Silver Moon Shadow - Imbolc 2004

Ritual:	Silver Moon Shadow’s Imbolc 2004
By:	Silver Moon Shadow Seeker Class
Date & Time:	February 1, 2004 Location: Justice & Wolfwyndd’s house
Purpose:	Celebrate Imbolic. Ritual Spring Cleaning of Self. The ritual is dedicated to Brigid, the Goddess of fire and water, inspiration and healing. Set-Up & Preparation Ritual Roles: (removed for webviewing)
Items Needed:	Bowl of water
	Lavender
	Hand towel to dry hands
	Brigid cakes (made in class earlier)
	Music for Spiral Dance (should be about 5 minutes, and should start out slow and build speed –but not too fast)
	Slips of paper and something to write with.
	Cauldron filled with fire
	Tea Candles for each participant
	Seasonal decorations for the alter
	Decorations for the quarter alters Pre-ritual blah:

CPS:	Explanation of ritual. Take a few moments and think about things in your life that hindered your growth and creativity. For some, it will be a relationship, for others, an emotion such as fear, anger, or helplessness. It might be an action, a habit, or any number of things. Ask yourself if you are ready to get rid of this aspect of yourself. If you are, write it down on the slip of paper that has been provided and bring it with you to the circle.

Circle Set-Up: CP: (Maiden will assist)	Circle set up in living room. The Alter is at the center; quarter alters set up in each direction. Circle will be cleansed with salt water and smug by Justice. At the entrance to circle, there will be a bowl of water with lavender floating in it. Each person will ritually wash their hands as a symbol of washing away the old and preparing for the new. Then participants will dry hands on a hand towel and enter the circle. CP will lead participants in circle breathing to ground and center everyone (Belly tradition). At that point. Quarters will be called, followed by “hand-to-hand” cast, lead by CPS Calling Quarters (written by Seeker Students)
Calling Quarters: (written by the seeker students)	North: O Spirits of the North Ancient one of the earth I call you to attend this circle Charge this by your powers Blessed Be East: I call to The Spirit of the East where the sun rises, ruler of the season of spring, caretaker of the element of air. Please come join us in this sacred space to witness this rite and lend your gentle energies to give honor to our Great Mother and Great Father. Hail and welcome. Blessed be. South: Hail, power of Fire You that warm our hearth, light our way, and cook our food. Please join us in this circle today. Blessed Be. West: Great and holy Ishkey, elemental water, I call to you, come join our circle, help us embrace with love the waking sun and give welcome to the strengthening Holly King With open arms I call to you, and invite you to our sabbats rite. Merry meet and Blessed be
Casting Circle:	"Hand to hand, the circle is cast. Hand to hand the web is spun." Group bubble lead by CP.
Inviting Deity God: CP	CERNUNNOS: Lord Cernunnos, Great God of fertility. Lord of the Wild Hunt. You give the knowledge of life everlasting, and the promise of renewal. We ask that you attend our rite and lend us your knowledge Hail and Welcome, Blessed Be!
Goddess: CPS	BRIDE: Lady Bride, Great Goddess of Life and Death, We ask that you attend our rite. Today the Wheel turns anew and Mother Earth begins to stir Today we'll burn our candles long. Bring us transforming magick, do what you will. Hail and Welcome, Blessed Be!
Body of Ritual:	CPS: "Imbolic is the time of quickening, the first stirrings of spring are felt and we know that soon sun shall return in its full glory and winter shall be banished for another year. This is a time of preparation and ritual purification, when we wash away the trappings of winter and we prepare ourselves for Spring. It is a time to get rid of the habits and attitudes that are no longer useful. It is time look to the future. Prior to entering the circle, each of you was asked to think of that which was no longer useful in your life, that which hindered your growth and creativity. For some, it will be a relationship, for others, an emotion such as fear, anger, or helplessness. It might be an action, a habit, or any number of things. Then, you were asked if you were ready to get rid of this thing that hinders you, that which you have grown beyond, or never needed in the first place. You where then asked to write this down on a slip of paper and bring it into circle with you. I ask you again to think of that which is no longer useful in your life. Name it to yourself and acknowledge that, while it was an important part of your life and self, it is something you no longer need. Be ready to release this. Soon we will began the spiral, a symbol of birth, death, and rebirth. As we begin our spiral dance, first moving outward, then moving in, let go of that which hinders you. As you approach the cauldron, release that which hinders you, let it be cleansed in the waters of rebirth State, allow or in your heart, “I release ______ to make way for Spring.” MUSIC STARTS. SPIRAL DANCE SLOWLY OUTWARD AND INWARD AND OUTWARD BACK TO YOUR PLACE. Having released that which hinders us makes way for the fires of creativity, growth, and inspiration. When you are ready to approach Brigit’s fire, the symbol of her cleansing and renewal, and take some of it for yourself. (light candles from main/alter candle). Know that as you light your candle, you share Brigid’s light of inspiration.
Cakes & Wine:	Bride’s bread (Made prior to ritual) Milk Blessing: Blessed be this food and drink that leads us unto life. Blessed is the mystery that draws us unto death and beyond. May we ever be aware of all that we owe and be grateful. For all that we have. Eat and drink. Be happy. Share and give thanks. Cakes and wine are passed around circle.
Thanking Deity: Goddess CPS	These Candles will burn, but we shall carry their light in our hearts and the promise of renewal in our souls. Bride: Great Lady, thank you for your cleansing powers and inspiration. May we have the motivation to carry out our own purification so we are prepared for Spring. Stay if you will, go if you must, Hail and Farewell.
God CP	Cernunnos: Great Lord, thank you for planting the seed of transformation in our hearts. May we have the strength to carry this to ripening. Stay if you will, go if you must, Hail and Farewell.
Dismissing Quarters (written by seeker students)	West: Great and holy Ishkey, elemental water, thank you for joining our sabbats rite and sharing your love with us. I release my hold on you go, now in peace. Merry part and blessed be until we meet again. South: Power of Fire, Thank you for your presence today Hail and Farewell East: Spirit of the East, I honor and thank you for joining us today. May you leave with our blessings, yet always remain in our hearts. Hail and farewell. Blessed be. North: O spirits of the north, ancient one of earth, thank you for lending your strength to our circle. We ask now that you depart in peace. Hail and farewell
Opening Circle CPS	Reverse Group bubble. The Circle is open, yet unbroken, Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again.