IMBOLC
Brede
is come! Brede is welcome!
The Song
of Imbolc
I am
the unopened bud, and I the blossom,
I am
the lifeforce gathering to a crest,
I am
the still companion of the silence,
I am
the farflung seeker of the quest.
I am
the daugher gathering in wisdom,
I am
the son whose questions never cease,
I am
the dawn-light searching out glad justice,
I am
the center where all souls find peace.
Behold
the Three-Formed Goddess:
She
who is ever Three - Maid, Mother and Crone;
Yet
is She ever One.
For
without Spring there can be no Summer,
Without
Summer, no Winter,
Without
Winter, no new Spring.
Now we
banish winter
Now
we welcome spring.
Say
farewell to what is dead,
And
greet each living thing.
Thus
we banish winter,
Thus
we welcome spring!
This is
the Festival of Imbolc, or Candlemas -
the festival
of the waxing year
when the
days grow longer and the promise of spring
is in the
air.
Beneath
the blanket of snow the Mother sleeps,
but in
Her sleep She stirs.
Seeds and
bulbs prepare for the coming of spring.
At this
time we begin to manifest what we planted
and to
prepare for its growth.
We celebrate
the festival of Brighid or Brede.
Brighid
is the great Celtic Triple Goddess;
Goddess
of Healing, of Inspiration and Poetry,
and of
Smithcrafts.
Brighid
is the Goddess of the Well and of the Flame.
Her sacred
wells of healing are still found all over Ireland,
where she
is still revered as St. Bridgit.
Her sacred
flame was tended by priestesses,
and then,
as St. Bridge, by an order of nuns,
until 1220
C.E.
Her flame
was relit in 1993
and is
tended by Catholic sisters.
The Three Fold Fire of Brighid
Fire
in the Forge that shapes and tempers
Fire
in the cauldron that nourishes and heals
Fire
in the head that incites and inspires.
Meditation
In preparation
for this meditation,
have some
seeds, and your cauldron or a bowl with earth in it,
within
your sacred space.
Have paper
and pen ready nearby.
Cast your
Circle, light a candle and incense, if you wish.
Breathe
deeply a few times to release all tension
Feel deeply
relaxed, all worries and concerns gone.
Sense a
sphere of protective white light surrounding you.
Meditate
now on what you wish to initiate in your life,
or what
you may have already begun.
This may
be in any area of your life -
prosperity,
health, relationships.
Think what
it is that you really want to accomplish.
What is
the outcome you seek?
Take a small
piece of paper for each of your goals,
and write
a word or symbol that represents it.
Fold each
paper into a small ball and push it into the earth,
focusing
on what you want.
As you
push the paper into the earth
know that
your wish is accomplished.
Now take
the seeds.
Hold them
in your hand,
and visualize
them growing, blooming, producing
buds, flowers,
fruit or vegetables.
These seeds
represent your projects and goals.
Breathe
the force of your intention and will
into the
seeds.
Be aware
of their vulnerability -
acknowledge
the responsibility you have accepted
to care
for them as they grow -
feel the
trust of the seeds that you will nurture them
until they
mature.
Now plant
your seeds in the earth in your cauldron or bowl.
Let peace
and trust fill your heart.
Sit with
the cauldron of seeds and earth,
and sense
the growth of the next few months
bringing
your plans to completion.
Think of
what you need to do
to bring
your dreams to maturity.
Be guided
by the wisdom of the cauldron.
When you
are ready, give thanks.
Return
to your sacred space.
Thank Brighid,
Goddess
of Healing and Inspiration
for Her
loving guidance.
Blessed Be!
