powers to our circle this night
That we may take our place in the endless chain of life

Goddess of rebirth
You again bring forth the God and the promise of spring
Be with us this night
As we celebrate the young God
and the growing light

God of love, and protection
You again lead the ever-changing dance of life
Be with us this night
As we celebrate the rising of the Mother
And the fertility of the Earth

We stand between worlds
Where Earth and Sky
Night and day
Life and death are one
The circle is cast
The ritual begun
The Goddess and God stand together once more
May we feel their presence in our hearts and minds
As easily as we see them in the wider world
Caiti lights taper from God candle on the altar, and proceeds around the circle deosil, lighting each member's candle and directing the following blessing to each in turn.
You are Goddess
You are God
You are the blanket of winter
and the first breath of spring
Be with us, within us
Bless, and be blessed
When finished, returns to her or his place in the circle, now a circle of light.
The light grows strong once more in the land
Under the snow, the pulse of life quickens
Feel the Earth beneath you, the heartbeat of the waking Mother
May we share in the great cycle of rebirth
And blossom with new life and creativity

So mote it be!
Here, all gathered should be free to join in an open discussion. (Communication is always good, and besides, this will give the ritual a timely quality, and keep it from being the same each time it is performed.) Share your plans for the spring. Discuss projects with the group, if desired. The idea is that there is new life rising within you, too. Have fun deciding what you're going to do with it. Be leisurely here, celebrate the company of those close to you. When you're done, the next bit can be used to close. The form is a simple call and response. Assign lines according to your own preference.

Night gives way before the growing God
We feel the power alive in the world
The Goddess walks the Earth again
And sings us awake with wind and rain
The promise of life is newly made
Our winter's debt to darkness paid
Blessed be!

Opening the Circle

Goddess of the brightening day
We thank you for your presence in our circle,
And ask you to be near us,
While we are apart;
Let your warmth revive us
Your love support us
And your passion inspire us all

God of the growing and wild things
We thank you for your presence in our circle,
And ask you to be near us,
While we are apart;
Let your warmth revive us
Your love support us
And your passion inspire us all

Guardians of the East, South, West, and North
Thank you for your presence and strength
Both here, tonight, and in our daily lives
May we live in peace, with you and each other, always

Blessed be!

The circle is open,
but yet unbroken
May the love of the Goddess
be ever in your heart
Merry meet, and merry part
and merry meet again.
Blessed be!

 

by wiccan willow

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Imbolc (pronounced 'im'olk' also known as Oimelc) comes from an Irish word that was originally thought to mean 'in the belly' although many people translate it as 'ewe's milk' (oi-melc).

Imbolc was one of the cornerstones of the Celtic calendar. For them the success of the new farming season was of great importance. As winter stores of food were getting low Imbolc rituals were performed to harness divine energy that would ensure a steady supply of food until the harvest six months later.

Like many Celtic festivals, the Imbolc celebrations centred around the lighting of fires. Fire was perhaps more important for this festival than others as it was also the holy day of Brigid (also known as Bride, Brigit, Brid), the Goddess of fire, healing and fertility. The lighting of fires celebrated the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months. For the Christian calendar, this holiday was reformed and renamed 'Candlemas' when candles are lit to remember the purification of the Virgin Mary.

Imbolc is still a special time for Pagans. As people who are deeply aware of what is going on in the natural world they recognise that there is strength in cold as well as heat, death as well as life. The Horned God reigns over the Autumn and Winter and although the light and warmth of the world may be weak, he is still in his power.

Many feel that human actions are best when they reflect the actions of nature, so as the world slowly springs back into action it is time for the small tasks that are neglected through the busy year. Rituals and activities might include the making of candles, planting spring flowers, reading poetry and telling stories.

from SunKat

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Imbolq Lore
(Jan.31st.--February 2nd.)

Names for this Festival are: Imbolgq Brigantia (Caledonni),
Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (Teutonic, Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega),
St.Bridget’s Day, Candlemas, (Christian), Candlelaria (Mexican),
The Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin.



Imbolq, Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"),“in the bag”, a reference to the Womb, and “Oimelc” which means "ewes milk", is the festival of the lactating sheep.



Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or
their wombs are swollen and the milk of Life is flowing into their teats
and udders.



It marks the center point of the Dark Half of the year. It is the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is Her season to prepare for growth and renewal. "Cross quarter" solar alignments occur when the celestial latitude of the Sun is at exactly 23.44 sin 45, or about 16.57 degrees north or south of the Equator. Astronomical Imbolc would thus occur when the Sun is 16.6 degrees in the opposite hemisphere and moving toward the Equator.