Imbolc Sabbat 2011 CO1

 Imbolc Friday, February 3, 2023

Imbolc, Sabbat 2011

Altar Devotions

By the power of the Ancient Ones, in the names of those who have gone before.  

We remember you, we honor you.  So Mote it be.

Anoint

It's the blood of the Ancients that runs through our veins. Welcome and Blessed Be

Unite energies

Imbolc, Candlemas, Festival of Lights, Oimelc, Brigit's Day, Groundhog's Day

Imbolc is the day the Cailleach — the hag of Gaelic tradition — gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that if she intends to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people are generally relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over.  

Today, this holiday is chiefly connected to weather lore. Even our American folk-calendar keeps the tradition of 'Groundhog's Day', a day to predict the coming weather, telling us that if the Groundhog sees his shadow, there will be 'six more weeks' of bad weather (i.e., until the next old holiday, Lady Day). This custom is ancient. An old British rhyme tells us that 'If Candlemas Day be bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year.' 

Imbolc also just happens to be the sixth week after Yule.  In many traditions the end of the year is also the beginning…the time of year when the Gods are reborn.  In ancient times it was once a tradition to keep newborns hidden for a period of six weeks.  It was done not only for the baby’s safety, but the continuing health of the mother.  If the newborn survived the first six weeks of life it was determined that the child would be a new addition to the family.  Babies were first revealed to the community with family celebration, a baby shower or baby blessing. So it makes sense that Imbolc as a sacred Holiday would also be the time for new beginnings.  It is a time to consider new hopes for the year.  This is what we’ll be doing tonight.

Cast Circle

Three times round this Circle’s bound.  From the North and the East to the South and the West then back to the North again. 

 

The first is a Circle of Protection - as we ask Father Nature to cast a protective eye upon all who dwell within these walls.

The second is a Circle of Hope - as we understand that all who pass through these doors will find hope in themselves and in their futures.

The third is a Circle of Love - as we know that our Mother Earth shines the light of Her love upon all who gather here beneath this roof.

Three times round this Circle’s bound.  North, South, East and West from edge to edge this Circle is cast.  So Mote It Be.

Call Quarters

Dragon of the North; You who manage the land, the mountains and gemstones.  We receive and ask for your positive features of stability, decision, and grounding even as we recognize your negative attributes of stubbornness and indecision.  Enter our circle and be blessed.

Dragon of the West; You who direct the seas, the springs and lakes.  We understand and request your positive elements of emotion, intuition and healing while we recognize your negative attributes of instability, anger, and hatred.  Enter our circle and be blessed.

Dragon of the South; You who control the sunbeams and fire. We welcome and ask for your positive aspects of change, action and transformation even as we accept your negative attributes of fear, jealousy, and conflict.  Enter our circle and be blessed. 

Dragon of the East; You who command the winds and breezes.  We appreciate and request your positive attributes of intelligence, renewal, and teaching while acknowledging your negative traits of gossiping, bragging, and confusion.  Enter our circle and be blessed.

Invocation

With the utmost respect I request the assistance of the Chivani of the Roma.  Sara Kali, Mother, woman, sister, queen, the source of all Romany blood; this altar is dedicated to you.  Sara Kali, tonight I request your help – please watch over my Kumpania, protect my familia from any who would do them harm.  Let the things that happen tonight be only for the greater good of all.  

CircleOfOne, in this evening hour, place all Nature within our power.  The sun with its brightness, the moon with its whiteness, the winds with their swiftness, the sea with its deepness, the rocks with their steepness, the earth with its starkness; all things in place with Divine’s help and grace.  So Mote it be.

Working

Cakes and Ale

Earth Mother, Father Nature

Bless what we eat, bless what we drink,

Bless what we harrow, and bless what we sow

Earth Mother, Father Nature

With all these things, let us rejoice,

You give to us, and we give to you

All that we do is in service and in honor to the God and Goddess.  So Mote It Be!

 

Wish Box

Sacred Space

Thank Spirit

With malice towards no-one, and harm to none.  If the Goddess so desires it let our Magick be done.  Thank you Sara Kali, I am honored by your presence in my life.  I know that you walk beside me each day, guide my heart, my tongue, my spirit.  In your honor, So Mote it Be.

 

Release Quarters

Dragons of the North, South, East and West please accept our thanks that you are here tonight.  Four points of the circle that joined us here, we thrill in the knowledge that you were near.  Back to the homes from whence you came, until the next time when we call you by name.  We bid you well as you depart, may there be peace between us.

Open Circle

Open now this sacred space; send all dragons back to place.  Fare thee well and safe return.  May those who guide us with their light, protect us in the dark and walk beside us on the roads traveled - this Circle is open but unbroken, merry meet, merry part and may we merry meet again!

Feast

Go Mbeannaigh

          (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

          (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl

          (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)