COTH Imbolc 2012
By Blayze

Props: Flowers, ivy leaves, white ribbon strips, tripod, decorated pillar candle, taper, water jug.

A tall tripod and bowl, decorated with flowers, stands in the centre of the circle. There are flowers within the bowl.

Circle cast / Quarters / Central Inv / Witches Rune

Everyone stands around the circle. They are given a white flower or ivy and a length of white ribbon. The second person lays their flower along the first and ties it in place. Next person lays their flower and so on around the circle. They are given another flower and the weaving of the long flower garland continues unwtil all of the flowers have been used.

All the while the chant builds across a drum beat.

All: 	Earth awaken Flower maid Weave the gift Of hearth and hame

When the garland is finished, all hold it in the circle. HPS breaks away to lead a slow spiral dance around the circle (everyone is holding the garland rather than each other’s hands). Stop when the spiral formation is made (2nd pass), with the HPS at the centre. At her signal, all to lay the garland on the ground, in the spiral pattern. The tripod is at the centre with enough room for someone to stand behind it.

HPS then continues to weave out the spiral to re-form the circle. She then calls to the Goddess.

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!

Goddess enters the circle and walks along the flowered spiral path. She is veiled in white and wears an unlit candle crown. She speaks as she walks

Goddess: 	I am she who graces the wild woods.
I make life renew within the land.
Fertile fields are my domain,
And all who look upon my face are reborn.
My voice is the gentle wind.
I teach the leaves my song and they
Sing of peace and new life.

I am the memory of pure white snow
Graced with shoots of green.
My birth was gentle and yours may be also.

Maiden am I!, virgin am I!
Remember me when passions overwhelm.

Darkness and light are met within me.
I am the threshold unknown,
The mystery of fertility yet untested.
I am the gateway to the beginning,
And I stand guard at the time of endings.

I am spring, I am power, I am renewal!

Goddess stands in the centre of the spiral and circle. 

HP takes up the jug of Water from the altar. He walks the spiral and stand before the tripod.

HP:	Lady, we ask that you bless the waters, that the wells be made pure.

Goddess takes the jug and pours the water into the bowl. She then blesses / empowers the water. 

HP returns the jug to the altar.

HPS takes up the decorated candle. He takes a taper and lights it at the Goddess candle. She takes both taper and candle, down the spiral to the Goddess.

Priest 2:	Lady, we ask that you bless the flame, that we may all feel the spark of life growing within us after the long dark of winter.

Goddess takes the candle and places it within the well. She then takes the taper and lights the candle. She bowls out the taper and hands the taper back to HPS.

Goddess:	Thus I banish Winter, thus I welcome Spring. I say farewell to what is dead and greet each living thing.

All:	Thus we banish Winter, thus we welcome Spring. We say farewell to what is dead and greet each living thing. (Repeat chant until power builds).

As the chanting continues, HPS re-lights the taper and lights the candles upon the Goddess’ crown. As the final candle is lit, the chanting stops.

Inspired utterance from Goddess to HPS. HPS then walks back down the spiral. Each person then makes the journey down the spiral to receive blessing from the Goddess. She may mark them with the waters etc. She gives them a flower from the well.

When all have visited the Goddess, she walks the spiral to the altar. HPS gives her the Pentacle. 

HPS and HP perform cakes and ale. 

Share with Goddess first.

HPS:	Lady we thank you for your presence here and for your blessings upon us. 

Crown and veil are removed with a kiss by HPS and HP.

Farewells / close / feast.