Imbolc Sabbat Ritual
Performed by Lady Phoenix and Lord Willow
Saturday, January 29, 2005
At the MoonPath Chapter of Continental CUUPS
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
© 2005 Religious Order of the Circle of Isis Rising

Positions:
High Priestess:  Lady Phoenix
High Priest:  Lord Willow
Sergeant of Arms:  Lady Rose
Asst. Sergeant of Arms:  Lord Skylar
Sabbat Sage:  Lord Merlin Amon-Menes
Earth:  Lady Ash, The Silent
Air:  Lady Bandora
Fire:  Lord Finn Stormwing
Water:  Lord Spelcastor
Congregation Leader:  Lady Freya-Skye
 

Opening Ritual - Circle is cast, Elementals are invoked.

The High Priest rings bell 3 times.

North:  “Hail and greetings unto Thee, who art the Watchtower of the North, 
power of the Earth that is Her body.  
We invite you to be with us to guard and to protect in love and in light, 
in perfect peace and perfect trust.  So mote it be.

East:  “Hail and greetings unto Thee, who art the Watchtower of the East, 
power of the Air that is Her breath.  
We invite you to be with us to guard and to protect in love and in light, 
in perfect peace and perfect trust.  So mote it be.

South:  “Hail and greetings unto Thee, who art the Watchtower of the South, 
power of the Fire that is Her spirit.  
We invite you to be with us to guard and to protect in love and in light, 
in perfect peace and perfect trust.  So mote it be.

West:  “Hail and greetings unto Thee, who art the Watchtower of the West, 
power of the Water that is Her love.  
We invite you to be with us to guard and to protect in love and in light, 
in perfect peace and perfect trust.  So mote it be.


Sabbat Sage:

A Story of the Season is presented By Lord Merlin Amon-Menes.

Ring bell 3 times.


Imbolc Ritual

The High Priestess stands before the altar, head bowed.  The High
Priest says,

“From darkness comes darkness.  From light comes light.  But truth
is eternal be it day or night.”

All repeat.

The High Priestess says, 

“Great Mother Sacred and Divine, known by many names, behold I
stand before You and Your children in love and in light.”

All repeat.

The High Priest places a veil upon the brow of the High Priestess
and he says,

“We gather this night to honor you as you recover from giving birth
to our sun.”

The Congregation Leader steps forward, raises athame towards High
Priestess and High Priest, and says,

“Please raise your arms and repeat after me.  Praise be given to
You who art our Lady.  Great Mother, bless the earth and all life
upon it.  We honor you.  We glorify you.  We give You thanks for
the land that is Your body.  Lord, You who art the Father of Life,
have mercy on us.  May you who art Protector Divine, bless the
world.  As You stand beside the Great Mother, may You receive our
prayers.  For in your light we find glory.  In your light we are
one.  So Mote It Be.”

The High Priest draws his athame.  In the name of the Lord, he cuts
out the heart of an apple containing seeds, and says,

“Behold my hand is upon the earth.  And as I cut one life from
another, so I bless all life as its Master.”

The High Priest places the apple core into a deep dish or cauldron. 
He holds up a goblet of ale and says, 

“Behold, my hoofs are upon the earth.  As I am the taker, I am the
giver of life.”

The High Priest makes a libation of the ale and pours it upon the
apple core.

The High Priest then pours salt atop the mixture and places upon it
a small branch of evergreen or hay.  He lights a taper and gives it
to the High Priestess, saying, 

“Behold, my flame passes unto you, and my seed becomes thine.”

The High Priestess takes the taper and lights the Candalaria,
saying, 

“I am the Mother of all that is, all that was, and all that will
ever be.  All come through me.  As I love the earth, so is it
renewed.  As I love humanity so does new life come forth into the
world.  As I bless you, my children, so may your light shine
brightly.”  

As she lights the candles she says,

“Behold, I am the light.”  

The High Priestess then extinguishes the taper upside down in the
cauldron or dish, and plants it there.  

The High Priestess says,

“Behold, I am the darkness.”

The High Priest removes the veil of the High Priestess and gives
her a kiss on each cheek.  He drops to one knee and kisses both
hands, saying,

“You are the earth and Your love is great.  I am renewed by your
spirit.”

All repeat.

The High Priestess takes a small piece of evergreen or hay and
lights it with the flame of the candalaria.  Once lit, the High
Priestess places the burning branch into the cauldron or dish and
extinguishes it.

Ring bell 3 times.

Closing Ritual - Elementals are dismissed, Circle is opened.

West:  “Hail and farewell unto Thee, who art the Watchtower of the West, 
power of the Water that is Her love.  
Do not tarry on your way. Go in peace.  So mote it be.

South:  “Hail and farewell unto Thee, who art the Watchtower of the South, 
power of the Fire that is Her spirit.  
Do not tarry on your way. Go in peace  So mote it be.

East:  “Hail and farewell unto Thee, who art the Watchtower of the East, 
power of the Air that is Her breath.  
Do not tarry on your way. Go in peace  So mote it be.

North:  “Hail and farewell unto Thee, who art the Watchtower of the North, 
power of the Earth that is Her body.  
Do not tarry on your way. Go in peace  So mote it be.

Move outside for a Spiral Dance.