Isle of Wight Order of Druids - Imbolc

Preparation

If possible, set up a small altar – including water in small bowl and lit candle (signifies the
Elements Water and Fire as Earth and Air are already present). If it is not safe to light the
candle where you hold the ritual, leave it unlit.

I have not included Quarters Opening / Closing or Circle Casting / Uncasting. Neither are
necessary in this short personal ritual. If you wish to include the Quarter calls, you will find
them on the final sheet of this ritual script. I have marked the places in the ritual where you
should include them if you wish.

Being thankful for the gifts of the harvest - Food and Drink - place on the altar a small glass
with something tasty to drink and a piece of bread (chocolate, a biscuit or cake will do just as
well!).

How you conduct this ritual is up to you. You can stand in front of your altar and read the
whole ritual out loud. You can do the same from the comfort of a chair. Or you can simply
read through the ritual in your mind. All are equally valid rituals. What is important is that
you conduct the ritual, not how you do it.

THE RITUAL

By star and stone

By the power of the land within and without
By all that is fair and free

I am Druid.
I believe in and celebrate the spirituality of all life.
I am one with the community of the Natural World
And the ever-flowing tide of the seasons,
Honouring all, past, present and future.
My life is a journey,
Seeking spiritual awakening, inspiration and wisdom through the Awen.
I am Druid

May there be peace in this place and throughout the whole world.

There is no honour in conflict. I choose peace, I choose love, I choose life.

Together with all life, I stand for peace, I act for peace. I am a channel for
peace. Peace in my heart. Peace in my life. Peace throughout the world.
(Open Quarters and cast circle (clockwise) if you wish)

1
Druid Prayer for Peace

Deep within the still centre of my being, may I find peace.

Silently within the quiet of the grove, may I share peace.
Gently within the greater circle of humankind
May I radiate peace.

AWEN CHANT
CHANT – Ah oo wen, Ah oo wen, Ah oo wen

RITE OF IMBOLC
The Crone wears her shroud of ice proudly, And in honour and respect, I
bless her for the dark days of rest as the Natural World slept.

But the Wheel turns.

Come back to me Maiden and bring the Spring.

Maiden, the snowdrops have pushed their way through the cold, wet earth
and I dream of your return.
Come back to me Maiden and bring the Spring

The birds are ready to return from their winter homes and the trees are
waiting to bring forth new leaves.
Come back to me Maiden and bring the Spring

The plants which were harvested and returned to you in the earth are close
to renewal.
Come back to me Maiden and bring the Spring. All Hail the Maiden.

And now the young Sun envelopes the Crone in his loving embrace. She
turns to him and smiles, knowing that the time has come for him to remove
the icy coverlet with his growing warmth. As it slowly slips away, so do the
years upon her face. And in their place, I glimpse the lovely Maiden of
Spring.

Farewell Crone. All Hail the Maiden, You of the fertile Earth. It is with
bright hearts that I await your return to this land.

Maiden, in honour and respect I ask you to bless me with your presence
once again.

2
(face to the North) - Maiden, at this time of rebirth, as the Earth gently
warms and life again stirs in answer to your call to awake, I bless you for
the fertility you will bring to the Land.

(face to the East) Maiden, bathed in the white milk of nurturing, the fire of
spirit shines through your eyes. I Bless you for the Breath of Life.

(face to the South) Maiden, may the radiant warmth of your love be felt in
my heart. I Bless you for your inspiration.

(face to the West) Maiden, as the light of the Young One, the Mabon, now
grows over the lands and seas, I Bless you for your healing.

Hail Maiden, whose womb now nurtures the growing light of Spring and
the rich, full promise of summer. May my life now reflect your bountiful
gifts, as I feel your healing touch soothe away my dark winter’s woes and
as I feel the mother’s milk of nurturing flow through me, renewing me for
the brighter times ahead.

Lady of the Waters, Lady of the Flames

Lady of the Winds, Bright Lady of the turning Earth
Lady of the Earth Reborn, Maiden and Mother
Sweet bringer of Life
Lady you bless my thoughts
Lady you bless my speech
Lady you bless my feelings
Lady you bless my desires
Lady you bless my life.

I Bless you, Maiden, for your return to the land,

May your love be felt through time and space,
Across the universe, upon the earth, and under the sea.
Although the growing light is still dim in my eyes,
I carry the bright flame of your love in my heart.

You bring hope to my darkness. Your warm embrace protects and

nurtures me as I grow each day in mind, body and spirit. And you inspire
me to act justly and with reverence to all life. So may it be.

Being thankful for the gifts of the harvest - Food and Drink
May I never hunger (take a bite of the bread or other food on the altar)
May I never thirst (take a sip of the drink on the altar)

3
(On completion, pause for a brief meditation on these gifts)

THE CLOSING
Earth Mother, blessed source of all life,
Who is the boundless sea, the clear air and the fruitful earth,
Your presence is everywhere.
Creator, preserver and eternal renewer,
From whom I was born and to whom I shall return,
May I live my life in reverence and in gratitude to you.
May I harm not the delicate web of existence,
But help to heal and strengthen it.
You who feed and nourish me,
Showering me with your abundant gifts,
I honour and praise you now,
And vow to walk according to your ways,
For all the days of my life.
In love and peace, so may it Be.

May the light of love and devotion shine brightly in my heart.

May the light of understanding shine clearly in my mind.
May the light of harmony be forever in my home.
May the light of peace shine forth from my being.
May the light of my presence bring love and peace to all, where-ever I may
go.

AWEN CHANT
CHANT – Ah oo wen, Ah oo wen, Ah oo wen

(Close Quarters and uncast circle (anti-clockwise) if have opened the Quarters and cast the
circle)

Earth Mother, Sky Father, gentle Spirits and revered Ancestors, may there
always be harmony between us and between all lives and all lands. So may
it be.
(End of Ritual – extinguish candle)

4
(If required)

Opening the Quarters:

East: With the Blessing of the Hawk of Dawn soaring in the clear, pure air, I
call upon the spirits of the East and of Air. Hail and welcome!

South: With the Blessing of the Great Stag in the heat of the chase and the inner
fire of the Sun, I call upon the spirits of the South and of Fire. Hail and
welcome!

West: With the Blessing of the Salmon of Wisdom who dwells within the
sacred waters of the pool, I call upon the spirits of the West and of Water. Hail
and welcome!

North: With the Blessing of the Great Bear of the Starry Heavens and the deep
and fruitful Earth, I call upon the spirits of the North and of Earth. Hail and
welcome!

Closing the Quarters:

North: In the name of the Great Bear of the Starry Heavens and the element of
Earth, I thank the spirits of the North. Hail and farewell!

West: In the name of the Salmon of Wisdom and the element of Water, I thank
the spirits of the West. Hail and farewell!

South: In the name of the Great Stag and of the element of Fire, I thank the
spirits of the South. Hail and farewell!

East: In the name of the Hawk of Dawn and the element of Air, I thank the
spirits of the East. Hail and farewell!

Casting the Circle

To cast the circle you can either walk in a circle around your Altar holding your
staff or use the end of your staff to trace a circle around the Altar as you rotate
on the spot. It is usual to start the circle cast in the North East and cast the circle
clockwise. To uncast the circle again start in the North East and uncast counter-
clockwise.