Imbolc Ritual

Ceremonial Sweeping

Have everyone assemble outside the circle then bring in one at a time with anointing of oil say:

“May you be Blessed in the name of the Old Gods.  In perfect love and perfect trust be welcomed to this Circle.”

Cast the Circle with athame

Begin in the East going clockwise.

“Black Spirits and Red,
White Spirits and Gray,
Come ye! Come ye!
Come ye as come ye may!
Around, around, around about:
All good come in, all ill keep out!

Invoke Quarters

EAST
”We call upon You O Red Lady of the East! You Who took the first action and in so doing set the world in motion.  Lady of the Dawn, and of all beginnings! Behold, we do invoke You O Lady of the East –and with You the Sylphs and Spirits of the Air! Come to us! Join us! Lend us Your aid and Your inspiration in this our undertaking!  We bid you Hail and Welcome.”

SOUTH
”We call upon You O White Lady of the South! You Who united with the God and ensouled the World! Lady of Noonday, Mistress of fertility and of fecundity! Behold, we do invoke You O Lady of the South –and with You the Salamanders and Spirits of the Fire! Come to us! Join with us! Lend us Your aid and Your inspiration in this our undertaking!  We bid you Hail and Welcome.”

WEST
”We call upon You O Gray Lady of the West! You Who govern the cycles of time and rebirth.  Lady of Sunset, Who gathers home the fruits of creation! Behold, we do invoke You O Lady of the West –and with You the Undines and Spirits of the Waters! Come to us! Join us! Lend us Your aid and Your inspiration in this our undertaking!  We bid you Hail and Welcome.”

NORTH
“We call upon You O Black Lady of the North! You Who were before the first creation and Who shall endure beyond all reckoning.  Lady of Midnight, You Who are the Darkness before the Dawn.  Behold, we do invoke You O Lady of the North and with You the Gnomes and Spirits of the Earth!  Come to us! Join us! Lend us Your aid and Your inspiration during this our undertaking.  We bid you Hail and Welcome.”

Need four candles in the colors associated with the Four Quarters and one for spirit.

"At this time of year the Sun is growing stronger, returning to the Earth.  Some years He comes slowly, others more quickly.  Always we hope he comes quickly.  The Maiden Goddess has opened the door of Dawn, and awaits His return.  She has called Him.  She longs for Him.  The Earth awaits the warming touch of the light, the seeds sleep beneath the soil waiting for Him to summon them to new life.  All is in readiness for the Suns return.

"In ancient times and still today people would encourage the Sun to return faster, and do ritual to strengthen Him and hasten the Spring.  That is what we are going to do tonight.  In this ritual we are going to call the Sun, and Bless the Sun through the Four Quarters.  Through this we will not only encourage the Suns return, but strengthen the Sun with the qualities of the Quarters which will manifest in the coming months, and in our own lives as well."

"Holy Maiden Goddess, Lady of the Dawn.  Many-colored Mistress of the Arts.  Inspire us in this our rite.  You call the Sun.  You fling open the doors of the Dawn and await His coming.  You fill the sky with color to guide His way.  We add our voices to Yours.  With You, we shall call the Sun.  We and all Your children shall join You as You call.  Through the Four Quarters and the Twelve Signs we shall connect with all things, and all shall call together with You, O Holy Lady.  Inspire us, and sahre with us the love You bear for Him! In Your honor, we light this candle."

Now light the Spirit candle. 

East Quarter lights East candle and raise it in a salute to the East and says:

“In the name of the East, I call the Sun! In the name of the East I call the Spring.  In the name of the East I call the God.  May the God come and behold the Goddess in Her freshness.  Gemini! Libra! Aquarius! Children of the East, arise and call the Sun and Bless Him! May the God be Blessed with the clarity and inspiration of the East! May we too be Blessed! So Mote it Be!”

Return candle to East

South Quarter lights South candle and raise it in a salute to the South and says:

“In the name of the South, I call the Sun! In the name of the South I call the Spring.  In the name of the South I call the God.  May the God come and embrace the Goddess in Her beauty.  Aries! Leo! Sagittarius! Children of the South, arise and call the Sun and Bless Him! May the God be Blessed with the courage and passion of the South! May we too be Blessed! So Mote it Be!”

Return candle to South

West Quarter lights West candle and raise it in a salute to the West and says:

“In the name of the West, I call the Sun! In the name of the West I call the Spring.  In the name of the West I call the God.  May the God come and love the Goddess in Her fruitfulness.  Cancer! Scorpio! Pisces! Children of the West, arise and call the Sun and Bless Him! May the God be Blessed with the love and compassion of the West! May we too be Blessed! So Mote it Be!”

Return candle to West

North Quarter lights North candle and raise it in a salute to the North and says:

“In the name of the North, I call the Sun! In the name of the North I call the Spring.  In the name of the North I call the God.  May the God come and support the Goddess in Her power.  Taurus! Virgo! Capricorn! Children of the North, arise and call the Sun and Bless Him! May the God be Blessed with the steadiness and wisdom of the North! May we too be Blessed! So Mote it Be!”

Return candle to North

Have everyone join hands. 

"Behold, we have called the Sun.  We have called the Spring.  From the Four Quarters we have called Him, and He shall come to join the Maiden Goddess.  They shall rejoice in One Another.  The days shall continue to lengthen, the Sun shall continue to brighten, the plants shall bloom and bud.  Life returns to the world.  So too shall our lives bloom.  Let us think about the things we might like to see in these coming months.  What are our goals? What are our wishes? Think on these, and reflect upon them.  Choose one that you particularly want.  Let us ask the Sun to bring it with Him.

"Behold, may these things we desire come into being, taking shape even as the Sun grows stronger.  As the Sun waxes, so too may our goals strengthen and manifest.  Divine Goddess, Divine God, we ask You to lend Your power to our and aid us in this.  Even as our Lord the Sun grows strong, so too may our goals come into being.  So Mote It Be!"

Invoke the Goddess
“Hail unto You O Maiden! We do invoke You, Dawn-Mistress, Lady of Renewal and Rebirth! Your many colors herald the return of the Sun, and You share them generously with the new-born flowers which shall emerge with Spring.  Mistress of the Rainbow, and of all arts and forms of creation -We bid You Hail and Welcome!”

Invoke the God
“We invoke You O God in Your form as Hero! Gentle Lord of the Rising Sun, of Spring and New Beginnings! Eromenos! Lord of love and beauty, passion and creativity! Your Fire, reborn, only just begins to burn in this holy season -yet we welcome the flame! We bid You Hail and Welcome!”

Invoke the Ancestors
“O Mighty Ancestors, Beloved Ones Who have gone before, We invoke You and ask You to join us and to Bless us! Ancestors of the Correllian Tradition, Priestesses and Priests, Mothers and Uncles of the lineage, Spiritual family which aids and supports us –lend us Your inspiration and Your love, Your guidance and Your aid this night, we pray.  Beloved Ones, we bid You Hail and Welcome!”

"We come together to celebrate the festival of Imbolg, or Candlemas.  This is the Feast of Light, when we celebrate the returning light of the slowly waxing Sun.  In some places Spring has arrived and in others we pray for Spring to come soon.  New life has begun to emerge from beneath the shroud of Winter and the Earth has already begun to be renewed.  This is the time of the Maiden, the Lady of light and color Who rules the dawn and the Spring.  It is a time of growth and creativity, of rebirth and renewal.  Let us therefore like the newborn leaves and first Spring flowers strive to open and unfold, taking this time to begin to shake off the deep Involution of Winter."

ACT OF POWER
Rainbow Chakra Blessing

For this Act of Power you will need seven candles, in the seven colors associated with the seven major Chakras: that is, red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, and purple.  Arrange them in a row or in a circle on an altar at the center of the ritual space. 

"Candlemas is the feast of light.  Now light is returning to the world.  The Maiden Goddess is the Goddess of light: the light of the Waxing Moon: the light of the dawn: the light of the Rainbow.  The Rainbow reveals the spectrum of light -its parts and qualities.  So too the rainbow symbolically corresponds to the Divine Archetypes revealing the parts and qualities of Deity: so too the rainbow corresponds to the seven Planes revealing the parts and qualities of existence: so too the Rainbow corresponds to the seven Chakras, revealing the parts and qualities of the bodies major energy centers.  Through the Rainbow a range of Blessings are given.  Tonight we honor the Maiden and her Rainbow also."

"During this rite we will invoke the powers of the rainbow and its correspondences, attuning to them and receiving their Blessings.  This ritual calls for a chant, in which all will join after each Blessing.  The words are simple: 'Blessed Be the Holy Ones! Seven Powers born in light -Blessed is as Blessed does -Blessed Be this holy night!

Red
"Mine is the Red flame of Saturn, the Crone.  I Bless this assemblage with vitality and practicality.  May you always have the resources and support you need in life.  May you learn your lessons, and teach in your turn.

ALL
"Blessed Be the Holy Ones!
Seven Powers born in light
Blessed is as Blessed does
Blessed Be this holy night!"

Orange
"Mine is the Orange flame of Mars, the Hero.  I Bless this assemblage with creativity and passion.  May you always have joy and excitement in life.  May you receive pleasure, and give pleasure in your turn.

ALL
"Blessed Be the Holy Ones!
Seven Powers born in light
Blessed is as Blessed does
Blessed Be this holy night!"

Yellow
"Mine is the Yellow flame of Sun, the Lover.  I Bless this assemblage with courage and self-assurance.  May you always have confidence and integrity in life.  May you be encouraged, and encourage others in your turn.

ALL
"Blessed Be the Holy Ones!
Seven Powers born in light
Blessed is as Blessed does
Blessed Be this holy night!"

Green
"Mine is the Green flame of Venus, the Maiden.  I Bless this assemblage with love and healing.  May you always have balance and harmony in life.  May you be loved, and love in your turn.

ALL
"Blessed Be the Holy Ones!
Seven Powers born in light
Blessed is as Blessed does
Blessed Be this holy night!"

Light Blue
"Mine is the Light Blue flame of Mercury, the Sorcerer.  I Bless this assemblage with intelligence and will power.  May you always have clarity and focus in life.  May you gain knowledge, and share it in your turn.

ALL
"Blessed Be the Holy Ones!
Seven Powers born in light
Blessed is as Blessed does
Blessed Be this holy night!"

Dark Blue
"Mine is the Dark Blue flame of Moon, the Mother.  I Bless this assemblage with psychic perception and magical ability.  May you always be guided by and connected to your Higher Self in life.  May you receive many Blessings, and give Blessings in your turn.

ALL
"Blessed Be the Holy Ones!
Seven Powers born in light
Blessed is as Blessed does
Blessed Be this holy night!"

Purple
"Mine is the Purple flame of Jupiter, the King.  I Bless this assemblage with spiritual understanding and wisdom.  May you always know Goddess and see Her hand in your life.  May you have enlightenment and guide others in your turn.

ALL
"Blessed Be the Holy Ones!
Seven Powers born in light
Blessed is as Blessed does
Blessed Be this holy night!"

Now join hands.

"Behold the rainbow -the seven colors of creation.  Remember their Blessings and consider how these might affect you in your life.  Imagine the energy of these Blessings as a ball of clear, white light surrounding the candles.  See that light grow brighter and stronger.  As we chant, focus energy into that light, that these Blessings may be amplified and multiplied."

Chant

"Blessed Be the Holy Ones!
Seven Powers born in light
Blessed is as Blessed does
Blessed Be this holy night!"

"Blessed Be the Holy Ones!
Seven Powers born in light
Blessed is as Blessed does
Blessed Be this holy night!"

"Blessed Be the Holy Ones!
Seven Powers born in light
Blessed is as Blessed does
Blessed Be this holy night!"

"Blessed Be! Blessed Be! Blessed Be!"

Now focus and release the energy.

"Imagine that ball of energy growing brighter and brighter, stronger and stronger, shining out in all directions like a Sun in the center of our Circle -and let us see that ball of light rise up, up, up -higher and higher, see the energy rise up and ...prepare to release it...NOW! And see the energy going out into manifestation in a flash of brilliant light!"

Blessing of Chalice

The person representing Goddess should have a dark beverage.  The person representing God should have a light beverage .

Goddess
“In the beginning was the Goddess.  And She was alone and without form in the void of chaos before the first creation.  But She longed to create –to work Her will and give form to existence.  And the Goddess dreamed: and the Goddess planned: and the Goddess longed: and from Her longing came the first creation

“In the name of the Goddess may the Blessing Be upon this juice!”

God
“And from the Goddess was created the God.  The Goddess divided Herself, sending all of the fiery, active, physical aspects of Herself into the God and retaining all of the watery, malleable, spiritual aspects for Herself.  And the God exploded out from the Goddess in the explosion of the first creation, sending fire and light in all directions.

“In the name of the God may the Blessing Be upon this juice!”

Goddess

“In time the light of the God cooled and took form, becoming Suns and planets and asteroids.  The universe took shape and the Goddess was pleased.  She desired to be part of this universe, to rejoin with the God and be one with Him.  But He fled from Her as the mouse flees before the cat.”

God

“And She took counsel of Her Highest Self, Which told Her that ‘To Rise You Must Fall.’ And so the Goddess created the many souls and sent them into matter, so that through them She could unite with the God.  And so was the world we know created.”

Now let them fill the Chalice together, so that the dark juice and the light juice are mingled.

Now pronounce a final Blessing upon the Chalice:

“In the name of the Goddess and of the God may this Chalice be Blessed, that it may be a token of the bond of love which exists between ourselves and Them, and between Them and all of creation!”

“So Mote It Be!”

ALL
“So Mote It Be!”

Now pass the Chalice clockwise around the Circle, letting each person drink in their turn.  You should go last, and offer the last bit to Spirit.

“To the Goddess! To the God! To us!”

ALL
“To the Goddess! To the God! To us!

Thank Ancestors

“Beloved Ancestors, You Who have gone before, Your wisdom and Your example guide us.  We pray that You will be with us and aid us as we go forward, that we may call upon the strength and knowledge of the past, even as we build the future.  We thank You for Your presence and Your aid this night, and at all times.  May You Blessed be in all things.  We offer You our love and our respect! We bid You Hail and Farewell!”

Thank Goddess
“Beautiful Maiden! Joyful and courageous! We thank You for Your presence and Your aid this night, and at all times.  We offer You our love, and our respect! We bid You Hail and farewell!”

Thank God
“O Hero God, Lord of rebirth! We thank You for Your presence and Your aid this night, and at all times.  We offer You our love and our respect! We bid You Hail and farewell!”

NORTH
“Black Lady of the North! We thank You for Your presence and Your aid in this holy ritual –You and the Gnomes and Spirits of the Earth! May there be peace between us now and always! We bid You Hail and Farewell!”

WEST
”Gray Lady of the West! We thank You for Your presence and Your aid in this holy ritual –You and the Undines and Spirits of the Waters! May there be peace between us now and always! We bid You Hail and Farewell!”

SOUTH
”White Lady of the South! We thank You for Your presence and Your aid in this holy ritual –You and the Salamanders and Spirits of the Fire! May there be peace between us now and always! We bid You Hail and Farewell!”

EAST
”Red Lady of the East! We thank You for Your presence and Your aid in this holy ritual –You and the Sylphs and Spirits of the Air! May there be peace between us now and always! We bid You Hail and Farewell!”

Open the Circle
“Behold: As Above, So Below! As the Universe, So the Soul! As Within, So Without! May the Circle be Open, but never Broken! Merry Meet –Merry Part –and Merry Meet again!”

Now have everyone cleanse and release all excess energy.

(Correllian tradition, reprinted with permission of Rev. Don Lewis)