Sanctuary of the Crescent Moon
An Open Learning Coven - Located in Rochester, New York
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Sanctuary of the Crescent Moon An Open Learning Coven - Located in Rochester, New York
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Imbolc 2008 February 2nd Written by: “Fenavier” Dedicate of Sanctuary of the Crescent Moon Lore Since the birth of the Sun King at Yule, the goddess has been sleeping. As she slept, the earth all around us has become cold and quiet, and nothing has grown while her attention has been turned away from us. As she has slept she's been dreaming her plans for this new year, imagining new love found, dreaming joy and abundance and blessings for us all. And as she has slept this long, deep, winter's sleep she has been transformed through her rest. She fell asleep an exhausted Crone. At Imbolc she begins to awaken, finding herself Maiden once more. Beginning tonight she will come to full wakefulness slowly, bringing the first signs of new life back to the earth as she stirs, and retreating back to short dreams before fully rising from slumber. By Ostara, she will be fully awake and moving about the earth. We will see the grass return and the earliest of spring flowers will bloom as she passes, showering the world with her love for life itself. The child Sun, born at Yule, leaves his mother's side this night as an adolescent boy. He is growing quickly and the whole earth is aware of his increasing presence. He goes to mature himself and to grow into his own strength. As he does, his light and warmth will wax upon the earth, encouraging the Maiden goddess to waken, and the seeds of new life to stir beneath the soil.
If Candlemas day be fair and bright, Winter will
have another flight. If Candlemas day be shower and rain, Winter is gone and will not come again. (Traditional)
If Candlemas day be sunny and bring, Winter again will show its might. If Candlemas day be cloudy and grey, Winter soon will pass away. (Selena Fox) Correspondences for Imbolc Activities and Rituals: blessing of seeds for this year's garden, fertility and purification, spring cleaning, "Bride's Bed" rituals, Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new, consecration of agricultural tools, All Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time, Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring, Making of Brideo'gas and Bride's Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, Bon Fires, rituals of initiation, transformation, new beginnings Colors: White, Orange, Red, Yellow Tools: Plough, garden implements Herbs/Flowers: Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Snowdrop, Tansy, Violets, First Flower of the Year Stones/Gems: Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise Symbols & Decorations: Candles, Lamps, Brooms, Yellow flowers, Brighid's Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), dish of snow, evergreens Foods: All dairy products, curries, onions, chives, seeds, herbal tea, mutton or lamb, Poppyseed Cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, onions, garlic, raisins, spiced wines Deities: Dagda (Celt), Pan (Greek), Cernunnor (Celt),Osiris (Egyptian), Herne (Saxon), Jupiter (Roman), Demeter (Greek), Ceres (Roman), Cerridwen (Celt), Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus,Frigg (Norse), Cybele Brighid (Celt), Bride, Brigette, all virgin Goddesses and Gods of love and fertility Animals: Sheep, Wolves, Bears, Stags, Eagle, Raven, Groundhog, Owl, Snake Other names for this holiday: Candlemas, Imbolg, Brigit's Day, St. Lucy's Day, Feast of Brighid, Oimealg, Imbolgc Brigantia, Imbolic, Disting (Teutonic, Feb 14th), Lupercus, Candlelaria, The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin.. Meditation will be led by Tom before circle commences Anoint each member High Priestess: “How do you enter this Circle?” Convener: “In Perfect Love and In Perfect trust! I _________________ ask to enter and celebrate this Imbolc Rite.” High Priestess: “Do you, _________________, wish to take the mark of those chosen?” Covener: “Yes I do.” Covener is anointed with oil on the forehead High Priest: “By ringing this bell three times you enter in Love and Trust.” Covener rings the bell three times Cleans areaEach coven member cleanse the quarter that they are calling in – the symbol of that quarter is carried around the circle three times and the corresponding chant is said while encircling the group. All walk at the same time. East - Sweep, sweep, sweep this place - by the power of Air I cleanse this space. (With broom sweep circle) South - Light, light, light this place - by the power of fire I cleanse this space. (Carry light southern candle) West - Wash, wash, wash this place - by the power of water I cleanse this space. (Sprinkle water) North - Salt, salt, salt this place by - the power of earth I cleanse this space. (Sprinkle salt or petals) Center-In Goddess/God position - all - Spirit, spirit fill this place - by the powers of the Divine we consecrate this space. Cast Circle Spirit: “By joining together we create sacred space. We gather with love, joy, and friendship; We are creating this boundary between our everyday world and the realm of ancient mysteries; We ask to be shielded against all stress, worry, and mischief; and fear. This sphere contains the abundant energies we raise tonight. We create this circle in the name of Bridgit and the Dagda. So mote it be!” All: “So Mote It Be” Starting with East look in the eyes of the Covener to our left and say: “Hand over hand this circle is cast.” Once the circle is made all together say: “This Circle is cast.” Call WatchtowersAir- stands and faces east - Calls from heart (Light yellow candle) All: “Hail and welcome” Fire- stands and faces south - Calls from heart (Light Red Candle) All: “Hail and welcome” Water - stand and face west - Calls from heart (Lights blue candle) All: “Hail and welcome” Earth - stand and face north - Calls from heart (Lights green candle) All: “Hail and welcome” Center - Sprit - stand in center - "Great spirit! Be with us as we work between theses worlds and I call out to the Goddess Brigid and the God Dagda to be with us though this night of Imbolc with knowledge and wisdom. Ancient Ones see you are the source of our Spirituality. As above, so below, So Mote It Be." All: “So Mote It Be Invocation of DeitiesRead the charge of Goddess - “Great Lady, Exalted One, King-maker, Bright Arrow, we call upon You: Brigit of the eternal flame, Brigit of the sacred springs, mistress of poets, healers, and smith, Exalted one of the Hearth; we invite You to our circle, enter and give us Your blessings. As above, so below, so mote it be. “ (Light silver candle) All: “So Mote It Be” Each Covener state your Goddess name and something about her (Light candle) Read the charge of God - “Lord Dagda, God of wisdom, magick and the heavens, father of Gods and of men, we invite You to our circle; enter and give us Your blessings. As above, so below, so mote it be.’ (Light gold candle) All: “So Mote It Be” Each Covener state your God name and something about him (Light candle) PurposeHigh Priestess: The purpose of this Imbolc ritual ids to celebrate as a family and to rededicate ourselves to the God and Goddess.Raise the Cone of Power brigid brigid bride bring the warmth outside bridig bridgie bride make the earth alive WorkingReaffirm to the God and Goddess of our beliefs High Priestess: "In the midst of the darkness, I come forth to the light. In this the time of cold, I bring warmth. In the depth of winter, I find the signs of spring. We await the warmth that is coming. Let us now rededicate ourselves to our belief and our God and Goddess."REAFFIRMATION TO GOD/GODDESS Each participant takes a candle of their personal color. Lights it from the Goddess or God candle and recites:
I choose the Craft because __________ .
I invite the presence of (your goddess) and ( your God) and blessing into this circle and into my life. I ask for their help and guidance. I initiate myself as a Witch.
I dedicate myself to (goddess) and (God) this day.
I dedicate myself to you Shine on me Let your sweet spirit show You and I are one with the universe I am (craft name) I am a Witch. So Mote It Be.” High priestess: "If anyone has any candles they wish to bless for the coming year please lay them on the altar." Places hands over the candles: All: “Brigit, we ask for your strength and blessing upon these candles, may they light in the honor of the old ways, and may their light mirror the light in our souls. Bless those who light them in the coming year, and those that see their light. May their light continue to attract new people to the old ways and may honor be sent your way. So mote it be.” All: “So mote it be.” Great Rite Bless and consecrate from heart Sanctuary shuffle on the cakes and ale Pass drink to each member and say: “May you ever thirst for knowledge.” Pass food to each member and say: “May you ever hunger for wisdom.”
Thank the Deities Center - Spirit: "Great spirit! - We thank you for being with us as we worked between theses worlds We thank the Ancient Ones for the Spirituality we have. As above, so below, So Mote It Be." All: “So Mote It Be Goddess Covener: “Our ritual has now come to a close. We now thank the Ancient Ones for all they have giving us. Lady Brigid, we thank you for showing us that the spring is coming, that the world will awaken yet again and blossom as the wheel turns. We thank all for watching over us, guarding and guiding us this Imbolc night. We thank thee for your presence. As above so below, So Mote It Be." (Extinguish Silver Candle) ALL: “So mote it be.” Each Covener thanks their Goddess name moving widdershins – let the flame continue to burn God Covener: “Lord Dagda, Wondrous Father, We thank thee for the power and strength you have lent us this Imbolc night. We know your care will guide us as the earth awakens, and spring comes soon. We thank thee for your presence. As above so below, So Mote It Be." (Extinguish Gold Candle) ALL: So mote it be. Each Covener thanks their God name moving widdershins – let the flame continue to burn Close the watchtowersEarth - stand and face North - Closes from heart West – stand and faces west - Closes from heartSouth – stand and faces south - Closes from heart East – stands faces east - Closes from heart
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