I have jotted down some thoughts and notes that I have about Imbolg while reading through "A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches' Handbook", by Janet and Stewart Farrar.
Imbolg is also known as Candlemas (Christianized name), the Feast of Lights, the Wives' Feast Day. It is associated with Brigid (Brid, pronounced Breed, or Brigante), the triple Muse-Goddess (paralleling The Moon and her threefold aspect of Maid, Mother and Crone or Enchantment, Ripeness, and Wisdom) and fertility-bringer.
1st February is recognized as St. Brigid's Day (Celtic) is often celebrated with the making of St. Brigid's Crosses made of rush or straw. 31st January, or the Eve of St. Brigid's Day usually concluded with the women of the house creating a mock woman, lying her in a basket referred to as 'Brigid's bed,' next to the bed a club is placed, a phallic symbol. The women would then chant three times 'Brid is come, Brid is welcome!' Candles would then be left burning by the 'bed' all night. The prediction of a fruitful and prosperous year would result if the impression of the club was found in the ashes of the hearth. Another ritual during this time is the burning of the old year's St. Brigid's crosses and replacing them with the newly made crosses for the upcoming year.
The month of February was considered a time of cleansing for the people of ancient Rome. During this time, the priests of Pan would run through the streets in only a goatskin girdle and carrying a goatskin thong, which they would strike at those they passed. Special attention was paid to married women who were thought to be made fertile in the process. To increase the chances of fertility, the women would even strip themselves as well. Another custom at this time of year is the burning of evergreens from Yuletide decorations, a process of riding ones home of the past in an effort to look toward the future. Some even chose to leave the Christmas tree in place with only its lights until Candlemass. If was considered a sign of good luck and fruitfulness for the upcoming year if the tree has kept its green needles.
Traditional Ceremony:
I. Traditional Witches’ Dance-man and woman link arms back-to-back
II. Preparation
A. The High Priestess selects two other women to represent the Triple Goddess
1. Maid-Enchantment: small bouquet of greenery (spring flowers) placed beside alter
2. Mother-Ripeness
a. A Crown of Lights is prepared and placed by the altar
b. Consists of candles or tapers that are lit during the ritual
i. Should incorporate a cop to protect the hair against dripping wax (kitchen foil suggested)
ii. Birthday-cake candles are ideal (placed between two stripes of tape long enough to circle the Mother’s head)
c. Candle Alternatives
i. 1Battery operated lights
ii. Mirrors placed outward to catch the light
3. Crone-Wisdom: dark-colored scarf or cloak place beside the alter
B. Corn dolly, or Biddy, with phallic wand located beside the alter with two unlit candles in candle-holders
C. Broomstick-traditional witch’s besom of twigs placed by the alter
D. Cauldron-candle burning inside it placed next to the South candle, beside cauldron are three or four twigs of evergreen or dried vegetation
III. The Ritual
A. Following the Wtiches’ Rune
1. Partners (including High Priestess and High Priest) perform Traditional Witches’ Dance-man and woman link arms back-to-back switching partners so that all participants have an opportunity
2. High Priestess forms circle facing inward; High Priest stands with his back to the alter, and the High Priestess faces him
3. HP gives the HPs the Fivefold Kiss; she returns the Fivefold Kiss
4. HP takes the wand in right hand and the scourge in left; assumes the Osiris Position
B. HPs facing HP (standing before the alter) invokes: “Dread Lord of Death and Resurrection, Of Life, and the Giver of Life; Lord within ourselves, whose name is Mystery of Mysteries, Encourage our hearts, Let thy Light crystallize itself in our blood, Fulfilling of us resurrection; For there is no part of us that is not of the Gods. Descend, we pray thee, upon thy servant and priest.”
C. HP draws the Invoking Pentagram of Earth in air towards the HPs and says “Blessed be.”
D. HP steps to side, HPs with women prepare ‘Brigid’s bed.’
1. Placing the Biddy and phallic symbol side by side in the middle of the Circle, the heads towards alter, and candlesticks on each side of the ‘bed,’ the candles are lit.
2. HPs and women stand around the ‘bed’ and say together: “Brid is come—Brid is welcome!” (Repeat 3x)
E. HP lays down his wand and scourge on alter; HPs summons selected women to assume their Triple Goddess roles.
1. Mother stands with her back to the center of alter; HP crowns her with the Crown of Lights; Maid and Crone arrange hair becomingly; HPs lights the candles on the Crown (or turns lights on).
2. Crone stands next to the Mother (her left); HP and Maid drape the shawl or cloak over her shoulders
3. Maid stands next to the Mother (her right); HP puts the bouquet in her hands
4. HP goes to the south; faces three women; He chants: “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.”
5. HP delivers charge substituting “she, her, hers” for “I, me, my, mine.”
6. At HP conclusion, Maid takes broomstick and slowly deosil around the Circle, ritualistically sweeping it clear of the old. Mother and Crone follow in procession; when Circle has been swept, broom is replaced and women resume their places before alter.
F. HP turns and kneels in front of cauldron; picks up each evergreen twig, sets fire to each by lighting with the candle inside the cauldron; blows the twig out and places it in the cauldron next to the candle (if outdoors they may be burnt entirely). During this process he says: “Thus we banish winter, Thus we welcome spring; Say farewell to what is dead, And greet each living thing. Thus we banish winter, Thus we welcome spring!”
G. HP goes to the Mother and blows out (turns off) the Crown of Lights and removes it from her head; the Maid lays her bouquet and the Crone her shawl, or cloak, next to the alter, and the HP the Crown of Lights.
H. HP steps to the side; the three women fetch the Biddy, the phallic wand and the candles (after extinguishing) from the center of the Circle and lay them beside the alter.
IV. Cakes and Wine
V. Games-the Candle Game is suggested: men form circle facing inwards and women stand behind them; men pass lighted candle desoil from hand to hand, while women (without stepping into the circle of men) lean forward and try to blow it out. When a woman succeeds, she gives three flicks of the scourge to the man who was holding it at the time; he gives her the Fivefold Kiss in return. Candle is relit and the game continues.
VI. If Christmas Tree is kept till Candlemas, it must be taken out of the house and disposed of as soon as possible after the ritual.
