Candlemas Sabbat
Begin by erecting an altar, facing north. Place before it a consecrated besom (a straw broom). Prepare a crown of thirteen candles and place it on the center of the altar. At each side of the crow, place a candle of the appropriate Sabbat color. To the left, place a censer of the appropriate incense and a sprig of evergreen. (A sprig of the previous year’s Yule tree or wreath may also be used as an altar decoration.) To the right, Place a chalice of water (fresh rainwater or melted snow, if at all possible), a small dish of dirt or sand, and a consecrated athame.
Cast a circle about nine fee in diameter around the altar, using white chalk or paint. Sprinkle a bit of salt inside the circle and then trace the circle in a clockwise direction with a consecrated ceremonial sword, or a will wand, and say:
With salt and sacred sword
I consecrate and invoke thee
O Sabbat Circle of magick and light.
In the sacred name of brigit
And under her protection
Is this sabbat rite now begun.
Place the ceremonial sword on the altar before the crown of candles. Light the two altar candles and say:
O fire goddess of spring
I offer to thee
This symbol of fire
So mote it be.
Light the incense and say:
O fire goddess of spring
I offer to thee this symbol of air
So mote it be.
Take the athame in your right hand and with the tip of the blade draw a pentacle in the dirt or sand and say:
O fire goddess of spring
I offer to thee
This symbol of earth
So mote it be.
Dip the blade of the athame into the chalice of water and say:
O fire goddess of spring
I offer to thee
This symbol of water
So mote it be.
Return the athame to the altar. Light the sprig of evergreen and visualize in your mind’s eye the darkness of Winter burning away, being replaced by the warm light of the new Spring. Place the burning sprig in the censer and say:
As this symbol of winter
Is consumed by the fire
So is the darkness
Consumed by the light.
So mote it be.
Light the crown of candles and carefully place it on top of your head. (When this Sabbat ritual is performed by a coven, it is customary for the High Priest to light the candles and place the crown upon the head of the High Priestess.) Take the athame in your right hand and hold it over your heart as you say:
Like sweet Cybele, I wear a crown
Of fire around my head.
Like Diana, blessed goddess wise
I light the candles red
To shine a light upon my prayer
For peace on earth and love.
O hear me spirits of the air.
Spirits below and spirits above.
So mote it be!
Return the athame to the altar and end the rite by sweeping the circle in a counter-clockwise direction with the besom to uncast the circle and to symbolize the "sweeping out" of the old. Extinguish the candles and return the crown to the altar.
