Imbolc 2006
by Foxglove (includes some traditional poetry)

The Ritual participants are lined up outside the ritual space.  As they enter they are presented with a Quaich and are offered a sip of the Imbolc drink with the words Failte Caraid (welcome Friend) and are given an unlit candle.  They then process to the altar and Present themselves to the altar of Brighid.

Everyone continues to walk the circle chanting softly,

Forge, flame, sacred well
We honour thy name (cont’)

The chanting continues until the HPS feels the time has come to end the rite.

Circle is cast by HP

Circle cast

Be the Caim of Brighid around us, 
Keeping us from hurt and harm, 
Keeping us from wound and woe,
Shielding us from despair.
Be, the fiery sword of valiant Brighid
which defends us from all evil
be the shield of blessed Brighid
and guard us from all ills.
Be thou, the cloak of gentle Bride that Encircles and protects us
This day and every day,
This night and every night,
Be the caim of Brighid around us

Consecration of the Elements

By the powers of the mighty ones, I do cleanse, bless and charge this water, symbol of the ocean realm.  That it be made pure and sacred in the name of Brighid. So Mote it be.

By the powers of the mighty ones, I do cleanse, bless and charge this salt, symbol of the Earthly realm.  That it be made pure and sacred in the name of Brighid.  So mote it be.

By the powers of the mighty ones, I do cleanse, bless and charge this Incense, symbol of the Heavenly realm.  That it be made pure and sacred in the name of Brighid.  So mote it be. 

By the powers of the mighty ones, I do bless and charge this flame, symbol of the Divine which is found within.  That it be made sacred in the name of Brighid. So mote it be.

Quarters are called thus:

Quarter Invocations

Facing east say:

Uiscias (wiskius), guardian of Findias and keeper of the sacred sword of Nuada, I do call upon thee to bless and witness this rite. Bring with thee the everlasting powers of Air 

Failte Uiscias.

Facing north say:

Esras, guardian of Gorias and keeper of the sacred spear of Lugh, I do call upon thee to bless and witness this rite.  Bring with thee the ever inspiring powers of fire.

Failte Esras.

Facing west say:

Semias, guardian of Murias and keeper of the sacred cauldron of the Dagdha, I do call upon thee to bless and witness this rite.  Bring with thee the ever renewing powers of water.

Failte Semias.

Facing South say:

Morfessa, guardian of Falias, and keeper of the sacred stone, I do call upon thee to bless and witness this rite.  Bring with thee the ever strengthening powers of earth.

Failte Morfessa.

Central Invocation

Participants to sit upon the ground. Storyteller begins to speak.

Imbolc story

At the end of the story, participants open their eyes. 

HP: In the Otherworld, Brighid has transformed from Crone to Maiden, and it is to the Maiden Brighid that we send our call at Imbolc.

HP faces the edge of the circle (or bower) and invokes:

Brighid Invocation:

Brighid, Goddess of the Sacred flame
The flame is thy gift
Thy gift is the awakening soul
The awakening soul is your mantle
Your mantle is laid upon the land
The land is blessed with warmth and light
Light is ignited by passion
Passion is found in the hearts of all living
All living things are held to thy breast
Thy breast nourishes life

Maiden that inspires
Maiden of the Forge
Maiden of Healing

We invoke you!

Brighid enters the circle through a veil (or bower) and declaims... She carries a flame with her. She walks around the circle once and then moves to the unlit fire in the centre. 

Declaration of Brighid:

I am Brighid: She of the Golden Hair; Queen of the White Hills, and rider of the
White Swan. I bring three gifts of fire. The first is the flame of creation; of the poet and artist; of the lovers' passion for union with the beloved.   

The second is the flame of purification and testing, the flame of truth. With this flame all dross and weakness are made clear and cleansed from thee, so thou become like a true and tested sword. 

The third is the greatest of all, for it is the healing flame born out of the love that gives all, the maker of peace and harmony. But I do not give these gifts one by one; I give them as a whole in the form of the growing Sun.

Brighid lights fire

HPS: 		Fáilte a Bhríd, do bheannachtaí orainn agus an t-ionad seo
Welcome Brighid! May your blessings be upon us and this place 
  
		Brighid has come, Brighid is welcome! (Everyone repeats.)

The HPS takes the Brighid’ Bed to Brighid.  In which Brighid blesses the Dolly. 

Brighid: Flame transforms, it is life and hope. And so I bring life to my image that you may enact your own transformation from winter to spring.

Brighid holds the Dolly over the flame.

Mine is the flame that inspires the soul
Mine is the flame that is found in the head
Mine is the flame that lights the dark
Mine is the flame that shines within
Mine is the flame of transformation
And I am the flame of spring 

She hands the dolly back to the HPS who takes it around the circle to show it. She then places it upon the altar.

May the blessings of Spring be upon thee, may you be nourished, loved and protected. 

She then turns and leaves the circle.

Everyone then lights their candle from the fire. As they do so they chant.

Thus we banish winter
Thus we welcome spring
We say farewell to what is dead 
And greet each living thing.

Once enough energy has been raised participants are guided to scry in the flames 

HPS:
The flame of Brighid burns strongly in our hearts.  Seek answers from within the flame……….. (Guide into a slight trance for scrying) when you have finished, place your candle on the ground before you.

When everyone has finished scrying HP takes up the Phallic Wand from the altar. He walks between the candle flames upon the ground, weaving between them. 

HP: Brighid's flame is that of transformation, she has aided us in the banishment of winter and the welcoming of spring.

And so we bring our own gift, that of fertillity made whole. We give this gift  unto Brighid's bed.  

He places the Wand into the Bed. He then holds up the Bed and takes it to the fire.

We place it before the hearth in a circle of friends and family. That the ashes of  today will hold the fertility of tomorrow.

HP places the Bed before the fire (hearth).

HP: Spring has come... Imbolc is here. Let us celebrate with feasting and honour the fertile world.

Cake And Ale

Farewell

Close Circle

Bardic Circle and Feast