Candlemas Ritual From the Mysts of Annwfn
Book of Shadows Candlemas is the Cross Quarter between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. The traditional celebration is on February 2nd, though the Cross Quarter itself falls a bit later (on the 4th this year). Candlemas is the festival of the Flame, and is best observed at night. Brighid (Breed) is the goddess of this celebration, and Lugh (Loog) is Her consort. Winter is bade farewell, and as Spring approaches, it's a time to think of love. This is a time for initiations, reflecting the immanent birth of the coming Spring. The following ritual calls for eight participants, and is best performed at a large gathering. The parts are: the Maiden Goddess Brighid, the Young Lord Lugh, the High Priestess, the High Priest, and the four Watchtowers. This ritual requires: a Crystal Ball, a cross of rushes, a mat, a basket, a phallic wand, a sprig of evergreen, pieces of paper, cakes, wine, and basic altar and ritual equipment. Before the ritual, all participants shall write on the paper things and qualities they wish to gain during the coming season, and place them in the basket. All members of the ritual enter the Circle except for the Maiden Brighid. She wears white, and is adorned with a garland of flowers in her hair. She stands out of sight, awaiting her cue. All attendants of the ritual should line the outer ring of the Circle, leaving a walkway into it. The Young Lord Lugh is to position himself among the attendants. The High Priest starts the ritual:
The young Sun King now begins to feel the first stirring of desire for the Lady. The Goddess patiently awaits Her future lover. The Rites of Spring are near, and the year is waxing. The Sun's presence is ever more increasing and the darkness runs and hides. The Invocation of the Watchtowers begins with East:
We welcome the Guardians of the East. Your breath of life is sacred. And greetings to the lovely Fand, the Pearl of Beauty, and gracious Olwen, the White Lady of the Day. Your presence is most welcome at this Festival of Imbolc! South:
We welcome the Lords of the South. Your warmth flows through us all. And greetings to the Honored Lady Brighid, and to beautiful Branwen, the White Bosomed One. Your presence is most welcome at this Festival of Oemlic! West:
We welcome the Holy Ones of the West. Your moisture is refreshing and precious to life. And greetings to our Queen Arianrhod of The Silver Wheel, and sweet Aine of the Wisps. Your presence is most welcome at this Festival of Lights! North:
We welcome the Watchers of the North. Your power and wisdom are ours. And greetings to the Wise Cerridwen of Lake Tegid, and to the desirable Rhiannon of the Netherworld. Your presence is most welcome at this Festival of Candlemas! The High Priest continues:
From now to Beltane is the pathway less dark. Thus shall the journey be made through to Beltane, renewed in strength and happy in love. The High Priestess now turns slowly, addressing those assembled. As she speaks, the Maiden Brighid walks slowly into view down the processional towards the Circle, until she stands at the Northern Gateway. She is holding the Cross of Rushes. High Priestess:
Long Winter is now passing away and the buds will soon swell on the apple bough. The Earth gladly receives the plow in preparation for the celebration of life. For the Queen and the King will begin to wear the garden's green and will speak in a single voice! The High Priest acknowledges the physical
presence of the Maiden, and exclaims:
Behold! Brighid has come! Brighid is welcome! The Maiden Brighid enters the Circle and lays the Cross on a mat situated just South of the Altar. Brighid:
Greetings to you, not only from Myself, but also from the Mother and the Crone as well. All seasons of the Earth are important and must have their course. But now, I weary of Winter, and I long for the greenness of Spring, and all that it encompasses. I strongly desire the companionship of my Lover-to-be! Brighid searches the circle of people and draws out the Priest playing the Young Lord. She kneels before him and invokes the God Lugh. Brighid:
Lord of Death, Resurrection, Life, and the Giver of Life! Lord who is within us, whose name is Mystery of Mysteries! Descend we pray thee, upon thy servant and Priest! Once the Priest playing the Young Lord feels Lugh indwelling, he moves to the Altar, picks up the Phallic Wand, and places it on Brighid's Bed (the mat). Brighid addresses the God Lugh:
I grow weary of the darkness. Let Us join to hurry Winter along its way so We can enjoy the pleasures that await Us! (She motions to the mat). The God starts the Balefire in the South. Meanwhile the Brighid sweeps the Circle three times. Everyone chants:
Return, return, return, return
The earth, the water, the fire, and the air. Once the energy is fully raised, the Lugh motions the singing to an end. Lugh:
The Key to unlocking Winter's hold is to erase its memories! Lugh now holds up a spring of evergreen and hands it to the Maiden Goddess Brighid. She tosses it into the Balefire. She then picks up a basket full of everyone's desires and wishes for the coming season. Brighid:
Behold! In my hands I carry Hopes and Wishes for the coming seasons. I place them in this fire and as quickly as the memories of Winter fade, let the Hopes and Wishes just as quickly take root! Brighid tosses the papers into the Balefire. Lugh:
My dear Lady and Lover-to-be, do Us great honor by gazing into the Crystal and give Your people words they can hold as their own! Brighid picks up the Crystal Ball and holds it between Her hands. She gazes into it momentarily. Brighid:
All the gods are one God, and the goddesses, one Goddess, and there is but one Initiator. And to every man, his own Truth, and the God within. Upon hearing this, Lugh smiles and says:
Come! Let us feast and make merry on this great occasion! The High Priestess steps in front of the altar, raises the water and wine, and faces north. High Priestess:
In celebration of Brighid's Day, we open the Moongate and let the Westwind blow! We bring Water, life's elixir, to refresh ourselves. We bring the Fruit of the Vine, the drink of the gods! Let us sip and enjoy. Hail to fair Brighid! The High Priestess now picks up the plate of cakes. High Priestess:
Upon this plate are gifts from Erin! Farrels for us to enjoy! Let us eat and remember the gods. These are holy Sabbat Cakes. They give us sustenance and fill the hunger. Blessed be Brighid's feast! Let us dance in joy and mirth! The High Priestess now raises the honey. All:
Here is the sweet nectar, sacred to the gods! All now partake of the Cakes and Wine. Sing songs, dance, and do anything else that feels appropriate. (Remember that Brighid's Day is a traditional time for initiations.) When the celebration is winding down, the God Lugh, takes the Maiden Goddess Brighid into his arms. Lugh declares:
Now that we all have feasted and made merry, come with Me now, Our bed of Love awaits Us! Brighid, protesting lightly, responds:
Oh! How I've longed for You through the Dark days of Winter! But My Love, though Our bed is ready, We still must wait a short while. Our time of Union is not yet upon Us; but the Rites of Spring, and of Beltane, are not far off! Lugh looks disappointed, but smiles lovingly at Brighid. They embrace and kiss passionately, while everyone starts to sing, Lady Weave Your Circle Tight. While the song continues, Brighid slowly leaves Lugh's arms and exits the Circle. He follows her, not wanting her to leave, but stops at the Circle's edge. Brighid turns and says to Lugh:
My Heart is with you, and Destiny will bring Us back together soon! As the Cup is to the Knife, so am I to you! Brighid now disappears out of sight, and the singing shall die down. The High Priest now says:
Even though the Maiden has departed, Her presence continues to increase! Light chases away the Darkness, and soon, the Maiden shall reign Supreme! The Winter grows short, and the leaves shall return to the trees. New Life shall spring forth, and New Love along with it. The Wheel turns, and the Young Lord and His Lady shall meet to consummate Their Love. So ends this prelude to Spring! May the coming season bring you much joy and happiness! The Watchtowers are
released, beginning with
North:
Farewell to the Watchtower of the North, and to Rhiannon and Cerridwen. May we depart in love and peace until we gather again. West:
Farewell to the Holy Ones of the West, and to Queen Arianrhod and Aine. May we depart in love and peace until we gather again. South:
Farewell to the Lords of the South, and to Branwen and the Maiden Brighid. May we depart in love and peace until we gather again. East:
Farewell to the Guardians of the East, and to Olwen and Fand. May we depart in love and peace until we gather again. All:
Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again! Inspired by: Gwydion Pendderwen, Dion Fortune, Janet & Stewart Farrar and Marion Zimmer Bradley. This ritual derives from The Mysts of Annwfn Book of Shadows. It was publicly conducted by Goddess Moon Rising Coven in San Diego CA on Imbolg, 1988, and by The Mysts of Annwfn Coven in Mesa AZ at Pagan Arizona Network's Imbolg celebration in 1993. This ritual appeared in NightScapes, a journal of Magick, Paganism and the Occult 1:5. Subscriptions are $13.00 a year/six issues, sample copy $3.00. Write to: NightScapes, PO Box 4559, Mesa AZ 85211-4559. Or phone (602) 898-3551. (You may want to confirm their present publishing schedule before sending payment.) Information on The Mysts of Annwfn, which publishes NightScapes, is also available. | 
