I've just returned home with Mayleigh. We went out to do a fire rite for Imbolc. Imbolc marks the point of time where we are right between the winter and spring equinoxes. Groundhog day and candlemas are a part of this tradition.
It also marks the end of the Yule and Christmas season since it is about 40 days after the representational birth of Christ. So, it's the time to make sure you've got all your Yule stuff out and burnt and such.
I always start my holiday festivities and so on a week or 2 before the actual date due to the fact that they take a lot of time. It's a lot easier for my that way. I can take magick requests over the course of the month and work on them during different stages of the game.
So, I took all the pine boughs off my balcony and the ribbon. Dressed up a little bit. I decided to wear this long red wool coat I bought last year for the very first time. Got all my things gathered up.
Mayleigh and I walked back onto that property owned by some cellular company for their tower. The tower is way, way back in and me and my dog only have gone all the way to it when I was out picking berries or gathering some plants of some sort. About 2 or 3 times over the summer.
The snow was a bit deep. I walked down the road to the part where it opens into a big field. Lit my fire in the center of that gravel road. Cars never travel back there in the winter. They only bring vehicles in there when they have something to do with the tower.
So, I tossed all my pine boughs out of the big yellow garbage bag I carried them back in. I read an Imbolc prayer. I chose to use the following prayer... with a few minor alterations....
On this Imbolc day, as I kindle the flame upon my hearth,
I pray that the flame of Brigid may burn in my soul,
and the souls of all I meet today.
I pray that no envy and malice,
no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.
I pray that indifference and apathy,
contempt and pride,
may not pour like cold water on the flame.
Instead, may the spark of Brigid light the love in my soul,
that it may burn brightly through this season.
And may I warm those that are lonely,
whose hearts are cold and lifeless,
so that all may know the comfort of Brigid's love.
Morgana West Source: The Wheel of the Year, Copyright -- 2001 Morgana West
I had the prayer copied out by hand on a piece of white paper in black ink. I took a couple of swigs of my homemade grape wine. Lit a piece of paper and the boughs began to burn.
Mayleigh danced around the fire with great excitement, running in a circle. She bit at the flame as it leapt up. It was a delight to watch the little half Gaelic (half border collie) beast dance in her springlike spirit.
I took a few photographs of the fire. Smoked a cigarette. The fire began to dwindle. I lit up another piece of paper. Let it burn a bit more.
There were still a few bough of pine needles left after we completed our job. I walked around it in a circle tossing snow over much of the charred remains. We left it like that and will let mother nature deal with it as she knows best.
Mayleigh and I walked back home. I collected some dead plants branches to make our Bride's cross with. The branches are all sitting in the bath tub. We'll be soaking them in some water soon enough so we can bend them quite easily.
I have taken out of my freezer the very last package of Yule themed food and put it in the over. Chicken in stuffing. Poured a bit of oil and sauce over it and have left it in the oven to cook.
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