Imbolc Ritual
( Candlemas, February 2nd )

New Moon Occult Shop is the best place to source herbs, incense, oils and jewelry associated with Imbolc. I recommend contacting them directly and asking for help finding just what you need as often they will source things they don't usually carry in stock.

Tools: In addition to your mjyk-l tolls you will need:

A White Altar Cloth, Light Green Taper Goddess Candle, Light YellowTaper God Candle, 13 White 4" Stick Candles, Brideoga*, Small Woven Basket with White Flowers, Pentacle Candle Wheel, Handful Acorns,
Cauldron, Snow/Crushed Ice, Small White Pillar Candle, Potpourri Holder,
Tea Lite, and, Basil, Bay, Heather Flowers, Cinnamon, and Vanilla Potpourri Blend, Long Wooden Stick Matches.

Preparations: Sweep area, moving in deosil direction. Outline your
circle with white cord Angelica leaves. Place Pentacle Candle Wheel in
the center of altar. Place the lt. green taper Goddess candle to the
top left of altar and the lt. yellow taper God candle to the top right
of altar. Put the white flowers in the basket as bedding for the Brides
Bed, then place the Brideoga atop the flowers. Place the basket in
front of the Goddess candle, to the left of the Pentacle Candle Wheel.

Place the acorns in front of the God candle, to the right of the
Pentacle Wheel. Place the tea lite in the bottom of potpourri holder,
and put holder at front center of the alter. Place white pillar candle
in the middle of the cauldron, fill cauldron about 1"-2" with snow or
crushed ice, and position on floor in front of altar. Put the container
with potpourri where it can be reached easily. Place the rest of your
tools and props according to personal preference. Bathe or shower for
purification. Ground and center. When ready, put on some soothing music
associated with this Sabbat and your ritual.

Cast circle by holding out your right hand and tracing over the cord or
leaves in a clockwise direction. As you trace over the outline envision
flames of pure white rising up along the perimeter. When the beginning
and the end join the circle is complete. Step up to the cauldron and
light the white pillar candle, saying:

"Amidst the darkness the Lady is stirring,
Gently awakening from frozen dreams,
All the world has awaited this moment
The return of the Maiden,
And Her promise of oncoming Spring"

Call Quarters. As this is a time to honor Mother Earth as she wakes from
her winters recovery of giving rebirth to the Sun King at Yule, start
with North, the element Earth. Pick up the container of potpourri, step
up to the altar and pour some into the holder, saying:

"Powers of Earth, the Maiden awakens!
Come join the circle and share in the light."

Put the container back where it was. Light the white candle at the North
point of the Pentacle Candle Wheel. Continue, by waving your hand over
the potpourri as if to create a breeze on which to carry the scent,
saying:

"Powers of Air, the Maiden awakens!
Come join the circle and share in the light."

Light the white candle at the East point of the Pentacle Candle Wheel.
Light the tea candle in the bottom of the potpourri holder, saying:

"Powers of Fire, the Maiden awakens!
Come join the circle and share in the light."

Light the white candle at the South point of the Pentacle Candle Wheel.
Pour some water into the holder with the potpourri, saying:

"Powers of Water, the Maiden awakens!
Come join the circle and share in the light."

Light the white candle at the West point of the Pentacle Candle Wheel.
Remove the white candle from the top point of the Pentacle. Since Akasha
is the omnipresent, it need not be invoked. Light the candle and invoke
the Goddess and the God by lighting the lt. green Goddess candle and the
lt. yellow God candle with the white candle. Place the white candle back
in the top point of the Pentacle Candle Wheel, saying:

"Be with me now, oh Ancients, eternal,
Hear now my prayers, hopes and dreams.
The Goddess has wakened, once more as the Maiden
By loving caresses from the strengthened Sun King."

Light the inner cross points of the Pentacle Candle Wheel, starting with
the cross point to the right of the North point. Light all 5 cross
points in succession, saying:

"The Earth now grows warmer, as the Wheel again turns
And as each passing day adds strength,
To the Sun Kings rays
The Maiden, of his gift of life, now silently does yearn."

Take a couple of the acorns from in front of the God candle and place
them in the Brides Bed with the Brideoga. Light the three aspects of
the Goddess candles. All aspects are white because She is the Triple
Goddess appearing as the Maiden, pure, and renewed. Step back from the
altar and contemplate the light that is brought about by the re-union of
the God and the Goddess.

"Behold the God and Goddess,
Lord of the Forest and his Bride,
Once again the Earth is blessed
With life anew inside.
Seeds shall soon begin to sprout
And creatures shall young bear
For this is the Promise, the Cycle of Life
That is born of the love They share."

Now is the time for meditation and any spellworkings. Spellworkings
associated with Imbolc include those for fertility, defining and
focusing on goals for the future, organization, health, and protection.
Next, celebrate with Cakes and Ale ( Poppyseed Cakes* and Spiced Tea*)
Ceremony, saving some for the wee Folkes, outside. Thank the God and
Goddess for Their presence snuff their candles. Thank and release the
Quarters, saying:

"Though you leave this circle, tonight,
Water, Fire, Air, and Earth
Your symbols shall linger on a while
Blessing my home and hearth.
The herbs that scent this room tonight,
Were chosen with loving care,
To bless me, my family and my friends,
And my sisters and brothers everywhere."

Snuff each of the white candles at the directional points of the
Pentacle Candle Wheel, starting with the candle at the top point first,
then the West point and working in a widdershins direction. Snuff the
inner cross point candles also in a widdershins direction. Finally snuff
the three aspects of the Goddess candles. Step back from the altar and
face the cauldron with the white pillar candle still burning brightly.

"I honor Thee, Maiden, most blessed Bride
As your candle burns through this night
And thank you for the renewed life you offer us all
As you emerge from the dark to the light."

Release the circle. Clean up, place the cauldron from the floor onto the
middle of the alter. Let the candle burn out by itself. Place the
potpourri in a spot where its scent and blessings fill the house. You
are done.

--Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys
To share with all her friends and those of like mind

Copyright remains with the original author of the work.