Imbolc – 15˚ Aquarius

On or about February 2

Waxing Light, Height of Winter
Concerned with establishing a sense of social, mental, and intellectual self-worth
Validation through peers, family groups, social structures
Setting goals for the future
Planting the Seeds that will grow and be harvested

Imbolc – Correspondences

Colors – Red, White
Gods – Oak King, Maiden Aspect
Direction – North East
Red Candles
Magic – Bringing back the Light, planning for future

This sabbat is to celebrate the return of the light and is called the "Feast of the Waxing Light". It is a time of thoughtfulness, and of finding the light that resides within us. The suns glowing rays begin generating life beneath the soil. Now is the time for the planting of seeds.

Imbolc means “in the belly”. At Imbolc we are literally in the belly of the Goddess waiting to be reborn into our new incarnation of this yearly cycle. We are setting new ideas into motion, preparing the foundation for our ideas to grow and flourish.

If there is any left over pain or sorrow from the previous year we should let go of it now. A good ritual for doing this is spring cleaning. Getting rid of the dirt, and throwing out (or giving away) anything that is no longer useful to us, is a great way to physically demonstrate that you are cleaning out the dirt and junk that has collected in your soul as well. Remember to focus on releasing old hurts while you are doing the cleaning, even verbalizing the anger (speaking out loud what you have not let yourself say) if necessary. Do what ever it takes to release (forgive, and forget) anything you are holding onto at this time. You don’t want to reincarnate into the year with a bunch of negative karma to work out.

Imbolc is the time for planning our coming incarnation, and it is appropriate to plan yearly calendars at this time.

We should have our goals and plans for the future clearly set at this time, they should be written down in a Calendar, journal, Book of Shadows, or some where that you will have them with you for the coming year. These goals should be presented to the God and Goddess for fertilization. There are many different ways you can do this, writing them down and planting them under some seeds in your garden is a good way to do it.

Imbolc Ritual 2001

A fire is lit in the center of the circle. Priestesses need brooms, and Drummers will be needed. A red candle is needed for every member of the group. Candles are passed out to all participants as they enter the circle.

Cast, Call, Invoke

Children Sing

Drummers begin drumming

The Oak King chases a few maidens around the circle, symbolizing the awakening of fertility and desire. The maidens will be cloaked in black. When the Oak King approaches they giggle and run throwing their cloaks back to reveal brightly colored robes, (preferably red,) representing the emergence of spring, and emerging from the dark. The Maiden will be carrying an empty basket. As the chase ensues the HPS speaks.

HPS – “What was born at the Solstice begins to manifest. The Oak King is feeling the first stirrings of his growing power. He awakens and begins to quicken the mother earth. Now is a time of letting go of old and useless things. It is a time of initiation and new beginnings. Now we plant seeds that will later sprout and grow. We meet together now to share these seeds of inspiration, and cast them into the belly of the fertile mother.”

The Oak king catches the maiden, and dumps a large bag of seeds into her empty basket.

Celebrants will light their candles from the quarter candles and begin to move slowly deosil around the circle as HP speaks.

HP – “As we join together in this celebration, let each of us find joy in the power of our returning Lord and Sun. As each new day dawns, and the light becomes brighter and stronger, so does the light within you. Feel the changes in the earth around you as spring awakens. Let the transformation take place within you as well.”

HPS – Taking her candle and giving it the energy of that which she no longer needs, she throws the candle into the fire. Then directs the others to follow suit. “Take that which is old and no longer needed, and cast it into the fire, release it into the universe from whence it came.”

Sweepers go first. They approach the cauldron, get a candle, give the candle that which they wish to release and cast the candle into the fire. Then they begin circling deosil outside the group sweeping and chanting.

“With this broom filled with power,
Sweep away the old and sour.
Round and round, round about,
Sweep the old and useless out.”

When all have finished releasing the old, we continue to circle, and the tunnel of rebirth is formed. Chant changes.

“Herne we call to thee,
Plant your seed in the womb of Bride.”

Chanting will continue while everyone is going through the rebirth tunnel.

The HPS directs people into the tunnel, offering them to take a handful of seeds and saying “You have removed what is old and of no use to you. Now take these seeds, and plant that which you need most in the coming year.”

As participants emerge from the tunnel, the Maiden is there to direct them.

Maiden – “Call out your need and cast your seeds to the circle. With good will to all and harm to none.”

Celebrants make an ever lengthening tunnel of rebirth (similar to the London Bridges tunnel we made as children). When all have emerged from the tunnel all cheer for the new spring

Cakes and Wine

Close Quarters

FEAST!

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