Imbolc 2004
Arranged by Moon Ankh

This Sabbat is dedicated to honor the Goddess who is slowly turning the Wheel back to Spring .The winters were usually harsh for our Pagan ancestors, due to malnutrition and disease. So it is no surprise that most customs were designed around speeding up the return of the sun and its life giving warmth.
This Sabbat is also known as Candlemas to many cultures, their practice of lighting many fires was to lure back the slowly waxing sun. This then developed into lighting a ring of candles that was carried by a representation of the virgin Goddess. This was, in essence a lighted Sun Wheel, a symbol of the Wheel of the Year warmed and lighted by the Sun.
The Hearth was the central part of the home, for warmth and cooking, and family gatherings. In Scotland it was tradition for every member of the family to throw
Protective salt and herbs in the fire and divine their immediate futures. Which we will do tonight.

Supplies needed
Goddess candle
Element candles
Cauldron for fire/ice
Alcohol
Ice
Salt
Herbs: dill, rosemary, chamomile, cinnamon, frank & myrrh
Oils: carnation, cinnamon
8 white candles
Besom(brooms)
Honey, milk
Candlesnuffer
Coffee cake, wine
Powdered creamer

Light cauldron
HPS :Sam "Tonight is a night when heat overcomes cold"
"The cold months of Yule have past, the Sun is returning to the Earth,
and the Wheel of the Year begins to turn again".
" "With Imbolc we sweep away the last vagueness of winter"

Everyone walks counter clockwise around the circle 3 times, sweeping away Winter's cold and problems and welcome summer.

Everyone say while sweeping:
"Away we sweep the Ice and Cold
Away we sweep the Darkness and Old
Blessed be the light which warms
Blessed be the wheel which turns"

Circle Cast

HPS: Sam Standing at alter say:
" Tonight We Stand at the threshold between the worlds.
May the Old ones protect us that we may walk our true path forever".
"As we stand at this Witches pot
We will stop time on a dot
With fire and Cauldron we will create sacred space
By clasped of hands and Witches Blade
This circle will be made."

Call Quarters

HP: Curtis Standing at Alter and Say:
"Elemental Powers hear our call
North, East, South and West
We ask your presence at our request"

North: light Green Candle Hold up the Salt and say:
"Guardians, spirits, elements and powers of the North and Earth, the Goddess awaken. Come join us in our circle and share in the celebration of new blooms and light".

East: Light yellow candle hold up incense and say:
"Guardians, Spirits, elements and powers of East and Air, the Goddess awaken. Come join us in the circle and share in the celebration of warm winds and light".

South: Light red candle and hold up, and say:
"Guardians, spirits, elements and powers of South and Fire, the Goddess awaken. Come join us in the circle and share in the celebration of the Suns fire and light".

West: Light blue candle and hold up chalice and say:
"Guardians, spirits, elements and powers of the West and Water, the Goddess awakens. Come join us in the circle and share in the celebration of your life giving water and light".

Invocation to the Goddess

Light Goddess candle
HPS: Sam "Great Goddess, I call you by all your names, known and unknown. I ask if you would be with us tonight in this sacred circle that we may feel your power and love and so we may honor you on this Imbolc night".

HP: Curtis "Awaken Goddess, The earth is restless with the first renewed energy and life. Awaken and bring your warmth to prepare the fields and forest, all creatures large and small, for the coming of spring"

Ice and Fire

Everyone takes a turn and light one candle and naming the Sabbat it represents, starting with Imbolc and ending with Yule.
Until all 8 white candles are lit to represent the wheel of light

HPS: Sam "As the land and its creatures renew with the coming of spring, so shall we".
Everyone Stands around the alter
Everyone take some salt for the bitterness of the past year, concentrate and throw it in the fire and watch your problems go up in sparks.
Now take some herbs and consentrate on the good things to come to you in this year and say the following, then throw it in the fire and watch the smoke go up to the heavens and the Goddess and know that your wishes will manifest (come true)". Visualize it coming true.

Everyone Say: 3 times together louder each time:
"Elements of Wind and Fire bring to me my hearts desire".
"Water, Earth, my wish fulfill, Strong my magick, strong my will"
"Within theses elements fourfold, the power grows and so will hold"

Now each person throw your herbs in the fire one by one.

Cakes and Wine
HPS: "Lady Bless these, the fruits of the earth. May they nourish and sustain us.
We thank you for your blessings and abundance"

Farwell to Goddess

Standing in front of Alter
HPS: Sam "Oh great Lady, Thank you for your presence and protection here tonight, Goddess of light".
HP: "You will always be in our hearts kindling our fires, empowering and inspiring us.
HP & HPS: "We bid you Farwell, leave if you must, stay if you will."

Pinch out Goddess candle

Goodbye to Quarters

West: pinch out blue candle and say:
"Guardians, spirits, elements and powers of the West and water.
Thank you for joining us in the circle and sharing in the celebration of your life giving water and light".

South: pinch out red candle and say:
"Guardians, spirits, elements and powers of South and Fire.
Thank you for joining us in the circle and sharing in the celebration of the Suns fire and light".

East: pinch out yellow candle and say:
"Guardians, Spirits, elements and powers of East and Air. Thank you for joining us in the circle and sharing in the celebration of warm winds and light".

North: Pinch put Green Candle and say:
"Guardians, spirits, elements and powers of the North and Earth. Thank you for joining us in our circle and sharing in the celebration of new blooms and light".

Open Circle

Ground and center