Imbolc Ritual

Cast circle as usual. On the altar is a large, unlit candle surrounded by a few small candles (also unlit), plus bread and wine (or substitutes) for communion.

Tonight we celebrate Imbolc, the dawning of the new Spring.

The depths of winter are now past and the first stirrings of Springtime are all around us as the days lengthen and the Light returns. The Goddess makes herself young again, the Maiden preparing for a union of love with the young God to bring forth the fertility of the Year. The Spring crops are sown, the spirit of the Corn King that has slept since Lughnasadh is re-awakened in joyful union with the Mother Goddess, the Blackthorn and first flowers bloom and lambs are born. Life is all around us.

This is a time of renewal. We honour the Goddess as she sweeps out all that is old and outworn in the world and new lives come forth. So too do we seek to sweep away that which is outworn, imperfect, or in need of renewal in ourselves, in our lives and relationships, and in the wider world, as we draw inspiration from the renewed life all around us. We now call upon the Goddess to grant us Her aid and strength in meditation so that we may accomplish the renewals that we need...

A few minutes' silence for trance and meditation...

We dance for the renewal of life
As the new light of spring stirs
And the shadows of the past are swept away
We see the shoots of new life.
As new life burgeons in the World,
May new awareness also grow in us,
Cleansing us of that which is outworn,
Growing in the love of the Goddess.

Join hands and circle deosil round the Centre quarter, chanting:

All: Spring fire, first stirrings of the Light.

Priestess earths the energy raised into the unlit candle.

The Wheel of the Year turns, winter comes to an end and life returns. Let the Imbolc Fire carry away all that is dead and outworn so that new life can blossom!

Priestess lights the candle.

We greet the growing Light of the Sun. May we receive the inspiration of the Maiden Goddess and the Young God.

All: So mote it be.

Priestess or co-celebrants light each of the small candles in turn, making an appropriate dedication (silent or vocalised) for each one. All meditate on each dedication in turn, and respond So mote it be.

Any new instruments of magic or divination may be dedicated at this point, using the Imbolc Fire for purification and seeking the inspiration of the Goddess for their proper use.

Priestess holds up communion bread and wine, saying,

By this communion we share our joy at the return of Springtime.
As the Goddess brings forth new growth in Nature,
She carries away the dead and outworn.
May we too see new growth in our spiritual selves,
As we receive the inspiration of the Goddess.

Priestess gives communion to co-celebrants and takes communion herself.

Priestess holds up wine, and makes the traditional toast:

To the Old Ones: Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

A few moments silence for meditation if desired, then dispel circle as usual.

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