IMBOLC  LORE
          
It is traditional upon Imbolc, at sunset or just after ritual, to light every
lamp in the house – if only for a few moments. Or, light candles in each room in
honor of the Sun’s rebirth.   Alternately, light a kerosene lamp with a red
chimney and place this in a prominent part of the home or in a window.

If snow lies on the ground outside, walk in it for a moment, recalling the
warmth of summer.  With your projective hand, trace an image of the Sun on the
snow.

Foods appropriate to eat on this day include those from the dairy, since Imbolc
marks the festival of calving.  Sour cream dishes are fine.  Spicy and full-
bodied foods in honor of the Sun are equally attuned.  Curries and all dishes
made with peppers, onions, leeks, shallots, garlic or chives are appropriate.
Spiced wines and dishes containing raisins – all  foods symbolic of the Sun – 
are also traditional.

Triskellion’s Celtic Imbolc Ritual

This is the 1994 Imbolc Ceremony of Triskellion Coven, based in Washington D.C.
It was written by Anne Cross. Cast: Maiden, Mother, Crone, quarter wardens,
others.

Everyone stands in a ring. The Captain of the West sets the cauldron in the
middle of the ring. The three goddess-aspects enter the circle from the east
and circle deosil around the cauldron. The Maiden begins chanting:

Come to us from the Earth’s four quarters

Earth and Air and Fire and Water

Bring your minions to this home

Sylphs, Undines, Salamanders, Gnomes.

Ask your Captains, Nixsa, Djinn, Paralda, Ghob

To bring them in.

The first time, only the Maiden chants. After that it is done twice more, once
by the Mother and once by the Crone. Then everyone turns to the east to greet
Paralda, Captain of the Sylphs and Lord of the East.

Paralda: The Air is the element of the Spring,

The Maiden returns to bring forth her son

The Oak returns from his rest,

And the spiral turns anew.

Then everyone turns south to greet Djinn, Captain of the Salamanders and Lord
of the South. After Djinn, west for Nixsa, Captain of the Undines and Lord of
the West. Finally, we turn north for Ghob, Captain of the  Gnomes and Lord of
the North.

Djinn: The Fire has the power of warmth

The sun returns to our lands.

The light wakes the plants from their slumber

And the spiral turns anew.

Nixsa: The Water douses the land

The thirsty land drinks and awakens

The streams and rivers fill with melting snow

And the spiral turns anew.

Ghob: The Earth gives up her treasures

The bear wakes from his slumbers

The Holly Lord retires in the face of spring

And the spiral turns anew.

All face the circle. The Mother and the Crone step into the outer circle,
leaving the Maiden alone in the center. The five people who ask the blessing
arrange themselves in a five-pointed star inside the circle. After each person
speaks, they salute the Maiden.

Person 1: On this day we remember the Goddess who left us as Crone at Samhain,
and is to return to us. Come back to us, Lady, and bring the spring.

Person 2: Lady, the snowdrops have pushed their way through the cold, wet
earth, and we dream of your return. Come back to us, Lady, and bring the spring.

Person 3: The birds return from their winter homes. Come back to us, Lady, and
bring the spring.

Person 4: The plants which went down into the earth with you are close to
renewal. Come back to us, Lady, and bring the spring.

Person 5: The trees are waiting to bring forth new leaves. Come back to us,
Lady, and bring the spring.

Person 1: Come back from the Caves of Annwn, where souls are purged of pain and
sorrow.

Person 2: Return from Hel, where souls are freed from grief and despair.

Person 3: Come to us from the Mists of Avalon, from the Apple Orchard.

Person 4: Come from Tir-nan-Og, the Land of Blessed Rest.

Person 5: Return from the land of Faerie, where you have dreamed long dreams of
summer.

All: Come back to us, Lady, and bring the spring!

The Maiden (saluting): Cold Winter is gone, the snow will thaw

The badger stirs within the Earth

I sing the Goddess back once more,

To give the land its own rebirth.

The snowdrop comes, the robin sings

I come now, the Maiden

And with one voice

In spring and love and Goddess we rejoice.

The simple feast now. Then the circle is reformed and the Crone passes a
necklace to the Maiden.

Crone: I pass this to you and with it I bring

From ancient cold winter to much younger spring,

From one who is done to one in her prime

So mote it be, in comes the springtime!

The Maiden and Crone bow to each other. The Maiden puts on the necklace and
breaks the circle in the east.

Maiden: So mote it be! Fiat!

All: So mote it be! Fiat!

[A word to the wise: The first time we did this ceremony, an ice storm hit
Washington three days later and froze the city for a solid week. Use with
caution. ]