Wiccan Imbolc Sabbat

To aid the self-dedicated Wiccan Priest and self-dedicated Wiccan Priestess, here is the ritual script for the Imbolc Sabbat of The Tree, as slightly adapted for our coven. Additional sources consulted included What Witches Do, Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft, Wicca, Wicca Craft, Wicca for Life, and The Wheel of the Wiccan Year.

(The Erecting the Temple is performed. Priest and Priestess kiss. On the Altar stand the two additional candles added at Yule. They are alight. Each Witch has an unlit candle tucked into his/her belt, or laid with their Seax upon the Altar.)

Priestess: “Now has the Lord reached the zenith of his journey. It is meet that we rejoice for him. From now till Beltane is the path ahead less dark. For he can see the Lady at its end.”

Priest: “I urge ye, Wiccans all, to give now your hearts to our Lord. Let us make this a Feast of Torches to carry him forward, in light, to the arms of the Lady.”

(Priest and Priestess take up the two extra candles. Witches take their candles from their belts, or up from the Altar with their Seax.)

Priest & Priestess: “Light now your flames from the Sacred Altar.”

(All females light their candles from the Priest’s; all males light from the Priestess’. When all are lit they are held up high in the air in the left hand, Seaxes high in the right. *A left-handed person would hold Seax in left hand, candle in right.)

All: “To Frey, the Mighty One, do we give our love and our strength. So be it!”

(All hold for a few moments, till the Priest and Priestess give the signal. Then each kisses the blade of her Seax, blows out her candle—except for Priest and Priestess, who replace theirs, still lit, on the Altar—and puts away her Seax.)

Priest: “Thus shall the journey be made through to Beltane, renewed in Strength and happy in Love.”

Priestess: “As the Gods give to us, so it is right that we should give to the Gods.”

All: “So be it!”

(Then shall follow the Ceremony of Cakes and Ale followed by feasting and merriment.)

Image: An Iron Forge by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797)