VARIATIONS
ACT OF POWER '>2
Blessing of the Quarters
Our second Act of Power for Imbolc is a Blessing which makes use of the Four
Quarters and all they represent to Bless the returning Sun. This Act of Power
can stand on its own, or be used in conjunction with another, such as the Fire
Lighting rite above.
For this Act of Power you will need four candles in the colors associated with
the Four Quarters. You might also want to have a ceremonial fan: perhaps a
single feather, a feather fan of Native American inspiration, an Asian folding
fan, or whatever you might like. The fanning can also simply be done with the
hand. You will also want one candle for Spirit.
The people who called the Quarters earlier in the ritual will enact this Act of
Power -or if you prefer you might select different people to honor the Quarters
here.
Have the Spirit candle on the altar, along with the four candles for the
Quarters, and the ceremonial fan if you are going to use one.
Begin by explaining the idea. You might do it like this:
"At this time of year the Sun is growing stronger, returning to the
Earth. Some years He comes slowly, others more quickly. Always we hope he comes
quickly. The Maiden Goddess has opened the door of Dawn and awaits His return.
She has called Him. She longs for Him. The Earth awaits the warming touch of
the light, the seeds sleep beneath the soil waiting for Him to summon them to
new life. All is in readiness for the Suns return.
"In ancient times and still today people would encourage the Sun to return
faster and do ritual to strengthen Him and hasten the Spring. That is what we
are going to do tonight. In this ritual we are going to call the Sun and Bless
the Sun through the Four Quarters. Through this we will not only encourage the
Suns return but strengthen the Sun with the qualities of the Quarters which
will manifest in the coming months, and in our own lives as well."
Address the Maiden Goddess. You might say:
"Holy Maiden Goddess, Lady of the Dawn. Many-colored Mistress of the
Arts. Inspire us in this our rite. You call the Sun. You fling open the doors
of the Dawn and await His coming. You fill the sky with color to guide His way.
We add our voices to Yours. With You, we shall call the Sun. We and all Your
children shall join You as You call. Through the Four Quarters and the Twelve
Signs we shall connect with all things, and all shall call together with You, O
Holy Lady. Inspire us, and sahre with us the love You bear for Him! In Your
honor, we light this candle."
Now light your Spirit candle. The other candles shall be lit from it,
signifying the power of the Maiden Goddess.
Let the person who called the East during invocation come forward now, and take
up the Quarter candle for the East. Let them light the candle of the East from
the Spirit Candle. Then let them turn to the East and raise the East candle in
salute. Let them take up the fan and fan the energy of the candle toward the
East as they speak. Let them now give a Blessing, saying something like:
“In the name of the East, I call the Sun! In the name of the East I call the
Spring. In the name of the East I call the God. May the God come and behold the
Goddess in Her freshness. Gemini! Libra! Aquarius! Children of the East, arise
and call the Sun and Bless Him! May the God be Blessed with the clarity and
inspiration of the East! May we too be Blessed! So Mote it Be!”
All
“So Mote It Be!”
Now let them set the East candle at the East Quarter of the Circle, and then
return to their place.
Let the person who called the South during invocation now come forward. Let
them take up the Quarter candle for the South. Let them light the candle of the
South from the Spirit Candle. Then let them turn to the South and raise the
South candle in salute. Let them take up the fan and fan the energy of the
candle toward the South as they speak. Let them now give a Blessing, saying
something like:
“In the name of the South, I call the Sun! In the name of the South I call
the Spring. In the name of the South I call the God. May the God come and
embrace the Goddess in Her beauty. Aries! Leo! Sagittarius! Children of the
South, arise and call the Sun and Bless Him! May the God be Blessed with the
courage and passion of the South! May we too be Blessed! So Mote it Be!”
All
“So Mote It Be!”
Now let them set the North candle at the South Quarter of the Circle, and then
return to their place.
Let the person who called the West during invocation now come forward, taking
up the Quarter candle for the West. Let them light the candle of the West from
the Spirit Candle. Then let them turn to the West and raise the West candle in
salute. Let them take up the fan and fan the energy of the candle toward the
West as they speak. Let them now give a Blessing, saying something like:
“In the name of the West, I call the Sun! In the name of the West I call the
Spring. In the name of the West I call the God. May the God come and love the
Goddess in Her fruitfulness. Cancer! Scorpio! Pisces! Children of the West,
arise and call the Sun and Bless Him! May the God be Blessed with the love and
compassion of the West! May we too be Blessed! So Mote it Be!”
All
“So Mote It Be!”
Now let them set the West candle at the West Quarter of the Circle, and then
return to their place.
Let the person who called the North during invocation now come forward. Let
them take up the Quarter candle for the North. Let them light the candle of the
North from the Spirit Candle. Then let them turn to the North and raise the
North candle in salute. Let them take up the fan and fan the energy of the
candle toward the North as they speak. Let them now give a Blessing, saying
something like:
“In the name of the North, I call the Sun! In the name of the North I call
the Spring. In the name of the North I call the God. May the God come and
support the Goddess in Her power. Taurus! Virgo! Capricorn! Children of the
North, arise and call the Sun and Bless Him! May the God be Blessed with the
steadiness and wisdom of the North! May we too be Blessed! So Mote it Be!”
All
“So Mote It Be!”
Now let them set the North candle at the North Quarter of the Circle, and then
return to their place.
Have everyone join hands.
"Behold, we have called the Sun. We have called the Spring. From the Four
Quarters we have called Him, and He shall come to join the Maiden Goddess. They
shall rejoice in One Another. The days shall continue to lengthen, the Sun
shall continue to brighten, the plants shall bloom and bud. Life returns to the
world. So too shall our lives bloom. Let us think about the things we might
like to see in these coming months. What are our goals? What are our wishes?
Think on these and reflect upon them. Choose one that you particularly want.
Let us ask the Sun to bring it with Him.
"Behold, may these things we desire come into being, taking shape even as
the Sun grows stronger. As the Sun waxes, so too may our goals strengthen and
manifest. Divine Goddess, Divine God, we ask You to lend Your power to our and
aid us in this. Even as our Lord the Sun grows strong, so too may our goals
come into being. So Mote It Be!"
ALL
"So Mote It Be"
Continue along these lines:
"Concentrate on this now. Imagine the Sun growing stronger, and our
goals growing with Him. See them coming into reality, taking shape and being
accomplished: see them completed and accomplished -already ours, just waiting
to manifest. Imagine this as we chant."
Begin a chant, and if space and inclination allow dance deosil around the
circle. A good chant might be:
“East! South! West! North!
“Return Sun! Return!
“Air! Fire! Water! Earth!
Return Sun! Return!
“Spring! Summer! Fall! Winter!
Return Sun! Return!
“Return! Return! Return!”
“Return Sun –return! May light and life return to the world. The Maiden awaits the Spring, the Earth awaits its awakening. We too await the season of light –May you grow O Sun –may we grow with You! May the Earth be reborn –and may our lives be renewed with Her. As the light waxes we wax as well! Return Sun -return!
"Let us focus the energy -imagine it as a vortex of light in the center of our Circle. See the light shining with strength and power, spinning in the center of the Circle -growing brighter and brighter, faster and faster! Imagine the light filled with love and joy. Focus on your goals, and all that you wish to accomplish -even as the Sun grows strong and the Earth grows warm, and the plants grow and flower, so too may these things come to pass!
"Now let us release our energy -see it rising up, up, up, and now -RELEASE!
"And it is done -So Mote It Be!"
ALL
"So Mote It Be."
Now continue with the ritual.