Imbolc - A Ritual for Two
Adapted from J. Broch and Veronica MacLer's "Seasonal Dance"
Preparation
Decorate the Circle with buds of flowers, if availble. All element candles and other candles around the circle should be white. Ring the Circle with small white candles. Place the cauldron and three large white candles on the altar, ringed with new greenery. Each person should have a small, unlit white taper (3 inch) and a slip of paper with the words to the songs as he or she enters the circle. Because this is the festival when the ewes begin producing milk for the newborn lambs, use milk or a beverage like Irish Creme Liquor in the chalice.
The Ritual
Priestess invokes the elements. She moves deosil to the North (Earth) quarter and speaks.
Spirits of the empty fields,
waiting silently under a blanket of snow,
join us in greeting our lady bright.
The Priestess then moves to the East (Air) quarter.
Spirits of the warming winds,
blowing ever stronger from the south,
join us in greeting our lady bright.
The Priestess then moves to the South (Fire) quarter.
Spirits of the shining flame,
burning in the infant Sun,
join us in greeting our lady bright.
The Priestess moves to the West (Water) quarter.
Spirits of the forest streams,
breaking free from your prison of ice,
join us in greeting our lady bright.
Priestess returns to the altar and lights the first altar candle.
Bridgit, lady of fire,
of hearth and forge,
we welcome your return.
Priestess lights the second altar candle.
Bride, lady of healing,
of peace and joy,
we welcome your return.
Priestess lights the third altar candle.
Bri'id, lady of inspiration,
of vision and poetry,
we welcome your return.
Priestess raises hands in invocation.
Bri'id returns from her winter sleep,
Warm Spring follows in her steps.
Soon the trees are green again,
Soon the flowers bloom.
We welcome back our Lady Bri'id
And every house makes room.
Companion's response:
Bri'id is come!
Bri'id is welcome!
The Priestess speaks: "She lays aside her cloak of death and wakes the world with her sweet breath."
Companion's response:
Bri'id is come!
Bri'id is welcome!
The Priestess speaks: "And in the dark and frozen lands we joyfully greet the newborn lambs."
Companion's response:
Bri'id is come!
Bri'id is welcome!
The Priestess speaks: "And grateful for this sign of life, we gather here by candlelight."
Companion's response:
Bri'id is come!
Bri'id is welcome!
The Priestess speaks: "And in the depths of winter's blight, we welcome Bri'id, our Lady Bright."
Companion's response:
Bri'id is come!
Bri'id is welcome!
The Priestess speaks:
And all her bards will form a ring
And to their Lady Bri'id they sing.
Companion's response:
Bri'id is come!
Bri'id is welcome!
The Priestess takes her candle and lights it from the first alter candle.
Fire of Bridgit, keep us warm through the year and fill our home with love.
The Priestess holds her candle in the flame of the second altar candle.
Fire of Bride, burn away our illnesses and fill our hearts with joy.
The Priestess holds her candle in the flame of the third altar candle.
Fire of Bri'id, shine as our guide and fill our souls with song.
The Priestess turns to her companion in the circle and lights this one's candle from her own.
Bridgit of shining fire,
Lady of flickering flame,
Grant us our heart's desire,
Be with us, we call your name!
The Priestess' companion hold her/his candle to hers.
The companion speaks.
Bridgit of shining fire,
Lady of flickering flame,
Grant us our heart's desire,
Be with us, we call your name!
The companion then lights the candles around the circle, deosil while speaking.
Bri'id is come!
Bri'id is welcome!
When the companion returns to the alter the Priestess and her companion place their candles upon the altar. Together they repeat aloud the following:
Bridgit of shining fire,
Lady of flickering flame,
Grant us our heart's desire,
Be with us, we call your name!
The Priestess takes up the chalice holding it skyward.
Bridgit, Bride, Bri'id, we welcome you into our home and our hearts. Shine brightly for us, Lady of Fire, that we may always feel your warmth.
The Priestess drinks from the chalice while her companion speaks.
Bridgit of shining fire,
Lady of flickering flame,
Grant us our heart's desire,
Be with us, we call your name!
The Priestess passes the chalice to her companion who drinks from it while the Priestess speaks.
Bridgit of shining fire,
Lady of flickerig flame,
Grant us our heart's desire,
Be with us, we call your name!
Replace the chalice on the altar. The Priestess thanks the elements (moving widdershins beginning with the West).
Rejoice, oh spirits of the Stream:
Bri'id is come! You soon flow free!
Spirits of the infant Sun,
Rejoice! Your Lady Bri'id is come!
Spirts of the warming Air,
Rejoice! Your Lady Bri'id is here!
Rejoice oh spirits of the Earth!
Bri'id is here! You soon give birth!
The Priestess returns to the altar and raises hands in benediction.
Lady Bri'id, we welcome you into the world once again!
Our Circle is open. Let the feasting begin!
The companion lifts hands skyward and speaks.
Bri'id is come!
Bri'id is welcome!
The Priestess and companion now partake of the feast, thus completing the ritual. Blessed be!
