Imbolc 2001
by Belle

As each person enters the circle/sacred space they are anointed with the words:

	With the blessings and hope of the coming of Spring
Be Cleansed, Be Healed Be Changed

Circle Cast

Speaker:	We come together today in celebration of the coming of spring.The nights and land have been cold but the child of Yule grows, bringing warmth and the promise of potential. Imbolc is also a time of honoring the Godess as Maiden, the young woman awakening to her power and ability to grow. 

The Maiden is the  Young Virgin, but not caged in time or experience. The youthful joy of experimentation, the beginnings due before fruition, the dance of life before the Spring.

She is Aphrodite, the force of sexual chemistry and youthful love. She is the unconsumated, the experimental, the young, but not the meek. 

She is Artemis Strong and pure, beautiful and powerful.

She is Brighit, of light of poetry of creative pursuits and endevours.

She is  the crescent moon before the full, the dry lakes beginning to fill with water, the bud, the birds leaving the nests. 

It is She, the maiden, whom we honor and invite tonight to our celebration of Imbolc. Be we male or female, old or young. The Maiden is not bound in meaning to only the virginal, the heterosexual or the potentially fertile, as we all have the ability for renewal and growth. To begin again to know the undiscovered or within our new ideas and experiences.

One by one, please come forth to receive the blessings  and gifts of the Season.

A woman as the Goddess of Spring recieves each person in the Eastern part of Circle.

A Cord is wrapped around each person individually, and the Goddess of Spring whispers in their ear  

	Be no longer bound by the troubles of Winter. 

Unravel them in a quick motion 

	Be Reborn in the discovery of Spring.

Hopefully there will be some kind of acknowledgement by circle attendee after this, but it should be spontaneous

The individual then gives each person a candle, (the gift of light and inspiration) a flower (as a reminder of the importance of youth and fun) to be placed behind their ear after the candle has been lit. A brief explanation of their meaning can be spontaneously provided by Goddess of Spring.

The individual is given these gifts and guided to the center of the circle where there is a mirror. They are directed to place the flower on the mirrors surface and to scry/contemplate their inner Divinity growing and being transformed. After they have ‘returned’, the candle is lit and placed at the edge of the mirror (to be collected afterwards). After everyone has experienced this, there is a brief moment of silence and contemplation.

Speaker:	Let each of us find joy in the power of the returning sun. As each new day dawns and the light becomes stronger and brighter remember your inner light can burn as brightly as the candles before you. Feel the changes within the youthful Earth as winter recedes, and begins to sprout and bud. Relive the joy of awakening and healing.

Dearest Maiden of all that is new we warmly thankyou for attending our rite of Imbolc. AS we close the circle may we be guided with your wisdom, new beginnings and inspiration. Blessed be!

Close circle.