Saturday, February 2, 2008

Imbolc Blessings/Happy Groundhog Day



I am posting this a bit early because I have to work tomorrow but I wanted to say.
Happy Imbolc to all my friends who celebrate it and Happy Groundhog day to those who don't. Just think, spring is just a few months away. Soon we will start to see little green shoots of life everywhere. I found this ritual at Paganwiccan.about.com
and thought it sounded fun no matter what your beliefs are. Everyone is ready to be rid of the cold winter days. (If you don't have snow in your area and you still want to do this buy a five pound bag of ice use a blender to shave it into snow-cone size pieces and place in bowl outside. You can use it in place of the real snow..Have fun and enjoy your day.





How To Hold a Farewell to Winter Ritual
From Patti Wigington,

Imbolc is typically around the time when we're all getting cabin fever -- it's cold, we're snowed in, and frankly, we're all a bit tired of winter. This simple ritual is a fun one to do with your family on a snowy day, but can also be performed by a single person. The best time to do it is when you have a fresh layer of snow on the ground, but if that's not possible, never fear. Find a big pile of snow to work in.

Try to time the rite so you begin it just before dinner -- you can actually start it while your meal is cooking.

Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varied
Here's How:
Prepare a collection of things to make noise with -- bells, clappers, drums, etc. Make sure each person has one form of noisemaker. You'll also need a candle in the color of your choice (tall enough to stick in the snow), something to light it with (like a lighter or matches), and a bowl.

Go outside, and create a symbol of spring in the snow. You could draw a picture of the sun or some flowers, rabbits, anything that means spring to your family. If you have a lot of space, feel free to make it as big as you like. Another option is to have each person make their own symbol in the snow.

One family member calls out:

Old man winter, it's time to go!
Take with you these piles of snow!

The other family members stomp around the symbol in a circle through the snow, banging their drums, ringing their bells, and chanting:

Melt, snow, melt!
Spring will soon return!

Light the candle, and place it in the center of the circle. Say:

A flame, a fire, all the warmth it brings,
melt the snow, cold be gone, welcome back the spring!

The rest of the family stomps through the snow once more, in a circle, making lots of noise and chanting:

Melt, snow, melt!
Spring will soon return!

Leave the candle to burn out on its own. Fill your bowl with snow and take it back inside with you. Place it in the center of your table and eat your meal. By the time you're done, the snow should be close to melted (if you have to, put it near the stove to hurry things along).

Hold up the bowl, and say:

The snow has melted! Spring will return!

Make lots of noise with your bells and drums, clapping and whooping it up. Use the melted snow water to water a plant, or save it for ritual use later on.

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10 Comments:

Blogger Julie said...

Patti,

My goodness, you are being such a prolific blogger. Sorry about not commenting on each of your SEVEN WONDERFUL posts about Imbolc/Brigid. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them.

Tomorrow I am going to do a short Imbolc post and direct people your way. I can't improve on perfection!

Imbolc blessings,

Julie

February 1, 2008 at 8:59 PM  
Blogger Patty said...

*giggling* I didn't think about how many post I was doing for Imbolc. I just for some reason had a lot of imformation in my folder for this Sabbath. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

February 1, 2008 at 11:42 PM  
Blogger peppylady (Dora) said...

Have a great Imbolc.

February 1, 2008 at 11:47 PM  
Blogger laoi gaul~williams said...

Hello! Hello!

i love this blog so much!

February 2, 2008 at 5:56 AM  
Blogger Ruth said...

Imbolc greetings to you too Patti - I hope spring brings you many blessings.

February 2, 2008 at 8:09 AM  
Blogger Bovey Belle said...

What wonderful posts Patty. Making all the noise and candles in the snow really appeal, BUT - here in Wales we don't have any snow - just icky mud. Something tells me sticking a candle, however pretty, in the mud, ain't gonna cut the mustard!!! Nor do I fancy taking a bowl of mud inside and placing it in the centre of my table . . . Ah well, back to the drawing board : )

February 2, 2008 at 1:40 PM  
Blogger Bovey Belle said...

What lovely posts Patty - I enjoyed reading them so much. I loved the sound of the ritual in the snow, but we have just one minor problem here in our part of Wales - there's no snow. Somehow it doesn't sound so much fun sticking a candle, however beautiful, in the MUD, let alone taking a bowl of mud indoors and putting it on the table whilst we eat . . . Ah well, I shall just have to imagine it. Jennie

February 2, 2008 at 1:44 PM  
Blogger Birdie said...

Thanks for stopping by Autumn. That house is a nice one. Can you imagine heating a place of that size?
I like the background of your blog.
***Birdie***

February 2, 2008 at 2:39 PM  
Blogger kathyann said...

Hi Patty I came over from Leanne at Sommerset seasons to read your posting.Wonderful to read all about Imbolc,I had never heard of it before,I am learning so much from blogland,Thank you ,love from Kathyann and the girls

February 2, 2008 at 7:11 PM  
Blogger Greg said...

What a wonderful and informative blog!

Thanks for stopping by The Midnight Garden, and Happy Imbolc to you! (I'm only learning of it thanks to you!)

February 3, 2008 at 3:58 AM  

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