Imbolc 2007
By Bird

Items needed for ritual
Blindfolds
Stag clothing and stag helmet
Maiden dress: green dress, white tabbard, crown of candles
Mother dress: red dress, white tabbard, crown of wheat
Crone dress: black dress, white tabbard, crown of bones
Priapic wand
Sheaves of wheat
Central fire
Fire wand to light central fire
Material to make Bride’s crosses
Basket of flowers for maiden

Parts
HPS 
HP 

Stag

Maiden
Mother
Crone

Ritual
The HPS and HP are already in the circle.

Everyone lines up at the entrance to the circle.

The Stag blindfolds each person, saying:
These are the bonds of winter, travel with me to release their mystery

The Stag joins the hands of each person and leads everyone on a convoluted, slow path into the circle. Penelope's Song is sung during the procession.

A circle is formed and the Stag stands to the right of the altar.

Stag: Find the dream of Spring within your heart

Circle cast – HPS and HP 

The circle cast will be the Imbolc Lullaby. This is sung by the HPS as both HP and HPS take around the water/salt and the censer (fire/air).

They should arrive back at the altar by the last verse where the HP takes up the sword and casts the circle.

Quarter Calls – HPS and HP

HP performs the Invokation. Each stanza is spoken facing the relevant direction. The last stanza is spoken in the centre.

Invokation of the Goddess
O Daughter of the moon
Young maiden in the meadow
Illuminated are you by the new light of the East

O Mother of Women
Queen of the earth and all life
The Midday Sun crowns you in the North

O Granmother Crone
Receiver of sacrifice
The dying light embraces you in the West

O Daughter, mother, grandmother
The warming earth calls you home to the South

From the four points we call you
Above and below
At the turning of the Season's tides
We inkvoke thee

HPS performs the Invokation. Each stanza is spoken facing the relevant direction. The last stanza is spoken in the centre.

Invokation of the God
O Son of the sun
Young stag in the woods
The rising dawn light salutes you in the East

O Father of men
King stag in the forest
The midday heat crowns your glory in the North

O Grandfather sage
Giver of sacrifice
The dying rays honour you in the West

O Son, father, grandfather
The warming earth calls you home to the South

From the four points we call you
Above and below
At the turning of the Season's tides
We inkvoke thee

HP and HPS: Hail and Welcome

HP
For now, you are in the dark and the light remains hidden. 

The Stag:
When the sun returned at Yule, I was born upon the cold snows of winter.
I am the Young Stag come again into the world.
But I am also alone now, fatherless, companionless.

My heart it longs to stretch out, to extend my senses across the land. I yearn to explore the mysteries I fear that lurk in these dark corners. I long to unfurl these new leaves on my skin and to taste of the season.

But I am young yet, and unsure of finding my way in the dark.
And so I will wait, for the one who would lead me to sovereignty. 
HPS
At Imbolc we celebrate the mystery that the maiden brings. We call forth the light to our lives at this time. Loosen now the binds that tie, loosen the bonds of winter. Allow the light back into your eyes.

Remove blindfolds
All: Thus we banish winter...
HP
We ask that the Mother amongst us come forth to prepare the maiden to walk in the world of form
Mother goes to the HP and kisses him. The HP crowns the mother with the garland of wheat.
HP
We ask that the Crone amongst us come forth to prepare the maiden for initiation into thy ways
Crone goes to the HP and kisses him. The HP crowns the crone with a garland of bones.

HP
We ask that the maiden amongst us come forth to become the Goddess of the Green
Maiden goes to the Mother and Crone
The mother and crone dress the maiden and share with her a mystery by way of a gift.
Mother
I give you the wand that sings of fertility

She hands the maiden the wand
Crone
I give you the grain that sings of rebirth

She hands the maiden the sheaves of wheat
The Mother and Crone each take a lit taper from the altar and then present the maiden to the HP and HPS.
The candles on the Imbolc crown are lit by the Mother and the Crone during the invokation.
HPS
Lady of the wild hunt, we invoke thee -
We call to thee maiden in the ashes, 
Mother in the fertile soil,
Crone in the snow.
We call to thee Lady of our birth -
Lady of our passing.
Carrier of the stars,
The oldest one –
Born in the hidden snows,
Lady in the green, we invoke thee
HPS and HP welcome the maiden with a kiss
The Mother and Crone take the Maiden's gifts to the altar. They then light her wand with their tapers and then stand on either side of her (back to back).
Maiden lights the central fire.
Maiden
Mine is the crown of inspirtion
I wear the flames of light

Mother & Crone: Life and Growth and Love are we

Maiden
Mine is the fire of hearth and home
I bear the flames of warmth

Mother & Crone: Life and Growth and Love are we

Maiden
Mine is the crown of creation
I bear the green and the white

Mother & Crone: Life and Growth and Love are we

Maiden
Mine is the fire of kith and kin
I bear the children to life

Mother & Crone: Life and Growth and Love are we

Maiden
Mine is the crown of blessings
From which pours a great love

Mother & Crone: Life and Growth and Love are we

Maiden
Mine is the fire of learning
As you all walk the wheel of life

Mother & Crone: Life and Growth and Love are we

Maiden, Mother and Crone: Three in one and one in three.

The maiden moves to each person and they tie their blind fold to her waist cord and she blesses them by giving them a Bride Cross made earlier. Mother and Crone take their tapers back to the altar and stand on either side of it.
Maiden
I have trodden the path of your circle as it reflects the wheel of your life. Look for me now in the forests, in the gardens and in the fields. For the green it is breaking, the ground it is warming, and all things are coming to life.

The maiden then picks up the basket of flowers from the altar and leaves the circle dropping flowers as she goes. The Stag follows her out.
HPS
We have travelled from the dark, into the light, we have called forth the maiden and the Goddess Green. We thank the maiden for blessing us and our circle.

Cakes and ale and imbolc song
Farewell to quarters
Close circle