Imbolc at Turning The Tide 19 Ritual Empowerment By Fire

Opal Luna

Aug 24

8 min read

* A circle will be cast around a portable fire pit in the field in front of the cabins.

* Attendees will be asked to set their chairs in the circle in advance.

* Elemental items will be placed in the directions with a small table to hold Toasting supplies and Tokens

* Procession will start at the Great Hall

* Attendees will be told that each quarter has an action to perform as we construct the ritual fire.

North - A pile of wood to feed the fire

The action of placing wood on a fire

East - A bellows to stoke the fire

The action of working the bellows

South - An anvil to create with fire

The action of pounding the anvil

West - A cauldron to manifest with fire.

The action of stirring the cauldron

*Attendees will be given a popsicle stick and instructed to throw it into the fire pit after walking around the circle.

* Narrator -

Birch is commonly associated with protection and is used to shield against negative energy.

Birch is a symbol of new beginnings, renewal, and rebirth.

Birch is believed to have the power to grant wishes.

* Attendees will be instructed to place a hand in front of their faces if they do not want smoke.

* Attendees proceed to the circle singing -

Spirit of fire, come to us, we will kindle the fire

Spirit of fire, come to us, we will kindle the fire.

We will kindle the fire, dance the magick circle round.

We will kindle the fire; we will kindle the fire.

* Attendees (still singing) will walk through smoke, circle around once, place their popsicle stick in the fire bowl, and find their place in the circle.

* When all are in the circle, Smoke Cleanser will circle Widdershins as Circle Sealer, with sword, circles Doesil. Both will be chanting:

In perfect love and perfect trust

We draw this circle in the dust

With purest heart, intention fair

We draw this circle in the air

As above, so below

We cleanse and seal as round we go.

May it be known, crystal clear

Only kindness is spoken here.

* Narrator -

Welcome to the 19th annual Turning the Tide main ritual. Recently, it has become common to use the same-numbered tarot card for the theme. This year, we have The Sun. The Sun card in the tarot radiates warmth and vitality, symbolizing illumination and life-giving energy. Its bright rays stand for clarity and the victory of light over darkness. The Sun is that big fireball in the sky that makes life possible, and fire represents the passion and courage we need right now. Tonight, we will ignite the fire of our community through the fires of Brigit’s Hearth and Lugh’s Forge. Both Sabbaths are being celebrated tonight—Imbolc here in the Northern Hemisphere and Lughnasadh in the Southern Hemisphere. We stand at the crossroads of these two powerful fires: the Hearth to nurture and heal, and the Forge to protect and defend. Together we achieve Empowerment by Fire!

Let’s call the quarters starting in the North.

North - A pile of wood to feed the fire

The action of placing wood on a fire

NORTH: From the North, the Earth provides the wood we use to feed the fire. The wood symbolizes the deeds we do in service to the community. Acts of kindness, acceptance, and support build community. These acts, whether big or small, form the foundation of our fire, our strength. Hail and welcome, Spirit of the Earth and the wood that feeds our fire.

HELPERS: Hail and welcome, Spirit of the Earth and the wood that feeds our fire.

East - A bellows to stoke the fire

The action of working the bellows

EAST: From the East, the Air provides the Breath of Life that we use to stoke the fire. This breath is our own, and the words we share when expressing our thoughts within the community. Practice mindfulness when dealing with others and ensure our words build up rather than tear down. Is it true, is it kind, is it necessary? Hail and welcome, Spirit of Air and the breath we use to stoke the fire.

HELPERS: Hail and welcome, Spirit of Air and the breath we use to stoke the fire.

South - An anvil to create with fire

The action of pounding the anvil

SOUTH: From the South, the Fire urges us to share our blessings with others. The community's combined talents create the tools that support everyone. We work the magick to craft events like this one that encourage and strengthen our bonds. Each member has a role to play. Hail and welcome, Spirit of Fire, and grant us the courage to maintain our community.

HELPERS: Hail and welcome, Spirit of Fire, and grant us the courage to maintain community.

West - A cauldron to manifest with fire.

The action of stirring the cauldron

WEST: From the West, the Water calls us to use our Magick for the good of the community. The Cauldron bubbles with the heat of desire for better times. Spells for peace, prosperity, and abundance come in many forms. From the pageantry of public ritual to the private lighting of a single candle, we all do what we can for the greater good. Hail and welcome, Spirit of Water, and the passion of manifesting our magick.

HELPERS: Hail and welcome, Spirit of Water, and the passion of manifesting our magick

* Fire tender lights the fire as quarters continue their actions and all sing “Fire Transform Me.” Attendees are encouraged to dance or sway during 3 to 5 choruses as the spirit dictates

Fire transform me, bring me to my passion

I choose life. YES! I choose courage.

To dance among the flames. To dance among the flames.

* The narrator calls for attention.

Creating and maintaining this fire requires many hands, each contributing as they can. When we work together as a community, we ensure support from the Divine.

Listen as the goddess Brigid and the god Lugh speak about us to each other across the Wheel of the Year.

BRIGIT: I see you over there, Brother. Get ready for a bountiful harvest! This community is preparing to plant the seeds that will become your bread in due time. I grant them my blessing of creativity and inspiration so those seeds grow strong. May they produce an abundance of fruit and serve them well against whatever the world throws at them. Together, they are strong and ready to keep my hearth fires burning. This fire will attract like-minded people. The hearth fire burns in all of them. Blessed Be

LUGH: I see you over there, Sister. I foresee this community reaping a bountiful harvest. I grant them my blessing of strength and ingenuity, so that bread will fully nourish them. May this group grow in numbers and serve as a beacon for truth-seekers during these challenging times. Together, they will keep the fire of my forge burning brightly. Many tools for the greater good will emerge from those flames. The forge fire burns within each of them. Blessed Be

* Magickal working

* Narrator - Please pass out the charms for our magickal working. We do not want this fire to burn just for our time together. We want it to stay with us as we return to our everyday lives. Regardless of personal circumstances, resilience and safeguarding are crucial qualities to develop during tough times. Let’s charge these tokens of our time together. Place the charm in your palm and cover it with your other hand. We will now sing the Spirit of Fire chant once more, but this time as a promise to keep that fire burning within us.

Spirit of fire, come to us, we will kindle the fire

Spirit of fire, come to us, we will kindle the fire.

We will kindle the fire, dance the magick circle round.

We will kindle the fire; we will kindle the fire.

Now blow into your cupped hands, making this token your own, and repeat after me.

“With the wood of the North, the breath of the East,

the forge of the South, and the cauldron of the West,

May this token hold the fire of this community

and bless all who hold it dear.”

*Attendees are invited to place the token in their Spirit Bags.

* A Toast -

* Narrator - Let’s have a toast. Red tea with Cinnamon is being passed out. Please wait for all to get their drink before we toast together. If you are allergic to rooibos or cinnamon, please place your hand over your cup to receive water. If it just isn’t your favorite, please bear with me. I chose this tea for its magickal properties. Rooibos is often used in rituals to promote healing and protect against negative energies. It enhances strength, clarity, and courage, and is associated with new beginnings. I chose cinnamon tonight to highlight the theme of fire and because cinnamon is fantastic. It is pure abundance. Cinnamon attracts health, wealth, and wisdom. Never miss an opportunity to imbibe cinnamon, even if it is just the tiniest taste. When we all have a cup, we will raise our cups in the air and tell the Universe that we want our cup to always be full, pour some out for the spirits of this land, and pass our cups back to the quarters so they can be thrown in the fire. Ready?

* When all have a full cup, we toast together.

“May our cups always be full!” “To the Old Gods!”

* Cool down -

* Narrator - Now has come the time for us to cool down a bit. We cannot keep going full throttle forever. We would burn ourselves out. We never want this fire to burn out, so we will bank it. We will continue to tend the flame of this community in our hearts, so that it can rage when needed.

We must thank the Deities for their blessings. Lady Brigit and Lord Lugh, we appreciate your kind words and assure you that this group will do its best to meet your expectations. May we continue to wisely use the hearth fire to feed and nurture each other and the forge fire to protect and defend ourselves. Though you will always be in our hearts, we say now Hail and Farewell.

*Quarters dismissed

WEST: Farewell to the Spirits of the West. We will remember your lessons and keep the cauldron heated and stirring the passion of a healthy community. So, Mote it Be.

South: Farewell to the Spirits of the South. We will remember your lessons and keep the forge fire burning, creating the works of a healthy community. So, Mote it Be.

East: Farewell to the Spirits of the East. We will remember your lessons and continue to breathe life into our words, fueling the fire of a healthy community. So, Mote It Be.

North: Farewell to the Spirits of the North. We will remember your lessons, keep fueling the fire with our actions, and maintain a strong foundation for a healthy community. So, Mote it Be.

* The Circle is opened as we all sing -

“By the Earth that is her body.

By the Air that is her breath.

By the fire that is her bright spirit

By the living waters of her womb

May the peace of the goddess be forever in your heart.

This circle is open but unbroken,

*Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again