It was a clear sky day at midwinter. It has been a mild winter and very little of snow on the ground, perhaps 2 inches of snow in the circle. The day was mild, in the mid 40's and quiet. I alone went to the circle and there heard the whisper from the Lady to be naked in her rite. So Took my clothes off and stood naked in the glory of the day, low and behold the winter sun and the shelter of the glade of the circle kept me warm.
I cast the circle round with incense, stopping to watch a great Red tail Hawk circle around in the East. I stood with incense in hand in the east looking skyward through gray wooded limbs into blue sky watching the sight, the omen and then onward to the rest of the circle quarter’s. Back at the Altar i took raw milk, which I brought from a local dairy farmer and poured a libation and gave a blessing in each quarter.
I lit a flame from the candle on the altar and lit the fire with this flame and invoked the Divine community and the Lady and Lord.
Back to the altar once more to pick up seeds to be planted come spring. I held the seeds over the fire and prayed for bountiful bloom and crop. To the altar I returned the so blessed seeds. I picked up the sacred bag of runes and returned to the sacred fire
There I invoked Brigit by dancing around the fire dedicated to her, pouring a libation to her and pulled the rune Raidho.
To me came the following words inspired by her:
To carry around through All Seasons
And start again in the same place
Only further along the path.
So is the Art of ritual
Where the rational and irrational
Come to dance, sing and play
The joy of celebration the gift of worship
We share in communion with the Divine Ones
Through and in our Souls sharing water
We are together the Dear Ones
What does Brigit say
As I dance naked
Around her fire in Midwinter
Wait, Wait, be patient
See what comes of your seed
All will turn out alright
Trust my blessing though you doubt.
Drink a toast to me,
Says she around the fire
So dedicated to her
I stood naked in winter sun
Poured a libation upon the fire
For my good fortune and health
Blessed her creativity and healing
Thanked her for my skill and Art
For all I have made sacred
By love, work, skill and Art
I vow to continue in this Sweetwood land
To live As best as I can
And create a temple of green
Inviting souls who wish to be
Where her smile can be seen
By Work and play
Contemplation or celebration
Rooted being a center of many places
Gathered together and carried along
By the dance of Sun and Moon
And Seasons of Life, Death and Renewal
Where we share water with the Divine
I sat in contemplative mood, smiling in the grace of the moment. drank good wine and watched the fire burn low. As the sun started to set an owl hooted and I arose to take down the circle with incense and song from a joyous heart to each direction. With circle fading away I put clothes on and laughed thinking this weather may never happen again where I could dance naked in my Imbolc rite. Blessed be to all I shouted to the woods and the four winds as I walked back up through the woods to the field and home.
What a beautiful rite and an experience of ecstasy!
Never Thirst
Iacchus