Feast of torches. Oimelc. Roodmas. Brigantia. Imbolg. Ash grove sabat candlemas. Feast of pan. Feast of lights. Brigids day. Festival of Initiation. Snowdrop festival. Feast of the waxing light. Candlemas fire Festival. Ouiamelgtis. Festival of purif ication and light.

2 Feb Northern 1 Aug Southern

Ritual

All enter and take their places in circle.

Water rings bell 3 times.

Priest casts circle all visualize blue flame.

All dance deosil round circle.

Fire lights candles except cauldron candle .

Air lights incense and walks it around circle..

Each spokesperson for element makes invoking pentacle and does silent call to his / her element start in air.

Priest: This is a time of the feast of torches, when every lamp blazes and shines, to welcome the rebirth of the God.

Air: And the Goddess breathed gently into the void, (hold up incense and swing 3 times.) And behold the gentle breezes, caressed the soul of the universe. Thus was born the essence of light, of laughter and cheer.

Priestess: Pan sat alone in his mothers woodland. Raising his pipes to his mouth, he brought forth the first music. The wings of song and enchantment came floating on the air.

Priest: May the gentle winds of faith , stir your souls into seeking the mother. As the morning song of the dawning, creeps over the horizon of our lives. May we all share in the laughter and joy of wisdom, and may we float in enchantment on winged clouds of eternity.

All: So mote it be.

Fire: From the warmth of light (lights cauldron candle.) And in her maternal goodness, did she bring forth fire to her children, to kindle in them the sparks of knowledge, and the fires of delight.

Priestess: from the sun we take our warmth. From our mother comes desire. As the phoenix rises renewed of flames, may we too, embrace the life beyond this.

All: So mote it be.

Priest: Our eternal Goddess is the cauldron of cerridwen.
May we dance around her fires in eternal joy.
May we embrace the fire within & stir our passion or wisdom.

All: So mote it be .

Water: From the deep waters (pour water into basin ) of her wisdom, brings she forth the mystery of life, thus does the soul take on the quest of all knowing.

Priestess: From the cauldron of Cerridwen, we take compassion & love . Moving deep within mysteries, we seek inner knowledge. May the God Neptune watch over us as we plunge into the depths of knowing.

All: So mote it be.

Priest: Our mother is (holds up crystal ball ) the moon's reflection upon quiet and rippling waters . May we be eternally bathed in her love may we seek her calm and her tranquillity as we travel from shore to distant shore

All: So mote it be.

Earth: Plunges knife into pot of sand and says:

In our quest for knowledge we cross the fields of the earth mother and play in her forests. Her pulse is in our gardens, mountains tall and valleys fair. Her dance is in the jungles and along the shore and from deep within her, in caves and secret places. Springs knowledge as the fruit of the earth.

Priestess: Slowly she dances the seasonal rhythms to the gentle music of the woodlands. Pan plays upon his pipes and she dances in the grasses, crops, and among the trees to the tune of the gentle hunter.

Priest: Our mother is the earth and we are her children. She gives us wisdom. May we seek her knowledge in the flowers, herbs, and in all things green. And in the passing of time when we give her our souls, she will take our bodies and return our souls for rebirth.

Elder: Our Lord, now has reached mid-journey. Ahead he sees the light of our Lady and the start of life anew, let us honour the Lord and Lady.

All: We honour the Lord and Lady.

Priestess: This is the time when spring lambs are born and ewes come in to spring itself is centred in the distance and our thoughts are on the Goddess as much as the God. Burn now the evergreens, ivy, mistletoe and holly. The rosemary and bay. Clear out the old, that the new may enter in.

Elder: Light to dark, darkness to light.

All: Light to dark , darkness to light.

Elder: Farewell Lady welcome Lord.

All: Farewell Lord welcome Lady. This is the wheel of life. Water rings bell 3 times and hands out tarot cards. (star 17) all meditate on card.

Water rings bell 3 times.

Priest: Mother earth stirs from her long slumber, the fields and forests hear the whisper to awake. The creatures of her realms answer her summons. Everything waits in anticipation for spring (taps altar 3 times)

All: Stamp feet 3 times

Priestess: This is the festival of the maiden who gives to the breath of spring. This is a time of waxing light & receding darkness. This is the season of purification. A renewing of life.

All stamp feet 3 times.

Priest: At this time & in this place between worlds. We come into the presence of the Lord & Lady that we may gain wise & truthful council.

All stand in silence while each one present asks for inspiration & guidance for the future.

Priest taps alter 3 times with wand, after a few minutes.

All stamp feet 3 times.

Priestess: O ancient ones, we know our life paths are within your keeping. Only with your help & guidance can we hope to avoid any pitfalls & reach our destinations safely.

Water rings bell 3 times.

Cakes & ale.

Priest: We salute the glorious maiden, preparer of new life out of darkness. This is her season in the wheel, when she spreads her blessings over the land.

Priestess: Behold the Lord of the forests caresses the dreaming earth, as there is a renewal within the plants & animals, so should there be renewal in our lives.

All: Make our lives fertile sweet Kore, with insight, good health, prosperity & magical power.

Priestess: Hands out cakes.

Water rings bell three times

1st guardian: Honour to the old Gods! We thank them , may all who have been present go in power..

2nd guardian: Merry meet & merry part & merry meet again. This rite is done.

All: Blessed be.

Fire snuffs out candles.

All dance around the circle widdershins.

Spokespersons for the elements take offerings out side.

Feast begins, light fire, all burn herbs in fire. Sing & dance & be merry.

Come to us from the earth's four quarters.

Earth & air & fire & water.

Bring your blessing to this home, sylphs, undines, salamanders, & gnomes &

Ask your captains, Nixsa, Djinn, Paralda & Ghob, to bring bright blessings.

Lord & Lady we give you honour, bless all present here this night.

Their tarot cards, white or black robe, a silver headband or their karmic headband. A white candle, some evergreens , such as pine, cypress, holly, palm, rosemary, bay, rue, wormwood, wilde als, dill & lavender. White flowers & something to eat & drink.

Spicy, curried meat fish, & chicken.

Milk tarts, custard slices etc.

Cheese & biscuits, pickles, olives, pate, nuts, sout tert, milk bread, garlic bread,.

Sweets: coconut ice, fudge, marshmallows.

Drinks: milk stout, beer, ale, mead, fruity wine, fruit juice, hot chocolate,

Milo, Irish coffee.

Puddings: milk puddings, berry puddings, ice cream, jellies & chocolate pud.