Litany of the Five Elements by Selena Fox

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

This call and response chant was designed for use at Candlemas (Imbolc) festivals and for healing rituals. Chant can be either intoned (on a single note or a sequence of notes with harmonic fourths and/or fifths) or spoken.

P signifies Priestess and/or Priest.

All signifies All participants including Priest/ess.

Sound indicates sacred sound making to bring closure to each segment. It can take the form of a single bell run by Priestess/Priest or drum and rattle rhythms made by all.

Chant is suitable as a preparatory blessing chant for those beginning a ritual and as a means of honoring sacred space and circle casting. Chant can be done facing the five directions: North for Earth, East for Air, South for Fire, West for Water, Center for Spirit.

The Litany:

P: Powers of Earth, Come to Us.
All: Powers of Earth, Come to Us.

P: May our Bodies be cleansed of Disease.
All: May our Bodies be cleansed of Disease.

P: Powers of Earth, Purify Us.
All: Powers of Earth, Purify Us.

P: May our Bodies be filled with Wellness.
All: May our Bodies be filled with Wellness.

P: Powers of Earth, Bless Us.
All: Powers of Earth, Bless Us.

(Sound)

P: Powers of Air Come to Us.
All: Powers of Air Come to Us.

P: May our Minds be cleansed of Confusion.
All: May our Minds be cleansed of Confusion.

P: Powers of Air, Purify Us.
All: Powers of Air, Purify Us.

P: May our Minds be filled with Wisdom.
All: May our Minds be filled with Wisdom.

P: Powers of Air, Bless Us.
All: Powers of Air, Bless Us.

(Sound)

P: Powers of Fire, Come to Us.
All: Powers of Fire, Come to Us.

P: May our Actions be cleansed of Malice.
All: May our Actions be cleansed of Malice.

P: Powers of Fire, Purify Us.
All: Powers of Fire, Purify Us.

P: May our Actions be filled with Bliss.
All: May our Actions be filled with Bliss.

P: Powers of Fire, Bless Us.
All: Powers of Fire, Bless Us.

(Sound)

P: Powers of Water, Come to Us.
All: Powers of Water, Come to Us.

P: May our Hearts be cleansed of Resentment.
All: May our Hearts be cleansed of Resentment.

P: Powers of Water, Purify Us.
All: Powers of Water, Purify Us.

P: May our Hearts be filled with Compassion.
All: May our Hearts be filled with Compassion.

P: Powers of Water, Bless Us.
All: Powers of Water, Bless Us.

(Sound)

P: Powers of Spirit, Come to Us.
All: Powers of Spirit, Come to Us.

P: May our Souls be cleansed of Despair.
All: May our Souls be cleansed of Despair.

P: Powers of Spirit, Purify Us.
All: Powers of Spirit, Purify Us.

P: May our Souls be filled with Hope.
All: May our Souls be filled with Hope.

P: Powers of Spirit, Bless Us.
All: Powers of Spirit, Bless Us.

http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/CandlemasLitany.html

 

Lore and Rituals by Selena Fox

Imbolc, also known as Candlemas and Groundhog's Day, occurs at the beginning of February. It marks the middle of Winter and holds the promise of Spring. The Goddess manifests as the Maiden and Brigid. The Groundhog is a manifestation of the God. Colors are White, and sometimes Red. It is a festival of spiritual purification and dedication.

Thoroughly clean your altar and/or temple room. Do a self purification rite with Elemental tools -- cleanse your body with salt (Earth), your thoughts with incense (Air), your will with a candle flame (Fire), your emotions with water (Water), and your spiritual body with a healing crystal (Spirit). Bless candles that you will be using for rituals throughout the year. Invoke Brigid for creative inspiration. Take a Nature walk and look for the first signs of Spring. Reflect upon/reaffirm spiritual vows and commitments you have made.

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Imbolc Lore
(February 2nd)

Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word "oimelc" which means "ewes milk". 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 is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. 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. Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth.

The Maiden is honored, as the Bride, on this Sabbat. Straw Brideo'gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then carry the Brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid's Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of the Sun.

Another traditional symbol of Imbolc is the plough. In some areas, this is the first day of ploughing in preparation of the first planting of crops. A decorated plough is dragged from door to door, with costumed children following asking for food, drinks, or money. Should they be refused, the household is paid back by having its front garden ploughed up. In other areas, the plough is decorated and then Whiskey, the "water of life" is poured over it. Pieces of cheese and bread are left by the plough and in the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants during this time.

Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (Teutonic, Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day (Christian), Candlemas, Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin. All Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time.

Deities of Imbolc:
All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus.

Symbolism of Imbolc:
Purity, Growth and Re-Newal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility, and dispensing of the old and making way for the new.

Symbols of Imbolc:
Brideo'gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid's Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), and Ploughs.

Herbs of Imbolc:
Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Violets, and all white or yellow flowers.

Foods of Imbolc:
Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppyseed Cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, all dairy products, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas.

Incense of Imbolc:
Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Myrrh.

Colors of Imbolc:
White, Pink, Red, Yellow, lt. Green, Brown.

Stones of Imbolc:
Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.

Activities of Imbolc:
Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring, Making of Brideo'gas and Bride's Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, and Bon Fires maybe lit.

---Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys for all her friends and those of like mind
Copyright © 1997-99 Akasha, Herne and The Celtic Connection www.wicca.com. All rights reserved.

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/imbolclore.htm