Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Pagan
Imbolc Ritual: Dedicating to the Great Work of Magick

Imbolc Ritual: Dedicating to the Great Work of Magick

Last updated on: February 5, 2018 at 6:03 pm by Heron Michelle

Imbolc Ritual: Dedicating to the Great Work of Magick 2018-02-05T18:03:44-04:00 Heron Michelle

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

High Winter arrives in the Northern Hemisphere at 15 degrees of Aquarius, falling sometime during the first week of February. I can feel the stirrings of the Earth deep down in my own bones. Its time to awaken and prepare for the work ahead! The Grand Sabbat of Imbolc is my favorite holiday in the Witch’s Wheel of the Year, because I adore this Imbolc Ritual that we’ve been weaving for nigh on a decade. Today, I’ll share it with you!

Altar Pentacle Wreath dressed for Imbolc, with dedication candle to the Element of Water - photo by Heron Michelle

Altar Pentacle Wreath dressed for Imbolc, with dedication candle to the Element of Water – photo by Heron Michelle

When I was a wee witching seeker, I helped to form a “year and a day study group” called WiseCraft Circle. Imbolc 2006, we held our first group ritual together. It was open to the local pagans we knew, and held in the sanctuary of the local UU church with perhaps 10 people – I will never forget the rush of giddy excitement as we created sacred space for the first time.

None of us had ever even attended an Imbolc before, so we excavated the bones of this ritual from the daily exercises author Timothy Roderick provided in his self-training guide that we were using: Wicca: A Year and a Day. Since then, I’ve added a lot of flesh to those bones, based on a decade of experience in leading large group rituals. This year we expect almost 40 members to make dedications.

Dedicating to The Great Work of Magick

Our coven engages in the Great Work of Magick – which is a dedication to personal enlightenment, as a means of progressing society through Divine Love. As witches grow in wisdom, and experience, we see that inner light radiating outward as a ripple effect through the interconnected fabric of existence. So, Imbolc is when we all dedicate to both a personal intention, and also to a Coven-wide intention that will aid in the advancement of our society. We discover what work we are to do through divination rituals held after Yule.

Because our Coven’s primary mission is to the open and responsible training of all seekers through our mystery school, Imbolc is also when we accept new students to dedicate to their Witchcraft studies for their own “Year and a Day.”

Example of Dedication Candle to Work with Hermes, with quill calligraphy pen, and ink-well of Dragon's Blood Ink, incense, etc. Photo by Heron Michelle

Example of Dedication Candle to Work with Hermes, with quill calligraphy pen, and ink-well of Dragon’s Blood Ink, incense, etc. Photo by Heron Michelle

Preparing for Imbolc: Candles and Intention Scrolls

Each celebrant is asked to prepare a glass, 7-day sanctuary candle to represent their dedication. We decorate the outside of the glass with any images, words, sigils, or symbols that are in sympathy to the work at hand. For instructions on how to use old calendar images to decorate and load this type of candle, check out these detailed instructions here.

Then, we write out a succinct statement of intention on a scroll. I’m a witch-nerd-writer so I use consecrated calligraphy quills and magickal inks, on fancy papers, sealed with wax stamps, and rolled with ribbons. But any written statement will do…just WRITE IT DOWN, because wording is important, and you will likely need to remember EXACTLY what you asked of the Gods later down the road. These journeys tend to take us to different places than we expected. <cackle>

If this is your first dedication to studying witchcraft, here is an example:

I, (your name here) call on the guidance of the Goddess and the God, to aid in my studies of Witchcraft for the coming Year and a Day. I seek the wisdom and experiences that are beneficial for me at this time. May these lessons be clear and gentle, illuminating before me the path toward initiation as a witch, if that be for the highest good of all involved, harming none. So Mote It Be!

Grand Sabbat of Imbolc for the Coven: A Ritual of High Winter

Primary altar at northeastern edge of the circle:

White Spirit candle. Silver Goddess Candle. Gold God Candle.
Black ancestor candle
Consecration elements: Bowls of water and salt, red candle, Imbolc incense (in a censer with charcoal)
Altar Tools: athame and wand. Chalice of wine, paten plate of cakes.
Imbolc anointing oil (recipe here.)
Large enough free space to receive everyone’s dedication candles safely.

Secondary altar in center of circle:

Cauldron of potting soil with white taper candle lit in center.
Bowl of loose wildflower seeds.
Vial of milk.
Ash from the Yule log.
5 inscribed chime candles:
- Blue, “Succulence”
- Yellow, “Renewal”
- Red, “Warmth”
- Green, “Growth”
- White, “Spirit.”
Additional items to have on hand:
- Drums, rattles, singing bowl or bell.
- Hand shovel and zip-lock baggies to send home the blessed soil with the celebrants.

Celebrants all bring their prepared dedication candles and intention scrolls into circle with them.

Entering the Circle:

We set up the sacred space indoors for this High Winter celebration. All celebrants line up outside of the house along the front walk to enter the front door, which happens to be the Eastern gate.

Challenge at the Gate

Swordbearer to all assembled in the front yard: You who stand on the threshold between the pleasant world of mankind and the Terrible Domains of the Outer Spaces, do you have the courage to enter? For it would be better to rush upon my blade and perish than to make the attempt with fear in your heart.

(Leveling the sword at the heart of each celebrant in turn)

SwordBearer: How do you enter? 

Celebrant’s each answer: With perfect love and perfect trust. 

Swordbearer: It is good; you may pass.

All are then smudged in smoke, and anointed on the third eye before they enter circle through the eastern gate and tread deosil around 3 times, finding their place in the temple room. Maiden stands at center playing the Singing Bowl.

Freshly Prepared Imbolc Altar - Heron Michelle

Freshly Prepared Imbolc Altar – Heron Michelle

Altar Consecration:

When all have entered, Maiden chimes the bell/bowl three times to signal the beginning of the rites.

High Priestess Leads Grounding, Centering, power flow visualization for everyone, then consecrates the Altar (Example of this rite here.)

Maiden chimes the bell/bowl three times again.

Welcome and Ritual intent:

High Priestess: Welcome Friends! The wheel turns on and we arrive at Imbolc once again, we are at the height of winter. Yet, this is a time of awakenings. The days will continue to lengthen and warm. The seeds stir and milk flows again. Tonight we plant a seed through our dedications to Spirit, to begin the Great Work of our personal evolution anew. Magickally, we will nourish that seed of potential. Let us create our Temple and step between the worlds. We begin by hallowing the circle.

Erecting the Temple

We hallow the space by the four elements to clear it of all previous energies. Then we cast the circle in our usual way.

The Gatekeepers open the elemental gateways with quarter calls and invoking pentagrams.

The High Priest and Priestess evoke the Maiden Goddess as Brigid, and the Lord of Light.

Summoner calls the ancestors of land, blood and Spirit to be be present among us.

For an example of The Sojourner Tradition’s method of Temple-making in excruciating detail, check out this ostara ritual for the large coven.

Cauldron of Blessed Soil at Imbolc - Heron Michelle

Cauldron of Blessed Soil at Imbolc – Heron Michelle

Ritual Body: Outer Circle Work

Presenting the Seeds

High Priest: (holding up the bowl of wildflower seeds, presenting to all assembled.) Seeds are scattered after the death of a flower. Yet each seed itself is a point of potential. The seeds remind us that death is an illusion. It is not an end of life, but another step in life’s cycle. Just as the God dies and is reborn, life always continues, even if we cannot see its form. Though the earth slumbers through winter, the seeds of last year’s bounty are already planted…at Imbolc they awaken…(scatters seeds over soil in the cauldron)

Presenting the Milk

High Priestess: (Holding up the bottle of milk) Milk is the nourishment provided by our mothers, that aids in our growth. We need both the physical nourishment to sustain our bodies, and spiritual nourishment to sustain our souls. (walking around the central altar, presenting milk to the quarters…)

HPs: From the East, we call for Renewal!
ALL: Renewal! Renewal! Renewal!

HPs: From the South we call for Warmth!
ALL: Warmth! Warmth! Warmth!

HPs: From the West we call for Succulence!
ALL: Succulence! Succulence! Succulence!

HPs: From the North we call for Growth!
ALL: Growth! Growth! Growth!

HPs: We offer this Milk as a blessing to the earth, that it may awaken and grow. (pour over earth in cauldron)

Presenting the Ashes

High Priest: (Holding up the bowl of ashes from last year’s Yule Log) May the ashes of last year’s work, and all that we’ve released at Yule, serve to nourish our growth in the coming year. (Scatter the ash from the Yule Log onto the soil.)

Candle Lighting to Charge the Soil

Example of dedication candle dressed with Calendar image of Goddess Bast - Heron Michelle

Example of dedication candle dressed with Calendar image of Goddess Bast – Heron Michelle

High Priestess: Holding the four elemental candles together in one hand, stirs the pot of soil clockwise. Then, presents it to its quarter:

Presenting the Yellow candle

Presents it to the east, saying in a pulsing cadence: In knowing we change with the growth of the light!

All: In knowing we change with the growth of the light!

High Priestess: In wonder we change with the growth of the light!

All: In wonder we change with the growth of the light!
(Hands yellow candle to maiden, who lights it from the spirit candle at center and sets in the cauldron soil)

Presenting the Red Candle:

High Priestess: In willing we change with the grown of the light.

All: In willing we change with the grown of the light.

High Priestess: In surrender we change with the growth of the light!

All: In surrender we change with the growth of the light!

(Hands candle to maiden, who lights and sets in the cauldron Soil)

Presenting the Blue Candle:

High Priestess: In daring we change with the growth of the light!

All: In daring we change with the growth of the light!

High Priestess: In acceptance we change with the growth of the light!

All: In acceptance we change with the growth of the light!

(Hands candle to maiden, who lights and sets in the cauldron Soil)

Lighting the Green Candle:

High Priestess: In silence, we change with the growth of the light.

All: In silence, we change with the growth of the light.

***High Priestess:*In resonance we change with the growth of the light!

All: In resonance, we change with the growth of the light.

(Hands candle to maiden, who lights and sets in the cauldron soil)

High Priestess: In Spirit we change with the growth of the light!

All: In Spirit we change with the growth of the light! In Spirit we change with the growth of the light! In Spirit we change with the growth of the light!

High Priestess: The earth is blessed. Now we turn to our own seeds of potential, planted this night, so that our spirits will flourish throughout this solar cycle and as the wheel turns we will nourish, cultivate and harvest these goals.

Heron at the Imbolc Altar 2016

Inner Personal Work:

High Priestess invites all celebrants to get into a comfortable seated meditation position, and leads everyone on a journey that seeks an audience with the Goddess Brigid at her forge. We each return with a vision of some weapon or tool she offers us, that we will utilize in the “harvesting” of our personal goals over the coming year. Or she sometimes offers advice or guidance on that personal development work. We bring back that wisdom like a torch from her sacred flame, from which we will ignite our dedication candles for the year.

Outer Personal Work:

Dedications:

We each in turn approach the altar and read aloud our dedication. Our newest seekers make their “Year and a Day” dedication to continue their studies of the Craft, and become a “Dedicant” within our coven. Initiates commit to further their skills or knowledge in a particular area of the Craft they feel drawn to. Sometimes that is seeking the lessons toward second degree initiation to the priesthood. Sometimes we pledge to work with a particular Deity, or one of the elemental energies. Some years I simply ask a thealogical question, and all year long I seek the answer.

Whatever the goal, we’ve prepared an intention scroll in advance, and we read it aloud with our supporters bearing witness. Then we light the glass-jarred candle we’ve dressed, place it upon the altar, and return to our places.

Power raising Dance and Chant:

When all have finished making their dedication, the High Priestess stands in center and beats a steady rhythm on a frame-drum with a mallet to set the pace, beginning low and slow and rising in volume and speed. We all chant to raise energy. All celebrants tread the mill (deosil – clockwise), turning to walk to their left, with left hand on the shoulder of the person in front of them, and right hand pushing power to the center of the circle and the cauldron of soil. To tread deosil, we take a normal step with our left foot, and a heavy stomp with the right foot, swaying toward the center slightly.

High Priestess leads chant in call and response:

Imbolc tides are turning, turning (repeat)

Seeds are stirring, wake the earth (repeat)

Imbolc tides are turning, turning (repeat)

Milk is flowing, wake the earth (repeat)

Repeat chant X3, then sink energy into the cauldron, repeating “wake the earth” until resolved.

Lit Imbolc Dedication Candles on the Coven Altar

Simple feast:

Cakes and wine are blessed, then a libation is given onto the soil of the cauldron.

The Priest and Priestess serve each other, saying “You are a Goddess/God; May you never Hunger/Thirst.” The recipient answers, “Blessed Be,” takes a sip, or a bit of cake. Each are passed deosil around the circle, celebrants passing the blessing as the cup and plate are offered.

Dissolving the Temple:

High Priestess: Blessed Be this Imbolc Night!

All: Blessed Be!

High Priestess: Our work is complete. Let us dissolve our temple and step back into the flow of time.

Farewells to Allies:

In our typical fashion, we release the ancestors, Goddess and God with our gratitude, knowing they always walk with us. We then close the elemental gateways, widdershins beginning in the North.

Circle release:

High Priestess: Compress the sphere of our remaining circle energy to a small, dense ball at center. We charge the sphere to be a light upon the path for each of us. Like a jump-shot in basketball, on the count of three we release the sphere upward, and clap to break the remaining constructs.

All: The circle is open, but never broken! Merry meet, Merry part and Merry meet again!

Sing the Circle song and dance about!

“May the circle be open, but unbroken.
May the love of the Goddess be ever in your heart.
Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet again.”

Before everyone leaves, we divide the blessed soil into ziplock bags for each celebrant to take some home, with the instruction to sprinkle it around the foundation beds of their homes, or put it in a flower pot in their apartment.

I hope you enjoyed this Imbolc Ritual. As the Winter wanes, may the Divine Light within shine for you all,

~ Heron

For more ways to prepare for this Imbolc Ritual, check out these articles:
Preparing for Imbolc: Home Cleansing Ritual

Preparing for Imbolc: Weaving a Brigid’s Cross

Heron’s Sabbat Rituals for every Season!

Candlelight Yule Ritual: A Meditation for Hope and Peace

Yule Log Ritual for Winter Solstice Magick

Imbolc Ritual: Dedicating to The Great Work of Magick

Ostara Ritual for the Large Coven

Rites of Beltane: Sacred Marriage of MayQueen and King, Tying the Knot

Litha Ritual of Highlight and Shadow

Litha Ritual for One: Solar Potion for Fortune, Success and Prosperity

Lammas Ritual of Integration and Sacrifice

Mabon Ritual of Feasting and Toasting

Samhain Ritual: Wake of the Fallen King

The Sojourner Tradition of Modern Witchcraft

Previous Post

January 24, 2018

Preparing for Imbolc: Weaving a Brigid's Cross

Next Post

February 8, 2018 Witchcraft Plays the Long Game

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Arts, Crafts & Cooking Business Cermony and Liturgy Columns Comedy Community Death Elemental Witchcraft Health and Wellness Holidays Interfaith Life Love, Sex & Relationships Magic or Magick Nature Politics Prayers, Poems, Blessings & Stories Recipes Rites of Passage Ritual and Practice Science and Research Shopkeeper Saga Technology Theology, Ethics, Philosophy Uncategorized Witch on Fire

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 November 2025 September 2025 August 2025 May 2025 November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 March 2024 February 2024 December 2023 September 2023 August 2023 May 2023 February 2023 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 April 2022 March 2022 December 2021 November 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 December 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: Joseph's brothers sold him to traders for thirty pieces of silver.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE