Imbolc Gathering, January 30, 2010

[MamaK88]

Imbolc, January 30, 2010

1:00pm Arrive for Candle Making. 

1. Candle making instructions
2. BYO wax
3. Candlemagick books

4:00pm Ritual

            Jess = HPS/Lady Brighid

            Kate = HP(S)/Handmaid

            Kara = HP(S)/Second (for Grounding) also Firekeeper

            Kathy = Poet (pen, journal, computer or hard drive, etc.)

            Charles = Craftsperson (tools, etc.)

            Carole/Rob = Healer (stethoscope, herbs, oils, etc.)

            Kathy = East (bubbles...kite)

            Mick = South (lighter...charcoal)

            Rob = West (scarf...bikini)

            Suzette = North (scraper...trowel)

Everyone dressed in a Black garment over a White garment, as the black garment shall be shed as part of the ritual.  Everyone will also have Candles, either made that afternoon or store bought, and their symbolic Props (if needed) at the ready. 

Altar (in the North)

·         Quarter Candles

·         Brighid's Candle

·         Chalice with saltwater (Earth & Water)

·         Incense or sage...bowl or plate (Air and Fire)

·         Wand/Athame (for casting)

·         Brighid's Cross

·         Blessing Oil

·         Candle snuffer (for banishing)

·         Gifts (smaller Brighid's Crosses) for P, C, and H

Cleansing & Charging of Space and Participants

            Kate and Jess

Casting and Calling

            Jess will Cast, Volunteers will call, Firekeeper will light Alter Candles

                       

Quarters

"Crones" garbed in black enter the dark circle. They circle the circle, each stopping at her appointed quarter.

In the East quarter a Crone blows bubbles to the East saying "Spirits of the East we invite you to be with us. Take away these cold blizzards and bring us the sweet breeze of Spring. Be with us now".

From the South quarter the Crone raises high in the air a butane barbecue lighter and says "Spirits of the South we beg and implore you to join us. Kindly warm our freezing hands and feet and rekindle fires of passion within us."

In the West quarter the black-garbed figure waves a scarf toward the West as she chants "Spirits of the West be with us. If you bring Spring showers instead of cold rains we will make a pilgrimage to the beach in your honor."

The Crone of the North raises an ice scraper, saying "Spirits of the North be with us, but gently so. We would rather plant flowers in your honor than scrape ice."

Invoking the Goddess

            Kate will do a makeshift Drawing Down the Moon on Jess with 2^nd HP(S) behind her for Grounding.  Jess will stand, back to the Altar, arms to her side.            

                        Makeshift Drawing Down the Moon

Jess will extend her arms to the sides.  Kate will, with Blessing Oil, draw Goddess Symbol )O( on Jess's forehead,  right foot, left hand, right hand, left foot, and forehead again forming a Pentagram on her saying:

I invoke thee and call upon thee, Mighty Brighid, bringer of inspiration, creativity, and healing.  By life and love do I invoke thee to descend upon the body of this thy servant and priestess.  So mote it be. 

Jess:  So mote it be. 

                                    All:  So mote it be.

Hail, golden Brighid, inspirer of us all,

Mother of healing, mistress of the Arts,

Lady of every Skill-on thee we call

To pour thy Magick into human hearts. 

Bestow thy Blessing on the Poet's pen,

The craftsman's chisel, and the healer's hand;

And guide the work of women and men

To bring thy beauty into this land!   

Inviting the God

            All raise right hands in "Hook'em Horns!" sign (aka Horned God Salute) toward the Altar saying"

                                                Great God, Green Man, return to Earth again! 

                                                Come at our call and show thyself to men. 

                                                Shepherd of Goats, upon the hill's way,

                                                Lead thy lost flock from darkness unto day. 

                                                Forgotten are the ways of sleep and night -

                                                Men seek for them, whose eyes have lost the light. 

                                                Open the door, the door that hath no key,

                                                The door to dreams, whereby men come to thee. 

                                                O answer unto me!  So mote it be! 

Work

            The Poet kneels/sits in the East, Craftsperson in the South, and Healer in the West, all facing inward to the center.  Everyone else sits around the perimeter. 

           

Brighid goes to the Poet, who bows to her

                        Brighid:  Who sits by the Watchtower of Air?

                        Poet:  My name is _____, Lady.  S/he then describes in his/her own words what s/he aims for in his/her art or work and what aspects s/he feels need strengthening ending with:  Give me your blessing, Lady. 

                        Brighid:  Air is the Element of Inspiration, of creative thought and of the power to express it.  Let it be always with you.  May your words inspire others as I inspire you.  But remember always - look to the other Watchtowers also; for whatever your work, all must be in balance.  So mote it be! 

                        Poet:  So mote it be!  S/he then hold up symbolic object and Brighid lays her hand on it blessing it.  She then gives the Poet her Gift.   

           

Brighid goes to the Craftsperson, who bows to her

                        Brighid:  Who sits by the Watchtower of Fire?

                        Craftsperson:  My name is _____, Lady.  S/he, too describes in his/her own words what s/he aims for in his/her art or work and what aspects s/he feels need strengthening ending with:  Give me your blessing, Lady. 

                        Brighid:  Fire is the Element of the smith's forge, of the potter's Kiln, and of the magick of electricity.  Let it be always with you.  May the things of skill and beauty which you fashion help others as I help you.  But remember always - look to the other Watchtowers also; for whatever your work, all must be in balance.  So mote it be! 

                        Craftsperson:  So mote it be!  S/he then hold up symbolic object and Brighid lays her hand on it blessing it.  She then gives the Craftsperson her Gift.   

           

Brighid goes to the Healer, who bows to her

                        Brighid:  Who sits by the Watchtower of Water?

                        Healer:  My name is _____, Lady.  S/he then describes in his/her own words what s/he aims for in his/her art or work and what aspects s/he feels need strengthening ending with:  Give me your blessing, Lady. 

                        Brighid:  Water is the Element compassion, of cleansing, of the healing influence between one human and another.  Let it be always with you.  May you bring the blessing of wholeness to others as I bring it to you.  But remember always - look to the other Watchtowers also; for whatever your work, all must be in balance.  So mote it be! 

                        Healer:  So mote it be!  S/he then hold up symbolic object and Brighid lays her hand on it blessing it.  She then gives the Healer her Gift.   

           

            Brighid goes to the Altar and takes up her Candle.  She then stands with her back to the Altar, holding her Candle before her. 

                        Brighid:  Know and remember, that I am always with you.  You invoke me, but I am already there.  The Magick you seek is within your hearts, and hands, and minds waiting to be unlocked.  Call on me as you work and I shall bring you the Golden Key.  So mote it be!  She holds the Candle high. 

                        All:  So mote it be!

Kate:  The year has waned to darkness and now waxes anew.  The Light grows brighter and brighter each day.  The Crone has passed away. The time of the Maiden is here!  The black-clad participants toss off their black garments to reveal white garments underneath. The Lady Brighid walks deosil around the circle, lighting the waiting candles held by the participants. The circle is soon glowing with the light of many candles. 

All:  Hail to the Maiden Brighid!  Welcome to the Spring!  Blessed Be! 

Banishing and Opening

            Brighid stands with her back to the Altar.  Kate stands before Her and "evokes" the Goddess saying:  Mighty Brighid, bringer of inspiration, creativity, and healing.  By life and love do I evoke thee to ascend from the body of this thy servant and priestess.  Stay if you will, go if you must, (we'll save you some stew), but Hail and Fair Well! 

Jess:  Hail and Fair Well! 

                                    All:  Hail and Fair Well! 

Jess places Brighid's candle back onto the Altar. Jess then takes the candle snuffer, and starting in the North, going widdershins around the Circle, extinguishing the candles stopping at each Quarter. 

The Maiden of the North holds aloft a trowel and says "Farewell spirits of the North, we thank you for being with us. Come back soon and see the flowers."

In the West, the Maiden waves a bikini, saying "Bye-bye for now and thanks for coming. We'll make you the best sand castle ever seen."

The Maiden of the South raises a sack of briquettes and says "Mighty nice of y'all to stay a spell. Y'all come back now, hear."

The Eastern Maiden sails a kite high in the sky and says "We thank you for being here. There's a nice piece of tail on this kite for you."

5:30 FEAST

Kate will make Lamb Stew

Kara a Root Veggie Stew

Everyone else asked to bring bread or a dessert to share. 

from:  Imbolc/Candlemas Ritual

and: The Witches' Goddess: The Feminine Principle of Divinity by Stewart Farrar and Janet Farrar

 

[all4my4boys]

Feb. 1, 2010 at 6:11 PM

Thanks thats sounds beautiful..wish I knew of a close by coven!! Blessed Be!

[Momma_Halo]

Feb. 2, 2010 at 3:27 PM

Sounded like a wonderful time :). I am slowly getting back into this with friends. I tried the whole different religion route and I just wasn't happy with it.