I wrote this ritual for this last year's Imbolc celebration, and I'd like to share it with you! I purposely left out the words for the summoning and releasing the Goddess so that you can use your own words. Everyone does things differently I know, so have fun!
Cast the Circle
Priestess:
Here is the boundary of my circleAll:
So mote it be!
Quarter Calls:
North:
The Earth gives up her treasures,East:
The Air is the element of Spring,South:
The Fire is the power of warmth,West:
The Water douses the land,Summoning of the Goddess
The Priestess now summons the Maiden and the Crone, and the three of them stand in front of the altar (Maiden to the Priestess' left, the Crone to her right). The Maiden kisses the Priestess (mother) on both cheeks and hands her a white candle. The Crone lights the Mother's taper. The Maiden crosses behind Mother and drapes the shawl over the Crone's head and shoulders. The Maiden returns and picks up the bouquet of flowers. the Priestess says:
Behold the three-fold Goddess:
Maiden, Mother, and Crone;
She is one-yet She is three
Together and Alone
Summer comes not-without Spring
Without Summer, comes no Winter chill;
Without the Winter, Spring isn't born
The Tree, life's cycles, fulfill!
After the recitation is finished the Priestess says:
Now let us celebrate Imbolc!
Crone now talks to the circle and says to everyone: "Now is the time to do some spiritual housecleaning! All that you have that is old, useless and unnecessary to you should be thrown on the ground in front of you!"
The Maiden picks up the besom and makes her way SLOWLY deosil around the inside edges of the circle, ritually sweeping it clear of all that which is old, useless and unnecessary. Mother and Crone walk behind her in stately procession. While sweeping, the Maid says:
With this besom filled with powerThe Maiden replaces the besom and the women resume their places in the circle.
Priestess:
As our ancestors once did, so we do today, and so our children will do in the future. We are here to pay homage to Brigid, the Lady of fire, and the sidhe and to the rising light of the year. Now is the time of stirring when the earth begins to soften and the waters to flow. While frost still bites and winds blow, and the light is growing stronger, and life begins to wake. This is the feast of Brigid, the Goddess of Fire and Water. She is the year's midwife who births the sun.
Priest:
Also we make offering to Dagda, the Lord of perfect knowledge. Through the union of fire and water, the ancients, our forebearers, worked magic to call in the spring. So let us join together as one folk to make our offerings in joy and reverence.
Drummers! Dancing! Sing with joy to call back the Spring!
Do a "seedling" meditation. Have everyone either sit or lay down (whichever is more comfortable). Imagine yourself as a small oak seedling, just below the surface of the earth. the earth is becoming warm, the rains bring moisture. You begin to sprout, just a small root at first, tentatively reaching down into the earth reaching for the nourishing goodness of the soil. Reach lower into the soil, making your root longer, branching out. Now you are ready to reach for the surface.....stretch for the sun! Sprout small leaves and drink in the warm air and soak up the sunshine, growing, growing all the time. More branches and more leaves reach for the sky, more roots reach down into the earth. You are strong and mighty now! Feel the energy running through your trunk. This is the miracle of Springtime birth!
You must come back now, reverse the process.....pull the leaves and branches and roots back into your center slowly, slowly. Ground and center once you are a seedling again.
OR
Take a beach ball or balloon, bat it about the circle volleyball-style, and everyone must tell of their favorite summertime things to do!
Closing Quarter Calls:
West:
Spirits of the East, Element of WaterSouth:
Spirits of the South, Element of Fire
Thank you for watching over us
Go if you must, stay if you will
But always remember you are welcome here
So mote it be!
East:
Spirits of the East, Element of Air
Thank you for watching over us
Go if you must, stay if you will
But always remember you are welcome here
So mote it be!
North:
Spirits of the North, Element of Earth
Thank you for watching over us
Go if you must, stay if you will
But always remember you are welcome here
So mote it be!
Release of the Goddess
Open the Circle
HPS:
The Circle is open, but unbroken. So mote it be!