Imbolc, the Promise

I hope everyone had a wonderful Sabbat, and that this first period of Mercury Retrograde did not treat you too badly.

Shadow Grove hosted an Imbolc ritual last night at the Grove House. While the weather was beautiful, the sun went down and took his heat with him. This being a fire ritual, we lit the bonfire with a sacred flame. This flame was guarded and carried by the teachers of the Grove ministers from Brigit's sacred, eternal flame in Kildare. The site, sometimes known as Brigit's Forge, had an eternal flame sacred to the goddess burning and carefully tended for centuries. It was extinguished and reignited several times, until the Order of BrigidineNuns relit the flame in 1993. Imbolc is the feast day of the goddess, and this goddess is sacred to me.

This flame was passed to the members of the Grove, and we each took a piece of it home with us. Mine is burning on my altar at this very moment. In the interest of being safe, this fire will burn by contiguity. All fires lit in that candle (and thus, all fires lit from that candle) originated with Brigit's fire. It was an honor indeed to receive this gift.

Yule was the wish of warmth and the return of the sun. Imboc is the promise that we will see that wish come to pass. Ostara will be the fulfillment of that promise. And how perfectly matched everything was. Mercury has left retrograde, it is a time for new beginnings. The moon is waxing, it is a time for new beginnings. The world slowly wakens from its winter slumber, it is a time for new beginnings. May they bring you warmth and light in the days to come.