Altar Setting: A small basket (to hold Brideog); 9 white candles; a taper;
Blade; Chalice; Wine; Plate of Brigid biscuits; bannock, milk,
mead and porridge (for offerings); two offering bowls; a bell.

2: The Proclamation

NORTH
Do all those here desire that the grove of
Caer Brigid be brought into being?

ALL
We do

NORTH
Then so be it!

I proclaim the Grove of Caer Brigid to be formed
for the term of a year and a day.
Should it prove to be successful it will be instated
as permanent, on Imbolc of next year.

3: Statement of Precedent of Imbolc ritual

WEST
As the ancients once did, so it is today, and so it will be done in the future.
We are here to pay respect to Brigid, Lady of fire, and to Dagda, the all father;
to the Gods, the dead, and the Sidhe, and to the rising light of the year.
Now is the time of stirring when the earth begins to soften, and the waters start to flow.
While frost still bites and winds blow, and the light is growing stronger, and life begins to wake.

SOUTH
This is the feast of Brigid, the Goddess of Fire and Water. She is the year's midwife
who births the sun. Also we make offering to Dagda, the lord of perfect knowledge.
Through the union of fire and water, the ancients, worked magic to call in the spring.
So let us now join together to make offerings in joy and respect.

4: Opening of the Gates

Each turn outwards – arms outstretched.
Turn back facing centre when all done.

NORTH
Elementals of the North, you Spirits of Fire!
By the straight Ash, by the Spear of Lugh,
and by the fire of the Midsummer Sun at its zenith;
You are bid welcome!
Open this Northern Gate, and protect this circle.

WEST
Elementals of the West, you Spirits of Water!
By the twisting Willow, by the swift salmon,
and by the setting of the Autumn Sun into the Western Ocean;
You are bid welcome!
Open this Western Gate, and protect this circle.

SOUTH
Elementals of the South, you Spirits of Earth!
By the low Cedar, by the solidity of the mountains,
and by the Midwinter Sun at its nadir behind the cold Earth;
You are bid welcome!
Open this Southern Gate, and protect this circle.

The fire is now lit by NORTH.

5: Invocation & Offerings

WEST
Imbolc is the time of the hearth fire, and the thawing and stirring of Earth's waters.

First, offerings will be made to the Red God,
the hungry God, Dagda.

5a: Invocation of Dagda.

NORTH
Dagda most honoured
To you we make offerings
To you, the All Father
To you, the Fire Beneath the Cauldron
Hear us, Old Giant,
Red God with the Great Staff
Lord of Perfect Knowledge
Fire of the Sacrifice, Great in Appetite
To you be honour, Excellent God.

Mate of the great queen
Fergus the mare's son
Chieftain of Danu, bountiful giver
Flame in the belly that sustains life,
Flame in the eye that comprehends life
Boiled in the cauldron
Upon the sacred fire.
O harper of the seasons, taker of sacrifice
Druid of Oak and Hazel
Dagda Mor - Great Good God
Accept these gifts.

NORTH  ladles Porridge into offering bowl.

Sound three knells.

5b: Invocation of Brigid

SOUTH
Behold the lightener of the stars
Brigid of the mantels
She comes on the crest of waves
With harpers of the Sidhe praising her
Arising in splendour
From the mighty one below
Brigid of the auguries
Song and the voices of the Bards for her
Brigid of the waters
Brigid of the kindling
Brigid thou source of joy and life.

Healers and artisans honour your spirit
Brigid, woman of wisdom
Thou mid-wife of sweet wisdom
Of bright beauty shining like stars
Joy it is to those who behold you
O Brigid the skilful
O Brigid of the triple spirit
O Brigid who comes in light and shadow
Thrice blessed be your flaming path.
Brigid accept these gifts.

Candles are lit by the MAIDEN, using a taper
lit from the fire. She then returns to place.

A wand is placed by the Brideog’s side by EAST
who then returns to place.

EAST
Let us now speak the words of inspiration,
written 800 years ago by the Bard Talhairn,
that have been used since the formation of
the first Gorsedd:

ALL
Grant O Goddess your Protection;
And in Protection, Strength;
And in Strength,Understanding;
And in Understanding, Knowledge;
And in Knowledge, Justice;
And in Justice, Love;
And in Love, the Love from God and Goddess.

6: The Blessing

NORTH and SOUTH take a chalice of wine and a plate of Brigid biscuits from the altar and bless them:

SOUTH (holding blade,either spoken or implied)
As the blade is to the cup, so is Man to Woman.

NORTH (holding cup)
As Above, so Below!

SOUTH
returns blade to altar, picks up platten of biscuits
and makes a gesture of offering toward altar.

The wine and biscuits are passed sun-wise around the circle
as the final blessing (The Descent of Brigid) is recited.

6b: Final Blessings

SOUTH
Brigid of the mantles,
Brigid of the hearth fire,
Brigid of the twining hair,
Brigid of the auguries
Brigid of the fair face,
Brigid of the calmness
Brigid of the strong hands,
Brigid of the kine
Brigid, friend of women,
Brigid fire of magic
Brigid the foster mother,
Brigid woman of wisdom.
Brigid the daughter of Danu,
Brigid the triple flame.

Each day and each night I call the descent of Brigid
That the power of healing be within us,
That the power of poetry be within us,
That the power of shaping be within us,
In earth, sea and sky and among all kindred.

Kindle your flame in our heads, hearts and loins,
That we may heal, inspire and transform, in your name.

Brigid font of blessing,
Brigid above us,
Brigid below us,
Brigid at every air about us.

7: Closing of the Gates

Each turn outwards – arms outstretched,
turn back facing centre when all done.

SOUTH
Elementals of the South, you Spirits of Earth;
Close this Southern Gate,
And fare thee well!

WEST
Elementals of the West, you Spirits of Water;
Close this Western Gate,
And fare thee well!

NORTH
Elementals of the North, you Spirits of Fire;
Close this Northern Gate,
And fare thee well!

EAST
Elementals of the East, you Spirits of Air;
Close this Eastern Gate,
And fare thee well!

SOUTH
Although the circle is now opened, let it remain unbroken,
and may the spirit of Brigid remain and be an inspiration!

The ritual is ended – dinner is served