An Imbolc Rite
Historically, Imbolc is the time of year when lambs would be born. It is
earliest time of the year when the days first start being visibly longer. There is
light without heat. Spring has not yet arrived, but there is hope for spring.
This time of season is a good time for planning out goals for the coming year.
Imbolc is the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring
equinox. It is a cross-quarter holiday that is considered a “major” Sabbat (along with Beltane,
Lugnassadh, and Samhain).
Special Materials Needed
Divination Tool: Can be runes, tarot, or any other preferred divination tool.
Setting up Ritual Space
All but the most hardcore Pagans will likely hold this ritual indoors. At this time of year, not only does
the sun set early, the nights are both cold and windy. Should an outdoor ritual be preferred, the
Celebrant should consider building a bonfire for providing both light and heat. Torches may be placed at
the cardinal directions.
For an indoor ritual, large pillar candles can be placed at the cardinal directions. The ritual space should
be swept with a broom made of natural materials and purified with incense. The altar colors should
include red, white, and black. Several acorns should also be placed on the altar.
Casting the Circle
The Celebrant shall walk the periphery of the ritual space three times, clockwise starting from the east.
On the first pass, the Celebrant shall sprinkle salt water along the edge of the sacred space. On the
second pass, the Celebrant shall trace the periphery with a rod of incense. With the final pass, the
Celebrant shall use an Athame.
Once the circle is walked three times, the Celebrants issue a Gathering call:
First Iteration
Priestess:
"Come shapers, come craftsmen, come molders of clay
Come artists, come singers, come teachers of the way
Come warriors, come hearth-keepers, come healers
Come wise ones, come mystics, come fortune-dealers."
Covenors:
"We come to the Circle, we answer the call!"
Second Iteration
Priest:
"We are shapers of dreams, crafters of song
We are teachers of lore, righters of wrong
We are seekers of truth, affirmers of life
We are guardians of peace, soothers of strife."
Coverers:
"We come to the Circle, we answer the call!"
Third Iteration
Priestess:
We remember the fire, the well, and the tree
We remember the call that all must be free
We remember the Lady, and the Lord of the Sun,
We remember the charge to love all and harm none
Covenors:
"We come to the Circle, we answer the call!"
Priest and Priestess: "The Circle is cast!"
Coven: "So mote it be!"
Calling the Quarters
The elemental spirits and deities are called starting in the east, in a clockwise fashion. The appropriate
candle is lit after each call.
Air/East
Guardian of the East, Spirit of Air
In love and thanks we invite you here
The wind howls mournfully throughout the night
Given force by winter’s might
An icy gale chills hands and face
And blows dead leaves from place to place
Guardian of the East, we give thanks to thee
Spirit of Air, blessed be
Hail and Welcome!
Fire/South
Guardian of the South, Spirit of Fire
In love and thanks we invite you here
The heath fires glow with resplendent light
And gives us heat throughout the night
Candles, torches, and braziers bright
Repel the darkness and grant us sight
Guardian of the South we give thanks to thee
Spirit of Fire, blessed be
Hail and Welcome!
Water/West
Guardian of the West, Spirit of Water
In love and thanks we invite you here
Flurries spiral down from a slate-gray sky
Pure white snow piles up waist-high
The lakes are frozen, as are the streams
In morning light, the clear ice gleams
Guardian of the West, we give thanks to thee
Spirit of Water, blessed be
Hail and Welcome!
Earth/North
Guardian of the North, Spirit of Earth
In love and thanks we invite you here
The mountain peaks gleam white with snow
The valleys are barren here below
The life force sleeps beneath the ground
The Wheel of the Year shall soon turn ‘round
Guardian of the North, we give thanks to thee
Spirit of Earth, blessed be
Hail and Welcome!
God
God of the Sun, Lord of the Light
In love and thanks we invite you here
The diminished sun lights the eastern sky
Pink and crimson greets the eye
Though weak against cold winter’s might
The sun shall soon push back the night.
God of the Sun we give thanks to thee
Lord of Light, blessed be
Hail and Welcome!
Goddess
Maiden Goddess, Giver of Life
In love and thanks we invite you here
Your youth and vigor have been restored
Winter’s wrath will be abjured
The path to spring is underway
Evidenced by the strengthening day
Maiden Goddess we give thanks to thee
Giver of Life, blessed be
Hail and Welcome!
Guided Meditation
Covenors may be seated (if this is an indoor ritual) or remain standing if outdoors. Celebrant reads the
meditation.
Close your eyes and make yourself comfortable. Take three cleansing breaths. Breathe in… breathe out…
breathe in… breathe out… We are traveling away from this place. We are traveling somewhere else – to
a place of perfect winter.
You open your eyes in this other realm. It is winter and the night sky is full of stars. The full moon shines
with a cold, white light. You warm yourself near a large, crackling bonfire. It sends smoke and sparks into
the air. You inhale the reassuring scent of the burning logs. The radiant orange glow from the fire
banishes the chill from your hands, face, and feet.
The energy from the brave fire reminds you of the sun’s increasing power. Although it is night, and the
air is chilly, you can sense the beginnings of seasonal change. You feel the spirit of life beneath your feet.
It is vast and quiet. It is not yet awakened, but its slumber is nearly over.
Look now to the moon. It’s pale, steady light contrasts with the dynamic and colorful bonfire. There is a
steadiness and steadfastness to the moon’s glow. It offsets the overabundant heat of the bonfire. In its
cool glow, you find balance. Draw its cleansing, calming light into your body and spirit. The light brings
clarity of thought and enhances your senses. Everything is brought into focus.
Look out into the forest. You see the individual flakes of snow that fall from the branched of evergreen
trees. They drift silently to the ground in gentle spirals. Shadows dance on the pure white snow.
Somewhere an owl hoots in the distance. It is a solitary sound. A cold, dry wind blows flurries across
your boots and the sensation of cold air on your face is exhilarating. It is a good time to be alive.
In this place of solitude, you feel the delicate balance of forces between the waning winter and the
nascent spring. It is a time to contemplate the future, to plan what shall be planted, to prepare for the
goals for this year.
Now is the time to contemplate the future for the coming year. Look into fire and see its crackling
flames. See the flowing, ever-changing patterns. What secrets does it reveal to you?
Silence for a time.
We are ready to leave this place. Remember the tranquility and solitude of the winter forest. Remember
how good the cold wind felt and keep this memory for when the days ahead turn hot. The wheel of the
year turns ever forward. Soon winter will pass and spring will come.
Close your eyes to this place. Breathe in… breathe out… breathe in… breathe out… breathe in… breathe
out… When you are ready, open your eyes.
Magical Working
Celebrant shall complete a divination. For a small gathering the Celebrant can perform a divination for
each Covenor. For a larger gathering, the Celebrant can conduct a general divination for the
circle/coven.
Cakes and Ale
If there are two Celebrants (Priest and Priestess), the Priest shall distribute the bread/cakes and the
Priestess shall distribute the cup of wine/ale/juice.
Priest or Priestess: “The celebration of bread and wine is not unique to Wicca. Many religions in many
cultures have venerated the bounty of grain and vine. Bread and wine sustain the body and bring us
together as a community. In the Wiccan tradition, these gifts also bring us in communion with the God
and Goddess. And so we bring you these gifts so that we may be united with one another in spirit.”
Priestess: “With the cup, we are one.”
Covenor: “Blessed be”
Priest: “We are one people, we share one bread.”
Covenor: “Blessed be.”
Releasing the Quarters
Elemental spirits and deities are released in the opposite order in which they were called. The
appropriate candle is lit after each call.
Goddess
Maiden Goddess, Giver of Life
We give you thanks for coming here
In winter’s gloom, you promise spring
We affirm the wondrous blessings you bring
Though field and forest slumbers still
They shall awaken by your will
Maiden Goddess, we give thanks to thee
Giver of Life, blessed be
Hail and Farewell!
God
God of the Sun, Lord of the Light
We give you thanks for coming here
Your power increases against the night
Warming rays, increasing might
Though still unable to melt the snow
Each day we feel your power grow
God of the Sun, we give thanks to thee
Lord of the Light, blessed be
Hail and farewell!
North/Earth
Guardian of the North, Spirit of Earth
We give you thanks for coming here
Return to the mountains and peaks so white
They sparkle in sun and glimmer so bright
Return to the fields, so stark and cold
As we await spring to take hold
Guardian of the North, we give thanks to thee
Spirit of Earth, blessed be
Hail and farewell!
West/Water
Guardian of the West, Spirit of Water
In love and thanks we invite you here
Return to the frozen lakes and streams
Beneath, the life force slumbers and dreams
Return to the wondrous drifts of snow
They shimmer in sunlight with a sparkling glow
Guardian of the West, we give thanks to thee
Spirit of Water, blessed be
Hail and Farewell!
South/Fire
Guardian of the South, Spirit of Fire
We give you thanks for coming here
Return to the torches and candles bright
We give you thanks for the gift of sight
Return to the flaming hearth so brave
Against the cold, our lives you save
Guardian of the South we give thanks to thee
Spirit of Fire, blessed be
Hail and farewell!
East/Air
Guardian of the East, Spirit of Air
We give you thanks for coming here.
Return to the skies of churning grey
As we await the warming day
Return to the gales, so brisk and cold
Winter’s grip will soon lose hold
Guardian of the East, we give thanks to thee
Spirit of Air, blessed be
Hail and farewell!
Releasing the Circle
The Celebrant walks the perimeter of the circle in a widdershins (counter-clockwise) direction, starting
in the east.
Priest: “May all spirits attracted to our light return to your realms in peace, harming none.”
Priestess: “The circle, though open, remains unbroken.”
Celebrants and Covenors: “Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again!”