Imbolc Sabbat 2025 Dragonfly

Imbolc Sabbat

Circle Dragonfly

Sunday, February 2, 2025

 

Grounding

(everyone)

 
We are rooted in the Earth.  The Earth protects us, and it empowers us.  Earth is our Center, Air is our Wisdom, Fire our Power, Water our Energy.  Ground us, guide us, empower us, move us to do what must be done.  So, Mote it Be.
 

Casting the Circle:

 
HPS:         Three times round this Circle’s bound. As above, so it is below.  As without, so it is within.  By the earth that is her body, and by the air that is her breath, by the fire of her bright spirit, and by the living waters of her womb, the circle is cast. So, Mote it Be.
 

Call the quarters

(Face the direction; call the quarter; then light the candle on the altar)

 
North:      I call the watchtower of the north, the power of Earth, to come to this circle with the strength of the thawing ground beneath our feet and all the potential that lies there as yet unseen. (Light the green candle) Blessed Be.
 
East:         I call the watchtower of the east, the power of Air, to come to this circle, bringing the invigorating winter breezes that herald the coming of spring. (Light the yellow candle) Blessed Be.
 
South:      I call the watchtower of the south, the power of Fire, to come to this circle with the light of the returning sun. (Light the red candle) Blessed Be.
 
West:        I call the watchtower of the west, the power of Water, to come to this circle and wash away the sleepy winter energy that holds us back. (Light blue candle) Blessed Be.
 
HPS:          I conceive this circle as a place of contemplation and protection, blessed by the elements.  As above, so below, so mote it be.
 

Blessing

 
May the life stirring underground stir new dreams to life within you.  May the flames of inspiration and passion be ignited in your soul.
 
HPS:         Today is Imbolc, the day of midwinter festival of lights.  This day we honor and invite the Goddess Brigid, Goddess of Fire and Water, Hearth and Home, to join us in our circle as we pay homage to the passing of winter and the coming of the light.  The cold has begun to fade away, and the days grow longer.  Spring lies within sight, the Earth quickens.  As we celebrate the first subtle stirrings of life beneath the ground, so we start to emerge from our own wintry sleep and makes plans for the year to come.
 
Also known as Brigid’s Day, Imbolc is a festival of lights, growth and new beginnings.  Falling approximately halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, this Sabbat is a time of purification, renewal, and inspiration.
 
HPS (light the Brigid candle):       Bright blessings at midwinter to all!  Brigid has returned with the sacred flame, watching over home and hearth.  This is a time of rebirth and fertility, and as the earth grows full of life, may you find abundance on your own path.  In addition to honoring the Goddess Brigid, Imbolc is also a time to celebrate the returning light and the start of the growing season.  It is a time to clean and purify your home, plant the seeds of your goals and intentions for the year, and make a plan for the coming spring.  This year it coincides beautifully with our new found hope for healing our bodies from disease, our social divisions, and our planet from destruction.
 
In order to begin anew, we must sweep out that which is no longer needed so as to purify our surroundings, and preparing the way for new growth.  Take this besom
(pass broom to the first person and have them pass it on to the next) and sweep outwards to clear out the old and let the new enter.  Life starts anew at this time of cleansing.
 
HPS (After everyone has swept place besom on altar; drop rosemary & bay into flame):       I call upon the power of these herbs that their scent now released in this cauldron’s fire purify us, and our surroundings.  With this rite we are reaffirmed in our Coven and Craft, and made ready with the release of those no longer welcome, and for the renewal of life in the coming of Spring.
 
HPS (Wave brush end over the cauldron):  May this besom be cleansed that nothing cast out of the Circle in the coming year return with it or cling to it.  So, Mote it Be!
 
HPS:          We have traveled together from the darkness into the light and now we will use the energy that journey created to send our plans for the coming year out into the universe, where they will blossom and grow with the spring flowers.
 
Repeat after me - Out of the dirt and out of the dark; I shine with the light of the sun. Out of the cold and the slow winter pace; the new year’s path is begun.
Energy grows, light does return, brighter and brighter each day.
All of my plans will bloom with the flowers when spring comes back for a stay. 
So, Mote it Be.
 

Cakes and Ale

 
HPS (Take the milk/wine and offer a sip to Brigid; pour a little in the bowl)
Bless this drink so that it may symbolize the sweetness of our lives.  May Brigid give her blessings to you this season. So, Mote it Be.
(Pass the wine clockwise)
 
HPS (Make an offering to Brigid of oatcake; place a little in the bowl).
Bless these cakes, a gift of the Goddess, who provides food and sustenance for both body and soul.  May Brigid’s love and light nurture your path. So, Mote it Be.
(Pass the plate clockwise)
 
HPS:          Come and allow the warmth of Brigid’s hearth to embrace you. Allow the light of her flame to guide you. Allow the love of her blessing to protect you. Blessed Be.
(Invite others to approach the altar to light their candle from the Brigid candle)
 
(When everyone has lit their candle)
Take a few moments to meditate.  Think about how you will make changes in the coming weeks.  Brigid is a goddess of abundance and fertility and she may help you guide your goals to fruition.
 
Hold your papers with your intention written on it over the cauldron and pass them through your candles before letting them burn out.
 
Repeat after me - We allow Brigid’s flame to empower our intentions.  We release that which we no longer want or need. May our wishes and dreams bear fruit.
 
Make a wish for what you do want to welcome in.  Then put your candle in the candle holder on the altar.
 

Release

 
HPS:         We thank the Goddess Brigid for joining us this night, for watching over us and guiding us as we emerge from the dark into the light.  For her protection and warmth and lasting inspiration.
 

Release the Quarters

 
West:        Oh, Great Spirit of the West who gives us the waters.  Thank you for joining this circle.  Go if you must, stay if you will, hail and farewell.
 
South:      Oh, Great Spirit of the South who gives us fire.  Thank you for joining this circle. Go if you must, stay if you will, hail and farewell.
 
East:         Oh, Great Spirit of the East who gives us the air.  Thank you for joining this circle. Go if you must, stay if you will, hail and farewell.
 
North:      Oh, Great Spirit of the North who gives us the earth.  Thank you for joining this circle. Go if you must, stay if you will, hail and farewell.
 
HPS:         By the earth that is her body, and by the air that is her breath. By the fire of her bright spirit, and by the living waters of her womb. This circle is open, but unbroken. May the joy of the Goddess live in our hearts. Merry meet, merry part, and may we merry meet again.

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