Imbolc Ritual

I mentioned in my last post that I had an Imbolc ritual that I would share with you.  I have done this ritual with a friend of mine.  It is perfect for a solitary witch and I am sure it can be adjusted for a coven.
I took inspiration from a ritual I found in a book that I have (unfortunately I can’t remember which one) so some part might seem familiar.  Feel free to use any parts of the ritual you would like, after all without allowing the sharing of knowledge we might not have rituals we have today.
This is a simple ritual to be done on the evening of Imbolc.  There is no meditation in this ritual but one can be added and I will note where I believe one would fit best.

Items needed for this ritual (if you follow all examples):

One white Goddess candle
One yellow God candle
One red candle for Brigid
Charcoal block (if not using stick or cone incense)
Incense for the Sabbat or your favorite one
Four quarter candles
Seeds

Imbolc Ritual Setup your altar as you wish. Setup area where you will be having the ritual as you wish. Perform whichever ritual cleansing you prefer. Light charcoal block if you are using one for the incense. Cast your circle as you normally would. When you sealed the circle say: I cast this circle of light this Sabbat. I cast this circle to protect me in my magicks. May this circle be strong and full until it is no longer needed. This circle is cast to hold me between worlds as magick flows freely. As Above, So Below. SO MOTE IT BE! Calling of the Quarters I call upon the guardian of the east, powers of air, and the mighty Griffin.  Bring with you the first breaths of spring.  I ask that you attend my rite and offer your aid and protection. (light east candle) I call upon the guardian of the south, powers of fire, and the majestic Phoenix.  Bring with you the warmth of the sun.  I ask that you attend my rite and offer your aid and protection. (light south candle) I call upon the guardian of the west, powers of water, and the great Dragon.  Bring with you the new passions of spring.  I ask that you attend my rite and offer your aid and protection. (light west candle) I call upon the guardian of the north, powers of earth, and the mighty Bear.  Bring with you the strength of the warming land.  I ask that you attend my rite and offer your aid and protection. (light north candle) Invocation of the Goddess and the God. Goddess of rebirth, you again bring forth the God and the promise of spring. Be with me during my rite as we celebrate the young God and the growing light. (light the Goddess candle if you have one.) God of Love and Protection. You again lead the ever-changing dance of life. Be with me during my rite as we celebrate the rising of the Mother and the fertility of the Earth. (light the God candle if you have one.) At this time I included a short bit about Imbolc and the lighting of the candle for Brigid. Imbolc is the time with the Goddess is turning the wheel of the year back toward spring.  The sun grows warmer, as the days grow longer and the nights shorter.  Signs of spring begin to appear as the tiny shoots of the first flowers begin to emerge from the winter harden soil.  Trees begin to awaken with new branches and full buds waiting to open. This day is also the day to honor the Goddess Brigid, who with the fires bring inspiration, healing, and a desire to create.  We light this candle in honor of Lady Brigid and ask that she be with us this evening and bless this rite. (light the red candle which symbolizes the Goddess Brigid.) Imbolc is also a time of purification, a time for cleansing hearth and home from all the past energies and making way for new possibilities and happiness.  The besom cleans the mire from the floors of our houses so may our daily activities clean the mire from our lives. *when I did this ritual I also had seeds set out that I was planning on planting for my garden.  Here is what I said. Goddess Brigid.  I also ask your blessing be upon these seeds that they may grow in to strong plants and yield a wonderful bounty. (place the seeds at the base of the red candle for the remainder of the ritual) Now would be a good time for a meditation if you desire. Night gives way before the growing God. We feel the power alive in the world. The Goddess walks the Earth again, And sings us awake with wind and rain. The promise of life is newly made, Our winter’s debt to darkness paid. Blessed Be! Cakes and Ale Farewell to the deities and the elements. Goddess of the brightening day. I thank you for your presence at our rite, and ask you to be near me while we are apart; let your warmth revive me, your love support me, and your passion inspire me. God of the growing and wild things. I thank you for your presence at our rite, and ask you to be near me while we are apart; let your warmth revive me, your strength support me, and your passion inspire me. Guardian of the north, powers of earth, and the mighty Bear, I thank you for your presence and protection during my rite. Guardian of the west, powers of water, and the great Dragon, I thank you for your presence and protection during my rite. Guardian of the south, powers of fire, and the majestic Phoenix, I thank you for your presence and protection during my rite. Guardian of the east, powers of air, and the mighty Griffin, I thank you for your presence and protection during my rite. Release the circle. The circle is open but yet unbroken. Merry Meet, merry part and merry meet again.

I hope that you find this ritual as wonderful as I did when I did it.

Many items for rituals can be found in our store at Grove of the Ancients Pagan Marketplace.
Stop by and check it out.

Brightest Blessings.

Putting it off? Why?

Another interesting topic.

What’s the most important thing you’re putting off? And why haven’t you done it yet? What do you need to make it happen?

There are a few things that I am putting off.  A couple of them are important but most are just things that I need to do but haven’t.

The biggest thing that I am putting off is replacing the hot water heater.  It isn’t because of procrastination; it is because I am working on getting the finances together.

I do have a slight problem with procrastination.  I think about doing something and either I just never do it or I get doing other things and it falls away.

Another thing that I have been putting off that is important is getting the books finished for our business so that we can file out taxes on-time this year.  I just let it slide and it has built up.  I am now working on it.

A bunch of things that our on my to do list pertain to my spiritual path.  I have ‘homework’ that I need to finish from my studies.  I am finally working on my White Robe for Full Moon rituals and some Sabbats.  I need to work on my Book of Shadows entries, that has fallen way behind.  I have so many things that I need to put in to it.

I think that about covers it.

Blessings.