Ritual: Nurturing
Your Hidden Power

Michael Furie

This ritual acknowledges the different themes found in Imbolc, utilizing them in the creation of a spell pouch that is similar in nature to a mojo or medicine bag. The intention of this spell pouch is to enhance one’s personal power and any abilities they wish to encourage. Before this ritual can be worked, all of the items needed must be assembled and properly prepared.

Items Needed

1 square of natural cloth or leather (in your favorite color) between 3 and 5 inches in diameter

Red, white, and black cords or yarn (about one foot in length, braided together)

Personal item (lock of hair, nail clipping, etc.)

Small tokens or pictures of qualities you wish to enhance

1 square of fresh paper (a 3-inch square should be sufficient)

Pen with ink in a favorite color (or red)

1 teaspoon sunflower seeds in shells, dried (for luck, strength, and energy renewal)

1 tablespoon dried sage (for prosperity and wishes granted)

1 pebble, gathered near the home (to connect to the land)

Imbolc incense mixture (basil, cinnamon, peppermint—dried, 1 teaspoon each)

Censer and self-lighting incense charcoal

Cup (with water)

2 small bowls of salt

Cauldron (or fireproof bowl)

Wand

Pentacle (or small platter)

3 red candles

1 white candle

Prior to beginning the ritual, set up the altar facing the north with the cauldron in the center and the white candle within it. The cup of water should be set directly to the left of the cauldron and the wand placed on the right. Above the cauldron at the back of the altar, set the three red candles in a row from left to right and put the censer between the middle candle and the cauldron. Place one of the bowls of salt on the right between the cauldron and the wand with the pentacle in front of the cauldron to the south. The pentacle will be the working area so all of the ingredients of the spell pouch (the first nine items listed) should be placed around it. If the incense mixture or self-lighting incense charcoal are not available or desired, premade stick or cone incense in any of the individual scents (mint, cinnamon, or sage) could be used as a reasonable substitute.

Once the altar has been arranged, run a bath or take a shower and bring the other container of salt. Hold the salt in your weak hand (the one you don’t write with) and hold your strong hand over it. Mentally envision pure white light being sent from your dominant hand into the salt in order to bless it with the intent that it will purify all that it touches. If you are taking a bath, pour the salt into the tub of water. If you are taking a shower, wet the salt with a small amount of water and use it as a salt scrub on your skin and wash it off with the shower. While you are bathing, make a special point of washing your head, hands, and feet, as this is a traditional focus for cleansing during Imbolc. As you bathe or shower, think about which qualities and abilities of yours you would like to advance, and also try to brainstorm a symbol or set of symbols that would signify a personal emblem for you. Once cleansed, step out of the bathtub and get dressed according to your personal preference before returning to the altar area.

At the altar, light the three red candles and pick up the wand. Use the wand to cast a circle; beginning in the north and moving clockwise, mentally send energy through the wand, forming a magical orb containing the entire altar area. Once the circle is complete, stand at the center in front of the altar, facing north, and call to the energies of earth with these words: “Power of earth, hear my plea, attend this rite, come to me.”

Turn to the east (air), then south (fire), then west (water), calling in each element to its direction. Finally, face the altar once more, lighting the white candle with these words: “I kindle this fire as a beacon to the power of Imbolc. From each corner of the earth, I call you now, take heed, and come forth.”

Pick up the second bowl of salt and bless it in the same manner as before. Pick up the cup of water and, holding it with both hands, mentally send white light into the water, cleansing it of any energies not in harmony with your rite. Once finished, pour the salt into the water. With your fingers, sprinkle a bit of saltwater around the circle in a clockwise motion, neutralizing any disharmonious energy that may still linger. Light the incense and, if safe, carry the incense in a clockwise motion to charge the energy of the circle with the correct intentions. The circle is complete. If you’re choosing to work with deities, now is the time to call upon them in your own words.

Once you’re ready, take up the pen and paper and create a personal symbol for yourself that only you will know. You can add astrological information or personal details as you see fit and also add a list of attributes that you wish enhanced through this work. When you are finished, fold the paper, making each fold toward you, and place it on top of the fabric square that’ll become the pouch. Going through each in turn, pick up the items that will be going into the pouch, blessing them in a similar fashion as the salt and water, substituting the specific intentions depending on which item is being blessed. For example, each of the tokens should be charged with the idea that they will enhance the abilities of that which they symbolize, and the herbs and seeds should be blessed with the intention given in parentheses. After all the items have been prepared, they should be bundled together in the fabric, using the braided cords to tie the corners together, creating the spell pouch. Wrap the cords around it and tie nine knots in the tail, giving it a knotted handle and sealing in the magic.

Once tied, sprinkle a bit of the saltwater on the pouch to bless it with the powers of water and earth, then hold it briefly over the white candle’s flame (high enough above that it won’t ignite), and over the incense smoke, to charge it with the power of fire and air, respectively. Now, holding the bundle in both hands, close your eyes and go into a meditation.

In your mind’s eye, see a mystical portal appear before you. Envision yourself standing up and entering this portal. Allow it to transport you to a magical meadow. In this meadow, see the snow-covered trees and ground. Feel a crisp chill in the air, sense an eerie stillness. Look into the meadow and notice that there is an old well in the center. Walk over to the well and look inside. Observe how incredibly dark it is inside; it is so dark that there’s almost a vacuum-like quality to it, as if it were trying to pull you inside. Resist the pull and see a large rope dangling out of the well. Place your spell pouch into your pocket and, using both hands, pull on the rope to free whatever is down inside this well.

After an immeasurable time, you begin to see a light growing steadily stronger from the depths of the well. Pulling on the rope faster, the light gets stronger and stronger until, at long last, you pull up a cauldron filled with shimmering light; the light of Imbolc. As you free the cauldron of light, the meadow is instantly transformed; the snow has vanished and lush green grass on the ground and vibrant leaves in the trees fill the area with warmth and life. Instinctively, you touch your spell pouch to the light; some of its power is absorbed into the bundle, further charging it with power. You can now carry this power with you to shine like a beacon of light in the everyday world. Return to the portal and be transported back to your physical form. Once rejoined, open your eyes.

It is now time to conclude the rite and open the circle. Thank and release each element in turn, moving counterclockwise: west, south, east, and finally north, saying, “Power of (name correct element), thank you for your help this hour. I release you now; go in power.”

Thank any deities you have called and extinguish the candles in reverse order of lighting. Lastly, take up the wand and use it to open the circle by walking counterclockwise, having the wand absorb the power. The spell pouch is now ready. You can carry it with you where it will not be seen or store it in a place where you will be able to see it often, but where others will not find it.

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