SOLITAIRE IMBOLC RITUAL
by Micheal Hall
Note - by Matrika - this ritual was written by someone I knew from the Boston
MA. area a couple of years back. It is based on a combination of the lore of the
Wicca and some of the afro-caribbean diaspora traditions of Paganism and Magick.
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On your altar should be placed a circle of 13 stones and, within the circle of
stones, a circle of 13 candles. Within the circle of candles should be spread
some maize - i.e. corn meal - and in that a waxen female candle to symbolize the
Goddess on your altar. On the eastern side of the altar should be placed a small
sheaf of grain with a candle inserted inside it.
You should dress in your usual ceremonial garb for Magickal rites or skyclad, as
you prefer.
Retire to bathe in salt-water (use sea salt) before the ritual. As you do so
picture the water cleansing the soul and spirit, just as it cleanses the body.
When you have dressed, anoint yourself with a holy oil. When you have prepared
yourself, sit in a dim quiet place and light a candle - ONE THAT IS NOT BEING
USED IN THE RITES - and meditate on how at this time of year the Goddess in her
fiery aspect AS LIGHT was welcomed back into the Temples and the Homes of the
land.
Take this candle and walk slowly to your altar. Place it in the circle of the
13 candles. Then light the two altar candles, which are separate from the
circle of lights also, and the incense. (Incense should be stick or powdered
incense on charcoal in a swinging burner.) Then light all the quarter candles
in the 4 directions, starting in the east and going clockwise.
Cast your circle in the usual manner, but Invoke the Goddess with the following:
"Sacred womb, giver of the secrets of Life, Mother of all that exists in the
Universe, I ask your guardianship of this gathering and your assistance in my
work. I am gathered in celebration of your gifts and my work is most holy. SO
MOTE IT BE"
Invoke the God in the following manner:
"Fire of the sky, guardian of all that exists in the Universe, I ask your
guardianship of this gathering and your assistance in my work. I am gathered in
celebration of your gifts and my work is most holy. SO MOTE IT BE"
(continue with the circle casting if it is not already finished)
Light the 13 candles and then the Goddess candle in the center and say:
"Warm and quickening Light
awaken and bring forth beauty
for thou art my pleasure and my bounty
LORD and LADY
OSiRIS AND ISIS" (or you may substitute whatever names your circle uses for the
God and the Goddess - or those you personally prefer)Reflect a moment on the
coming of the light and offer up the incense.
Say
"O ancient Ones
Timeless Goddess and Sacred King who art
the heralds of springtime and it's bounties
be with me now in celebration
Hail to Osiris and Isis
Harvest giver and blessed Lady
Let this be a time and a place sacred to your power and your beauty
SO MOTE IT BE"
Light the candle in the sheaf of grain and hold it up with the loaf of bread in
the other hand and say (or the cakes - whatever you or your tradition uses for
the cakes and wine/juice ceremony)
"My Lord and Lady, as the seed becomes the grain, so the grain becomes the
bread, Mark the everlasting value of our seasons and their changes. "
Break a piece of the bread or cakes off and burn it as an offering in the
central candle.
Then say
"In the deepest Icy Winter the seed of the Earth lies deep within the womb of
the Great Mother. The Spring brings the heat of the Father and with their
joining comes new life. The completion of the cycle brings food to the children
of the world. As I taste the food I shall know the wisdom of the cycles and be
blessed with the food of wisdom throughout my life"
Consecrate cakes and wine/juice in the usual manner and partake of them, but
first raise your chalice or drinking horn and say
"Hail to thee ISIS
Hail to thee Osiris
For thou art blessed"
After this commune in meditation with the Lord and lady for a while, then close
the circle in your usual manner.
GOOD IMBOLC
Witches Of The Craft® 