Script for the Imbolc Ritual hosted by Rachel and the Hearth Guardians.
We are going to be making a Brigid poppet, with the intention that She brings healing and compassion into our lives for the coming year.
You will need –
A candle – colour of your choice, lighter or matches
Ball of wool - in a colour that represents Spring for you (suggestions yellow, white, pale green, light blue, bright red).
A stick – a fallen twig (suggestions - hazel or birch)
A piece of card – this is to wind the wool round for your poppet’s body, so size will depend on how tall you want Her to be.
Cast Circle
I cast this circle thrice about
to cleanse this space and keep harm out,
As we will the circle cast
between two worlds we safely pass.
It is done!
Calling the Elements
Spirits of the East, element of air, you bring the promise of new beginnings and the breath of life. Bring to our ritual your knowledge, intellect and guide our thoughts. We ask you to watch over us, guard, guide and protect us, during our ritual.
We welcome you Air!
Spirits of the South, element of fire, you give us comforting hearth fires and purification. Bring to our ritual your passion, creativity, and energy. We ask you to watch over us, guard, guide and protect us, during our ritual.
We welcome you Fire!
Spirits of the West, element of water, you oversee our emotions, influenced by the Moon to give us the ebb and flow of the tides. Bring to our ritual your healing, love, and intuition. We ask you to watch over us, guard, guide and protect us, during our ritual
We welcome you Water!
Spirits of the North, element of earth, you are the fertile soil, our foundation that allows for growth in all things. Bring to our ritual your stability, strength, and fertility. We ask you to watch over us, guard, guide and protect us, during our ritual
We welcome you Earth!
Calling Brigid
Brigid of the healing waters and the sacred flame, Goddess of healers, poets, smiths, childbirth and inspiration, whose name means "exalted one", hear our call. We ask you to join us at this, your special time of the year, we ask you to watch over our ritual and bless us.
Brigid, we welcome You!
Light our candles
The festival of Imbolc celebrates the reawakening of the earth. It is also known as Candlemas or Brigid’s day, and it is one of the Celtic fire festivals that celebrates the first signs of Spring.
Snowdrops and crocuses rear their heads above the frozen ground and below, in the dark earth other plants are stirring. The first lambs are born at this time of year, the most common explanation of the word Imbolc is 'In the Belly' which refers to the pregnant ewes.
At Imbolc the Goddess returns as maiden and the god who was born at Yule is now a young man. It is the time of year for purification, re-birth and new beginnings – Spring cleaning! It is the festival of Brigid, the goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft, she is also associated with fire, inspiration, sacred springs and healing wells. Candles are often lit at this time to represent the return of the light as the Sun's energy increases.
Making our poppets
Wrap the yarn round your card, tight enough so that it does not slide off, but not so tight that it stretches.
A single wrap finishes and starts at the bottom edge of the cardboard.
Tie a short piece of yarn around the top edge of the wrapped yarn. Tie the short yarn tightly enough so that it gathers the wrapped yarn. This will eventually make the head of your poppet. Slide the wrapped yarn off the cardboard.
Tie a short piece of yarn around the wrapped yarn for the neck. Wrap both ends around the bundle about 2 to 3 times, then tie them together into a right, double-knot. How far down you make the neck depends on the height and thickness of your poppet; you need to tie it far enough down to make a round head. Snip off the excess yarn from the neck or tie it into a bow.
Put the twig through the wool that will form the body of your poppet.
Tie a piece of yarn around the doll's waist, right under the arms. Wrap it around the poppet's waist a few times, just below the arms. Tie it off into a tight, double-knot. Cut the ends off or tie them into a bow. Make sure that the arms are nice and snug against the neck, otherwise they will fall out. If you are worried about the arms falling out, stitch them in place from the back of the poppet with a yarn needle.
Cut open the bottom loops of the body. If the loops are uneven after you cut them, you can trim them until they are even.
Place your Brigid poppet on your non-dominant hand, whilst holding your dominant hand over Her. Visualise you are surrounded by light, as if surrounded by candles. This light flows into your body, filling you with love, healing and protection, and pours through your top hand into your poppet.
When ready say the following traditional chant (original author unknown) or words of your own -
Brigit, gold-red woman,
Brigit, flame, and honeycomb,
Brigit, sun of womanhood,
Brigit, lead me home.
You are a branch in Blossom.
You are a sheltering dome.
You are my bright precious freedom.
Brigit, lead me home.
Now spend a few minutes asking Brigid for guidance and inspiration for the coming year. See what thoughts pop into your head.
Time for something to eat and drink.
Would anyone like to share any ideas or messages they may have received?
Closing
Brigid of the healing waters and the sacred flame, Goddess of healers, poets, smiths, childbirth and inspiration.
We Thank you for joining us at this, your special time of the year, for bringing Your gifts to our ritual.
Brigid, we bid you farewell!
'Spirits of the North, thank you for watching over us, for guarding, guiding and protecting us.
Earth, we bid you farewell!
Spirits of the West, thank you for watching over us, for guarding, guiding and protecting us.
Water, we bid you farewell!
Spirits of the South, thank you for watching over us, for guarding, guiding and protecting us.
Fire, we bid you farewell!
Spirits of the East, thank you for watching over us, for guarding, guiding and protecting us.
Air, we bid you farewell!'
Rachel
The circle is open but never broken.
Make it so!
