Imbolc 2010
by Blayze

By the altar is a jug of water, two baskets of flower petals, a basket of tee-lights and a taper.

A long black glass is covered with a black cloth.

It is carried in procession to the circle whilst Penelope's Song is sung. Enter the circle through the archway and process around the circle.

Glass is laid South-East to North-East within the Circle.

Cast circle.

HPS removes the cloth and reveals the river of glass.

HPS: Behold the river of darkness, that lies in the cave of memory. Our hearts beat to Winter's pulse, not yet awoken to the dancing rhythm of Spring.

Everyone to take up drums and chimes and create a trance rhythm. Everyone dances around the circle. 

HPS:  The cold and still dark waters embrace us at this time, yet those same waters can become our mirror, a mirror to past and future both.

Come stare into the black mirror, see your winter selves, listen to the beat of your heart.

Drummers create a slow heartbeat as each person goes to the mirror.

After everyone has looked into the mirror, HPS takes a jug of water from the altar and ritually pours it over mirror.

Drumming stops.

HPS: The ice is melting and the spring tide flows once more. The cleansing waters herald the turning of the season.

She takes up an aspergum of budding twigs and dips them into the last of the waters in the jug. She goes around the circle asperging everyone.

She brings baskets of flowers and flower petals to either end of the glass.

HPS: From the bower of the green earth we call thee
Maiden of the spring stars,
Virgin moon and reflected sun,
The power of growth is within thee.

Virgin queen we call forth thy dance
Upon the green hills and fields,
Flowers bloom beneath thy feet
And thy crown is woven of blossoms, wild and free.

Thou art the cauldron of rebirth whose waters
Quench the thirst that lies between winter and summer,
Shimmering between night and day.

Maiden we call to thee,
Let the saps rise and the buds unfurl.
Maiden of spring we invoke thee!

HPS casts some flower petals from both baskets across the glass. She then invites each person to do the same, as they do they can say inspired utterance to spring's budding within them.

Drummers to start again in a more frenzied rhythm. When each person has cast their flowers they take a drum from someone else so that the rhythm does not fail.

Inspired chants may be called out and continue after everyone has cast their flowers.

HPS calls out.

HPS: The Earth is green once more! Blessed Be!

Drumming stops. 

HPS goes to the altar and takes up a basket of tee-lights. She passes them around.

She then takes a candle and lights it from the altar candle. She passes the flame around and everyone lights their candle from the person beside them.

The chant "Thus we banish Winter, Thus we welcome Spring, we say farewell to what is dead and greet each living thing"  begins.

HPS places her tee-light amongst the flowers on the mirror and gesture to everyone to do the same after their candle is lit.

Keep the chant going. When all candles are lit and placed HPS jumps over the Spring River. Each person does the same.

Chant to reach its peak and energy is released across the land.

Sing Imbolc song (Come Dance With Me).

Close.