This is an adaptation of the Rite celebrated by Tangwen’s Grove at Imbolc of 2005. With some members of the Grove not physically strong enough to be outside in the cold, the rite took place inside, by a glowing hearth fire.
In preparation for the rite, the area is blessed and consecrated and a small fire is lit in the hearth, this being the only light in the room. In the centre is a large round dish filled with fresh compost. To one side is a black cauldron filled with rain water, a large white candle, and dozen of little white tea-lite candles. Each member of the Grove has prepared by thinking about what dreams they hold for the coming cycle of growth.
The Spirits of Place are called : Spirits of this Place, you of this sacred valley, you whose breath we here breathe, know that you are honoured here. Spirits of this Place, honour this our rite. Accept our presence, for we come in peace and with reverence.
The Call for Peace is made. The Grove member who calls first asks if there is peace, and then affirms that there is peace – within this place and within those present, and between all, spirit to spirit.
The Temple of the Grove is then crafted. The circle of the horizon is acknwledged, the circle made of the walls of the room, then the Grove acknowledge the circle they make, holding hands as the circle is cast around them. The circle is consecrated with incense and with water.
The four directions are honoured. A member of the Grove calls to the spirits of the North, honouring the earth, darkness, winter, and the powers of death. Another calls to the spirits of the East, honouring the skies, wind and breath, the spring, and the powers of new life. Another calls to the spirits of the South, honouring the fire, light, summer, and the powers of the wild. Another calls to the spirits of the West, honouring the seas, rivers and wells, water, blood, the autumn, and the powers of emotion.
The purpose of the Rite is then declared: We have gathered here for the Rite of Imbolc, in order to find our feet upon the earth, that we might breathe the air that moves about us, utterly present in the moments as they pass.
The Three Worlds of Earth, Sea and Sky are then honoured in turn. Each member of the Grove acknowledges with thanks the inspiration gained from spirits and creativity in each of the worlds, focusing on the present, on today and the powers of nature that exist around them. For example, for some, honouring Earth, it is the scent of winter’s mud, the huddles of dancing snowdrops, the proud bare trees putting out their first new stretch of growth; honouring the Skies, it is the robin’s song, the sharp chill of the wind, the colours of the pale sky; honouring the Seas, it is the snow, the rain, the mist, the ice cold stream. Offerings are made to the Spirits of Place.
The darkness of winter is honoured and the powers of decay acknowledged through the dish of compost, the focus of the rite remaining on today and the gifts that these forces have offered us through the journey of the past three months of winter. The goddess of winter/darkness/death and decay is honoured. As the rotted summer gives nourishment for the seeds of spring, so do we honour the lives of our ancestors, their journeys acknowledged, their gifts of life. Offerings to them are made, either laid around the dish of compost or placed onto the fire.
Hail Ancestors, you who would teach us, who would guide us through this cycle to come, hear our call. This circle cast is peace welcomes you, in peace. Let us feel your presence. There is a period of quiet as the ancestors join us and those who can hear, listen to their guidance.
The cauldron of water is brought into the water, and a member of the Grove speaks of the waters of the dark cauldron-womb of the goddess, of nature, of winter. The waters are honoured, the gods of rain thanked, as we speak of our dreams for the new cycle of growth and what will be born. A drum beat starts and the Grove begin their chant, invoking their muse, calling to their gods, asking that their dreams fill the water of the cauldron. When the water is shimmering, there is silence as each person seeks clarity and wisdom about their own dreams, about the dreams of nature.
Each member of the Grove then comes to the centre, dips their hands into the water of dreams, and sprinkles the compost, casting their intention into creativity. The large white candle is then placed in the midst of the compost, and member of the Grove makes the invocation to the sun as she lights the candle, calling to the powers of spring that will warm the land and allow the new cycle of growth, and each person makes their prayers to the sun.
Welcoming the sun and the first breath of spring, the mead and bread are blessed. Offerings are made to the ancestors and to the land, and the feast is shared with all those present, in body and spirit.
Then each member takes a tea-lite and lights it from the candle burning in the centre of the compost, taking the blessings of the sun for their dreams. Tea-lites are also lit for other dreams, for peace, healing, love, success, for friends and community, for humanity and nature, until the temple is blessed with the light of 4 dozen or more candles!
The rite is then closed, with thanks given to the spirits/deity of the darkness, to the ancestors, the waters and the sun, to the spirits of the four directions, to the spirits of place. Those who were invited to join the circle are bid Hail and Farewell. Peace is affirmed within the Temple of the circle and, when all is still and focused, the circle is uncast, allowing the energy of the dreams and light to flow out into the web of connection.
The rite is ended with thanks given to the spirits of place.
The Grove then shares poetry, songs, stories and feasting!