by Rhyannon

CONSECRATION OF THE CIRCLE
Covener walks around circle once, with burning cedar/cedar incense.
Covener walks around circle, sprinkling salt water.
Covener walks around circle for a third time with the blade.

CHARGE
Gatekeeper smudges each covener with sage before entering the circle.

MEDITATION
Close your eyes. Quiet yourself. Take your worries and send them away, for this is not a place that belongs to the world and its many problems. Your fears have no place here. Feel the tension and stress of the day fade away...away from your neck, away from your arms, and away from your legs. Your body is heavy now, heavy with the feeling of total relaxation.
Imagine yourself in a large field. The moon beams down, illuminating the land around you. Outside, the night is cold and dark. The wind whips through your hair and bites at your body. The crunch of the frozen ground is unmistakable...it is hard on your feet. As you look around you, you see nothing but barrenness. The trees are stripped of their dress and the fields are totally brown. It seems as though there will never be life here again.
Down the hill you see a barn. There is a light on and you crave the warmth of its interior. You walk across the frozen ground, your feet are aching now from its hardness, and when you finally reach the barn, you open the door cautiously. You call out, saying that you are a friend who wishes to take refuge in the barn, but no one answers. Quietly, you enter into the barn, thankful for the heat that encompasses you. 
You stand still for a few moments, soaking in the surroundings. What seemed to be an empty barn suddenly fills with quiet noise, as the ewes that were resting there realize your presence. You walk towards them, quietly and softly so as not to upset them. They are not bothered by your company...their bleats are simply their way of greeting you. They are such gentle creatures that you feel the need to touch them...to take a part in their warmth. They welcome you...almost asking you to come listen to their words of wisdom. As you lie down beside the sheep, you realize that their udders are becoming full of milk. They carry in their wombs the next generation of life. Soon the hopes and desires will be realized. The wheel of the year has not stopped...it is never stagnant. It continues to turn, bringing with it the color and vivacity of life. You rise up from the ewes, thanking them for giving you hope and vision in this dark time. 
Now, slowly, gradually, come back inside. Come back to us. Begin to sense
the world inside. Prepare yourself to celebrate this season of Brigid, this season of fire, this season of changes. Rouse yourself. Be ready to grab the spoke and turn the wheel past the numbing cold of winter to the seductive promise of Spring, as we join together in the celebration of Imbolc!


CASTING THE CIRCLE
Coveners hold hands, one by one, stating, "Hand in hand the circle is cast

INVOCATIONS
East: 
When I look to the East, I see sunrise. 
When I look to the East I see light. 
With the soft, golden gift of the morning
I am breathing You in, now Divine.
Hail and Welcome, Good Spirits of the East and of Air!
So mote it be.

South:
As I turn to the South, fire is burning
With the warm, true acceptance of love
I am open to grand expectations
As I’m sowing Your seeds from above
And awaiting your light crystals of love.
Hail and Welcome, Good Spirits of the South and of Fire!
So mote it be.

West:
Flying on to the West
Wings outstretched, I am dressed
In the transparent garments of life.
I’m absorbing your ultimate amber
As you slip past the line of my sight.
And I see Day is One with the Night.
Hail and Welcome, Good Spirits of the West and of Water!
So mote it be.

North:
In the darkness I search for the North Star
To illuminate this sojourn of mine.
My discoveries and self-affirmations
Make each moment more precious in time
As I proclaim thou art Power Divine.
Hail and Welcome, Good Spirits of the North and of Earth!
So mote it be.
~from Calling All Directions, by Elaine Silver

Invocation of the Goddess:
Beloved Brighid of the triple flame,
Daughter of the Dagda,
Guardian of the sacred springs
Whose voice is the soul of the harp
We call on Thee.
Teach our hands to heal and our hearts to sing.
We entrust our life’s progress to your care
And ask that you shape us,
Bending and turning our hearts on your bright anvil of flame
Till we are made perfect jewels
Fit to be set in the Eye of your timeless harp
To play for the Soul of the people in times of sorrow
And times of celebration.
We thank you for your gifts to us of Poetry and Music
Of laughter and tears,
And for the healing balm of your Wisdom.
May we always remember to meditate
On the gift of your sacred waters,
Which surround us at our birth
And sail us to our destiny.
Our hearts are open to receive your blessings.
Midwife of our souls, rain on us,
Shower your inspiration in curtains of song
From sacred waterfalls in the realm where you dwell.
Come to us as Virgin with the soft smell of flowers.
Come to us as Mother and feed us your fruits.
Come to us as the Wise Woman in the stark blasts of Winter.
Help us to see your Mystery in all creation,
That we may know gratitude and reverence.
Our hearts sing to you with love.
Teach us to change like the revolving seasons. 
Teach us to grow like the green corn that feeds the people.
Teach us to fashion beauty like that stillness of the forest pool 
And the roar of the ocean wave.
Teach us to heal like the soothing gem which cools the eyes and restores the limbs.
With humility and bright expectation
We invoke Thee this hour!
Blessed Be.
~from A Druid’s Herbal For the Sacred Earth Year, by Ellen Hopman

Invocation of the God:
God of the meadow, God of the hill,
God of the land and of our true will:
Thee I invoke as Spring awakes,
Thee I invoke as the blossom breaks.
Come young God, come with the fire,
Lithe and leaping, alive with desire.
Come with the lute and come with the drum,
With our heartbeats’ pounding, come God come!
O seeker of joy, O hunter of pleasure,
Come enter the ring, tread the pagan measure.
Be here with Thy servants, be here with Thy Priests,
Be here in the flesh, and join in our feast!
Blessed be.

RITUAL
"Tonight we come together to celebrate the feast of Imbolc. This is the festival of the lactating ewes, the feast of new beginnings. The fire that Brighid first kindled at Yule burns bright in the swollen bellies of pregnant herd animals, and rivers of milk begin to flow in swollen teats and udders. The ancient Druids used this time to renew their homes, their barns, and their ploughs. Let us take time now to decorate our own shovels, which will be used at Ostara to kindle and nurture new life around us.

Decorate Shovels

CAKES AND ALE
The wheel is turning and soon the winter, so cold and harsh, will come to an end as Spring brings with it new life. Let us feast now on bread and wine, giving thanks to the Lord and Lady for their continual sustenance and love.

Blessing of Cakes and Ale:
(Lifting the bread) "Good Spirits who are with us tonight, we ask your blessing upon this bread, that it may nourish not only our bodies, but our souls as well.

(Lifting the wine/apple juice/etc) "Good Spirits gathered with us at our feast, we ask your blessing upon this drink, that it may flow through our bodies and renew our spirits.

(Lifting the milk) "Good Spirits who are present, we ask your blessing upon this milk, the source of all life. May we never forget our Mother, by whose sacrifices and eternal love we are kept alive.
After eating, one covener will take some bread, juice, and milk and pour it outside for the spirits and animals to share.

THANKING THE ELEMENTS
God: 
Great God, we thank you for your love and your gifts to us. Though young now, we look forward to the time when you will be full-grown and powerful. Continue to watch over us, your Children, and guide us with wisdom and knowledge. Go if you must, stay if you will. Blessed Be.

Goddess:
Great Goddess, we thank you for your continual love and nurture. Having recently given birth, we know that you are still quiet, yet we know that soon the time will come when your fires will be burning in full-force. Continue to watch over us, your devoted Children, and guide us with compassion and love. Go if you must, stay if you will. Blessed Be. 

North:
Spirits of the North, we thank you for being with us this night. Return now to the Earth, where worm burrow deep and seeds nestle, awaiting the day when they shall open. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Go if you must, stay if you will. Blessed Be.

West:
Spirits of the West, we thank you for being with us this night. Return now to the winter snows that blanket the Earth in majestic white. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Go if you must, stay if you will. Blessed Be.

South:
Spirits of the South, we thank you for being with us this night. Return now to the fires, which will soon come to awaken the sleeping world. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Go if you must, stay if you will. Blessed Be.

East:
Spirits of the East, we thank you for being with us this night. Return now to the brisk Winter winds, which are brimming with the excitement of new life. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Go if you must, stay if you will. Blessed Be.

CLOSING THE CIRCLE
"As our celebration of Imbolc comes to an end, may the circle formed here be open, yet never broken. Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.