Imbolc Ritual

Jan 31, 2020

An Imbolc Ritual

I promised in my last post, IMBOLC: The Quickening, that I’d post a ritual soon. So here it is. To review, Imbolc falls on February 4th, this year. It is the ancient Celtic holiday halfway between the Winter Solstice and Vernal Equinox, and symbolizes the life stirring awake in the womb of the earth. It’s a fire festival, sacred to Brigit, Goddess of the Forge, inspirer of creators, poets, writers, and artists of all kinds.

You’ll need: * A flameproof dish or cauldron * Several small pieces of paper * A Red Pen * 9 Red Candles, any size, shape or type * A Lighter

Form a circle of the red candles on your workspace, altar, or floor, placing your cauldron or burning dish in the center.

Light the candles and gaze into the flames, thinking of the symbolism of the smithy’s forge, where raw metal is heated and shaped into whatever the smith wants it to be.

Say: Blessed Brighid Fan the forge of my heart With your breath of inspiration

Sit in quiet meditation, gazing into the flame for at least ten minutes before you begin. Try to feel the sparks of inspiration deep inside you. Breathe them brighter, and let them whisper in your mind until you know what they are.

Write each idea, project or goal that came to you during the mediation on one of the pieces of paper, just one at a time. As you do, visualize it clearly and brightly, as if it is already real. See it forming, growing, expanding. See yourself at the Forge, hammering the metal of this inspiration into the shape of your new reality. Imagine yourself in the place where it is manifest, and feel the emotions you’ll feel as it comes to fruition. Feel it as if it’s happening now.

When you feel ready, really at one with the feeling of it being already complete, touch the paper to one of the candles’ flames, and then drop it into your cauldron and watch it burn. Know that this act is heating your raw materials and helping them soften so that you can more easily shape them in the coming seasons.

Goddess of the Forge, Like you, I shape my dreams With the hammer of belief

Repeat with the above with each idea, inspiration or goal that you wrote down.

Reaffirm in your mind that each of these things is already done. Your job now is to shift yourself into knowing that, and raising your vibration to match the goal, so that you can bask in it as your new reality.

Close by remembering all the wonders in your life right now that began as a raw idea in your mind. Bask in that for a few minutes. Thank yourself for them (and mean it).

It is done.