Feb 4

Imbolc Class & Ritual 2024 | Meeting the Goddess Brigid

In 2023, a theme of initiation organically developed throughout our rituals. Warriors were transformed as we gathered together and practiced radical self-acceptance in a loving, safe space.

For 2024, we are announcing a theme of DEITY. In each class, in addition to honoring the turning of the wheel, we also plan to introduce a deity or two associated with the sabbat being celebrated.

On Sunday, January 28th, the Divine Warrior Witches gathered with the community at Crescent Moon Gifts in Tacoma, Washington for the first ritual of our 2024 Deity Series. Celebrating the coming of Spring with Imbolc, we introduced Celtic goddess Brigid, The Exalted One.

THE CLASS:

The educational portion of our events is now split into three categories: So Below, As Above, and Deity. Here is just some of the information that was presented during class...

So Below | Imbolc

A ritual altar for Imbolc — Our Imbolc Altar

Imbolc is the first of the four cross-quarter days on the wheel of the year, marking the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. Traditionally, Imbolc is celebrated on February 1st; however, astrologically, in the Pacific Northwest, the actual midpoint this year will occur on February 5th, 2024.

This is a time of rebirth and new beginnings. Animals are giving birth and producing milk, and like bears after hibernation people are slowly beginning to reawaken from the sleepy time that comes between Yule and now. A beautiful time to begin planting seeds; both in the form of planning a garden for the coming year, as well as seeds of personal transformation.

As Above | Astrology

a wand, chalice, bowls, and candles upon an altar for Imbolc — A closeup of our Imbolc Altar

Transits:

January 20th - Sun and Pluto moved into the sign of Aquarius
February 9th, 2:59 pm PT - New Moon in Aquarius
February 24th, 4:30 am PT - Full Moon in Virgo

Cawnawyn discussed the significance of Pluto moving into the sign of Aquarius and how it relates to the Imbolc holiday. She urged practitioners to remember the strength of community and togetherness and emphasized the importance of building our new world in the way we wish to see it manifest. We are powerful! It is the responsibility of those who understand the greater energies at play in the universe to manifest a better life for us all.

Deity | Brigid

Statue of Brigid next to black candles — Our statue honoring the Goddess Brigid

Daughter of the Dagda, Brigid is most prominently known for her role as mother. Seen by many as a Mother Earth goddess, Brigid has also been credited as the foster mother to Jesus Christ and has been revered as a "mother of gods."

Another interesting portrayal of Brigid comes through the Scottish Bride, who is said to rule the land from Beltane to Samhain, further connecting Brigid to the seasons of Earth and making her an integral part of the Wheel of the Year.

With Imbolc as the start of the Celtic spring, this is when Brigid's light begins to twinkle and many traditional Imbolc celebrations are centered around her.

Often represented as a singular goddess, Brigid is also known as Triune Goddess: Brigid of the Well, Brigid of the Poets, and Brigid of the Forge.

THE RITUAL

A woman standing with water, candles, and white cloths at a table — High Priestess Heather as "Brigid of the Well"

Ritual prepared us for the year ahead with a focus on healing waters, prophetic arts, and transformative flame.

We began with a brief mediation. "Meeting Brigid the Triune" was written and performed by Heather, and produced by Cawnawyn Mor. A journey down a wooded path leads warriors to a healing spring to be blessed by Brigid of the Well, to a clearing for an ecstatic experience of song and art with Brigid of the Poets, and finally to a strenuous task presented by Brigid of the Forge.

A woman standing with flowers beside a table with art supplies — High Priestess Serenity as "Brigid of the Poets"

After meeting these three aspects of the goddess through mediation, everyone opened their eyes to meet these three goddesses in person. Brigid of the Well, portrayed by Heather, cleansed warriors with her healing waters and gifted pieces of her cloak.

Brigid of the Poets, portrayed by Serenity, invited warriors to play with watercolors and to study their creations for divinatory messages.

A woman standing with a large hammer beside a table with an anvil, knife, and candles — High Priestess Cawnawyn as "Brigid of the Forge"

Brigid of the Forge, portrayed by Cawnawyn, helped warriors use molding and chanting to create personal talismans of power. Once healed and empowered, we gathered for a powerful group chant to the beat of Cawnaywn's drum.

Cakes and Ale:

For cakes and ale, we were nourished by soda bread baked by Heather and washed down with sparkling apple cider.

Recipe | Soda Bread

Adapted from a recipe found in Llewellyn's Imbolc Sabbat Essentional, listed below under Resources. Makes about 12 single-serve pieces of soda bread.

Ingredients:

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Sugar

3 cup Flour

1 cup Buttermilk

Rounds of dough on a baking sheet beside a candle and a book — Making Soda bread

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375*F. Mix dry ingredients. Stir in buttermilk. Mix, add extra buttermilk if too dry. Knead briefly, but avoid handling dough any more than necessary. Form into rough biscuit shapes; they won't change shape or size much during cooking. Cook for approximately 20 minutes until they are browning on the top and sound hollow when you tap on them. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.

A NOTE FROM HEATHER...

A woman standing behind an Imbolc Altar — High Priestess Heather presenting at Imbolc

Merry meet warriors! Heather here! I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who attended our Imbolc ritual. This community is so very important to me, and I was so thrilled to see several new faces for this sabbat! After decades on this planet, I have finally found a place where I feel accepted exactly as I am, and I truly hope that all who attend our rituals experience that feeling. I also want to express my gratitude to Cawnawyn and Serenity for believing in and empowering me. I've accomplished things I never would have dreamed of without your love and support. I truly believe that Spirit brought us together to hold space for this community, and I couldn't be more excited about that.

Imbolc is extra special to me. It was the first sabbat on the wheel of the year that I ever personally ritualized, and it was on Imbolc last year that I expressed to Brigid my desire to serve as her priestess. But then, I got distracted. It was a challenging year and my spirituality often took a back seat... that is until I was asked to plan this Imbolc ritual for Brigid and I knew immediately that this was what I needed to do to set things right.

I spent the end of 2023 and the start of 2024 studying and crafting. Never before had I written a ritual or a mediation, but inspiration flowed freely and everything fell into place. With the help of my fellow high priestesses, we wrote and produced this beautiful ritual that I am so very proud of. So thank you, to everyone and every energy that played a role in making this a reality.

Times are tough, and we need community more than ever. Care for yourselves, and, when you feel fortified, do all you can to lift up those around you. Join the fight to stop injustice and division, to ensure that all humans have human rights, and to care for this beautiful Earth in the same way in which it cares and provides for us. I am eternally grateful, and I fully believe in each and every one of you.

This day and every day, this night and every night. Blessed be.