Intro

This ritual is designed for a group of individuals, but could easily be adapted for a solitary practitioner. Imbolc is the time between Yule and the Spring Equinox, the halfway point in the dark months of the year. It’s the time when the days suddenly seem to be getting longer, and the snow is beginning to melt, showing us small patches of earth and green. At this time of returning spring, our ancestors lit bonfires and candles to celebrate the rebirth of the land.

Background

Brighid - In many areas of the Celtic world, this was the fire feast of Brighid, the Irish goddess of hearth and home. She is the keeper of the flame, the protector of the home, and a goddess of holy wells and springs. At Imbolc, we acknowledge her many aspects, especially that of her role as a deity of transformation. As the world awakes from the dark slumber of winter, it is time to cast off the chill of the past and welcome the warmth of spring.

Aenghus Og - This young god was most likely a god of love, youthful beauty and poetic inspiration. At one time, Aenghus went to a magical lake and found 150 girls chained together — one of them was the girl he loved, Caer Ibormeith. All the other girls were magically turned into swans every second Samhain, and Aenghus was told he could marry Caer if he was able to identify her as a swan. Aengus succeeded, and turned himself into a swan so he could join her. They flew away together, singing exquisite music that lulled its listeners to sleep.

Song of Amergin
In Irish legends Amergin mac Míled (or Aimhirghin), known by the epithet glúngel (”white knee”), was a son of Míl Espáine and served as a druid, bard and judge for the Milesians. A number of poems attributed to Amergin are part of the Milesian mythology.

The legends say that Milesian colonists, led by the eight sons of Míl (Míl himself had died in Iberia, modern Spain and Portugal), came to Ireland seeking revenge for the death of Ith, an explorer who had been treacherously slain by the three kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine. The three queens of the Tuatha Dé, (Banba, Ériu and Fódla), gave, in turn, permission for Amergin and his people to settle in Ireland. Each of the sisters required Amergin to name the island after each of them, which he did: Ériu is the origin of the modern name Éire, and Banba and Fódla are used as poetic names for Ireland, much as Albion is for Great Britain.

The Milesians had to win the island by engaging in battle with the three kings, their druids and warriors. Amergin acted as an impartial judge for the parties, setting the rules of engagement. The Milesians agreed to leave the island and retreat a short distance back into the ocean beyond the ninth wave, a magical boundary. Upon a signal, they moved toward the beach, but the druids of the Dé Danann raised a magical storm to keep them from reaching land. However, Amergin sang an invocation calling upon the spirit of Ireland that has come to be known as The Song of Amergin, and he was able to part the storm and bring the ship safely to land. There were heavy losses on all sides, with more than one major battle, but the Milesians carried the day. The three kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann were each killed in single combat by three of the surviving sons of Míl, Eber Finn, Eremon and Amergin the druid. Amergin then divided the land between his two brothers, Eber taking the southern half or Ireland, Eremon the north.

Hear the Tune

Sheet Music

Preparation
Set up your altar with the symbols of Brighid and the coming spring — a Brighid’s cross or dolly, potted daffodils or crocuses, white and red yarn or ribbon, young fresh twigs, and lots of candles. Also, you’ll need an unlit candle for each participant, a candle to represent Brighid herself, a plate or bowl of oats or oatcakes, and a cup of milk.

Ritual
Cast the circle starting at the north. Each member of the group should hold their unlit candle before them.

The HP takes the sword and Says:

We establish the Three Worlds of the Heavens, Midworld, and Underworld, when we attune ourselves with their powers, and magnify them within us. Let us establish the Three Realms here!

As the HP casts the first pass of the circle he says:

Land and Sea and starry Sky, you surround and sanctify.
Feel the Land beneath our feet, where the Earth and our bodies meet.
Let the Land hold firm, and so we say.
Let all ill be turned away!

People repeat:

Let all ill be turned away!

As the HP does the second pass of the circle he says:

Hear the inner Ocean’s roar,
As it pounds our sacred shore.
Let the Sea not rise, we say.
Let all ill be turned away!

People repeat:

Let all ill be turned away!

As the HP makes third and final pass he says:

See the wide and starry Sky,
all around us, far and high.
Let the Sky not fall, we say,
Let all ill be turned away!

People repeat:

Let all ill be turned away!

At the north quarter the HP Stands and says:

Land and Sea and starry Sky,
you surround and sanctify.

People repeat:

Land and Sea and starry Sky,
you surround and sanctify.

After a short pause the HPS says:

We will now call the guardians of the watchtowers to join us in our rite.

HP Calls the guardians.

When all guardians are present the HP Begins:

Today is Imbolc, the day of midwinter.
The cold has begun to fade away,
and the days grow longer.
This is a time in which the earth is quickening,
like the womb of Brighid,
birthing the fire after the darkness.

The HPS lights the Brighid candle, and says:

Bright blessings at midwinter to all!
Brighid has returned with the sacred flame,
watching over home and hearth.
This is a time of rebirth and fertility,
and as the earth grows full of life,
may you find abundance on your own path.
Imbolc is the season of lambing, of new life,
and a time to celebrate the nurturing and warmth of Brighid.

At this time, the HPs takes the cup of milk, and offers a sip to Brighid. You can do this either by pouring it into a bowl on the altar, or by simply raising the cup to the sky. The HPs then passes the cup around the circle. As each person takes a sip, they pass it to the next, saying:

May Brighid give her blessings to you this season.

When the cup has returned to the HPs, she passes the oats or oatcakes around in the same manner, first making an offering to Brighid. Each person takes a bit of the oats or cakes and passes the plate to the next, saying:

May Brighid’s love and light nurture your path.

The HPS then invites each member of the group to approach the altar, and light their candle from the Brighid candle. Say:

Come, and allow the warmth of Brighid’s hearth
to embrace you.
Allow the light of her flame
to guide you.
Allow the love of her blessing
to protect you.

When everyone has lit their candle, take a few moments to meditate on the warmth and nurturing nature of the goddess Brighid. As you bask in her warmth, and she protects your home and hearth, think about how you will make changes in the coming weeks. Brighid is a goddess of abundance and fertility, and she may help you guide your goals to fruition.

Recite or Sing the Song of Amergin

When you are ready, end the ceremony, or move on to other rituals, such as Cakes and Ale, or healing rites.

What You Need:
A candle for each member of the group
A Brighid candle
A bowl or plate of oatcakes or oats
A cup of milk