Good Wiccan Sabbaths, Holy Days, Holidays & Rituals
Candlemas Ritual – Candle Blessing
This must be preceded and concluded with the appropriate ritual elements explained in the last section.
The leader lights a candle and says:
“I light this candle to symbolize the returning sun and the rebirth of the world.”
Going clockwise around the room, the next person lights one candle from the previous candle and repeats the affirmation.
“I light this candle to symbolize the returning sun and the rebirth of the world.”
After the second candle is lit, the original candle is placed on the altar. This continues around the room lighting a new candle and putting the previously lit candle on the altar
Candlemas Ritual – Blessing of Seeds
Hold up your container of grass seeds to the altar
“Imagine these tiny seeds becoming a vast field of tall grass waving in the wind and know the mystery of life.”
Pass the grass seeds around the room clockwise and allow each person to sprinkle some seeds into the pot(s) of dirt. When the seeds are planted – If each person has a pot – each person will recite the following – if not – just the leader will recite:
“Growth is a divine imperative. I bless these seeds to grow. Let them remind me (us) of the beautiful yet fragile creatures we are becoming.”
Candlemas Ritual – River of Life – Giver of Life
Hold up the snow to the altar.
“Just as the wheel of life has changes – so we see seasonal changes in water before us – from snow to water – to steam and rain to snow again.”
Melt the snow or ice over the fire.
“Let us not fight the river of life, but allow it to move us in the direction of and encourage growth. Our spirits become locked – forever frozen and a living death, UNLESS we become fluid and malleable – and open to change.”
Water the newly panted seeds with the melted snow.
“Let us pause for a moment to reflect on our new resolve to be willing to let bygones be bygones and see compromise is not always a bad word when it means we can learn to be different.
“A newborn baby does not know to correct its mother for mistakes she makes – it simply loves with a whole heart and trusts. We have the opportunity to start again. To become the mothers and fathers of our new selves now. We have the opportunity not to betray the trust that WE will take care of ourselves from now on as the sacred children of God and Goddess that we are.”
Allow a moment of silence.
Candlemas Ritual – Cone of Energy and Inner Vision
The cone of energy is built as all dance around the fire, play percussion and chant one or all of the following:
CHANT:
“Fire and sun – New Life has Begun.
“River of Life – Giver of Life.
“Darkness will Pass – Grow Little Grass.”
Another chant often sung to raise the cone of energy is:
CHANT:
“She changes everything she touches.
“Everything she touches changes.”
Let the energy calm down naturally as people tire from dancing and chanting. As the energy subsides, let all stand (or sit) and sway with their eyes closed. Let the moment that just happened have a chance to make its way inward for each individual.
Take deep breaths and allow a resonant tone to happen with each extended exhalation.
CHANT: “Ohm” or “Aum”
