Imbolc

From "The Wheel Of The Year At Muin Mound Grove, ADF"

By Rev. Robert Lee (Skip) Ellison

© 2001

1) Consecration of Space followed by Musical Signal when finished. (Bell)
The musical signal is usually given by ringing a bell a total of nine times in groups of threes.

2) Processional.
This chant is usually sung as people are approaching and entering our Nemeton area over the bridge.

Chant - We Are A Circle Moving
(Words and original music below © by Marae Price) - MP3 As used in MMG
This is the original tune the chant was taken from MIDI
We are a circle moving
One with another, we are
Moving together we are one.

We are a circle moving
One with another, we are
Moving together we are one.

I am spirit, and I flow in you.
You are spirit and you flow in me.

3) Aspurging and Censing as people enter the area. (Water and incense)
Aspurging is done by sprinkling each person with water from a chalice while saying
" May we wash away all Earthly cares."
Censing is done by fanning incense smoke around each person while saying
"May the Spirit rise within you."

4) Sigil Marking / Opening Prayer.
A short declaration of why we are here is spoken, such as:
"We are here to honor the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits of the Earth. As our ancestors gathered to celebrate this time, so too do we gather here tonight."
(Forcefully) "We are here to honor the Gods!" *
TÁ MUID ANSEO CHUN ONÓIR A THABHAIRT DO NA DÉITHE!
(ta mid anshow khun onoh'r a havart do na day-a)
(All repeat) "We are here to honor the Gods!"
*This line is spoken forcefully, first in English, then in Gaelic, and the English part repeated by those assembled, while two people mark the Sigil by stepping back a pace outside the circle, then crossing to the opposite side and through the circle by a pace, then returning to their starting positions.

5) Honoring the Earth Mother. (Cornmeal offering).
In our Grove, we usually honor the Earth Mother first with a poem written by one of our members (Gloria), then with a chant. An offering of cornmeal is poured to the Earth around the circle as the poem is being read. One of her poems for Imbolc is given here.

As the words are spoken, the group softly hums the melody to Air I am...
"Mother of Diversity
once more
You are with child.
are swollen with the
Cycle of Perpetual Life
once more
shall your womb
issue Beauty and Light
and
they shall be called:
Inspiration"

Chant - Earth Mother (Author Unknown) - MP3
Earth Mother, we honor your body
Earth Mother, we honor your bones
Earth Mother, we sing to your spirit
Earth Mother, we sing to your stones

At this time, it is our custom to bestow a kiss upon the Earth, either directly or via our fingertips, while the presiding Druid says:
"And it is the custom among our people, our folk and our grove, to bestow a kiss upon our Mother."

6) Invoking the Bardic Deities
Here is another example of this invocation done through song. It is usually sung by the presiding Bard.

Chant - Lady Brigid (Words by Peggy Kaan) - MP3
Lady Brigid of the Bards
Blessed Fire of Inspiration
Spark the flames within our hearts
Lead our creative exploration
Lady Brigid hear our song
As we give offerings of praise

7) Expression of Unity.

Chant - As One (Author Unknown) - MP3
As One we walk this earth together.
As One we sing to Her our song.
As One we love Her
As One we heal her
Her heart beats with our own as One.

As One we join with Her, our Mother.
As One we sing our sacred song.
As One we touch Her
As One we heal Her
Her heart beats with our own as One.

8) Two Power Meditation Earth & Sky.
Two people, male and female, with one doing the Earth part and the other the Sky part usually lead this meditation. We do this to incorporate the subtle energy difference between the sexes. We start by having the people get ready to meditate. Slow their breathing down, take deep, full breathes, clear their minds, etc. We then tell them to start using their "inner vision," that's found in their mind's eye.

"(Voice One) Close your eyes and join hands. Take some slow, full breaths, deep breaths, in and out. Allow your mind to settle and focus on the work to be done. As we stand here tonight in this grove of trees, we come together as a community. We come together as one people. Tonight, let your vision turn inward. Use the eye that looks into, behind your normal eyes and allow that vision to flow down through your body. Down through the land that you stand on, down past the sweet waters that flow through the earth, down to the hot lava that makes up the magma of the earth. As your vision travels, so too can your other senses. You can feel the coolness of the earth. You can smell the cool dampness of the earth. And when you get down to the magma, your can smell the heat. You can feel the heat. You can feel the energies that flow through the earth. Feel those energies. Savor those energies and allow those energies to move up, up through the conduit that you make through your senses. And allow that energy to flow up through you. Fill your body till it's glowing with the energies of the earth and allow that energy to spill out all around you. And as we all allow that energy to build, the energy just rotates and pools among us and fills us all with the wonders of the earth."

"(Voice Two) And the wonders of the sky. That which only our spirits can feel, that our eyes can glimpse. The twinkling of the stars as they dance back and forth, back and forth. Feel that spirits, that knowing, that life, rise up like the smoke of our fire. To dance in the arms of the trees. To dance on the embrace of the winds. And up even further until it's among the light of the stars. There that cool, cleansing and clean energy fills your soul. That song, that celestial being, that surround you, that is you, sings you back and forth, back and forth. Let that energy like song, go back into the wind, and down into the tops of the trees. Down like the smoke of our fire and the flames. And into the coals, to the ground. Be at peace, be at peace, be at peace.

9) Creation Myth
This myth was borrowed from Sassafras Grove located in Pittsburgh, PA. It was written by Eric Cannali and shared with us at the Wellspring Gathering in 1998.
"THE CREATION MYTH
Who are we? From whence do we come? What is the story of Our People?
Ni ansa…
(Pronounced Nee an-sa)
Not hard...
A great misty cloud had gathered together in the void
Swirling and spiraling; spiraling and swirling
Drawing ever-in upon itself.

At its center a radiance shone forth
And drove outward the surrounding cloud
gathering the waters together here below.

And so it was that the stuff of creation drew apart
To form the Fire Above
And the Waters Below.

The Solar Fire warmed the Cauldron of Creation
And stroked upon its waters with thunderbolts
And begat upon it Life.

And the Life begat the Creatures
And the Creatures begat the Ancestors
And the Ancestors begat Us; the Living People.

Upright, like you, Great Tree
We bear upon us the mark of Creation
Then, now, and for all time.

Rooted in the ancestral waters of the World Below,
Spanning this Middle-World of form
And reaching ever-upward to embrace the Fire Above."

10) Historical Precedent
This section is when a little history of the holiday is given. It is usually done by the presiding Druid.
"This is the night of Imbolc, the spoke on the Wheel of the Year that celebrates the revival of life for the Earth Mother and the beginning of spiritual regrowth for her inhabitants. We watch as the waxing light basks and warms the Earth, awakening her from a long winter hibernation. Seeds planted begin to take root. Plant yourself firmly like the Cosmic Tree and feel newborn life replenish your soul. Look to the sky, that your aspirations may reach up like limbs to touch the pinnacles of your devotion. May we be refreshed and renewed as we rejoice in ritual and song in honor of the Goddess Brid, bringer of Light, the goddess of healing, poetry, fertility, and inspiration."

11) Naming the Deity of the Ritual - Brid (pronounced Bree-sh)

GODDESS "Brid,
Known for many skills,
Daughter of the Dagda and Boann,
Mother of the sacred flame"

"We acknowledge you."

12) Establishing the Vertical Axis. (Silver (Well) and Oil (Fire & Tree) offerings)

Chant - Portal Song (Words by Ian Corrigan) - MP3
Come we now to the well, the eye and the mouth of earth
Come we now to the well, and silver we bring
Come we now to the well, the waters of rebirth
Come we now to the well, together we sing

Chorus:
By fire and by water, between the earth and sky
We stand like the world tree, rooted deep, crowned high
By fire and by water, between the earth and sky
We stand like the world tree, rooted deep, crowned high

We will kindle a fire, bless, all and with harm to none
We will kindle a fire, and offering pour
We will kindle a fire, a light neath the moon and sun
We will kindle a fire, our spirits will soar
Chorus

Gather we at the tree, the root and the crown of all
Gather we at the tree, below and above
Gather we at the tree, together we make our call
Gather we at the tree, in wisdom and love
Chorus

13) Establishing the Boundaries. (Cornmeal (Land), Water (Sea) & Incense (Sky) offerings)
First person pours corn meal around the outside of the sacred space saying,
"We ask that the Earth not open up and swallow us."

Second person sprinkles water around the outside of the sacred space saying,
"We ask that the Seas not rise up and drown us."

Third person throws incense and flour into the fire saying,
"We ask that the Sky not fall down upon us."

14) Evoking the Gatekeeper. (Oil offering)
"The snow melts from the Earth ... feeding it with the Waters of Life.
The Earth's Womb contains the seeds of rebirth.
They are our foundation.
Let the light shine forth, to nourish what has been planted.

All you who keep the boundaries, who walk the borders
We ask that you open the way for us that we may tread the secret paths.
Manannan Mac Lir, Gatekeeper,
We ask that you open the gates that we may commune with the Goddess Brid."
(Forcefully) "O Manannan, open the Gates for us!"
A MHANANNAIN, OSCLAÍTEAR NA GEATAÍ!
(awananan, oscleechar na gyatee)
(All repeat) "O Manannan, open the Gates for us!"

15) Acknowledgement of Outsiders. (Ale offering)
A cup of ale is taken to the south, outside of the ritual space, and given to the outsiders after saying:
"We call now upon the Elder Gods, those who fought against our Gods. We give you this offers and ask you to trouble not our work. Outsiders, this is for you!"

16) Triad Invocations:
A) Ancestors. (Cornmeal offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"Ancestors, we give you offerings of cornmeal and our love tonight. We know how much you've given to bring us to where we are and we thank you for it. We ask you now to join with us in our ritual, to lend your strength to ours."
(Forcefully) "Ancestors, be with us tonight!"
All repeat: "Ancestors, be with us tonight!"

B) Nature Spirits. (Herbal mix offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"Spirits of this place, you who live on, swim through, or fly over the lands and waters. We give you offerings of these sweet smelling herbs and our love tonight. We see and hear you around us all the time and we know that you are never really far from us. We ask you now to join us in our ritual, to lend your strength to ours."
(Forcefully) "Spirits of the Earth, be with us tonight!"
All repeat: "Spirits of the Earth, be with us tonight!"

C) Gods/Goddesses. (Oil offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"Shinning Ones, Gods and Goddesses of all the people gathered here tonight. We give you offerings of oil and our love tonight. We listen to your stories and tales with wonder at you have done. We ask you now to join with us in our ritual, to lend your strength to ours."
(Forcefully) "Shinning Ones, be with us tonight!"
All repeat: "Shinning Ones, be with us tonight!"

17) Invocation of Deity Brid. (Oil offering)
As the invocation is spoken, an offering of oil is poured to the fire.
"Come, Daughter of Eternity
Come, Brid of the Flame
Come, Sister of Infinity
Bring healing to the lame

Come, Mother of the Waters
Come, Brid of the Well
Come, Muse of many Daughters
Ring inspiration's bell

Come, Lover of the Anvil
Come, Brid of the Hammers
Come, Artesian Most Able
Sing of sparks and glimmers

Brid, we invoke thee
Known to many ages
Healer, bard, and artesian she
Many names to call her own

Midwife, Warchief, Goddess
Come into our Nemeton
Our hearts we offer guileless
Come into our Nemeton."

"And at this time we call upon our Grove patron and matron, Dagda and Morrigan, and ask them to join with us tonight for our working."

18) Praise Offerings.
Done through individual offers of song, poetry, story, dance, artwork, etc.

19) Omen.
As the omen is being taken, the chant 'Speak to Me' is softly sang in the background and continues until the omen has been taken. The name of any individual God/dess, Ancestor, or Nature Spirit can be substituted for the words 'Goddesses' and 'all the Gods' after the first repetition.

Chant - Speak to Me (Words by Phoenix) - MP3
Speak to me
Speak to me Goddesses
Speak to me
Speak to me all the Gods
The omen is usually done by one person with either runes or ogham cards or sticks. After the omen is interpreted, people are given time to reflect upon how the omen is relevant to their personal lives and the grove as a whole.

20) Return Flow
It is our belief that having given offerings to the Kindreds, that they will return the blessings to us, magnified many times. The return flow section is started by having three people, the Presiding Druid and two members of the Folk of the Grove, hold up the Heartstone, a large cup of water and a large horn of ale. The Presiding Druid then calls for the return flow to begin.
"As we have given love and sacrifices and praise to the Shinning Ones, the Ancestors and the Nature Spirits, we feel that they will return that love and honor to us, magnified by their greatness. And so, I ask you once again to turn to that inner vision, look within yourself to that place where you can see all. Look up to the gate above us. You can see the Shinning Ones, the Ancestors and the Nature Spirits looking down on us with love. Looking down on us and pouring forth their radiance. Pouring forth the energies that were given up to them, magnified many times by their greatness. See it descending down upon us. See the energy fill our Heartstone. Our repository of energy for all who need it, whenever they need it. See how the Heartstone shimmers and glows with the energy. The energy that shines and sparkles and overflows into the cup of water and the horn of ale. See how they in turn shimmer and glow.

(Forcefully) "Behold, the Waters of Life!"
"SEO AN USICE BEATH!"
(show un ishkuh byah)
(All repeat) "Behold, the Waters of Life!"

The cup of water and the horn of ale are then taken around and given to the people. It is the custom in our Grove to give the first offering of the return flow to the ground while saying:
"We give this first offering to those of the Folk and of the members of the Grove that couldn't be with us tonight. May these blessing give them the strength and nourishment to do what they need!"
If people want to make a toast of things they have done since the last holiday, or make a boast of what they will do before the next holiday, before they drink the blessing is the best time for it.

21) Thanking the Deity Brid. (Oil gifts)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Brid, we thank you for your aid and your blessings tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Brid, We thank you!"
"Brid, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIT!"
(Bree-sh, gora ma-agit)
(All repeat) "Brid, We thank you!"

23) Thanking the Triads.
A) Gods/Goddesses. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"To all the Shinning One, we thank you for joining with us tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Gods and Goddesses, We thank you!"
"NA DÉITHE, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Na Day-uh, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Gods and Goddesses, We thank you!"

B) Nature Spirits. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"To all of the Spirits of the Earth, we thank you for joining with us tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Spirits of the Earth, We thank you!"
"SPRIDEANNA NA TALAIMH, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Shprih-dennuh nuh tulluv, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Spirits of the Earth, We thank you!"

C) Ancestors. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"To all the Ancestors, we thank you for joining with us tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Ancestors, We thank you!"
"ÁR SINSIR, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Aur shinshur, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Ancestors, We thank you!"

24) Thanking the Gatekeeper and Closing the Gates. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"As the Earth awakens from her long winter sleep and life flourishes below, upon, and above the Earth, let us remain firmly rooted with our Knowledge a light that shines from within and offers warmth, solace, and protection to all who wish to drink from its cup. Even though the Gate is now being closed, remember that each time it is opened on this plane, it makes it easier to open it again. The key to the gate exists within.

We thank Manannan Mac Lir for being in our midst as we celebrate this new Life. As this ritual is ending, we ask, let the fire be once again fire. And let the well be once again a well, and let the tree be once again a tree."
(Forcefully) "O Manannan, let the gates be closed!"
"A MHANANNAIN, DUNTAR NA GAETAÍ!"
(awananan, doontur na gyatee)
(All repeat) "O Manannan, let the gates be closed!"

25) Reversing the Two Power Meditation
This meditation is reversed at the end of the ritual by having the people allow the energies to move back to their source.
"(Voice Two) Now it is time to once again begin using your inner vision. Look around you at the people and the energies within our Nemeton. See the energies that you brought down with you from the sky. Allow that energy to move back into your being and to fill you with all that you need. When you are filled, allow that energy to move back to where it came from."

"(Voice One) And with the energy from the sky moved back to where it came from, look about to the energies from the earth. Allow that energy to move back into your being and to fill you with all that you need. When you are filled, allow that energy to move back to where it came from. Now you have all the energy within you that you need. See how relaxed and energized you feel. As this ritual comes to a close, be at peace and relaxed and energized!"
(Forcefully) "Biodh amhlaidh! Be it so!"
(bee awlah)
(All repeat) "Biodh amhlaidh! Be it so!"

26) Announcement of End.
Everyone comes together in a group hug as the chant is sung. This chant is especially meaningful if everyone looks around the circle and into people's eyes as it is sung.

Chant - All I Ask of You (Sufi chant - author unknown) - MP3
All I ask of you
Is forever to remember me
As loving You

27) Recessional
As the chant is sung, people start to leave the ritual area.

Chant - Walk With Wisdom (Words by Sable) - MP3
Walk with wisdom, from this hallowed place
Walk not in sorrow, our roots shall ere embrace
May strength be your brother, and honor be your friend
and luck be your lover, until we meet again

Last updated - 4/6/04