Blessed Imbolc

A Imbolc Ritual...

• Brat Brid, pronounced as Braht Bree, is a ritual where women take a cloth and lay it on the bush outside. It is believed that Goddess Brigid blesses the cloth as she moves about from place to place. The next day, the cloth is torn into several pieces and doled out to the children as a talisman.

• Likewise, Bratach Brid, which is pronounced as Brah-Tock Bree, is akin to Brat Brid,however, instead of splitting the cloth, it is kept intact and used for the ritual every year. The cloth, as some believe, having become powerful from years of Brigid's blessings, ensures safe pregnancy as well as cures sterility.

Group Ceremony to Celebrate Imbolc

Bonfire

• While some prefer the rituals to be solitary, there are some who like to make the ritual a group practice, where collective efforts are centered in invoking Brigid.

• For this group ritual, a High Priest can be called to conduct the invocation. A well-tended bonfire could be arranged for the same with decorations in the form of corn husks.

• Each participant holds an unlit candle as a symbolism of Brigid herself along with a cup of milk and a plate of cakes or oatcakes.

Advertisement

• The candle is first lit by the High Priest, and he then begins with the incantation. The High Priest then offers the cup of milk to Brigid and then passes the cup in the circle for participants to take a sip of it as a blessing from Brigid.

• Similarly, the same offering is made for the cakes where participants take a bite of the cake and pass it on to others.

• The High Priest then calls on the participants to light their candles from the bonfire. This is followed by meditation and visualization, where participants concentrate their energies on the sacred fire, for it is the guiding force that encompasses strength, well-being, hope, spirit, and positivity.

• While there are many who prefer the group ceremony ritual, it is to be noted this ritual has different versions as per their cultures and beliefs