Other Names: Imbolg (im-molc)(em-bowl’g) (Celtic), Candlemas (Christian), Brigantia (Caledonii), Oimelc, Festival of Light, Brigid’s (Brid, Bride) Day, La Fheill, An Fheille Bride, Candelaria (Mexico), Chinese New Year, Disting-tid (Feb 14th, Teutonic), DisaBlot, Anagantios, Lupercalia/Lupercus (Strega), Groundhog Day, Valentines Day.

Animals & Mythical Beings: Firebird, dragon, groundhog, deer, burrowing animals, ewes, robin, sheep, lamb, other creatures waking from hibernation.

Gemstones: Amethyst, garnet, onyx, turquoise.
Incense/Oil: Jasmine, rosemary, frankincense, cinnamon, neroli, musk, olive, sweet pea, basil, myrrh, and wisteria, apricot, carnation.
Colors/Candles: Brown, pink, red, orange, white, lavender, pale yellow, silver.
Tools,Symbols, & Decorations: White flowers, marigolds, plum blossoms, daffodils, Brigid wheel, Brigid’s cross, candles, grain/seed for blessing, red candle in a cauldron full of earth, doll, Bride’s Bed; the Bride, broom, milk, birchwood, snowflakes, snow in a crystal container,evergreens, homemade besom of dried broom, orange candle annointed in oil (see above)can be used to sybolize the renewing energy of the Sun’s rebirth.
Goddesses: Virgin Goddess, Venus, Diana, Februa, Maiden, Child Goddess, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Vesta, Gaia, Brigid, Selene(Greek), Branwen(Manx-Welsh).
Gods: Young Sun Gods, Pan, Cupid/Eros(Greco-Roman), Dumuzi(Sumerian).
Essence: Conception, initiation, insight, inspiration, creativity, mirth, renewal, dedication, breath of life, life-path, wise counsel, plan, prepare.
Meaning: First stirring of Mother Earth, lambing, growth of the Sun God, the middle of winter.
Purpose: Honoring the Virgin Goddess, festival of the Maiden/Light.
Rituals & Magicks: Cleansing; purification, renewal, creative inspiration, purification, initiation, candle work, house & temple blessings, welcoming Brigid, feast of milk & bread.
Customs: Lighting candles, seeking omens of Spring, storytelling, cleaning house, bonfires, indoor planting, stone collecting, candle kept burning dusk till dawn; hearth re-lighting.
Foods: Dairy, spicy foods, raisins, pumpkin, sesame & sunflower seeds, poppyseed bread/cake, honey cake, pancakes, waffles, herbal tea.
Herbs: Angelica, basil, bay, benzoin, celandine, clover, heather, myrrh, all yellow flowers, willow.
Element: Earth
Gender: Female
Threshold: Midnight

Festival of Lights

Lore:

Brigid is the Celtic Goddess of Inspiration, light, and the hearth. It is said the infant Goddess was born at the exact second of day break and rose into the sky with the sun as flames licked around her head. Her symbols include fire, cows, milk, candles, and light. Brigid is the spark of creation in all of us. She fills the empty vessel with light so that we may bring forth fruition.

Purpose:

Imbolc celebrates the initial stirrings of spring, and the return of the warmth and light to the world. It’s a perfect time for cleansing and purification! Basically time to come out of hibernation and greet the sun. As the wheel of the year turns at Imbolc the Goddess is a young mother, and the God is growing from an infant at Yule to a vigorous child.

Colors:

White (probably due to the ties to milk)

Yellow (the sun)

Tools:

Several white taper or tea light candles

Chalice filled with milk

Quarter candles

Seeds of some sort (herbs to transplant on Ostara work wonderfully)

A small pot with soil in it

Goddess and God candle

Sage Wand

Athame

Small Thing of water

Ritual:

Begin the ritual by placing the white taper or tea light candles throughout the house, and one on the altar. Once all the candles are placed turn out all the lights in the house. Pour your seeds into a bowl. Then light the sage wand and cleanse yourself, and your space. Once the space is cleansed walk deosil around the circle with your finger or athame. You can cast the circle silently or with the chant I have:

“I cast the circle round and round,

From earth to sky, and sky to ground;

Outside time, and outside space,

The circle is cast I reside between the worlds.”¹

Visualize the inside of the circle growing with white light.

Invoke the four quarters by standing at each coordinate point, light the candle after you have said the quarter invocation.

East (Air Candle): I open my mind to the East – Powers of Air, and the steady gale. Blow clean the negativity of the darkness passed. Moving breath of the Goddess may you bring fourth creativity and inspiration. Light the candle.

South (Fire Candle): I open my mind to the South – Powers of Fire, and the eternal flame. Ignite my inner passion. Sacred touch of the Goddess may you bring fourth my never ceasing inner will, and irrevocable change. Light the candle.

West (Water Candle): I open my intuition to the West – Powers of Water, and the flowing stream. Move within me. Sacred blood of the Goddess may you bring fourth my higher will, and the divine will of the Goddess. Light the candle.

North (Earth Candle): I open my Spirit to the North – Powers of Earth, and the gentle unfolding of Spring. Move around me.  Sacred womb of the Goddess may you bring fourth reverence, and compassion. Light the candle.

Once the quarters have been called proceed to the Goddess Invocation. “I dedicate myself and my ritual to Brigid Goddess of inspiration, creativity, and light. I welcome you into my circle, may your light fill me, and may it bring me replenishment in abundance. Blessed Be. Light the candle. Next close your eyes and visualize the silence and coldness of winter. Feel it all around. Open your eyes and light the taper candle on the altar. Visualize the light pulsating from the candle into your body. See your body aglow. Create a doorway in the circle and walk through your house lighting all the candles one by one. Once you get back to the center of your house or wherever your ritual is taking place close the circle, and say. “Goddess Brigid bringer of light may your divine energy spark the creativity within me, and birth inspiration to cultivate my dreams.” Take your potted plant and seeds. Pour your intentions into the seeds; see them representing your goals, your wishes, and your dreams. Once you’ve charged the seeds plant them into the pot, put your fingers into the soil. Feel it warm just as the sun warms the earth for the stirrings of spring. You too are warming the earth with your energy. Once this is complete pour a small amount of water unto the soil, and place it in a window seal after the ritual is complete.

Proceed to the cakes and ale portion of the ritual. On Imbolc I like to walk outside and pour a small amount of milk on the ground as offering to the Goddess Brigid, and thank her for once again stirring the Earth back to life from the coldness of winter. Thank and bid farewell to the quarters. At each candle say “Stay if you will go if you must in perfect love and perfect trust, So mote it be.” And extinguish the candle.

I hope everyone has a great Imbolc!

Blessed Be!

Imbolc is a celebration of the coming of Spring, and with Spring comes inspiration, creativity, and growth.  Imbolc is the traditional time of Spring Cleaning, both of our physical world, as well as our inner world.  We need to clean out old patterns of thinking and behaving that no longer serve us, so we don’t get stuck in a loop, chasing our proverbial tails and wondering why we aren’t getting anywhere.

For this meditation, you should have handy something to write on and something to write with.  Make sure you will be undisturbed for at least 20 minutes.  Consider recording your own voice reading this meditation so you can really get into it, or having a friend record it for you if hearing your own voice distracts you.

Make your body comfortable, and tell the nagging voices in your mind to shush.

Breath deeply, and pay exquisite attention to each breath.  How does breathing feel?  What do you smell and taste in the air?

How does the air feel as it enters your throat and passes into your lungs?

How do your lungs feel as they expand and deflate?

Relax with each breath.  Relax every inch of your body.  Relax your mind, and allow yourself to drift into that trance-like state just before sleep.

You are in a safe place, a sacred place, YOUR sacred place.  How does it look to you?

Take your time looking at your sacred space, and making changes to it with your will until it feels perfect for you in this moment.

When you are ready, find a door.  Know that when you open this door, you will find a wooded path, a path that will lead you to a cave.  No harm will come to you on this path.  You are safe, protected, and loved.

When you are ready, open the door.

Follow the path to an inviting, cozy cave, lit  from within by a hearth against the back wall.  The floor of the cave is soft dirt, and the walls are decorated with metal armor and weapons, beautifully detailed metal-work.

There are stacks of books by the entrance, and you know that they are full of poetry and prose, words that express and call to mind all the beauty and wonder of the universe and the experiences of life.

In the center of the cave, there is an anvil between the flames of the hearth and a simple well in the middle of the floor.  By the well stands a girl with long wild hair that shines with all the shades ever seen in  flame, and large swirling eyes that reveal every shade of water, from the healing tropical seas to the preserving arctic glaciers.  You know She is the maiden form of the Celtic Goddess Brighid, and you kneel before Her so that you and She are face to face.

Brighid the Child takes your face into Her hands and gazes into your eyes.  Her gaze fills you with unconditional love, the love a baby feels for her mother, and a mother feels for her child.  This pure love fills you, healing all the scars in your chakras and your aura, and fills every cell of your being, illuminating you from within.

When you feel like you can’t possibly take in anymore love, Brighid the Child opens Her arms for a hug.  You embrace Her, holding Her to your chest, resting your head against Her soft hair.

As you settle into the hug, you notice a warm sensation where your chest meets Hers.  The warmth gets hotter and hotter until you are sure there will be a scorch mark on your breast.  Though it doesn’t hurt, you are afraid that it will.

“You are safe,” Brighid the Child whispers.  “Let me kindle your heart with mine.  Let your passions awaken, and let your creativity flow.  Trust Me, and trust yourself.”

You whisper, “I trust You.  I trust myself,” and a spark ignites in your heart.

Your heart-flames burn away old frustration and anger, leaving only the fierce love of the Goddess and the will to create with Her.

Tears run down your cheeks, washing away stagnant emotions, the sadness, fears, and doubts that once blocked you.

Brighid the Child holds you and strokes your hair until you are balanced and calm, cleansed and filled with joy and gratitude.

As you dry your eyes, She offers you a drink of water from Her well, which you accept with thanks.  As you drink, savor the sweet flavor.  Know that the tears you cried left an empty space inside you, and that this water is filling that space with nourishment, confidence, and sacred knowledge.

You thank Brighid for Her gracious gifts, and ask Her what you can do to call this feeling back to you at will.

Listen for Her answer.  What does She say?

What does She show you?

When you are ready, give the Goddess a gift from your heart.  Then bid Her farewell, and leave the cave.

Follow the path through the woods, back to your sacred doorway.

Enter your sacred space, and breath deeply into your being.

Feel the air expand your lungs, and feel them deflate as you exhale.

Feel your diaphragm stretch and contract with every breath.

Feel your heart beat in the rhythm of life, your rhythm.

What can you feel with your skin?

What can you taste on your tongue?

What do you smell with your nose?

What can you hear with your ears?

What do you see with your eyes?

How does it feel to be back in your body?

Welcome home.

Now write down any ideas that have come to you before they turn to ash or wash away!

For those who follow a Celtic pagan path February 2nd brings Imbolc to celebrate the Goddesses transformation from crone to maiden; the change from dark to light. During this time we honor the beloved Brigid, goddess of healing and medicine, poetry, divination, fire (the forge and the hearth), knowledge and inspiration. She is daughter of Dagda, the great “father god” of Ireland and one of the oldest Goddesses still worshiped today.

Also coinciding on this same day is the Scandinavian celebration called Disting, a holy day largely characterized by preparing the land for planting and the blessing of objects and tools. In Nordic mythology, within Vanaheim, home of the Vanir Gods and Goddesses, the largest stretch of woods is called the Barri Woods. It is said that within this magical grove of golden leaved trees, Frey (God of fertility) met with his etin-bride Gerda (Frost Giant) and wooed her. Many scholars interpret this symbolic marriage as a legend of the frozen Earth being wooed by the warming sun, thus creating the union of Spring.

February 2nd marks new beginnings. In much the same manner that goats, sheep, deer and cattle are heavy with pregnancy and beginning to lactate and seed embryo lie protected within the Earth’s womb awaiting the (re)birth of spring. This same gestational awakening calls to us all to slowly rise back into action detailing the small tasks that we have neglected over the cold, dark winter.

This is also a time for cleansing and purification both on mundane and spiritual levels, which are often completed simultaneously without one’s conscious intent. For more often than not, our actions in our outer lives mirror that of our inner lives. One example of this is in spring cleaning, which prepares our mind and body for resurgence.  As we sort, rid and/or refurbish our physical belongings, so we do with our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs.

May your own reawakening nurture the seeds of hope, happiness and prosperity.

February 1, 2

Other Names: Imbolg (im-molc)(em-bowl’g) (Celtic), Candlemas (Christian), Brigantia (Caledonii), Oimelc, Festival of Light, Brigid’s (Brid, Bride) Day, La Fheill, An Fheille Bride, Candelaria (Mexico), Chinese New Year, Disting-tid (Feb 14th, Teutonic), DisaBlot, Anagantios, Lupercalia/Lupercus (Strega), Groundhog Day, Valentines Day.

Animals & Mythical Beings: Firebird, dragon, groundhog, deer, burrowing animals, ewes, robin, sheep, lamb, other creatures waking from hibernation.

Gemstones: Amethyst, garnet, onyx, turquoise.
Incense/Oil: Jasmine, rosemary, frankincense, cinnamon, neroli, musk, olive, sweet pea, basil, myrrh, and wisteria, apricot, carnation.
Colors/Candles: Brown, pink, red, orange, white, lavender, pale yellow, silver.
Tools,Symbols, & Decorations: White flowers, marigolds, plum blossoms, daffodils, Brigid wheel, Brigid’s cross, candles, grain/seed for blessing, red candle in a cauldron full of earth, doll, Bride’s Bed; the Bride, broom, milk, birchwood, snowflakes, snow in a crystal container,evergreens, homemade besom of dried broom, orange candle annointed in oil (see above)can be used to sybolize the renewing energy of the Sun’s rebirth.
Goddesses: Virgin Goddess, Venus, Diana, Februa, Maiden, Child Goddess, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Vesta, Gaia, Brigid, Selene(Greek), Branwen(Manx-Welsh).
Gods: Young Sun Gods, Pan, Cupid/Eros(Greco-Roman), Dumuzi(Sumerian).
Essence: Conception, initiation, insight, inspiration, creativity, mirth, renewal, dedication, breath of life, life-path, wise counsel, plan, prepare.
Meaning: First stirring of Mother Earth, lambing, growth of the Sun God, the middle of winter.
Purpose: Honoring the Virgin Goddess, festival of the Maiden/Light.
Rituals & Magicks: Cleansing; purification, renewal, creative inspiration, purification, initiation, candle work, house & temple blessings, welcoming Brigid, feast of milk & bread.
Customs: Lighting candles, seeking omens of Spring, storytelling, cleaning house, bonfires, indoor planting, stone collecting, candle kept burning dusk till dawn; hearth re-lighting.
Foods: Dairy, spicy foods, raisins, pumpkin, sesame & sunflower seeds, poppyseed bread/cake, honey cake, pancakes, waffles, herbal tea.
Herbs: Angelica, basil, bay, benzoin, celandine, clover, heather, myrrh, all yellow flowers, willow.
Element: Earth
Gender: Female
Threshold: Midnight

The sound of the bell fills the air, soft and low
As an ancient reminder As Above, So Below
The practitioner stands in the velvet cover of night
So there’s no interruption to this time honored rite
She stands still in the darkness, firmly wrapped in her cloak
And centers her energy to welcome Imbolc
The natural items on her altar, become magic in her hands
As has been the Witch’s way for many years, in many lands
The golden glow of candle light, the sweet smell of burning herbs
In perfect love, and perfect trust she say’s her heart felt words
She gives her thanks to the Ancient Ones then leaves the sacred place
She walks softly on the mother earth and her passing leaves no trace
A Solitary Wiccan, yet she knows she’s not alone
All the children of “The Craft of the Wise”dwell in this sacred home.

In February, we celebrate Midwinter. It is the time that we see the first hints of spring as Old Man Winter says farewell. The snow is melting, and birds are returning. Some like to focus on fire and candles during this time, as it is a symbol of the sun. Spicy hot foods are entirely appropriate as are foods that are cooked by fire–baked, roasted, or even flambed. In the same nature, sun-dried fruits and vegetables honor the sun. Others find themselves honing in on the physical signs of spring through seeds, sprouts, early spring vegetables, and dairy products. It is also common to use up the last of winter’s bounty, namely root vegetables. Look inward to see what connects the most with you.

One way to honor this time is by making bread pudding. Bread baked with fire. Milk nodding to animals in gestation. Raisins dried by the sun.

I recommend a chewy bread with lots of texture for this recipe. I prefer to use a Sourdough or Tuscan bread. You may use other dried fruits as well, such as cranberries, currants, and diced apples. I have also made this with a variety of nuts. Walnuts or pecans are a great accompaniment.

If you are gluten free, try a rice pudding by swapping the bread for 3 cups of cooked rice. Omit the eggs and cook over medium heat in a saucepan until creamy. Vegans can easily substitute with soy milk, margarine, and an egg replacer.

Ingredients

One standard-sized loaf of bread

3/4 cup raisins

3 cups scalded milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 Tbsp melted butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

dash of salt

3 eggs

Directions

1. Soak raisins, or your choice of fruit, in enough water to cover until plump. Drain.

2. Tear or cut bread into bite-sized chunks. Toss with raisins and place in a casserole dish.

3. In a bowl, whisk together the rest of the ingredients until well combined.

4. Pour mixture over bread and raisins. You may need to add in parts, as the bread soaks up the mixture.

5. Bake at 350 F for 45-60 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving, or serve room temperature.

Notes: Breads vary in terms of moisture. If you have liquid leftover, no problem. If you run out, you can make a half batch of the mixture or, in a pinch, just make a simple syrup with brown sugar and water. This dish is wonderful served hot or cooled. Whipped cream, ice cream, or a rum sauce all make a wonderful topping, but it can certainly stand on its own.

Enjoy and blessed be!

Other Names: Imbolg (im-molc)(em-bowl’g) (Celtic), Candlemas (Christian), Brigantia (Caledonii), Oimelc, Festival of Light, Brigid’s (Brid, Bride) Day, La Fheill, An Fheille Bride, Candelaria (Mexico), Chinese New Year, Disting-tid (Feb 14th, Teutonic), DisaBlot, Anagantios, Lupercalia/Lupercus (Strega), Groundhog Day, Valentines Day.

Animals & Mythical Beings: Firebird, dragon, groundhog, deer, burrowing animals, ewes, robin, sheep, lamb, other creatures waking from hibernation.

Gemstones: Amethyst, garnet, onyx, turquoise.
Incense/Oil: Jasmine, rosemary, frankincense, cinnamon, neroli, musk, olive, sweet pea, basil, myrrh, and wisteria, apricot, carnation.
Colors/Candles: Brown, pink, red, orange, white, lavender, pale yellow, silver.
Tools,Symbols, & Decorations: White flowers, marigolds, plum blossoms, daffodils, Brigid wheel, Brigid’s cross, candles, grain/seed for blessing, red candle in a cauldron full of earth, doll, Bride’s Bed; the Bride, broom, milk, birchwood, snowflakes, snow in a crystal container,evergreens, homemade besom of dried broom, orange candle annointed in oil (see above)can be used to sybolize the renewing energy of the Sun’s rebirth.
Goddesses: Virgin Goddess, Venus, Diana, Februa, Maiden, Child Goddess, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Vesta, Gaia, Brigid, Selene(Greek), Branwen(Manx-Welsh).
Gods: Young Sun Gods, Pan, Cupid/Eros(Greco-Roman), Dumuzi(Sumerian).
Essence: Conception, initiation, insight, inspiration, creativity, mirth, renewal, dedication, breath of life, life-path, wise counsel, plan, prepare.
Meaning: First stirring of Mother Earth, lambing, growth of the Sun God, the middle of winter.
Purpose: Honoring the Virgin Goddess, festival of the Maiden/Light.
Rituals & Magicks: Cleansing; purification, renewal, creative inspiration, purification, initiation, candle work, house & temple blessings, welcoming Brigid, feast of milk & bread.
Customs: Lighting candles, seeking omens of Spring, storytelling, cleaning house, bonfires, indoor planting, stone collecting, candle kept burning dusk till dawn; hearth re-lighting.
Foods: Dairy, spicy foods, raisins, pumpkin, sesame & sunflower seeds, poppyseed bread/cake, honey cake, pancakes, waffles, herbal tea.
Herbs: Angelica, basil, bay, benzoin, celandine, clover, heather, myrrh, all yellow flowers, willow.
Element: Earth
Gender: Female
Threshold: Midnight

At the end of January, we find ourselves deeply nestled inside; inside our homes, inside our work and inside our Self.  We find ourselves going deep within, partly as protection against the harsh winter, but also because our soul yearns to discover the wonder and magic of our inner Self.  So after Yule, we find ourselves deep beneath the surface until the Wheel turns again at the beginning of festival, at Imbolc.

The holiday of Imbolc or Candlemas marks the middle point of winter, the cusp, the balance point where the deep winter, ruled by the Crone Goddess Cailleach, gives way to the return of spring ruled by the Bride, the maiden Goddess.   Surrounded by candles, the warm glow of candlelight reminds us of the promise of Yule, that the Light will return and bring growth and springtime.  Now is the time for Bride to wrest the season away from the Crone and make way for springtime.  It is time to wake up the earth.

Bride is Brigit, Brigid, Brigantia and many other names.  She is a powerful, magical Goddess who was revered throughout the world of the Celts, called Minerva by the Romans and made a saint by the Catholic Church.  Her name has many meanings including “power,” “fiery arrow” and “she who exalts herself.”  She has responsibility and power over much of life.  She is the patroness of poetry and inspiration, patroness of hearth and home, patroness of the forge.  Through that triple responsibility, she rules fertility, healing, creativity, the crafts, spinning and weaving, goldsmith and smithcraft, poetry, and bardic lore.  Her power was imbued in the countryside, so that the hills, wells, streams and rivers were her body.  Her symbols speak of her power:  fire, wells, cauldrons, the forge, and the Rowan tree.  She is associated with animals that speak of the bounty of the world, the ewe, boar, and cow.  Snakes are also sacred to her as a symbol of transformation and change.  She invented whistling so she could bring friends to her side in time of need; and she invented keening to express grief too great to be held inside.

Like her festival, she was born at a mid-point; that magical time between dark and dawn.  Her magic is born of mystery.  She is a triple goddess, but not in the Maiden-Mother-Crone aspect revered by modern pagans.  Her triplicity is expressed in her most potent symbol, fire.  She is the Muse, the Fire of Inspiration, of poetry and lore.  She is the Fire of the Hearth, the patroness of childbirth, fertility, home-crafts, and of healing.  She is the Fire of the Forge, patroness of smithcraft and the art of war.  She is protection, creativity, procreation of all sorts, healing, transformation and renewal.

On her feast day, her sacred creature, the snake would emerge from its mound and predict the end of winter.  This is an obvious association to the American holiday of Groundhog’s Day!  Her feast day had other folk customs and celebrations as well.  At sundown, a shawl, length of wool or mantle was placed outside to absorb the magical energy of this time.  Then that mantle was used throughout the year for healing the people and animals of the household.

The celebration would begin by a house-cleaning that included burning the greenery leftover from Yule celebrations.  New greenery, rushes and candles were placed in the household.    The new rushes for the floor were blessed.  A dolly was created from these rushes, dressed in white.  The doors would be flung open, and the unmarried women of the house would bring the Bride into the house.  She was greeted by the married women of the household and put into a bed by the hearth. Other customs included candle magic and wishes, tying ribbons to trees and bushes for the wishes of the year, and making even armed Brigit’s crosses, reminiscent of her association with the sun.

So here we are in this time between the severity of Winter and the birth of Spring.  We are nestled here, like the seed beneath the earth.  In the deepest part of winter we move deeply inward, and rest there.  The Goddess holds us in her embrace and we snuggle close, safe and warm.  In that rest and safety, we renew ourselves.  Our emotions, our spirit, our mind and our bodies find rest and nurturing stillness.  We rest there until we are renewed.  And at that mid-point of Winter, we hear the call, the inspiration.  The flame is renewed within us as we stir inside our seed-like shell.  The shell that used to keep us safe and secure is now confining and constricting.  We stir and move, ready to break free, ready for our journey upward and outward.

There are some magical and practical ways to invoke this transition from internal hibernation to a deliberate awakening.  Begin by cleaning.  Often after a winter of not noticing, the strengthening sun will suddenly reveal more dust and dirt that you had noticed before.  It can be daunting to look at all that must be done in totality..  I developed a “Clean One Thing” strategy or spell.  This spell is so lacking in “whoo whoo” or magical flourish, that it might just seem like regular house cleaning.  However, it is short, sweet, and do-able.  I make a “Clean One Thing” list of very short housework tasks.  It is not “clean the bathroom,” but rather the first item will say “clean the tub,” “wash the sink” and so on.   I take the list and share it with the Goddess, dedicating my industry and cleaning to Her; and leave the list on my altar.

So that when I get up off my couch to do some housework, I need to only accomplish one thing.  That is my only focus for cleaning.  When I’m done with that one chore, I’ve accomplished a goal.  Cross it off the list.  Thank the Goddess and then I’m done.  I can then decide to take a break, have a cup of tea, read a book, or do one more thing.  It does kind of fool you into getting a lot of work done.  I think dedicating the work to the Goddess makes it a spiritual experience rather than a dirty chore.   Usually at the end of the list, I’ll burn it or bury it as a ritual act of completion.

Another simple thing to do to move into more action is to “wake up the earth.”  If you are completely done with your internal journey of the season and ready to get up and get going, you can wake up.  Be aware that if you do this, you are waking yourself up too!  As you are grounded and connected to the earth, you are awakening your own divinity in the process.   This is fun to do in a ritual with a group, or can be done as a solitary.

Wake Up the Earth, Wake Up the Divine Me

You will need as many tools and accoutrements as you prefer.  You can do this with your body and voice; or with full “smells and bells” ritual tools.  A drum is very helpful.

Ground and Center, connect yourself to Mother Earth

Cast a circle according to your custom

Call in the Directions according to the tradition you follow

Call in Your Gods, or the Spirits of the Season

Meditation

Take a deep breath and let it out with a sigh.  Take another deep cleansing breath and let it out completely and fully, making noise as you are led.  Take a third deep breath and let it out with a tone.  As the tone reverberates through your body, find yourself in a cave on a soft bed of wonderful comfortable covers.  Stretch and stand up.  Guarding you is the Ancient Crone Goddess of Winter, holding a torch that is very dim.  She looks at you and smiles.  Then she turns and walk to the doorway of the cave, where you see another figure at the entrance.  You realize it is the Bride, Brigit.  She looks at you and grins widely, in a challenge and in welcome.

The Ancient Crone of Winter hands the torch to Brigit and the torch flames to life and you see a triple flame as she holds her hand out to you.  It is time to step over the threshold and to emerge from the cave.  You go and walk through into the world.

Out in the world you look around at the landscape and you sense the change from deep, dark winter to an emerging springtime.  You feel it with your inner divinity more than you see it.  But you take it all in.  Brigit leads you to a circle of Be-ings, gods, goddesses, the Spirits of people you know in this word.  They welcome you into the circle as all join hands in song and dance.

The circle dances and dances and dances.  Your heart is beating and your blood is flowing as your body and your soul awakens in harmony to the energy of the earth.  In your dance, you feel the slumbering earth awaken, stretch, yawn, and start to move.  You are AWAKE and so is the earth!

The whole circle begins to chant:  The goddess is awake and magic is afoot.  The goddess is awake and magic is afoot.

As this happens, emerge from your meditative state and continue the chant until a cone of power is sent off into the Universe for the good of all and the harm of none, to the blessing of an awakened world and an awakened you!

Once you’ve raised the cone of power, take a minute to ground yourself.  Once you are grounded and centered, you are ready to leave the circle.  Refreshed, renewed and invigorated.

Farewell and thanks to your gods

Farewell and thanks to the directions

Open the circle

Be good to yourself after a ritual and celebrate with food and drink that centers and grounds you; things that bring you fully into this world with all its magic and wonder.  Be ready for signs of awakening.  They are there, subtle and visible to those with the heart and eyes to see.

Blessed Be.