AN IMBOLC RITUAL

This festival is the first rite of spring. The dark of winter is behind us and now the Goddess takes on the robes of the Maiden and the God is seen as a young man.

Find some time and a place where you will be undisturbed. Take a black or dark red candle to represent the Goddess as Wise One and a white one to represent her as Maiden. As with all your rituals, call upon the elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth as well as the Goddess and the God to be with you.

Light the dark candle and say, 'This light is the light of the Crone, the Wise One who has ruled over the winter months, the resting time'. Spend a few moments thinking of all that has passed since your celebration of Samhain, especially of what you have learned in this time.

Next say, 'Now it is time for the Crone to turn away and become once more the Maiden, Lady of Spring and of promise'. Light the white candle and extinguish the dark one.

Now spend a little time thinking about what you would like to begin in this new season.

Thank the elements and the Goddess and the God for their presence during your rites.

An alternative to this ritual would be to take some ice, a large piece if possible, and, taking it in your strong hand (your right if right handed, your left if left handed), hold it over a bowl and say, 'This represents the Crone, Lady of Winter, of the time when the land is still and resting. But as winter's thaw begins, so the Lady casts off her robes of stillness and becomes once more the Maiden. Full of movement, like the cool waters of spring, she flows once more to bring life and hope to all the land'.

Once the ice has fully melted, keep the resulting water to put on your favourite plant, either indoors or in the garden. Please wait until the water has reached a reasonable temperature before you do this, otherwise you will freeze the poor thing's roots!

Once again, this ritual should begin by asking the support of the elements, the Goddess and the God, and they should be thanked at the end.

Candlemas Custom
At nightfall on Candlemas Eve (February 1) an ancient tradition is observed by witches. Every candle in the covenstead glows with living fire to encourage the swift return of the sun and the spring season. The holiday has a deeper significance too, for it is the prelude to an interval of purification. This is the time of year to eliminate from one's life all that encumbers --- from old clothes to worn-out dreams. Just as candles illuminate the darkness, a witch seeks to penetrate the hidden recesses of the mind and heart in order to greet the coming season with a clear horizon in view.
Alchemists described the climactic day of an experiment, when baser metals were to be transmuted into gold, as "a day of projection". Candlemas marks for us a period of projection, from February 2 to March 21, during which a personal transformation takes place.
Mundane matters such as settling debts, returning borrowed items, and catching up on correspondence are attended to during early February. A systematic clearing out of drawers, cabinets and closets eliminates unnecessary articles which accumulate over a year's time. Appraise all your possessions to determine what should be discarded or passed on. This stage of Candlemas Custom subtly increases the power of decision and prepares us to examine the quality of our individual lives.

(The above Candlemas Custom is quoted direct from The Witches' Almanac, page 36,
Spring 1993 to Spring 1994 edition,
prepared and edited by Elizabeth Pepper and John Wilcock,
Published by Pentacle Press, 1993.)

A sample ritual:

This Ritual should be performed at dawn or midmorning, or it can be done at dusk. Sweep area, starting in the North and moving deosil, with your magickal broom to cleanse the Circle area and "sweep away" any lingering negative energies. Set up the Quarter candles (North-Green, East-Yellow, South-Red, West-Blue) and/or other items symbolizing the elements at the Four Quarters. Set up your altar as desired, and face it to the North, covering it with a white, red or brown altar cloth. For this ceremony, decorate the altar with white flowers (silk are acceptable), many white candles (as many as you can comfortably fit on your altar - up to 13) or a Candle Wheel, and anything else that feels right. You will also need a Grain Dolly/Corn Dolly dressed as a bride, a Bride's Bed, a Priapic Wand and some acorns or other nuts. Place the Cauldron in the center, with a White candle to the left side of the Cauldron and a Green candle to the right. Along with your usual ritual tools and items, have upon the altar:
White, Red or Brown Altar Cloth

Many White Candles (up to 13, in holders) and/or a Candle Wheel

Grain Dolly/Corn Dolly - dressed as a Bride (to represent Brigid)

A Bride's Bed (a Basket will suffice)

Priapic Wand (acorn-tipped) and some Acorns (or other nuts)

White Flowers (in a Vase, silk are acceptable)

Cauldron - with a White Candle placed to the Left side (in holder)
and a Green Candle to the Right side (in holder)

Imbolc Incense - blends of Frankincense, Myrrh, Jasmine, Camphor, Cinnamon or Lotus
When all is set up, take a shower or bath for purification and don your Ritual Robe or other Ritual attire. Be sure to wear your Magickal jewelry, if you have any. Sit quietly and meditate for a little while - to ground and center. When you feel ready to begin, play some quiet peaceful music for the Ritual.

Cast the Circle... In addition to the God and Goddess candles, light the Candle Wheel. Keep all the other candles out until the appropriate time. Also have the Grain Dolly lying in the Bride's Bed (basket) with the Priapic Wand and the acorns nearby. Sit quietly meditating within the cast Circle for a little while... When you feel ready, begin your ceremony with these words:
"Blessed be this season of Imbolc,
Blessed be the Goddess, waiting Bride of the returning Sun God.
Mother Earth stirs from Her long slumber.
The fields and forests hear Her whisper to awaken.
The creatures of Her realms answer Her summons.
Everything waits in anticipation for Spring."
Tap the altar gently, three times with your Wand, and say:
"This is the Festival of the Maiden
Who gives to all the breath of life.
This is a time of waxing light and receding darkness.
This is the season of purification, a renewing of life.
This is the time of the quickening.
At this time and in this place between the worlds,
I come into the presence of the Lord and the Lady
that I may gain wise and truthful counsel."
Now comes a time of silent meditation while you ask the God and Goddess for inspiration and guidance for the future...
When you feel ready, tap the altar again gently with the Wand, three times and say:
"O Ancient Ones,
I know my life's path is within Your keeping.
Only with Your help and guidance can I hope to avoid any pitfalls
and reach my destination safely."
Light the White Candle on the left side of the Cauldron and say these words:
"I salute the glorious Maiden Goddess,
Preparer of new life out of darkness.
This is Her Season of the Wheel of the Year
when She spreads Her blessings over the land."
Light the Green Candle on the right side of the Cauldron and say these words:
"Behold, the Lord of the Forests
caresses the dreaming Earth.
As there is a renewal within the plants and animals,
so shall there be renewal in my life also."
Take up your athame and touch the tip of it to the heart of the Grain Dolly, and say:
"Groom of Heaven and Earth,
come now to claim your waiting Bride."
Kneel before the altar, and using the Candle Wheel, light all of the many White Candles that are around you. This symbolizes the young Goddess turning the Wheel of the Year back to Spring. Then say:
"From this union comes the Light of the World.
Be fruitful, oh Bride,
and turn our Earth gently again to Spring."
Toss the acorns into the Bed with the Bride. (The nuts are a fertility symbol and are meant to seal the words you have just spoken.) Then gently lay the Priapic Wand across the Grain Dolly, forming an "X", and as you do, saying:
"Blessed be the Sun God, coming back to us this day."
Lift the Candle Wheel and carry it clockwise around the Circle with you at least three times, to symbolize the coming of the Light.
Sit and quietly reflect or meditate on the meaning of this sabbath to you. When you feel ready, continue by placing the beverage-filled Chalice upon the Pentacle for a few moments, then lift it high, saying:
"O Great Triple Goddess
and Great Horned God,
Make my life fertile with insight,
good health, prosperity, and magickal power.
Honor to Thee, O Ancient Ones!
Merry meet and merry part and Merry meet again.
So Mote It Be!"
Drink from the Chalice, pour a Libation to the Lord and the Lady and save some to be put outside for the little people. When you are finished, proceed with the Cakes and Ale Ceremony. followed by Releasing the Circle in your usual manner.

Please note this ritual is based on the Northern Hemisphere correspondences of elements and their colors, and directions and so on.