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

Book III: W heel of the Year 265
The Great Circle shall be cast in the usual manner.
To begin the rite, the Priest stands before the mirror to the north of the altar, holding the
ship up before him. He looks within the mirror for the space of five heartbeats, then calls:
Three ladies came out of the East, with rhyme and herbs and iron wrought fair.
Return again, oh thou White Swan, pride of the golden hair.
The Priestess, from where she sits in the eastern part of the Circle, responds in a low voice:
The times are ill, and thou of my Craft shall someday make them right.
Sad the town yonder, sad those that are in it;
I am the White Swan who shall again someday be Queen of them all.
The Priest, still facing the mirror, says:
I will voyage in the Lady’s name in likeness of deer, in likeness of horse, in likeness of
serpent, in likeness of king, to bring back the High One once again. More powerful will
it be with me than with all the others, Oh thou gracious Goddess, so may it be in Thy
name.” (All make the sign of the pentacle.)
The rite of Drawing Down the Moon shall follow. Then the rest of the night shall be spent by
all in divination with the mirror, with cards, with crystal, or other means. Blackberry wine
shall be drunk.
Finally, the Great Circle shall be opened.
Customs of Candlemas
By Mike Nichols
One of the nicest folk customs still practiced in many countries—especially by Witches
in the British Isles and parts of the United States—is to place a lighted candle in each and
every window of the house (or at least the windows that face the street) beginning at
sundown on Candlemas Eve (February 1), and allow them to continue burning until sunrise.
Make sure that such candles are well seated to prevent tipping, and guarded from nearby
curtains, etc. What a cheery sight it is on this cold, bleak, and dreary night to see house after
house with candle-lit windows! And, of course, if you are your coven’s chandler, or if you
just happen to like making candles, Candlemas Day is the day for doing it. On this day some
covens hold candle-making parties, and try to make and bless all the candles they’ll be using
for the whole year.
Other customs of the holiday include: weaving “Brigit’s crosses” from straw or wheat to
hang around the house for protection, performing rites of spiritual cleansing and purification,
making “Brigit’s beds” to ensure fertility of mind and spirit (and body, if desired), and
making crowns of light (i.e. of candles) for the High Priestess to wear for the Candlemas
Circle (similar to those worn on St. Lucia’s Day in Scandinavian countries).
All in all, this Pagan festival of lights, sacred to the young Maiden Goddess, is one of
the most beautiful and poetic of the year.
An Imbolc Dedication Candle
By Lady MoonDance
As a holiday dedicated to the Celtic goddess Brigid, this is the season to ask for inspiration,
creativity, wisdom, and healing. Known as a triple goddess as well as a patroness of
poetry, healing, and smithcraft, she is also the “Lady of the Sacred Flame” who guards the
spark of life. So beloved was she and so widespread was her worship that the Catholic
Church adopted her as St. Brigid and declared February 1 her feast day. Even today her
sacred flame continues to burn at her well in Kildare, and priestesses around the world dedicate
themselves to her service. On February 2 (Christianized as “Candlemas”), the year’s supply of