Chapter 5

February

For most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, February is a cold and gloomy month that falls in the middle of winter. Often, spring seems too far off to imagine. So it may seem ironic that on the second day of February, Wiccans celebrate Imbolc, a holiday dedicated to the beginning of spring.

The explanation for this can be found in the name of the holiday itself. Imbolc, or Imbolg, comes from Celtic origins, and means “in the belly.” From what I have read, this name had two meanings. The first refers to the fact that although the ground may be covered with snow, far underneath the earth the earliest beginnings of spring are stirring. The second has to do with an alternative translation, “ewe’s milk.” In the days when winter was a time of scarcity, the beginning of lambing season signaled the end to the worst of the struggle and deprivation. When the lambs were in their mothers’ bellies, there would be milk for a hungry family.

Whichever translation you use, Imbolc is a time of rejoicing. Despite the harsh weather that might be lurking outside our windows, we know that the end is in sight. Far beneath our feet, seeds are beginning to sprout. Under the snow, the first small buds are forming on the trees. It is time to start shaking off the winter doldrums and to begin implementing the plans we made during the calm and quiet of the preceding season.

Imbolc has come down through its pagan traditions into modern life in a new incarnation: Groundhog Day. On that day, the groundhog pokes its head up and predicts how many weeks we must wait until the start of spring. Imbolc serves much the same purpose as that furry psychic—it alerts us that spring is coming and that now is the time to start thinking about the practical applications of our winter dreaming.

Wiccans see this holiday as a time for cleansing and purification. The goddess is changing from Crone to Maiden, and the god is slowly growing from infant into energetic child. It is a time to take our brooms and sweep away all the clutter from our homes, our minds, and our spirits in order to make room for our new goals.

Imbolc is a fire festival, and we use the symbolism of the flames to burn away anything that no longer works for us or that might stand in the way of our making positive changes. Since the Irish celebration of this holiday was dedicated to Brigit (some still call it “Brigit’s Day”), a triple goddess of smith-craft, healing, and the arts, it is appropriate to celebrate it in any way that is creative or artistic. It is also considered to be a good time for divination work.

Where I live, a local Wiccan High Priestess leads a yearly Imbolc event that is open to the general public and held at a community location. Her group (which I belonged to for many years) draws a large labyrinth on the floor and people walk the labyrinth one by one as everyone else sits in circle drumming.

As you walk, you ponder the direction your life might take during the coming year, and ask the gods for guidance. When you reach the center of the labyrinth, you reach into the cauldron that is waiting there and pull out a slip of paper. Each piece of paper has a word or phrase on it; usually there are about twenty different choices. (It is a running joke among my friends that I have defied the odds by picking out the word “patience” four years in a row. I’m guessing this means I’m a slow learner . . .)

The ritual is almost entirely silent except for the calling of the quarters, the invoking of the gods, and the drumming during the ritual. This creates a surprisingly powerful and moving experience.

The Imbolc ritual in this chapter is based in part on that experience. I hope you find it helpful as you start out upon the path you will follow in the months to come.

Imbolc ritual

Supplies:

• Cauldron or bowl filled with sand or sea salt (large enough to put the candles in)
• Numerous small white candles (tea lights or votives work fine)
• Bowl with slips of paper (write on the slips ahead of time—one word or phrase per slip, at least twice as many slips as you have people, so everyone has a choice. Examples might include “compassion,” “courage,” “patience,” “new beginnings,” and the like.)
• Broom (preferably one that is kept for magickal use)

• • •

Note: Drums are a must for this ritual. If you don’t have one yet, now is a good time to get one. If there are people who don’t have drums, you can make do with rattles or clapping, but drumming is best.

You may wish to make your circle larger than usual, to allow people enough space to walk in. Also, you may want to make sure that the people who are calling the quarters know where to stand and what is expected of them.

HPS/HP:

Welcome to our celebration of Imbolc. This holiday celebrates the first stirrings of spring underneath the often frozen ground. It is a time to sweep away the old and welcome in the new. During the slower-paced winter days, we have plotted and planned our goals for the coming year. Now it is time to start implementing those plans.

HPS/HP:

This ritual will be different from the usual pattern. Tonight we will be mostly silent, the better to hear our inner voices and the voices of the gods. We will cast the circle without words, simply using the broom to sweep away negativity and enclose us in safety. We will call the quarters in silence, knowing that they will hear the summons on whatever level we send it out. We will invoke the gods with hearts instead of words.

HPS/HP:

Then we will start drumming. As we drum, we will focus on our plans for the coming year. We will ponder our hopes, our dreams, and any questions we might have about the best way in which to bring those dreams to fruition.

HPS/HP:

One by one, we will walk clockwise around the inside of the circle. Slowly, without speaking, we will walk the sacred space, listening to the drums, the beating of our hearts, and our own inner wisdom. When it is your turn, you may walk for as long as you need, opening yourself to guidance from within and without. When you are ready, stop in front of the bowl on the altar and take out a piece of paper. On that paper, you may find an answer to your questions or a clue as to which path is best for you. Take a moment to look inward and see what that word means to you. Then light a candle in the cauldron of changes, and continue clockwise back to your place in the circle.

HPS/HP:

When we are all finished, we will pass cakes and ale and resume speaking as usual.

• HPS takes the broom and walks around the outside of the circle, sweeping.
• Cleanse and consecrate the circle by passing sage or incense (in silence).
• Cleanse and consecrate the circle by passing salt and water (in silence).
• Circle member turns to East and gestures [point, or draw, a pentacle in the air], all follow suit. The circle member calls the quarters without speaking. Light yellow candle.
• Circle member turns and gestures to the South, all follow suit. Light red candle.
• Circle member turns and gestures to the West, all follow suit. Light blue candle.
• Circle member turns and gestures to the North, all follow suit. Light green candle.
• HP (or HPS) lifts his arms and makes the sign of the Horned God (middle three fingers bent in to palm, thumb and pinky out), all follow suit. HP invokes the god silently, then lights the god candle.
• HPS (or HP) lifts her arms and gestures with palms up to the sky, all follow suit. HPS invokes the goddess silently, then lights the goddess candle.
• HPS/HP start drumming. All drum.
• Participants take turns walking around the circle in silent meditation, then taking a slip of paper and lighting a candle. Drumming continues.
• When everyone has had a turn, the drumming stops. Everyone can relax and take a deep breath.
• Pass cakes and ale (HPS/HP speak cakes and ale blessing as usual)
• Pass the speaking stick. Participants may speak about the word on their slip of paper or not, as they choose. They can also talk about their goals for the coming year.
• Dismiss the quarters (speaking as usual).

HP thanks the god:

Great God, we thank you for helping us to walk our paths, and for sending us wisdom to aid us along the way. May you continue to guide and inspire us from this day forth. So mote it be. (All repeat: “So mote it be.”)

HPS thanks the goddess:

Great Goddess, we thank you for sending us clarity and inspiration to help us as we choose our next steps. May your love light our way from this day forth. So mote it be. (All repeat: “So mote it be.”)

Open the circle by reciting the Wiccan Rede, or simply by joining hands and saying: “The circle is open but never broken—merrie meet, merrie part, and merrie meet again.” Feast!

February New Moon

Tool consecration and blessing

While it is possible to practice Witchcraft with nothing more than your heart, hands, and mind, most Wiccans find it easier (and more fun) to do so with the aid of certain tools. And although no two Witches are likely to own exactly the same equipment, most of us have at least a few of the basics—athame, crystals, tarot cards, drums, chalice, and the like. (See chapter 2 for more detailed information.)

Magickal tools are not like hammers and screwdrivers. They are usually kept together in a special place, and you never loan them to your neighbors. In fact, some Witches believe it is inappropriate for anyone else even to touch your magickal tools. Personally, I don’t worry about that much, although I would recommend keeping your tools away from anyone with negative energy.

So what makes your athame different from any of the knives in your kitchen drawer? Obviously, the way it is used—a magickal tool should only be used for rituals, and never for mundane purposes. If you have a chalice that is used in circle, for instance, don’t drink your wine from it at dinner. And the broom that sweeps the circle clear of negativity should never be used to clean the kitchen floor.

But the difference goes beyond their function. Most magickal tools are also blessed and consecrated for magickal use, adding to their power and their purpose. Consecrating a tool is another way to focus intent—an important element of spellwork. By blessing and consecrating your athame, you are saying to the universe (and to yourself): this tool is a part of my magick, it has power beyond the everyday, and it is an extension of my will.

Blessing and consecrating a tool also reinforces your intention to use that item wisely and only in a positive manner. As you use a particular tool more and more often, it absorbs energy from the work you do and becomes even more powerful.

Witches, shamans, and other magick workers have used special tools in their rituals for as long as recorded human history, and probably before. Tools help to direct and boost energy, provide focus, and aid in creating a ceremonial atmosphere. Most importantly, they are a subconscious signal that tells us: now we are doing magick.

Most of the time, tools only need to be consecrated once, when you first acquire them. Occasionally a tool will require re-consecration, usually because it was somehow exposed to negative energy. (Your creepy neighbor wanders over to your altar and picks up your athame, for instance, and afterwards it just doesn’t feel right.)

If you acquire a tool from an unknown source or get a hand-me-down from someone whose energy you are not quite sure of, it is often a good idea to do a little extra cleansing before the actual consecration. Tools can be cleansed by leaving them out for a night under the light of the Full Moon (this is especially good for crystals), or by holding them under running water.

The ritual in this chapter is good for when your group has a number of items to be consecrated, but the tool blessing can be used at any time for individual tools as well.

Supplies:

These are all items that are normally on the altar table for most rituals anyway, but if you don’t use them for your group rituals on a regular basis, here is a list:

• Sea salt in a small bowl
• Water in a small bowl (water from a well or stream is best; the water should be as pure as possible)
• Sage or incense
• Candle (you may use the goddess candle or any of the quarter candles for this)
• Optional: a medium/large feather

Note: You may also want to consecrate larger amounts of salt and a container of water for use in future rituals, although this is not strictly necessary. If you are just starting out, you may even want to consecrate the altar table itself.

• • •

• Consecrate and cleanse the circle with sage or incense
• Consecrate and cleanse the circle with salt and water
• Cast the circle hand to hand or by having the HPS walk around the outside of the circle with her athame or sword
• Call the quarters
• HPS invokes the goddess

Sit comfortably in the circle. Each circle member can show the others the tools that they have brought to be consecrated. It is fine to pass them around the circle if you want, and to share any interesting stories you might have about how you acquired them. It can be particularly interesting to compare the pictures on different decks of tarot cards. This is the perfect time to gift someone else in your group with a tool if you have an extra one or if you’ve bought one for that purpose. Some Witches believe that all your tools should be a gift from someone else and that you should never buy them for yourself. This seems pretty impractical to me, but it is nice to get one or two in this way, if that is how it works out.

The group should decide how they want to do the consecration and blessing—all of the tools all at once, all of the same type of tool (athames) at the same time, all of one person’s tools at one time, or each individual tool one at a time. There is no wrong way; the end result is exactly the same. Make the decision based on how the group feels and how many tools there are to be blessed—and then go from there.

If you are doing all the tools at once, you can read the blessing together, and substitute “these tools” for “this athame” (or whatever the tools is) on the first line, and “they” for “it” in the following lines. The actions taken during the blessing can be done by the HPS or HP for everyone, or each member can do his or her own.

The way it is written here is for individual tool blessing or to be read in unison by the group. If the HPS does the blessing for someone else, substitute the words “her” or “his” for “my”:

Tool Consecration and Blessing

Great Goddess, bless this _______________

That it may be used for good and never harm

That it may help me in my Craft

And aid me in my magickal work

From this day forward

May it be blessed and consecrated

By the power of Earth (sprinkle with salt)

By the power of Air (waft with feather, incense or sage)

By the power of Fire (pass over candle or through flame if fireproof)

And by the power of Water (sprinkle with water)

And by the power of the Spirit which lies within us all

So mote it be

• • •

After all the tools are consecrated, take a moment of silence, and visualize yourselves using them in future rituals with powerful results.

• Pass cakes and ale
• Pass the speaking stick
• Dismiss the quarters
• HPS thanks the goddess
• Open the circle

February Full Moon

Peace and happiness oil

Magickal oils are another tool that can often be found among a knowledgeable Witch’s supplies. They are often used to anoint the participants in a ritual and can be used to anoint many of the ritual components such as candles and charms as well.

They add power and focus to a spell in two primary ways. First, since essential oils are created using large amounts of herbs and flowers, they absorb much of the natural energy from the plants. That energy (which differs depending on which plants are used) is then passed on to the person or object on which the magickal oil is placed.

Second, of all our five (or six) senses, the sense of smell is the most connected to memory and emotion. Just as the smell of an apple pie being baked may instantly bring you back to your grandmother’s kitchen, the smell of a magickal oil can generate a deep and powerful subconscious response. When you use sage to cleanse your circle every time you meet, your mind recognizes the smell and automatically sends you into the proper mental state. If you use a magickal oil often enough, the smell alone can help to boost the power of the spells with which you use it.

Magickal oils are created using various essential oils and one or more base oils. All of these should be of the best quality that you can find and afford, since the power of the finished oil is dependent on the power of the ingredients you put into it. This doesn’t mean that you have to sell the family silver in order to have good magickal oils; thankfully, many basic essential oils are both readily available and reasonably priced.

A few exceptions, like chamomile and rose, can be quite pricey. However, they are so effective and so useful that you may wish to purchase small amounts and use them only when they are most needed. I try not to use the really hard-to-find essential oils in my spells, but if you can only find four out of the five ingredients (for example), the spell should work perfectly well anyway. If at all possible, do not use perfume oils. Unlike essential oils, these are artificial scents—and while they are much cheaper, they may not have the same effect as the real thing.

Essential oils can be found at most health food, New Age, and pagan shops, as well as online. There can be vast differences in quality from one company to the next, so you may have to experiment or ask for the advice of someone who has experience if you haven’t bought essential oils before. Price is not necessarily an indication of quality; I like the Natural Alchemy line, which is quite reasonable.

Base oils can be anything from extra-virgin olive oil from your kitchen cabinet to body oils like sesame, grapeseed, or jojoba. Keep in mind that all base oils will go rancid eventually. Adding a little Vitamin E may help, but it is probably best to make up only small amounts at a time and create a new batch as necessary.

Please remember that most essential oils and all magickal oils should only be used topically, and should not be ingested. If you use them directly on your skin or in a bath, be cautious if you have any plant allergies.

As with all things magickal, ingredients that have been grown and harvested with your own hands are the most powerful. If you so desire, you can make herbal oils using plants from your own garden—but don’t worry if you don’t have the time, space, or inclination to do so. There are many perfectly good magickal oils available in Wiccan stores and catalogs, and it is easy and fun to use purchased essential oils, like those in the peace and happiness oil on the following pages.

Supplies:

• Bergamot essential oil
• Chamomile essential oil
• Geranium essential oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Lemon balm essential oil
• Base oil, such as sesame oil or a good olive oil
• Small glass or plastic vials or bottles (glass is preferable), with lids and/or dropper tops (one for each person in the group)
• Optional: extra droppers if the bottles of essential oil don’t have them. (Don’t use the same dropper for more than one oil if you can avoid it.)
• Optional: labels that say “Peace & Happiness Oil.” (You will want to label them in some way so that you know what it is later, but it is up to you how simple or fancy you wish to make these labels.)

Note: If you can’t find one or more of the essential oils, you can substitute an extra drop or two of one of the others. It is best to have at least four of the five oils if you can, and you must have at least three. If you can’t find one of the oils on the list above, you can substitute rose or lemon.

• • •

• Consecrate and cleanse the circle with sage or incense.
• Consecrate and cleanse the circle with salt and water.
• Cast the circle hand to hand.
• Call the quarters.
• HPS invokes the goddess (Full Moon invocation—see Chapter 17.)
• Sit down and make yourselves comfortable.
• Start by filling each individual vial about three quarters full with the base oil.
• Then pass the essential oils around the circle one by one. The HPS can tell what each one is used for, or each circle member can tell about one in turn. After each oil is named and described, it should be passed around the circle, and the required number of drops placed in each individual vial.
  • Bergamot—two drops—peace, happiness, restful sleep
  • Chamomile—one drop—sleep, meditation, peace
  • Geranium—two drops—happiness, protection
  • Lavender—two drops—health, love, peace
  • Lemon Balm—two drops—peace, money, purification

(Note that there are nine drops total. Nine is a powerful magickal number. The HPS may mention this.)

• When the oils are finished, cap the vial and swirl gently nine times in a clockwise motion to mix. Label the bottles containing your final mixture.
• Then consecrate and bless the oil using the tool consecration and blessing spell from the New Moon earlier this month:

Tool consecration and Blessing Spell

Great Goddess, bless this oil

That it may be used for good and never harm

That it may help me in my Craft

And aid me in my magickal work

From this day forward

May it be blessed and consecrated

By the power of Earth

By the power of Air

By the power of Fire

And by the power of Water

And by the power of the Spirit which lies within us all

So mote it be

• • •

(The oil may be kept on your altar or another safe space—it will be used in many future rituals. You can also place a drop on your forehead or over your heart any time you feel the need.)

• Pass cakes and ale.
• Pass the speaking stick.
• Dismiss the quarters.
• HPS thanks the goddess.
• Open the circle.

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