HAPPY IMBOLC!

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IMBOLC

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So the skies rumbled and the snows came,

And everywhere down through the centuries of this gray night,

Came women gathering to pray,

And to sink their hands into the dark earth.
They gathered seeds and prepared them for planting,

They meditated in the icy darkness,

And they celebrated the lambing of the first ewe,

To hasten spring.
And when through the earth they felt the stirring,

They sang songs encouraging the tiny seeds to grow.
In the dark, wet soil you can smell their work still;

They are digging along beside us.

Listen!
The north wind carries their song across the snow, This Imbolc night.
As the Earth prepares for Spring,

Wise women gather in circles to await the promise of new life,

And to sing praises for the green earth.
And so do we, here now, This year, and every year.

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Welcome Imbolc!

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(Poem by Jill Yarnall)

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The powerful figure of Brigid the Light-Bringer

overlights both Pagan and Christian celebrations.

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Brighid with her white wand is said to breathe life

into the mouth of the dead Winter

and to bring him to open his eyes to the tears and the smiles,

the sighs and the laughter of Spring.

The venom of the cold is said to tremble for its safety on Bride’s Day,

and to flee for its life on Patrick’s Day.

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A most Blessed Sabbat to you all!