Candlemas

The Wheel now turns to Candlemas or Imbolc which is said to mean "quickening" or "ewe's milk". Perhaps you have noticed how the very first buds and plants of spring seem to be struggling to get out into the sunshine from deep within the womb of the earth. Certainly lambs (and other babes) begin kicking to get out of their mothers' wombs in the springtime, and in the legend of the Wheel of the Year, the goddess awakes, no longer the Crone of Wisdom who descended into the mysteries of the underworld, but refreshed and renewed ih her most youthful aspect as the Child of Spring.

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Candlemas
(Imbolc, Feast of Torches, Festival of lights)

A sabbat of purification after the dark time of winter. A traditional time for self-dedication rituals

Wheel Legend: The mother awakens from her slumber after the labor of birth, as the young maiden.

Purpose: To welcome the maiden returned and re-dedicate your space, your tools, and your self to the path of the Craft.

Needful Things: 3 candles, all white or one each white, red, and dark, Anointing oil (Rose or Lavender), Offerings of Geranium, Rosemary, and Pine herb, White cheese and milk for the simple feast.

Decorations: White colors and Crystals (White flowers, pearls, crystal goblets or stones)

Cleanse: Very thorough and with light, fresh scents if any scent at all.

Quarters and Aspects: Call young, fresh, new, and gentle aspects and quarters.

Hearthkeeping matters: You will leave the three candles burning after you have released the circle to let them go out naturally. Later that evening, or the following day, you should bury them and the offerings, or release the candle stubs and the offerings to running water. Do not put away the tools or the alter until after the candles have gone out.

Here is an example of a ritual you can use in your own Candlemas observance

Shield Envision a spiral of protection drawn upward from the earth beginning with deepest violets and proceeding until it arcs over your head, to lighter and more iridescent colors.

"Protect this child and guard her aim
from any evil, harm, or bane"

Center Take extra care to be fully in this moment and aware of yourself and your purpose. When ready, step into your ritual space.

Cast Circle Envision a stream of "Sparkle Snow" from the tip of your hand, wand, or athame as you cast from your projective hand beginning at the northern quarter and moving deosil (clockwise).

"This is the time of light, awake, awake
Now leave the winter's night, awake, awake
All things reborn anew, awake, awake
In light, and love, and truth, awake, awake"

Call Quarters Facing north

"Spirit of the fertile earth,
dweller in the fields
verdant forest, mossy stone,
quiet strength revealed
come now, attend to me
and bless this rite with your stabilit
Spirit of the earth, Welcome."

light the green candle

Call Quarters Facing east

"Spirit of the dawning breeze,
dweller in the mist
tender as new lovers sigh
and gentle mothers kiss
come now, attend to me
and bless this rite with your clarity
Spirit of the air, Welcome."

light the yellow candle.

Call Quarters Facing south

"Spirit of the embers glow,
hearth and heart reclaim
warmth within the candlelight,
spark within the flame
come now, attend to me
and bless this rite with your purity
Spirit of the fire, Welcome."

light the red candle.

Call Quarters facing west

"Spirit of the mountain spring,
dweller in soft rain
mirrored lakes and morning dew,
changing yet unchanged
come now, attend to me
and bless this rite with your empathy
Spirit of the water, Welcome."

light the blue candle.

Invoke the Sun raising projective hand in the symbol of the sun raising projective hand in the symbol of the sun (first finger and Little finger extended, like horns, other fingers folded beneath thumb)

"Child reborn to golden sun
youth of summers fertile fields
sage of stone, and blade, and bone
between the worlds come now to me."

light the gold candle

Invoke the Moon raising receptive hand in the symbol of the moon (hold your whole hand in a "c" shape like the crescent moon)

"Maiden of the mystic moon
mother of all yet-to-be
crone of wisdoms timeless loom
between the worlds come now to me."

light the silver candle

Invoke your Guardian tracing a pentagram in the air before you with your hand, wand, or athame

"Spirit of that which is within, awaken me to the mysteries of this path. Guide me gently so that I will harm not myself or others. Fill me with your blessings and charge. Protect me as I make my way."

light the incense

Complete the circle with your purpose sit or stand as you please

"The circle is cast and we stand between the worlds
beyond the bounds of time
birth and death, dark and light
joy and sorrow, day and night
meet here as one. Blessed be.

I come now between the worlds to renew my spirit to purify my heart, to dedicate my will, and to choose again the path of the Craft which stretches before me through time beyond, and, spirals after me to before time was."

place the first of your candles in it's space, light it and place the offering of geranium herb to the maiden before the burning candle.

"I dedicate myself, spirit, heart, and will to wisdom's craft and set my whole self upon this path.
I shall now and forever, seek the love and guidance of those who guard this way.
I share this path with the Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.
I share this path with the Sun. Child, Youth, and Sage.
I share this path with the Moon. Maiden, Mother and Crone.
I follow this path toward that-which-is knowing that I alone bear the responsibility of this choosing.
harming none, this be done."

anoint forehead, heart, and belly with oil of rose or lavender.

Place the second candle in it's space, light it and place the offering of rosemary herb to the mother before the burning candle. Pass each tool through the incense smoke to cleanse it.

"I banish all evil from this simple tool, my (wand, athame broom, etc...) and so doing, purify it to my singular use dedicating it now and forever.
Harming none, this be done."

Place each dedicated tool on or near the alter and set the final candle in it's space, light it and place the offering of pine herb to the crone before the burning candle. Sketch a pentagram in the air above your ritual space with your projective hand and raise energy enough to expand this sketch to encircle your hearth, home, and land. Hold this energy in your projective hand.

"I dedicate this, my hearth and home now and forever.
Harming none, this be done."

Still holding the energy, meditate briefly upon what course you wish this path to lead you. Now is the time to reveal your craft-name, or ask that it be revealed to you. Envision your dedications, like snowflakes dancing deosil around your circle, ever higher, over your head, and finally...send them off with your projective hand releasing the energy.

"In no way shall this rite reverse
or bring upon me any curse."

Ground (touch something from the earth with your projective hand, or just feel the excess energy drain from your body back through your feet to replenish the earth below you)

Simple Feast White cheese, or bread, or crackers and milk

Thank the Guardian. Make the sign of the pentagram with smoke from the incense stick (if it is still burning) or trace it in the air before you with your hand, wand, or athame.

"Spirit within, hear my thanks for your charge and the blessing of your attendance at my simple and solitary rite. Stay or go as you shall please.
Hail and farewell"

Thank the Moon raising receptive hand in the symbol of the moon (hold your whole hand in a "c" shape like the crescent moon)

"Maiden, Mother and Wisewoman.
My thanks for the blessing of your attendance.
Stay or go as you shall please.
Hail and farewell."

quench the silver candle

Thank the Sun raising projective hand in the symbol of the sun (first finger and Little finger extended, like horns, other fingers folded beneath thumb)

"Child, Youth and Ancient One.
My thanks for the blessing of your attendance.
Stay or go as you shall please.
Hail and farewell."

quench the gold candle

Thank the Quarters facing the appropriate directions as you thank and release them and quench their candles as you bid them farewell.

"Water Spirit, mist of empathy.
Fire Spirit, spark of purity.
Air Spirit, breeze of clarity.
Earth Spirit, stone's stability.
My thanks for guidance granted me.
Stay or go as you shall please.
Hail and farewell, and blessed be."

Release the Circle beginning at the northern quarter and moving widdershins (counterclockwise) draw the energy into your receptive hand, wand or athame. When you have finished re-calling the energy, compress it into a little ball in your receptive hand and absorb it into your body.

"The circle is open
yet still unbroken
merry met, and merry part, and merry meet again."

Ground (touch something from the earth with your projective hand, or just feel the excess energy drain from your body back through your feet to replenish the earth below you)