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

264 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
The fertile Earth stirs once more
And Spring leaps into view
Brings back the life we knew before
The world begins anew
The Young God’s strength grows in us all
And all around, we see
That the Springtime Goddess starts to warm
And Winter’s a memory
Just as the lands are fertile now,
Let us be fruitful, too
Creative and bold, we chart our course
And to our selves stay true
Blessed Be!
Seed Planting Exercise
The High Priest or Priestess faces the celebrants.
Instructing each of them to take up
their seeds and think about their intention for
the seed, he or she provides direction to guide
their exercise and experience:
It is now time to plant the seeds of this
spring’s hopes and dreams. Holding the seed
you have chosen and hold it between your
palms, consider what this seed means to you
symbolically.
This seed is the seed of your own inspiration.
This seed is your own creativity.
It is the symbol of the starting point of
your goals for this season.
Think upon the specific goal you wish to
accomplish this spring.
Imagine yourself having achieved that goal.
Consider how your life may change and
evolve in the upcoming spring while you are
achieving this goal.
Realize that every seed faces challenges
in its growth, and that you will meet these
challenges with capability.
Now envision your seed germinating,
growing, and becoming to its full potential
…just as your goals shall.
With that visualization firmly set in your
mind, slowly press the seed into the bowl of Earth.
It is fertile, warm, and welcoming.
Hold your hands over the bowl for a few
seconds, continuing the visualization, until
you are ready to release it.
When all of the celebrants have released
their energy into their respective bowls of
Earth, you may wish to begin the feast.
Finishing Touches
During the feast, these discussion questions
regarding your experience of the celebration
may be helpful:
• What kinds of things do you hope to foster
this spring (i.e., what was your “seed?”)?
• Of course, we have to strive to meet our
goals. What kinds of steps do you intend
to take to make sure they come to fruition?
That is, how do you intend to “make
your seed grow”?
• What are some of the traditional Imbolc
activities you plan to do?
After the Feast is finished, you will wish
to plant the seed with the bowl of Earth outdoors.
Other traditional activities that may
connect you to the change of the year may
be to turn on all of the lights in the house at
sunset, symbolizing the growing longevity of
the sun. In a similar spirit, some celebrants
prefer to set a red candle in every window.
Perhaps even a fire could be lit on these still
cool nights, either outdoors or safely in a fireplace,
for purposes of purification symbolic
of the new life that just now begins to sprout
around you.
Wiccan Rite for Candlemas Eve
The place of meeting should be decorated with berries and boughs of rowan, or mountain
ash, if that is possible. If there will be singing, music, or rhyme before the rite, it should
concern the return and quickening of new life. If there is dancing, the Priestess and Priest
shall see that it is slow and sensuous. The decorations for the meal before the ceremony
should feature red-colored paper.
A small ship model of archaic design should be placed on the altar for this ceremony,
symbolizing the return of the Goddess after many cold months, after many cold years, and
after many cold centuries. The ship should be placed between the God and Goddess figures.