Solitaire Imbolc/Candlemas Ritual
by Micheal Hall
distributed by PAN - the Psychic Awareness Network - 1703-362-1139

**Note - by Matrika, co-sysop - this ritual was written by someone I
knew from the Boston MA. area a couple of years back. It is based on a
combination of the lore of the Wicca and some of the afro-caribbean
diaspora traditions of Paganism and Magick.

On your altar should be placed a circle of 13 stones and, within the
circle of stones, a circle of 13 candles. Within the circle of candles
should be spread some maize - i.e. corn meal - and in that a waxen
female candle to symbolize the Goddess on your altar. On the eastern
side of the altar should be placed a small sheaf of grain with a candle
inserted inside it.

You should dress in your usual ceremonial garb for Magickal rites or
skyclad, as you prefer.

Retire to bathe in salt-water ( use sea salt ) before the ritual. As you
do so picture the water cleansing the soul and spirit, just as it
cleanses the body. When you have dressed, anoint yourself with a holy
oil. When you have prepared yourself, sit in a dim quiet place and light
a candle - one that is not being used in the rites - and meditate on how
at this time of year the Goddess in her fiery aspect as light was
welcomed back into the Temples and the Homes of the land.
Take this candle and walk slowly to your altar. Place it in the circle
of the 13 candles. Then light the two altar candles, which are separate
from the circle of lights also, and the incense ( incense should be
stick or powdered incense on charcoal in a swinging burner ). Then light
all the quarter candles in the 4 directions, starting in the east and
going clockwise.
cast your circle in the usual manner, but Invoke the Goddess with the
following:
"Sacred womb, giver of the secrets of Life, Mother of all that exists in
the Universe, I ask your guardianship of this gathering and your
assistance in my work. I am gathered in celebration of your gifts and my
work is most holy.
So mote it be!"

and Invoke the God in the following manner:
"Fire of the sky, guardian of all that exists in the Universe, I ask
your guardianship of this gathering and your assistance in my work. I am
gathered in celebration of your gifts and my work is most holy.
So mote it be!"

( continue with the circle casting if it is not already finished ).

Light the 13 candles and then the Goddess candle in the center and say,
"Warm and quickening Light
awaken and bring forth beauty
for thou art my pleasure and my bounty
Lord and Lady
Osiris and Isis."

( or you may substitute whatever names your circle uses for the God and
the Goddess - or those you personally prefer ).

Reflect a moment on the coming of the light and offer up the incense,
say,

"O ancient Ones
Timeless Goddess and Sacred King who art the heralds of springtime and
it's bounties be with me now in celebration Hail to Osiris and Isis
Harvest giver and blessed Lady
Let this be a time and a place sacred to your power and your beauty
So mote it be!"

Light the candle in the sheaf of grain and hold it up with the loaf of
bread in the other hand and say ( or the cakes - whatever you or your
tradition uses for the cakes and wine/juice ceremony )
"My Lord and Lady, as the seed becomes the grain, so the grain becomes
the bread, Mark the everlasting value of our seasons and their changes."

Break a piece of the bread or cakes off and burn it as an offering in
the central candle. Then say

"In the deepest Icy Winter the seed of the Earth lies deep within the
womb of the Great Mother. The Spring brings the heat of the Father and
with their joining comes new life. The completion of the cycle brings
food to the children of the world. As I taste the food I shall know the
wisdom of the cycles and be blessed with the food of wisdom throughout
my life."

Consecrate cakes and wine/juice in the usual manner and partake of them,
but first raise your chalice or drinking horn and say,

"Hail to thee Isis
Hail to thee Osiris
For thou art blessed."

After this commune in meditation with the Lord and lady for a while,
then close the circle in your usual manner.