Imbolc
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"Perhaps on this Imbolc, Brighid will ignite some fire in me that will illuminate ways in which I can better align myself with the rhythms of the earth. Perhaps I will see in the mind of my heart some memory of a simpler time; an ancient world that my spirit belonged to, and still belongs to. Perhaps when that happens, I will think of the ewe, and the newborn sheep, and I will see in them something true about the world, about myself, and about the Great Mystery to which we all belong."
-Teo Bishop 
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Artwork by Elaine Bailey
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Imbolc Ritual created by our member CeCe
To me, Imbolc/Candlemas is a celebration when new life begins to stir within and the first signs of returning life are appearing and I am filled with hope. At this time, I honor the Goddess Brighid who nurtures the light within me to burn bright and bring about hope and warmth by performing a solitary candle ritual.
Before the ritual, meditate on the meaning of Imbolc/Candlemas and think about how in ancient times the Goddess Brighid was welcomed into the homes, the temples, and to the land itself in joyous fire and light celebrations. Ask yourself, "What spark of my life have I been nurturing within the dark time of the year that I now want to shine? How can I respectfully welcome the Goddess Brighid into my home and ask her to guide me into nourishing my dream into a reality?"
Prepare ahead of time an offering to Brighid (a poem, painting, photo, food, etc.) and place it upon your altar. Carve on a candle (color: orange, red, white, and or yellow) your name and your goal (this can be abbreviated). Concentrate on your dream taking shape and growing stronger each day while at the same time rubbing a combination of essential oils and herbs (be sure they are safe to ignite and burn) from the bottom of the candle up to the top while meditating on how you will nourish your dream to fruition.
Once you are finished, place the candle upon your altar and find a comfortable place to sit. Light the candle and state,
“Goddess Brighid, I offer up this (mention what you have made and recite it or talk about it) and ask that you please offer your guidance by igniting within me a fiery passion just like this candle which burns bright with the power of your divine inspiration. I am but a spark and you are flame and when we come together my light burns more brightly than when I am alone. Goddess Brighid, I ask that you provide the warmth and illumination I need to continue to shine bright enough in the darkness that I will be able to find my way."
Sit with your thoughts and the burning candle for as long as you need. Bring the candle with you (in whatever place you can observe) and allow it to burn its duration all the while thinking of the Goddess Brighid, your goal and the spark you want to let shine!!
Before the ritual, meditate on the meaning of Imbolc/Candlemas and think about how in ancient times the Goddess Brighid was welcomed into the homes, the temples, and to the land itself in joyous fire and light celebrations. Ask yourself, "What spark of my life have I been nurturing within the dark time of the year that I now want to shine? How can I respectfully welcome the Goddess Brighid into my home and ask her to guide me into nourishing my dream into a reality?"
Prepare ahead of time an offering to Brighid (a poem, painting, photo, food, etc.) and place it upon your altar. Carve on a candle (color: orange, red, white, and or yellow) your name and your goal (this can be abbreviated). Concentrate on your dream taking shape and growing stronger each day while at the same time rubbing a combination of essential oils and herbs (be sure they are safe to ignite and burn) from the bottom of the candle up to the top while meditating on how you will nourish your dream to fruition.
Once you are finished, place the candle upon your altar and find a comfortable place to sit. Light the candle and state,
“Goddess Brighid, I offer up this (mention what you have made and recite it or talk about it) and ask that you please offer your guidance by igniting within me a fiery passion just like this candle which burns bright with the power of your divine inspiration. I am but a spark and you are flame and when we come together my light burns more brightly than when I am alone. Goddess Brighid, I ask that you provide the warmth and illumination I need to continue to shine bright enough in the darkness that I will be able to find my way."
Sit with your thoughts and the burning candle for as long as you need. Bring the candle with you (in whatever place you can observe) and allow it to burn its duration all the while thinking of the Goddess Brighid, your goal and the spark you want to let shine!!
Churning Brighid’s Butter By Regan
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As a new devotee of Brighid, I have spent quite a lot of time reading, searching and learning ways in which I might connect to the goddess despite my great distance from the western world as a resident of Korea. One reason I felt so drawn to Brighid is her creating and crafting aspect. There are few things I love more than learning a new skill that allows me to be more self-sufficient or to use my hands to create more beauty in the world.
My most recent venture was sparked by a book called Tending Brigid’s Flame by author Lunaea Weatherstone. In her book, she casually included a simple method for making fresh butter, no churn required! Thanks to the mason jar craze, I was able to find a liter mason jar with a handle at my local Daiso (like a dollar store). The jar even came with a sunny, butter-yellow lid. I managed to find one carton of actual heavy cream at my local grocery store, and I was ready to chant the butter chant. Here’s the surprisingly simply way to make your own butter: Time: 30-50 minutes depending on your limb strength Materials: -lidded jar with 2 cup capacity or more (I used a liter jar) -1 cup heavy cream -salt (optional for adding at the end) -a fine strainer -ice water for ice bath -strong wrists and arms Directions: 1. Pour the heavy cream into your jar and let it come to room temperature (this can take several hours) 2. Shake shake shake 3. Keep shaking until you see some separation from solids and liquids (it took me 10-15 minutes to see a difference) 4. Once you have some solids, pour off the buttermilk using the strainer to catch any solids (I save the buttermilk to make Irish soda bread!) 5. Keep shaking and pouring off the buttermilk until you see no further change in the consistency of the butter and no further separation 6. From there, remove the butter from its jar and place it into the ice bath. You can use this time to shape the butter and wash off any remaining buttermilk 7. Place it in your container and gently fold in salt if desired Butter Chant from Tending Brigid’s Flame, adapted from a chant found in the Carmina Gadelica: Come, thou Brigid, goddess calm Hasten the butter on the cream Thou who bless my hearth and home From humble floor to high roof beam Come, ye rich lumps, come! Thou who put light in moon and sun Thou who put fish in stream and sea Thou who put food in flock and herd Send sweet butter now to me! *this is intended to be repeatedly chanted as you churn but I did it in sets of three as often as I felt was right* |
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