Imbolc Ritual

The Ritual of Imbolc ~ February 1, 2004 ~ Sunday

Light the left Altar Candle.

“White maiden, gentle mother, silent one
Come to us in this circle of forever light
Deliver us from ignorance and darkness”

Light the Right Altar Candle.

“Fearless lord, protector and father of all
Come to us in this circle of forever light
Deliver us from ignorance and darkness.”

The Casting of the Circle

North

Guardian of the North
Scent of sweet earth
Come to us in this circle
To stand and witness
Our ritual of Imbolc

Light Candle in the North

Blessed be, Spirit of the North

East

Guardian of the East,
Whisper of winds
Come to us in this circle
To stand and witness
Our ritual of Imbolc

Light Candle in the East

Blessed be, Spirit of the East

South

Guardian of the South
Desire of fires
Come to us in this circle
To stand and witness
Our ritual of Imbolc

Light Candle in the South

Blessed be, Spirit of the South

West

Guardian of the West
Rivers of memory
Come to us in this circle
To stand and witness
Our ritual of Imbolc

Light candle in the West

Blessed be, Spirit of the West.

Ritual to the Gods

“My lady who has been with me from the beginning
You are my light and life
My lord who will be with me in the end
You are my darkness and shadows
My Lord and Lady, you are our strength and power
Let now the dawn and spring of life come forth.
Let now the fire and spirit of life come forth.
Let now the passion and love of life come forth.
Let now the balance and wisdom of life come forth.

“So mote it be”

Light the fire in the cauldron.

"Banish the winter and bring back the light
Let light and life come to every living thing
Come now, a fruitful spring
The glory of the God and Goddess I now behold.
For all that is given shall return threefold.
In the warmth of this celestial light
I pray, protect me in this night.

So mote it be

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.

So mote it be.

All of the earth has been sleeping,
Wrapped in a cloak of winter
But, unseen, light has come forth
Blessed be, o God of springtime
Let your light warm the earth
And melt away the snows
Let life spring froth from the earthen soils
Welcome, Bright Lord.

So mote it be.

Take a candle for each and walk around the circle three times.

“This circle has been cast! Blessed be to all”

“So mote it be”

Ceremony of the Cakes and Wine

Hold up cakes to the north.

“I bless these cakes in the name of the Lord,
he who is known my many names, such as
Cernunous, Pan, Osiris, Ra and Zues
Bless these cakes in your name.
As I say so mote it be.”

Pass around cakes

Hold up wine to the north.

bless this wine in the name of the Lady,
she who is known by many names, such as
Isis, Rhiannon, Cerridwen, Venus and Yemanja
Bless this wine in your name
As I say so mote it be.”

Pass around Wine

The Closing of the Circle.

North

Spirit of the north!
Thank you for coming to our circle.
Farewell and blessed be.
In a cloak of spring grass

East

Spirit of the east!
Thank you for coming to our circle
Farwell and blessed be
In a cloak of a warm breeze

South

Spirit of the south!
Thank you for coming to our circle
Farewell and blessed be
In a cloak of bright fire

West

Spirit of the West!
Thank you for coming to our circle
Farewell and blessed be
In a cloak of flowing water