Imbolc Lore and Rite
Pronounciation: IM-bowlk
Date: February 2nd (although some observe January 31st instead)
Other Names: Candlemas, February Eve, Feast of Torches, Imbolg, Oimelc
The beginning of Spring and first of three fertility festivals. The God is a young growing child, the Goddess His nurturing Mother. Now is the time of year that we begin to notice the lengthening days, and thoughts of misty dew-drop mornings come to us. The word "Imbolc" comes from the Gaelic "Oimelc," meaning "ewe's milk," since mother sheep are now able to nurse their lambs. We light torches to lead the young God on His quest for the passion-love of the Maiden Goddess rather than the maternal care of his Mother.
IMBOLC RITUAL
Needed are a stone, a feather, a red candle, a seashell, a cauldron of Earth with candles inside, a taper candle, and a new God candle.
Set the altar and cast the Circle as usual. Ignore the "P/S" speaking distinctions and directions if this is done as a Solitary rite, and change "we/you" to "I/me" as appropriate.
P goes to the East with the feather and a taper candle.
P: FOR THIS TOKEN, WE RECEIVE KNOWLEDGE AND FREEDOM
P lights taper, leaves feather, then goes to the South with the red candle.
P: FOR THIS TOKEN, WE RECEIVE COURAGE AND WILL
P lights both red candle and taper, leaves red candle, then hands taper to PS. PS to West with shell.
PS: FOR THIS TOKEN, WE RECEIVE EMOTION AND DARING
PS lights taper, leaves shell, then to North with stone.
PS: FOR THIS TOKEN, WE RECEIVE WISDOM AND STRENGTH
PS light taper, leaves stone. Taper to P who lights new God candle.
PS: THE SUN GROWS SINCE HIS BIRTH AT YULE, AND AS HE GROWS IN DISCOVERY, SO WE GROW IN CREATIVITY AND INSPIRATION
P: AS FOREST CREATURES AWAKE FROM THEIR HIBERNATION, SO DO OUR MINDS WAKE FROM SLUMBER, AND A FEAST OF TORCHES LIGHTS OUR WAY AS THE SOUL’S JOURNEY BEGINS
P lights cauldron candles from new God candle, then adds it to cauldron. All chant and dance.
ALL: FIRE, FIRE, BURNING BRIGHT
IN THE FOREST OF THE NIGHT
LEAD US THROUGH THE WANING DARK
TO INSPIRATION OF THE ART
P will call “DOWN,” all energy directed to new God candle, which will now replace the old one on the altar.
P: FEEL WITHIN YOU NOW THAT FIRE, THE DRIVE TO CREATE AND CONJURE. KNOW THAT IS IT THE SACRED GIFT OF THE GOD, HIS POWER SHARED WITH YOU. BLESSÈD BE!
ALL: BLESSÈD BE!
Now to Cakes and Wine.
Date: February 2nd (although some observe January 31st instead)
Other Names: Candlemas, February Eve, Feast of Torches, Imbolg, Oimelc
The beginning of Spring and first of three fertility festivals. The God is a young growing child, the Goddess His nurturing Mother. Now is the time of year that we begin to notice the lengthening days, and thoughts of misty dew-drop mornings come to us. The word "Imbolc" comes from the Gaelic "Oimelc," meaning "ewe's milk," since mother sheep are now able to nurse their lambs. We light torches to lead the young God on His quest for the passion-love of the Maiden Goddess rather than the maternal care of his Mother.
IMBOLC RITUAL
Needed are a stone, a feather, a red candle, a seashell, a cauldron of Earth with candles inside, a taper candle, and a new God candle.
Set the altar and cast the Circle as usual. Ignore the "P/S" speaking distinctions and directions if this is done as a Solitary rite, and change "we/you" to "I/me" as appropriate.
P goes to the East with the feather and a taper candle.
P: FOR THIS TOKEN, WE RECEIVE KNOWLEDGE AND FREEDOM
P lights taper, leaves feather, then goes to the South with the red candle.
P: FOR THIS TOKEN, WE RECEIVE COURAGE AND WILL
P lights both red candle and taper, leaves red candle, then hands taper to PS. PS to West with shell.
PS: FOR THIS TOKEN, WE RECEIVE EMOTION AND DARING
PS lights taper, leaves shell, then to North with stone.
PS: FOR THIS TOKEN, WE RECEIVE WISDOM AND STRENGTH
PS light taper, leaves stone. Taper to P who lights new God candle.
PS: THE SUN GROWS SINCE HIS BIRTH AT YULE, AND AS HE GROWS IN DISCOVERY, SO WE GROW IN CREATIVITY AND INSPIRATION
P: AS FOREST CREATURES AWAKE FROM THEIR HIBERNATION, SO DO OUR MINDS WAKE FROM SLUMBER, AND A FEAST OF TORCHES LIGHTS OUR WAY AS THE SOUL’S JOURNEY BEGINS
P lights cauldron candles from new God candle, then adds it to cauldron. All chant and dance.
ALL: FIRE, FIRE, BURNING BRIGHT
IN THE FOREST OF THE NIGHT
LEAD US THROUGH THE WANING DARK
TO INSPIRATION OF THE ART
P will call “DOWN,” all energy directed to new God candle, which will now replace the old one on the altar.
P: FEEL WITHIN YOU NOW THAT FIRE, THE DRIVE TO CREATE AND CONJURE. KNOW THAT IS IT THE SACRED GIFT OF THE GOD, HIS POWER SHARED WITH YOU. BLESSÈD BE!
ALL: BLESSÈD BE!
Now to Cakes and Wine.