Denton CUUPS Brigid 2010



Almanac:

Saturday, January 30, 2010

gathering: 7:00 PM, start time: 7:30 PM

sunset: 5:59 PM, end twilight: 6:25 PM

full moon at 12:19 AM

moonrise: 6:52 PM, moonset: 8:12 AM



Set-Up:

On Main Altar: Snowdrops if possible, goddess and god candle, small black cauldron full of ashes for offerings

heavy table with anvil and hammer

Brigid candle

Bowl of pennies

Four point tables and cloths

Quarter candles

bell

Chalice/pitcher for posset

Chalice/pitcher for sweet milk

bread

cups

offering bowl

Pot of soil.

Copies of the chorus of Brigid's song

tea candles around the circle



Informal Introduction (Bonnie)



Formal Opening


Livvy: “Welcome. This night we celebrate Imbolc, also called Candlemas, or simply Brigid, in honor of the goddess whose festival the ancient Erini celebrated as Brigidantia. Imbolc is the first of the spring festivals, for although the northern parts of the world are still gripped tight in winter’s grasp, life has begun to quicken again and so the promise of spring is called forth. The year has begun to turn toward light and so we turn our thoughts to joy as well as survival and beginnings instead of endings.


Imbolc is the time between Yule and the Spring Equinox, the halfway point in the dark months of the year. It's the time when the days suddenly seem to be getting longer, and the snow is beginning to melt, showing us small patches of earth and green. At this time of returning spring, our ancestors lit bonfires and candles to celebrate the rebirth of the land.”


Michi: “In ancient Ireland, it was the practice that on this festival the central fire of the village was allowed to go out, and the ashes were scattered into the fields to encourage a good new year and a prosperous harvest of what was to be planted in the coming spring. A young man or woman of the village would scatter the ashes and carrying a ember of the old fire would light the hearths of the village. We will be casting the circle with fire and ash, if you wish, please take a candle, dip the base in the ash, and take it home with you to warm and offer fertile ground to your home and your dreams of the coming year.”



Declared Opening and Stated Purpose


Bonnie: “As our ancestors did in times of old, and our children may do in times to come, we are here to celebrate Imbolc, the first festival of the new year. We honor the young God of spring, the returning Sun King, and welcome the returning light. We honor the Goddess in her aspect of Brigid, Lady of the forge and patroness of the creative arts. In their many names we welcome all who come in friendship and love to join in our celebration.”



Guided Meditation


Dolores: “With the return of the sun comes renewed opportunities for us to examine our lives and find a spark of hope within. Please join us for a guided meditation as we seek this spark.


Please sit comfortably in your chair, and allow yourself to relax. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and allow your shoulders to drop and your breathing to become slow and deep.. Bring your attention to your breath. Feel your abdomen as you breathe, notice it rise with your in-breaths and fall with your out-breaths. Be fully with each intake of breath and each exhalation of breath, for its full duration. Find the rhythm of your breath, and ride the waves of your own breathing. If you notice your attention wandering, simply notice where it has gone, and gently bring it back to the rhythm of your breathing.


pause


Now we sit in the stillness of the cauldron of transformation, feeling the breath of life pulse through us. As the light of the sun returns inevitably to earth, so does new purpose and meaning return to individual human lives. This spark of renewal can return when we least expect it. Take a moment and allow yourself to feel the losses and failures of the past year. Imagine yourself sitting at the center of your being, shivering next to a hearth, a fireplace, or a circle of stones stacked with cold wood, without flame to warm you. Allow yourself to feel winter's chill, to know what it is within you that is waiting in the cold for life to return.


pause


John and Bonnie light all tea-lights, slowly and quietly


Sometimes we are surprised by the ways life and hope return to us. As you gaze at the wood, you will gradually become aware of some part of yourself that is ready to be reborn, to return the fire to your life. Remain seated by your empty hearth and wait. Take a moment and think of your hopes for the new year. What new paths can you take, how can you renew and strengthen yourself? The part of you that is ready for change waits only for you to acknowledge it. Look up from your cold fire and meet its gaze. What is it inside of you that is ready to be born? Let it be born, let it approach the cold wood and strike a spark. Watch the fire begin to lick the kindling and gradually consume the wood. Feel the warmth and the light return you, and prepare for a new year full of promise.


pause


When you are ready, return your attention to your breathing. Feel your abdomen rise and fall, and as you prepare to return to the world, remind yourself what it is that is waiting to bring the spark back to your life. Bring this positive energy back with you into the world, as you slowly return, and open your eyes.”



Distribution of Candles


Sami: Walks the group with the basket of ashes and collection of candles and offers each to the participants.



Casting the Circle


Cynthia: “Let us now cast the circle, to create sacred space within which to work our magic.”


Adryna: “With the besom we sweep away all ill.” Walk the circle with a broom going widdershins


Michi: “With earth and water we purify this space.” Walk the circle deosil with a bowl of salt water


Livvy: “With air and fire we charge this space.” Walk the circle deosil with incense


John: “Please stand as you are able and join us as we invite the Spirits of the Elements and the Directions to join us here tonight.”



Calling the Quarters


Jamie: “Guardians of East, Powers of Air, blow away the dark clouds of winter. Whisper gently to herald the light. We call on your power of awakening. You hear us sing, you hear us cry, now hear us call you, spirits of Air and Sky. Be with us this night to celebrate the light. (Light candle)


All: “Be with us this night to celebrate the light.”


Lee: “Guardians of South, Powers of Fire, rid the world of winter’s icy grip. We call on your power to hasten creation. In our hearts there glows your spark, love and desire, a burning fire. Be with us this night to celebrate the light. (Light candle)


All: “Be with us this night to celebrate the light.”


Michi: “Guardians of West, powers of Water, bring soothing rains to melt the snow and wash away the staleness of winter. We call on your power to revitalize life. In our blood and in our tears we bear the altars of living waters. Be with us this night to celebrate the light. (Light candle)


All: “Be with us this night to celebrate the light.”


Adryna: “Guardians of North, powers of Earth, beneath the lingering desolation of winter, life stirs within you, awaiting the warmth of spring. We call on your power of renewal. Take the last of our fears, our pains, and the darkness into the Earth again. Be with us this night to celebrate the light. (Light candle)


All: Be with us this night to celebrate the light.



Invoking the Goddess and God


Cynthia:

Hail, Brigid!

Hail, Great Triple Goddess!

Bless this rite in honor of you

And preside over the magic made herein.


(lights Goddess Candle)


John:

Hail, Lugh!

Hail, God of the Wild Hunt!

Bless this rite in honor of you

And preside over the magic made herein.


(lights God Candle)


Cynthia:

Iron, water, wool and blood.

Ash, milk, and flax-thread

here our countless masks made bare

And seed is but bird's bread


Jamie: “In thought I change with birth of light.”


Lee: “In creation I change with the birth of light”


Michi: “In feeling I change with the birth of light.”


Adryna: “In renewal I change with the birth of light.”


Livvy:

The dark of winter still wraps around us tight.
The lamps are fired, and flickering light
beats time to the fiddle as notes float softly down, like the years' last snow.
While outside the window a blast of late Winter wind
whistles harmony to the drone of the pipes.
We push the old year back against the wall
so we can dance a jig for Brigid and welcome in the new


Lights Brigid's Candle


John: “The circle is cast

We are between the worlds,

Beyond the bounds of time,

Where night and day,

Birth and death,

Joy and sorrow,

Meet as one.

Blessed be!


All: Blessed be!


John: “Please be seated”



Livvy:

She is known as Brigid Bright,
Goddess who shines against the night.
At Cille Dara, at the setting sun,
Her sacred flame is kept by one.
Nineteen times the earth turns round,
As sacred springs come forth the ground.
Twenty times the sun has burned,
And now the Goddess has returned.
Alone she tends her thrice-bright flame,
Born of her heart that bears her name.
The Dagda knows Brigid as Daughter,
Triple Blessed by fire and water.
Poets call her name to inspire.
And healers oft gain from her fire.
Wayland too would know her well
As hammer and anvil ring like bells.
A sorrowful cry did she give meaning,
When first she brought to Eire keening.
Oh Sacred Fire against darkest night,
Burn for Brigid, for Brigid Bright!
Fire in the head...to quicken us.
Fire in the cauldron...to heal us.
Fire in the forge of the heart...to temper us.

Burn for Brigid, for Brigid Bright.



Main Working – The Anvil


Cynthia: goes up to the anvil and places hammer on it.


Nothing comes without work, and yet too often we let what we think we need overshadow what we want. What would you change in your life? What would you forge anew?


The anvil and hammer await. As was the custom in many northern European countries, Imbolc, the first fire festival of the year, was a time to dedicate some small portion of your year to the gods, to the path, and to yourself. Brigid is the Goddess of poetry, music, and smithcraft, and healing.


picks up baskets of pennies and set it next to the anvil.


Pennies are the smallest of currency. And as such they stand as a symbol of beginnings. Today they stand as a symbol of unforged life. Like seeds, they symbolize the principle that life always continues.


What’s been missing from your life? It is easy to lose track of what’s important to us when we shift our attention to the things we have to do and care for. Family, children, work, and responsibilities are all important, but no one gets a second chance at this lifetime, so consider tonight making room in your life for the things that bring you joy – things that nourish your soul. What are your favorite foods, hobbies, friends, clothing, or arts? How many of these are part of your life right now?


What do wish to revive, to invite back, to create anew?


With that thought in your mind take up the hammer and to Brigid, Bright Lady of Flames, ask a forging of that new into your life.


Take a penny, place it on the anvil, asks aloud or silently for that which you desire in the new year, then strike it with the hammer. When you’re done, plants it in the pot.”


Each take turns coming forward, hammering a penny, and place it in the pot


When all is done, John takes Posset and offers it to the Gods.


Singers: Brigid's song, to the tune of “The Irish Washer Woman” but slower!


Chorus:

In the pulse of her hammer and tongue of her flame,

and the reach of her forging is all things with names,

for the magic of making and taking apart,

is the song and soul and the name of her art.


When everyone has had a chance to pound and plant a penny:


Cynthia:

With breath of song to strengthen flame

By fire forged in Brigid's name

In water cooled to give magic birth

We plant these seeds within the earth.


Take one final swing at altar and set hammer down



Sami:


A Leaf From The Tree of Songs

By Adam Christianson


When harpers once in wooden hall
A shining chord would strike
Their songs like arrows pierced the soul
Of great and low alike

Aglow by hearth and candleflame
From burning branch to ember
The mist of all their music sang
As if to ask in wonder

Is there a moment quite as keen
Or memory as bright
As light and fire and music (sweet)
To warm the winter's night?



Simple Feast:


John: “As we have shared and received blessings this sabbat, let us share and receive the Simple Feast.”


Bonnie: Lifts posset up.


John: “Gracious Goddess of Abundance,

Bless this drink and infuse it with Your love.

In Your names, Mother Goddess and Father God,

We bless this drink.”


Bonnie: Lifts bread up


John: “Powerful God of the Harvest,

Bless this bread and infuse it with Your love.

In Your names, Mother Goddess and Father God,

We bless this bread.


Bonnie: pour/place a small amount of posset and bread into the cauldron.


John: “We return the first portion to the Goddess and God, from whence it came.”


Distributors: As the bread is distributed, say “may you never hunger.”


Distributors: As the juice is distributed, say “may you never thirst.”


Servers sit after serving



Thanking the God and Goddess/ Releasing Quarters


Bonnie: “Let us now give thanks to those who have blessed us with their presence and with their gifts.”


Bright Lady,

Triple Goddess of death and birth,

We thank you for your presence here

Farewell, and Blessed be.

(extinguish candle)


All: “Blessed be!”


John: Bright Lord,

God of the Wild Hunt,

We thank you for your presence here

Farewell, and Blessed be.

(extinguish candle)


All: “Blessed be!”


Quarter callers return to their candles. John speaks, callers extinguish candles


John: “Guardians of the North, West, South, and East;

Powers of Earth,


Adryna extinguishes candle


Water,


Michi extinguishes candle


Fire,


Lee extinguishes candle


and Air


Jamie extinguishes candle


We thank you

For joining our circle

And we ask for your blessing

As you depart.

May there be peace between us

Now and forever.

Blessed be.”


All: “Blessed be!”


Jamie: Walks the circle once with athame slowly, pulling up the energy.


John: What has here been made is now unmade. What has here been conjured may now fade. We who were between the worlds are now in the world again.”


Bonnie:

The circle is open, but unbroken,

May the peace of the Goddess

Be ever in our hearts

Merry meet, and merry part,

And merry meet again. Blessed be.


All: Blessed Be!


John: ring bell three times “The rite is ended. Go in peace, walk in wisdom.”



Informal Closing (John)

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