IMBOLC RITUAL and SAINING (WICCANING OR CHILD BLESSING as it is variously called) Performed at the Unitarian Universalist Church Fort Lauderdale, Florida February 5, 2000 Created by Eustacia Blackstar, Circle of the Sun Coven (Eustacia1@aol.com) Two altar candles have been lighted. All participants gather outside Circle that is designated by a multitude of burning candles. (Squire passes out song sheet and Imbolc Greetings.) (HP designates Quarter callers.) HP: (Raise athame) Be it known, the Circle is about to be cast. Let those who desire attendance follow behind. Let none be here but of their own free will. (HP leads participants to ritual area.) Covener: (enters wearing black veil. She is wailing and carrying an unlit candle holder which is placed on the altar.) How cold this night. How dark the world remains. The trees are still without life. When will the leaves appear as promised at Yule. We wait for Spring. We wait for Spring. We wait for Spring. (Music: "Turning Wheel") HP: Behold the Lady approaches! Hail to thee, my Lady! HPS: (carrying dogwood and basket of dried holly.) My Lord, I bring a sign that Spring is not far behind. Behold, the last vestiges of Winter that we might properly dispose of them in this rite. BLESSING: (HP and HPS bless each other with the crystal, then approach participants) Bright Blessings be with you on this Imbolc night. PRELUDE: (refer to chant on song sheet) All: Higher as the fire climbs other places, other times, as we celebrate tonight will be remembered in this rite. (refrain) HPS: Imbolc, Bridgid, Candlemas, the Wheel must turn anew. We come together on this night to keep that promise true. As Mother Earth begins to stir we'll burn our candles long. We know this magick that we do will help the Sun grow strong. All: (refrain as above) HP: Upon her head, a candle wreath the Lady wears tonight. To all of us this signifies the Sun will soon burn bright. The Maiden Goddess now awaits upon her bridal bed. Her Lord, the Sun, will soon return just when all hope was dead. All: (refrain as above) HPS: So as the Seeds of Life prepare, new hopes begin tonight. Since ancient times we celebrate this Festival of Light. Let those four lighting the Quarter candles come forward. LIGHTING OF ALTAR CANDLES (four participants) East: Here do I invoke light and air, to illuminate our circle and bring it the breath of life. South: Here do I invoke light and fire, to illuminate our circle and bring it warmth. West: Here do I invoke light and water, to illuminate our circle and wash it clean. North: Here do I invoke light and earth, to illuminate our circle and build it in strength. HPS You may return to the Circle GREETING HP: We bid you welcome. May you all be here in peace and love, HPS: We bid the Lord and Lady welcome and invite them to join with us in these rites that we hold in their honor. ( HP may light cauldron.) HP: You may be seated. SEASONAL ENACTMENT: "Walking With Mother Earth" (see attachment) HPS: This is the end of our story, but there is no end to the Circle of Life. HP: Tonight is the night when heat overcomes cold, when the Earth begins to stir and new life quickens. The Wheel of the Year turns on and on, bringing us to and from each season. All time is here and now inside this sacred space. We gather on this blessed eve to celebrate this season of Imbolc, Brigid, or Candlemas as it has been variously called. Tonight we dispose of the trappings of the old season. We sweep away those habits and beliefs that no longer serve us. HPS: In this moment between time, we come to greet the young Maiden Goddess as she awaits her child lover who was and will be the father of our harvest bounty. As it was and ever shall be, we wish to give thanks, and to feel ourselves a part of the relentlessly turning Wheel. HP: Yule is past, and the young God, like his symbol, the sun, is returning to his Lady, the Earth. As she turns the Great Wheel, she brings him nearer, and soon she will offer herself as his bride. (HP turns to HPS): My Lady, I beseech you, be gone! Search out the Maiden Goddess that she might encourage the sun of Spring to warm us once again. All rise! HPS: As you command, my Lord. ( They salute. HPS cuts a doorway and leaves the Circle to get the Maiden, a young girl dressed in white wearing a candle wreath. She has been waiting unseen.) SPELL TO PREPARE FOR SPRING HP: (squire hands the ritual besom to HP) At Imbolc, we sweep away the trappings of winter as we prepare ourselves for Spring. We rid ourselves of those habits and attitudes that no longer serve us. As you take up the besom, mention briefly that which you wish to banish for the new season. Say, I wish to banish..... HP: (squire passes among participants with basket of dried holly) The holly represents the last vestige of winter. It no longer serves us. Dispose of it in the Cauldron of transformation. Know that Spring, new life and new hope are on the way. (after all have put the holly in the cauldron) Chant: "As winter's holly returns to the earth, our hopes for Spring are given birth. As we will it, so mote it be!" HPS: (returning to Circle in front of Maiden) My Lord your bidding is done. The Maiden approaches. HP: All hail the Maiden!!! (Music: 'Winter Vision") (The Maiden enters the Circle carrying the "Bride's Bed" which she displays to all. She then hands it to the HP who places it on the altar. (Music: "Queen of Spring" All dance.) She then picks up a basket of white candles and hands one to each participant. (Music: "Celtic Melody") She stands, holding a candle.) HP: The Maiden Goddess requests your assistance, to bring back the light. Light your candle from hers. (Maiden moves around the circle.) HP/HPS: Behold the light! The God has returned for his bride! The Wheel of the Year turns on! HP: This would be the time to send energy to those who may be ill, or undergoing transition, or for any other purpose. Please tell us where the energy is to be sent and for what purpose. Chant: "Tonight we send our energy. As we will it, so mote it be" HP: Now, extinguish your candle, but carry its light in your heart. Relight your candle at home. Burn it to the end. (Participants may be seated) CAKES AND ALE - (ginger ale and cookies are passed) HP: Now is the time to give thanks for the Circle of Life, New Beginnings, and all that sustains us. HPS: May we ever be aware of all that we owe and be grateful. HP: Eat and drink. Be happy. Share and give thanks. HPS: And as we share, let us remember that aught that we have, we share with those who have nothing. So mote it be! (chalices are raised) BLESSING OF NEW LIFE (Wiccaning/Saining) HP: And now we have another very important task. We have been asked to perform the blessed Rite of Wiccaning or Saining as it may be called. It is indeed, our honor to do so in the names of the Lord and the Lady. The purpose of this Rite is to welcome a newborn, and to ask that the blessings of the Lord and the Lady be bestowed on the child. We will thank the Powers, and introduce the child to the elementals for their blessing and protection. Traditionally the child's magickal name is spoken for the first time You, as members of the child's community will have the opportunity to offer blessings or best wishes for the child's health, happiness and prosperity. The child does not become a member of our congregation at this time. She is allowed to make her own choice in these matters, when sufficient age and understanding is attained. Let us begin. HPS: There is new addition to our number. Let us give her due welcome. (Mother and child/family enter circle.) Who presents this child to the Powers for blessing? Mother responds: (I am ---------, her mother.) What is the magical name of this child by which she shall be known in these Circles, until she chooses a name for herself? Mother responds: (I present my daughter------------) Merry Meet, ------------- and much love to you. (HPS places blessed water on the head of the child .) HP: (laying hands on the child) May the Blessings of the wise Father God, far-seeing and far-knowing be upon thee, now and forever. HPS: (laying hands on the child) May the blessings of the Triple Goddess, of Maiden, Mother and Crone and all their guidance and protection be upon thee, now and forever. HP MEDITATION: Everyone, close your eyes and breathe deeply. From overhead, see the bright light of the Spirit pouring into this place and into your heart. Allow this to warm you and fill you to overflowing. When you sense the energy reaching a pinnacle within, direct it outward. Visualize this energy forming a pink sphere of love and joy around this sacred space. Think of the child here with us, and your wishes for her. Give all your love and support to that sphere so that she is surrounded by the blessing of perfect love. So mote it be. You may open your eyes. HPS: A family does not stand here alone in this Rite. Without the presence and support of a caring community, they can not give their daughter all that she needs to grow strong and balanced. Will you all here present accept the task of providing a supportive community to this famil All: We will. EXHORTATIONS HPS: --------------, Your child has received the blessings of the Lord and Lady and those here gathered. The bringing of new life into the world and the linking of one so young to the most Ancient Ways is a very serious matter. Thus, you must pay close attention to these exhortations: You must give your child the finest and deepest training, yet make not her life one of tedious labor. Those so young must live well the joys of life. HP: You must give your child a home of warmth and gentleness. Moderate any conflict so that her world knows no disruption. HPS: Respect your child as an individual for she is unique. Remember that a small frame and a child's ways often cover a fine mind that in later years many shall honor. HP: Give always fair hearing to your child. Have patience as she learns and asks, and remember that you, yourself once walked on the same path. HPS: Give ever new horizons, new challenges, new worlds so that your child may go so far as her mind and spirit shall lead. Will you abide by these duties to the best of your ability? Mother: (I will.) HPS: Then, let us now set the child on the path that she may one day choose to follow. (HP leads the family to each Quarter) (HPS says the following from the altar) East Oh Air and inspiration, the morning winds, gentle Powers of the East. Bless and protect this child. So mote it be. (Child is given a feather.) South Oh Fire and energy, the noon sun, passionate Powers of the South. Bless and protect this child. So mote it be. ( Child is given some chili peppers.) West Oh Water and insight, the evening tides, cleansing Powers of the West. Bless and protect this child. So mote it be. (Child is given a shell) North Oh Mother Earth and growth, the midnight loam, steadfast Powers of the North. Bless and protect this child. So mote it be. (Child is given a scrolled copy of the exhortations by Mother Earth) (HPS takes the child and holds her up) Behold______________, the Sun and the Moon. Only these are greater than you. (Maiden gives parents small burning candle in a holder, which has been present on the alter during the rite.) HP: This tiny flame that we give into your keeping, represents the new life that is beginning. As parents, you are charged with the duty of nurturing this new life. Your child represents the beginning of the Circle of Life. Take with you this night our fondest hopes and brightest blessings. HPS' POEM I present you now with an original poem to commemorate this occasion. (see attachment) All sing "Circle of the Sun" (see attachment) OPEN CIRCLE HP: And now as Spring draws near, we have kept the faith, and it is time to open the Circle. Let us dismiss the Quarters. (four participants) Powers of the East and Air, we thank you for joining our Circle. We ask your blessing as you part. May there be peace between us now and forever. Powers of the South and Fire, we thank you for joining our Circle. We ask your blessing as you part. May there be peace between us, now and forever. Powers of the West and Water, we thank you for joining our Circle. We ask your blessing as you part. May there be peace between us, now and forever. Powers of the North and Earth, we thank you for joining our Circle. We ask your blessing as you part. May there be peace between us, now and forever. HPS: Mother Earth, Lord of Death and rebirth, thank you for joining our Circle this eve of Imbolc. We thank you for the blessing of the new life that is in our midst this night. As you bring renewal to the plants and animals, we ask that you bring renewal to our lives as well. We have come together in love and peace, let us depart the same way. Love is the Law and Love is the Bond. HP: Oh Maiden Goddess, all honor to thee. We thank you for joining our Circle. Gracious Goddess, we beseech thee, speak to us before you part MAIDEN: (standing in Goddess position with arms raised) Bide the Wiccan Rede ye must In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill And ye harm none, do what ye will! Lest in thy self -defense it be, Ever mind the Rule of Three. Follow this with mind and heart Merry Meet and Merry Part. Bright Blessings Be With You! HP: ( the Maiden leaves) Hail and Farewell! HPS: The Circle is open, but unbroken Merry Meet. Merry Part. Merry Meet Again! __________________________________ _____________________________ Altar setup: White cloth, two white altar candles, athames, God and Goddess, chalices, lighter, goddess candle holder for Maiden, crystals, book stand Have ready: Besom, bride's bed, holly in basket, white candles for all in basket, white cookies in basket, ginger ale, cups, tray, chair for Maiden, sheet, table for cakes and ale, quarter candles, music, tape player, BOS, story book, black veil, black candle holder, cauldron, dogwood, song sheets, Imbolc Greetings, candle holder for child, feather, shell, scroll, peppers, poem for child Ritual Attire: All wear white. Maiden wears candle wreath. Mother Earth wears green tunic and wooden wreath headpiece. LOD wears black robe and black head wreath and carries scythe.