This is the Mid-Point of the Dark half of the year. yet as this is the midway of dark part of the year ; or the Half way point for in the Gods predominance.

Although this is the dark part of the cycle this is also a festival for the Goddess .

" OZ's Imbolic 1999

Cast thy circle and adorn the altar with brown candles and brown altar cloth, along with all your other tools . Also there can be a Crown of Lights set beside the altar. also seeing as Imbolic is another fire festival the Cauldron should be placed with a fire standing in the North Quarter of thy Circle...(Placed beside it you Besom ( broom).

After " Erecting The Temple" is done you can also do the "Full or New Moon Rite" as the moon phases see fit ..

Upon your entrance to thy Circle you may wish to sing hymns to the gods while moving " deosil " around your circle.

Stopping in front of the altar ,

saying " Now has our Lord reached the zenith of his journey"....Now does he turn to face the " Lady'...." Though they are apart they are now one as they are both the shawdow and the Light.".

.".Our lord has now reached Mid-point of the year.".."Ahead we see the light of our Lady,and the start of new life after this period of rest ...Spring itself is in the near future".."And thoughts are of the Goddess as well as the Gods"..Burn ye now the, evergreens. the ivy, holly and Mistletoe"..The rosemary & the Bay"..."Clear out the old That the new may enter in"

Here is when I sweep out the old and prepare for the arrival of the new... the preparation of seeds for growing in the spring...the inviting of the " Goddess of Fertility " to enter and lodge at our home within.

As I do this I say " Light to Dark..Darkness to light..Light to dark ..Darkness to light...Farewell Lady; and Welcome thy Lord..farewell Lord and welcome Lady..all sing their praises..

Standing before the altar know kneel and place the crown of Lights upon thy head and perform the self Blessing so that you are attuned with the body and the Goddess/Gods..circle the Temple ( circle) 3 x's on the second light the cauldron ..on the 3rd time jump the cauldron and proceed to the altar where the Crown of Light is lit..Standing with legs and arms wide open ..( sign of the Pentagram ) "All hail our Lady of Light".."Welcome... thrice welcome..Triple Goddess of of Life"..Mother of Sun..Goddess of Fire we invite thee in"

Move to the Cauldron and pick up your Besom and sweep the circle deosil and upon your return to the altar set the Besom back beside the cauldron..and return to the altar and ring the bell 3 x's...after this is done proceed with any or not other workings you may need to do..

after this the " Cakes & Ale " ceremony is performed and then at the end make sure to Thank those who were invited within and dismiss them ..then perform the " Clearing of the Temple" ..the evening could end on a high point of a feast if you so wish...

Blessed Be !