Imbloc Ritual

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Imbloc Ritual
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Post # 1
Cast your circle
Place your cauldron in the middle
Surround the cauldron with crushed ice/ice candles (eight)
Place your incense in the cauldron
3prts Frankincense and mhyrr
2prts dragons blood
1prt white sage
½ prt sandalwood

Light your candles
Sit and meditate for a while
Invoke the gods

Great sun god you have slept long
Now is the time for you to awake
Bless me and my loved ones on this day
May I enjoy your warmth and prosperity during the upcoming summer.
Blessed be

Light your incense
Visualize the god being reborn as the smoke arises
And him coming down
Affirm this and what it means to you
Thank the god for all you have been given on this day
Thank the god for the rebirth of life and that the circle of rebirth can continue
Blessed be

Affirm the gods rebirth
Let incense and candles burn out
Close your circle .

This is my Imbloc ritual
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Re: Imbloc Ritual
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Post # 2
This doesn't sound like an Imbolc ritual, it sounds more like a Winter Solstice one.
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Re: Imbloc Ritual
By: / Adept
Post # 3
I agree, imbolic/candle mass is a holiday to celebrate the goddess transforming from her crone stage to her maiden form again. This holiday has also developed into an American tradition that is very popular in Pennsylvania called Ground Hogs day. There are many ways to celebrate this holiday but it is not a god holiday really. His next holiday is Ostara at the end of March.

I remember a story once told to me about the goddess in her maiden form encouraging a bird to hatch from it's egg and begin spring. However since the maiden was so young she did it too early and a cold snow came. The bird died and she was so sad. When her tears fell on the ground as she held the baby bird in her hands, the crocuses started to come up from the beneath the snow. Then along came a hare and he asked the maiden what was wrong. When the young maiden told hare of her mistake he felt bad for her. The hare then told the maiden that he was going to get something for her. Scurrying over to the base of a tree stump, the hare then went down a hole in the ground. Here the hare traveled down into the earth until he got to the underworld. There he spoke with a god that gave him an egg to give the maiden goddess. The hare then ascended to the world above and when he came out of the ground he saw the snow had melted and the forest was budding. He found the goddess helping some of the animals to wake from their winter slumber. The hare hopped over to the maiden and she was so happy to see him. "I was wondering when I would see you again," the maiden smiled as she spoke. "I am happy to see you in better spirits," the hare replied as he handed the maiden the egg. "It is beautiful, thank you," she gasped as she placed the egg in the folds of her robe. From that moment both the maiden and the hare knew they had done their job. :)
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Re: Imbloc Ritual
By: / Beginner
Post # 4
Wouldn't imbolc be more of a happy thing like letting spring and new life come into your house
I celebrate by throwing a feast and making a lot of noise dancing just being lively and stuff but I guess its personal preference
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Re: Imbloc Ritual
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Post # 5
Imbloc celebrate with the thought of spring and rebirth. You can alway adjust your celebration and add your own style/creativity to personalize it however you like

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Re: Imbloc Ritual
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Post # 6
Imbolc is one of the four principal festivals of the pre-Christian Celtic calendar, associated with fertility ritual, was subsequently adopted as St Brigid's Day in the Christian period, and in more recent times has been celebrated as a fire festival, one of eight holidays, festivals (4 Solar and 4 Fire/lunar) or sabbats of the Neopagan wheel of the year. Imbolc is arguably one of the predecessors of the Christian holiday of Candlemas.

Imbolc is conventionally celebrated on 1 February although the Celtic festival commenced on January 31. In more recent times the occasion has been generally celebrated by modern pagans on Feb. 1 or 2. Some neopagans relate this celebration to the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox, which actually falls on Feb. 4 or 5.

In Wicca, the Great Rite is ritualistic sexual intercourse. The Great Rite can
also be performed symbolically: the High Priest plunges the athame (or ritual
knife [the male symbol] ) into a cup or chalice (the female symbol) that is
filled with wine and is held by the High Priestess. The Great Rite symbolizes
creation in the union of the Maiden Goddess with the Lover God, and thus is also
known as a Fertility rite.

The Great Rite ritual is as follows: This rite is meant to symbolize the sexual union of the Goddess
and God which is said to have created all life, and to renew it every spring. It
is a frequently used expression of the positive view that Wiccans have toward
human sexuality. This ritual is normally performed symbolically, often after the
main work is completed, at the beginning of the sharing of the food and
beverage. In a coven, a male priest is to hold the athame while a female priestess is to hold the chalice, which has been filled with either wine, ale,
juice, or water before this time. The male priest holds the athame high above the
chalice, blade downward, and words similar to the following are spoken:
Both: ''All fruits of the Earth are fruits of your union, ''Your Womb, your Dance,
Lady and Lord. ''Come, join with us, feast with us, enjoy with us.''
Priest: ''As the athame is to the God,''
Priestess: ''So the chalice is to the Goddess.''
Both (as the priest lowers the athame into the chalice): ''And together, they
bring blessedness.''
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Re: Imbloc Ritual
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Post # 7
Here is some more information on imbloc. from a course my wife was doing

Imbolc or Oimelc is basically an early spring festival. Imbolc (February 2) marks the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. The lengthening periods of light awaken her. The God is a young, lusty boy, but his power is felt in the longer days. The warmth fertilizes the earth (the Goddess), causing seeds to germinate and sprout. And so the earliest beginnings of spring occur.
This is the Sabbat of purification after the shut-in-life of winter, through the renewing power of the Sun. It is also a festival of light and fertility, once marked in Europe with huge blazes, torches and fire in every form. Fire here represents our own illumination and inspiration as much as light and warmth.
Imbolc is also known as the Feast of the Torches, Lupercalia, Feat of Pan, Snowdrop Festival, Feast of the Waxing Light, Brigid's Day, and probably by many other names. Some Female Pagans follow the old Scandinavian custom of wearing crowns of lit candles, but many more carry tapers during their invocations.
Spring is Coming!:
Imbolc is a holiday with a variety of names, depending on which culture and location you?re looking at. In the Irish Gaelic, it?s called Oimelc, which translates to ?ewe?s milk.? It?s a precursor to the end of winter when the ewes are nursing their newly born lambs. Spring and the planting season are right around the corner.
The Romans Celebrate
: To the Romans, this time of year halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox was known as Lupercalia. For them, it was a purification ritual in which a goat was sacrificed and a scourge made of its hide. Thong-clad men ran through the city, whacking people with bits of hide. Those who were struck considered themselves fortunate indeed. This is one of the few Roman celebrations that is not associated with a particular temple or deity. Instead, it focuses on the founding of the city of Rome, by twins Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a she-wolf -- in a cave known as the ''Lupercale''.
The Feast of Nut
: The ancient Egyptians celebrated this time of year as the Feast of Nut, whose birthday falls on February 2 (Gregorian calendar). According to the Book of the Dead, Nut was seen as a mother-figure to the sun god Ra, who at sunrise was known as Khepera and took the form of a scarab beetle.
Christian Conversion of a Pagan Celebration
: When Ireland converted to Christianity, it was hard to convince people to get rid of their old gods, so the church allowed them to worship the goddess Brighid as a saint -- thus the creation of St. Brigid's Day. Today, there are many churches around the world which bear her name. This is one of the traditional times for initiation into covens, so self dedication rituals can be performed or renewed at this time.
A major symbol of Imbolc is the Grain Dolly made from last year's grain sheaves twisted or woven to represent a symbolic figure of the Goddess. The figure is then laid in a small bed on Imbolc night to wait for the appearance of her Sun God consort. Another custom of the holiday is the weaving of a ''Brigit's Cross'' from straw to hang around the house for protection.
Evergreen and willow are traditional plants of Imbolc, and the typical colors for the altar candle are pink or pale green. Altar displays could include seeds and nuts.
Deities of Imbolc
: All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus.
Symbolism of Imbolc
: Purity, Growth and Re-Newal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility, and dispensing of the old and making way for the new.
Symbols of Imbolc
: Brideo'gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid's Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), and Ploughs.
Foods of Imbolc
: Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppy seed Cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, all dairy products, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas.
Incense of Imbolc
: Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Myrrh.
Colors of Imbolc
: White, Red, Blue.
Stones of Imbolc:
Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.
Activities of Imbolc
: Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring, Making of Brideo'gas and Bride's Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, and Bon Fires may be lit.
Herbs of Imbolc
: Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Violets, and all white or yellow flowers.
Colors:
White:
The color of protection, peace, and purity. Symbolic of the nature of the beast that are born during this time.
Blue:
Tranquility for the mother who labors, patience and health as she watches her infants grow strong on her love and nourishment.
Red:
The symbolic color of sex and power, and health. Red also represents Brigid?s fires which continue to provide solace from the cold.




Incense
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Dragon?s Blood
? part Red Sandalwood
1 part Cinnamon
A few drops Red Wine
To this mixture add a pinch of the first flower (dry it first) that is available in your area at the time of Imbolc. Burn during Wiccan/Pagan ceremonies on Imbolc, or simply to attune with the symbolic rebirth of the Sun--the fading of winter and the promise of spring.
Pathworkings:
Go for a holiday walk. It can be short or long, whichever you like. See if you can feel the impending season. Imagine, as you walk, what activities are occurring under the soil.
Clean house. Physically first, then psychically, magically.
Make a list of things you would like to plant in yourself, and keep the list in a place you will remember. Add to it between now and Ostara, whenever the mood strikes you.
Light candles for yourself and your loved ones, saying prayers and sending them light ad color symbolizing that which they most need or want to come into their lives.
Make some candles. One can make hand-rolled ones from sheets of beeswax (they?re easy and quite beautiful), poured candles (this requires a mold---see what kinds of molds you can make from inexpensive items around the house), or you can ever try hand-dipping some. You will need to heat your wax in a deep vessel---I suggest a large coffee can, and have another can nearby with very cold, or even iced water. You will start with only a string of wick, perhaps a foot and a half long, divided in half. Dip both ends in the wax a few times, then dip them into the cold water to set the wax. Be sure to keep the ends from sticking together. Repeat the above (it will take some time), until they look right to you. Remember to dip in and out of the wax quickly, or you?ll melt off what you?ve just dipped.
See your healers, and give your body a ?tune-up.? You?ll feel better, more energetic, more able to let in the light and energy that is growing so rapidly this time of year.
Purchase some small (I call the ?seed?) crystals, and think of what you will program into them, so that you will be ready to ?plant? them at Ostara.




Decoration

Materials
:
Craft wreath
Eight white candles
Ivy leaves or vines
Glue gun
Directions
: Either drill thick holes into the wreath so that candles can be placed inside, or just secure them with screw-bottom candleholders or glue gun glue. Place the ivy leaves around in a decorative fashion.
Ritual use
: The eight candles are symbolic of the eight spokes of the year, and spinning the circle into motion at Imbolc is important. In ritual, the candles can be solemnly lit with a cauldron or bowl placed in the middle of the candle wheel. The cauldron or bowl can have the Wish Tree in the middle of it, with water all around it, and have new pennies thrown into it while cementing the wishes. Also the tree and the candle wheel can be toasted.
How to Make Ice Candles
Ice candles are a lot of fun and easy to make during the winter months. Since February is traditionally a snow-filled time, at least in the northern hemisphere, why not make some ice candles to celebrate Imbolc, which is a day of candles and light?
You'll need the following:
Ice
Paraffin wax
Color and scent (optional)
A taper candle
A cardboard container, like a milk carton
A double boiler, or two pans
Melt the paraffin wax in the double boiler. Make sure that the wax is never placed directly over the heat, or you could end up with a fire. While the wax is melting, you can prepare your candle mold. If you want to add color or scent to your candle, this is the time to add it to the melted wax.
Place the taper candle into the center of the cardboard carton. Fill the carton with ice, packing them loosely in around the taper candle. Use small chunks of ice -- if they're too large, your candle will be nothing but big holes.
Once the wax has melted completely, pour it into the container carefully, making sure that it goes around the ice evenly. As the hot wax pours in, it will melt the ice, leaving small holes in the candle. Allow the candle to cool, and then poke a hole in the bottom of the cardboard carton so the melted water can drain out (it's a good idea to do this over a sink). Let the candle sit overnight so the wax can harden completely, and in the morning, peel back all of the cardboard container. You'll have a complete ice candle, which you can use in ritual or for decoration.
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Re: Imbloc Ritual
By:
Post # 8
Great info Darkermaster!

I am coming to call it Lambingtide (which is the name a group in England uses) as I find it more appropriate for where I live (this is when the lambing begins!).

We do a ritual based on an OBOD ritual, honouring Brigid and lighting 19 candles to Brigid to this poem:

"Your first candle lit, is your sunrise birth; the flame of your house reaching Ceugant's bride.
Your second, is the spark of your union with Bres, son of Elathan.
Your third, is the pillar of fire, as you took the veil, rising high and clear.
Your fourth are brothers, with Dagda your father, Broadb the red, Bedar Ogma and Angus.
Your fifth is eternal life's spring; that sings your name, in crystal gaze.
Your sixth, is the flame of your altar, that never dies.
Your seventh, is the Grove at Llandwynwn, on Mena's shore, where lovers tryst.
Your eighth is the strength of your Oxen of Dil, Fea and Fearna, Red and Black.
Your ninth, is the sign of your breath, as new life grows from old, your bridge of truth.
Your tenth, is a milk white cow, of redden ears, The Earth Mother's Nectar, sweet!
Your eleventh, is a girdle, that spans night and day, yet heals and remains.
Your twelfth, is a veil of truth, in a flowering thorn, your wearyall path.
Your thirteenth, is for your son, Ruardan, to be reborn.
Your fourteenth, is the white light of the flowing word, born at sunrise -- the molten sky.
Your fifteenth, is the Grove at Kildare, with solid Oak and crystal spring.
Your sixteenth, are shrines throughout Albion, in church, Well and Wall.
Your seventeenth, is your will, of black iron, forged in the determination of a thousand
Your eighteenth, is a healing, The White Dog at the Portal, the Chalice of your smile.
Your nineteenth is a Clarsach, which spells and binds, the hours, days and signs, all in a silver bough.
Your last is your first, the beginning of the turning sea, the ending of the three in one
The Dancing Sun in the hearts of all! The candle that never dies!"
(From "The Druid Sourcebook" by John Mathews
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Re: Imbloc Ritual
By:
Post # 9
Great Aelwyn!!. Always adored the British Isles you know!!
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