Imbolc Ritual 2014

As I sat down to write this ritual I noticed something unusual about this year's time of Imbolc. It is actually snowing. This part of the country is dominated by sudden winds and changes in temperature, making it almost impossible for snow to hold. The last time it snowed at Imbolc, and the Baltic did indeed freeze, paving a glorious carpet of thick ice deep into the sea, was in early 2011. I recall the time around then as especially auspicious to me, and the Imbolc back then inspiring and, in some new sense, more complete than those before.

And then I realised. My daughter. I had first introduced her to the fires of Brighid when she turned three. To her the Goddess had no name. She called her the Great Mama. Now at seven I see my daughter as blessed with many of Brighid's gifts. It was only fitting, then, to invite my daughter to help me with composing this year's ritual. And so, below is a Mother-Daughter ritual to honour the Great Woman of the Flame, all women and girls in our ancestral history and the feminine spirit.

Imbolc ritual to be performed at home, in the company of the women and girls of your hearth.

The evening before the ritual some time in woman-only company; in my case it was preparing the evening meal, taking a scented bath and combing our hair with plenty affection together with my daughter - though it could be a sister, mother, wife or friend. I let my daughter chose the offerings to be prepared for Brighid. Altar set in centre of the room, lights out.

Preface [the verse does not rhyme, as I chose to do the ritual in Polish - to make it easier for my daughter]

Blessed Woman of the Flame

Tripple River, Tripple Stream, Tripple Well

The spark is hidden in the darkest of caves

But the ice shall thaw at sunrise

Consecration of Time

3 x gentle murmur and humming

This is the Time of the Turning!

Here we are, Daughter and Mother

and the Mother who is Daughter

and the Daughter who shall be Mother

and the Two who shall be Third!

Calling of the Quarters

Let there be peace in the East, where the Sun is born

Let there be peace in the South, where the Fire sleeps

Let there be peace in the West, where the Kindred waits

Let there be peace in the North, where the Shadow reigns

Wardens of Space and Time, grant peace to my Grove.

Casting the Circle

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Air [walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with the sound of a swan's feather held against the wind]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Fire [light candle, walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with the flickering flame]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Water [sprinkle sea water walking around the circle clockwise]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Earth [take handful of salt and cast it around the circle clockwise]

Let us all be welcome to the sacred Festival of the First Fire. Behold, here we are at the doorstep of Brighid's forgery. Here is where we learn how to kindle the Fire we shall need in the coming year.

Invocation

Hear me! Oh, Splendid Woman!

Hear me! Oh, Wise Mothers!

Hear me! Oh, Spirits of the Wild!

[face North, where the Dark of the Cave is deepest]

Oh, Great Woman, splendid and glorious; Healer and Protector, we honour you and the sacred spark you have awakened in us. May your flame burn brighter each day and make the Waters in Earth's Cauldron boil! Pray, with every breath of the freezing winds, and every snowdrop that we see, teach us how to be wise, great, excellent, and yet merciful, compassionate and forgiving. Please, Brighid, a prayer from my daughter: inspire the trees so that they may awaken in time when spring is here, and do wake the animals in the forest when the wild geese soon come to see us again.

[Turn towards center of the circle to kindle the Imbolc tripple fire]

With this, we honour you, Excellent Woman! [sing Gabhaim Molta Bridhe]

This, we offer - to the Brighid [offer gingerbread and milk to be set on the altar next to the tripple flame]

This, we offer - to all the Women in our Tribe [offer gingerbread and milk to be set on the altar where our ancestors' symbols are]

This, we offer - to all the feminine creatures and the Land itself [offer gingerbread and milk in separate vessels to be placed in the garden]

[meditation and accepting the blessings, using the power - this time in the form of a long and spontaneous dance with my daughter - she leads as she feels is best]. Partake from the offerings in the feast. Thanks to the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits]

Deconsecration of Time and Space [put out fire]

Final benediction: Awen.

End.