Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

Book III: W heel of the Year 263
When the bardic is to begin, everyone gathers into a circle, seated comfortably. The
most important element is a large chalice or drinking horn filled with an appropriate thirstquencher:
water, wine, or apple juice is acceptable, but mead is by far the most traditional! Be
sure to keep enough more on hand to refill the cup when it gets low!
Bardic Circles are often begun, now as in olden times, with an invocation and dedication
to Brigit (Irish saint and goddess, patron of all creative endeavors) or the Muses (Greek
patrons of the arts and sciences). Begin by explaining the idea of a Bardic Circle:
In ancient times, the bards dedicated themselves to memorizing the lore of the people in
stories, poetry, and song. Thousands of years before there was TV or movies, the best entertainment
in the village was a bardic performance. Through these, children and adults learned the history of
their ancestors, the myths of the gods, the adventures of heroes, and the lessons of the legends.
But you don’t have to be a professional bard to participate in a Bardic Circle! Anyone
can tell a story or a good joke, or read a favorite poem—even if you can’t sing or perform
in other ways. A Bardic Circle is a sharing experience, like a potluck, in which everybody
gets to contribute something.
Now, it’s well known that barding is thirsty work! So we will pass the horn (or chalice)
around the Circle. When it comes to you, take a drink, and enter the center to offer your contribution.
When you are done, take another drink, and pass it on to the next person. If you aren’t
ready when the horn/chalice comes to you, just say “pass” and hand it on to the next in line.
As host, you take a drink and begin with the first offering, and then pass the horn/
chalice to the person on your left. In the HOME Tradition, we commonly like to begin our
Bardic Circles with “Wind in the Pipes,” by Meg Davis (page 267, #237).
Imbolc
By Crow Dragontree
This day typically marks the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. The
daylight hours are getting longer and the sun’s power is just about to peak. In the Sonoran
Desert, we begin to feel the sun/son’s growing power as it begins to get warmer and drier
and the first stirrings of the seed sprouts become evident. We know that soon it will become
too hot to fully enjoy such solar brilliance as is common in the desert, but for now we
celebrate the growing warmth while it is still temperate.
This is a fantastic time to plant seeds, both literally and figuratively. Planting connects
us to the Great Mother as well as the Growing Son. Both God and Goddess are deeply
involved in the continual fertility of the Earth. While we plant our seeds into the ground, we
may also “sow” our intentions for the coming year and take advantage of the burgeoning
symbolism of the first signs of manifest power.
Toward this end, have ready a seed or handful of seeds with which you will charge your
intent in the present ritual. If doing this spell indoors, bring a bowl of Earth to the altar. This
ritual is written as if it is performed indoors in such a manner. Feel free, however, to adapt it
in any way that is appropriate for your setting. In either case, be sure to ritually cleanse the
seed and bowl of Earth (if used) in the manner with which you are most comfortable.
The foods used during this ritual have traditionally been dairy products. This is likely because
of the Western European association with animal lactation during this time. While such an
association still holds true to this day, even in the Sonoran Desert, you may also wish to celebrate
the Sun God’s rise to power with the bold, spicy foods that are common to our area.
Explanation of Imbolc
The High Priest or Priestess stands before the altar while the celebrants perform some
gesture that connects them to the Earth (e.g., holding the seed between your palms, touching
the bowl of Earth, etc). Feel your energy merging with the Earth. While doing so, intone: