Although I work
with Morrigan the most in my practices, Brighid is a close second. Imbolc is usually a time to honor Brighid for
me, but the following ritual was inspired by an experience during a meditation
several years ago just prior to Imbolc.
Before most of my seasonal celebration I will sit by my altar and
meditate. I open myself to the universe
and ask to be guided towards the work I should do or the energy I should center
on during my ritual. So as I breathed in
and centered what came to me was music.
This is not a norm for me, usually my pathworking and meditations are
very visual. I felt as if I stood in the
void, dark, but comforting like standing in the womb of the universe. I could both hear the music and feel it
moving and vibrating through me. Then I
saw two women standing in the darkness with me.
They stood facing one another with their arms raised up. On one side Morrigan stood garbed in a cloak of
black feathers, her hair black and simmering like raven feathers. Opposite her Brighid stood regal with flowing
red hair with golden threads braided through it.
They sang and as they did the sounds became visible. It appeared as radiant light, twining, and
weaving together into knots akin to the beautiful art work decorating Celtic
tombs. It was more than a song, it was
as if it was the threads that wove the universe together, only those threads
were sounds. I could feel I was part of
this song, existing both within and without it.
It moved through me and through all things, binding the world together.
While we know Brighid
as a goddess of poetry, we often forget that Morrigan is called a poetess
several times. In one version of her
first encounter with Cuchulain she first tells him she is a poetess, and recites an epic poem that she
claims she was awarded a cow for. Her
famous prophesy spoken at the end of the Second Battle of Mag Tuired is poetic
in nature, and often in Celtic mythology poets act as prophets and vs
versa. It’s a side of the Great Queen we
don’t often consider, but it’s there.
So this is the image I keep in mind when I
do this ritual. That image of Morrigan
and Brighid singing the world into existence, giving it form and shape. While both Goddesses appear both old and
young and fill many roles in their mythology during Imbolc I honor Brighid as
the lady of spring. She ignites the fire
within, and as the radiant sun she warms the earth and brings us into the
bright half of the year. Morrigan on the
other hand is the strength that leads us through the dark. While Brighid is the bright flash of light
and fire, Morrigan is the steady hand that keep the dying embers alive during
our darkest hours. So this time of year
I honor Morrigan in that capacity. For
leading us through the dark, for strengthening us and tempering us for Brighid’s
bright presence.
Morrigan and Brighid Imbolc Ritual
You Will Need:
Bowl or cauldron
Spear head (or athame/sword)
Six tea light (four for the elements and one for each
Goddess)
Harp music (optional)
Place a candle
at each quarter to represent the elements.
On one side of the altar place a bowl or cauldron with a little water in
it to represent Brighid. You can place a
floating candle in the water or use just a little bit of water so a tea light
can still burn inside the cauldron. On
the other side place a candle to represent the Morrigan. I also like to place a sword or spear head in
front of the candle to represent the Great Queen.
Part of this
ritual is a descent into the underworld, where an item of cloths or jewelry is
shed at each quarter. There are many
ways to approach this. Shedding all
cloths is fine, as standing naked in the underworld is very symbolic. Often this is not pratical, whether this is because
of the nature of a group setting, or if you practice outside and may be interrupted
by neighbors who will be quite startled at your appearance, or if you are
outside and well the weather is just too damn cold for such things. In these cases I wear extra clothing and jewelry,
a shawl or cape, jewelry that holds significance to me, and intentionally shed
particular items at each quarter.
Cast the circle
in whatever manner you like, or not at all, as it is not absolutely necessary.
Stand in the east, say:
Poetess, prophetess
Sing to me your song,
Of battles yet won,
Of victories to come
Stand in the south:
Smith, harp bearer, song weaver
Lady of fire, eternal undying flame,
Strike the hammer,
Inspiration tame
Stand in the west:
Washer woman, lean hag,
Mother keening for a son,
lost to the shadowed lands
Ladies of ford and well,
Guide the spirit, sing your spell
Stand in the north:
Hollowed hills and faery fens,
Standing stones and the blood of fallen men,
Earthen mounds, the Morrigu’s den
In the oak grove Bride’s fire the
priestesses tend
Return to the altar.
Light the candle representing Brighid, saying:
Lady of song, sword smith, eternal flame
Brighid I call you name!
The hammer that strikes the soul,
The flame above the head
Light the candle representing the Morrigan:
Poetess, enchantress
Keeper of the dead,
Flame in the dark,
To whose shadowed lands we all must tread,
You whisper to the heart of victory,
strength, a summer without end
Take a few
minutes to feel the Goddesses presence and listen for any wisdom or inspiration
they might impart on you. When you are
ready begin walking around the circle counter clockwise. Begin in the east. As you travel from quarter to quarter take a
piece of clothing or jewelry off. See
yourself descending into the dark. You
can see it as the underworld, or a cave.
As the Morrigan often travels between worlds through sacred mounds, and
they were considered entrances to the Faery realm and the realm of the dead, I
like to see myself descending into a sacred mound, and being lead deep into the
earth through a stone hewed passage. If
a different image comes to mind, don’t worry, go with what feels right. If in a group setting, or if shedding cloths
is not practical, you can simply walk from quarter to quarter keeping the visualization
in mind. When you have visited each
quarter return to the altar. Bring to
mind all the lessons you have learned during the dark half of the year, or
things you wish to shed or transform in your life. Remember the underworld is the womb of existence,
it is the place to break down the barriers that bind us and build them anew.
When you feel
ready say:
Morrigan, light in the darkness
Brighid sudden flame
Poetess singing and weaving all into
existence,
All that is and will be,
Morrigan loosing the threads,
Binding and unbinding the dead
Poetess, enchantress
Druidess and Queen
Lady of mist and shadows
The Tuatha De Danann's shining Queen
Bind and unbind,
Unravel and untwine
Bind and unbind,
Unravel and untwine
Ask Brighid and
Morrigan to help you transform your life, to temper and shape you in the coming
months. Feel yourself filled with the
light and strength of both goddesses, until you glow with strength and power. When you feel ready walk clockwise around the
circle. If you took cloths/jewelry off
put it back on, as you visualize yourself ascending from the underworld or
sacred mound. Return to the center of
the circle and say:
The seasons shift from dark to light
The crone’s reign ends, the maiden’s begins
I have tread through the dark, the Raven Queen
at my side,
I have haunted the hollows of the underworld
As light returns to the world I transform
Shaped, tempered and reformed in Brighid’s
forge
I rise towards the light of Brighid’s flame,
like a flower leaning towards the sun
I rise anew, tempered in shadows, reborn of
flame
Thank the
goddesses and make any offerings you wish.
When you are ready go to the east, south, west, and north saying:
Queen of Shadow, Lady of Flame
I honor you in deed and name!
Brighid’s mantle enfolds me,
Morrigan’s shield upholds me!
Extinguish the candle and close the circle.
