SisterSpirit's Imbolc

SisterSpirit Celebrates Imbolc 2000

Jumping through the Flame-IMBOLC 2000

I chose to go to the Imbolc celebration called “Bridgets Flame”, which was put on by Sister Spirit. I chose this experience because of the warmth, knowledge, peace and fellowship I felt when I attended the last two wiccan discussion groups at Sister Spirit.

The first time I attended the wiccan group at Sister Spirit my heart filled with joy. As I walked in, on my right there was a large alter filled with beautiful images of Goddesses and strong women, spanning the symbols from different beliefs. There were Native American symbols, Wiccan, and Catholic symbols displayed in this great eclectic shrine. I felt a presence and awareness I can not even put into language as I gazed upon these images. There were candles and a small waterfall pond, which gave off the most tranquil sound- like that of a babbling brook. There was an area for prayer requests and meditation. To my left was a library of books. And before me were two women who were very open and talked with me about spirituality.

I was so received by this experience and felt at home. It was a dramatic shift from the negative experience I endured when I visited other groups. I felt so at home among the women of Sister Spirit that I decided I would attend the Imbolc ritual, which is the time of initiations into covens and the Wiccan faith.

So here begins my experience! On Sunday the 21st of February I walked into SisterSpirit around 3:00pm, there I found Frodo(who is a priestess and founder of SisterSpirit) and 3 other women. We all sat down and Frodo began speaking in a calm voice and leading us through a grounding meditation. We imagined that we were trees growing roots through the layers of the Earth. As Frodo kept speaking I fell deep into the meditation and felt strong Earth energy flowing up through my roots, through my chackras and out my crown. Then I imagined energy from the heavens being received into my crown and flowing down through my body, down to my roots and back up again. During this process my whole body became balanced and centered as I glowed with energy and felt the urge to raise my hand up high to feel the sun absorbed into my leaves.

Slowly we came out of the meditation and Frodo began to tell us the history of SisterSpirit and what initiation was about. We made membership cards and basically learned about spirituality and different traditions.

Next we all preceded to the ritual part of the initiation. The ritual was open to all, not just for newly initiated women. We all formed a line behind Tasa Wolfstar who carried the cross of Bridget. AS we started rhythmically walking into the circle we sang “Air I am, Fire I am, Water Earth and Spirit I am” over and over as Frodo drummed and some of us shook rattles.

As we preceded around the circle we stopped in each of the four directions to invoke their powers. Frodo called the powers of the East. As she summoned the powers of Air, of Birds and of laughter, images of bright blue skies with puffy clouds filled my head. I heard birds singing lovely songs and heard the laughter of Isis. I smelled lavender fields traveling on the wind into my senses

Next Amethyst Crow called the powers of the South. Powers of fire, of the desert, fire and volcanoes. Mighty powers of strength, will and power. Powers of mighty Amaterausu and of Bridget ( the focus of our ritual). My heart filled with strength and I stood up straight as I felt fire flowing through me.

Mountain Cat called the corners of the West. Powers of water, of fish in the sea.

Powers of healing, compassion and love. Mighty powers of Aphrodite. My heart filled with love and I envisioned healing water trickling down my body healing me of all my sadness.

Moonstone called powers of the North. Powers of midnight and of form and structure. I envisioned a great forest full of huge evergreen trees, ferns, plants and animals. The moistness and the wonderful smell of the forest overwhelmed me and filled me with emotions that I can not even find words for.

After the corners were invoked we found our places in the circle and invoked Bridget of poetry, Bridget of Smith Craft and Bridget of healing. Then Moondancer lit Bridgets flame and we sang “Rise up, O flame by the light glowing bring us beauty, wisdom and joy.

The energy in me was so strong I felt like by body was on fire. I tingled with awe at the extreme energy we had raised. Next we were each led to gaze into Bridgets well. We started chanting:

Born of water, cleansing, powerful, healing , changing, WE ARE!

As we began to chant Moonstone walked up to me and took my hand and led me to the well. I stood there, inside the circle, gazing into this magic well and felt the Goddesses surround me. I felt them touching me and telling me to let go of the past and move on, that I was healed. I was in a trance and did not want to leave, but others were waiting for their turn, so I went back to my place and closed my eyes and continued chanting.

Next each one of us gets to individually jump Bridget's flame. How invigorating! It was my turn, I made a wish and jumped. Then we went in groups of friends, circles, and new members. Around and around we went, jumping again and again as Celtic music played. I felt chills up and down my spine!! AWESOME is the only word I can think of to describe the experience.

Next we entered the circle once again and Chantille, Brenda and I formed a circle around the well with Frodo. We held hands and sang’ “We are a circle, within a circle with no beginning and never-ending”. Then we introduced ourselves. My chosen circle name is Persephone

Then we had a feast, a healing circle, devoked Bridget and the four corners and each chose a rock form Bridgets. We sang as we exited the circle in a wonderful chorus,” When we are gone, they will remain, Wind, Rock, Fire and Rain. They will remain. When we return, the wind will blow and the fire will burn!

Our last words were: “The circle is open but unbroken. May the peace of the Goddess be ever in your hearts. Merry Meet and Merry part and Merry Meet again....blessed be

I feel like I have been born again, I feel myself flowing through a new birthing tunnel into a new world full of acceptance and warmth. The happiness I feel is complete. I have found the place I belong, and it is here among my circle. I have no remaining guilt, or sorrow over changing my faith. I feel that I have always had this belief inside me and finally found it.