~ Midnight Desert Moon ~ Book of Shadows ~ Imbolc 2005~

Imbolc 2005
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 inadequate living conditions. 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.

Supplies needed
Goddess candle
Element candles
1 small Cauldron
1 large Cauldron
Alcohol
Ice
Salt
Herbs: dill, rosemary, chamomile, cinnamon, frank & myrrh
OiIs: carnation, cinnamon
8 white candles
Besom(brooms)
Honey, milk
Candlesnuffer
Coffee cake, wine
Powdered creamer
Paper and Pens

Everyone walks counter clockwise around tile 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"

Lighting of the Sun Wheel.
Each person lights 1 candle while naming a Sabbat until all 8 candles are lit.

HPS: "This was, in essence a lighted Sun Wheel, a symbol of the Wheel of the Year warmed and lighted by the Sun"

Circle Cast
HP: Casts circle

HPS: Standing at alter says:
"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: Standing at Alter and Says:
"Elemental Powers hear our call, North, East, South and West
We ask your presence at our request."

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

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

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

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

Above and Below: Light Purple Candle and say:
"Ancient Guardians, Those who came first, elements and powers of the sky above and the Earth below, the Goddess awakens."

Invocation to the Goddess's
Light Goddess candle
HPS: "Great Goddess of Egypt-Nut the Mother of the Gods, Bast the Dark Lady of
Protection and hard Lessons, Isis the worker of the greatest of Magicks, Nephthys of the unseen, Hathor the balancer of all things, Sekhmet of power, energy and force, Seshhat of Literature and Libraries and Mut the Giver of Life and Bringer of Death, 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: "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."

HPS: "As the land and its creatures renew with the coming of spring, so shall we."

Light small cauldron

HPS: "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."

Light large cauldron

HPS: "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 along with the hopes and dreams for the coming year."

Everyone Stands around the alter
Write down your wishes and dreams for this year then
Take a handful of Herbs, as you say the following throw your wish in the fire, followed by the Herbs.
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."

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

Any Magickal Workings

Farewell to Goddess
Standing in front of Alter
HPS: "Oh great Goddess's, Thank you for your presence and protection here tonight Goddess's of light."

HP: "You will always be in our hearts kindling our fires, empowering and inspiring us."

HP & HPS: "We bid you Farwell, stay if you will, leave if you must."

Pinch out Goddess candle

Goodbye to Quarters
South: pinch out red candle and say:
"Lady Asbet, 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:
"Lady Ashket, Guardians, Spirits, elements and powers of East and Air, Thank you for joining us in the circle and sharing in the celebration of warn winds and light."

North: Pinch out Green Candle and say:
"Lady Tanet, 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."

West: pincli out blue candle and say:
"Lady Tefnut, 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."

Above and Below: Pinch out Purple Candle and say:
Ancient Guardians, Those who came first and before all others, powers of the sky above and the Earth below, Thank you for joining us in the circle and sharing in the celebration."

HP Opens Circle

Ground and center