Ritual Journeys with Great British Goddesses

Ritual to Bring Blessing to Friends and Family Brigantia: she who brings Spring renewal Goddess of Northern England PURPOSE To bless me, my family and friends with positive energy for our highest good. AIM To make a cairn of tumblestones, each one energised with a blessing for you, a family member or a friend. To release the blessing for the highest good. AFFIRMATION My family, friends and I, benefit from the surging energy of Spring, and the blessing it brings. TIME Imbolc, 2nd February. THE GODDESS Brigantia is the Goddess of the Brigantes, a tribe known simply as the “Great Tribe,” just as Brigantia is the “Great Queen”. She is synonymous with Bride, Brigit, Bridget – many names for the same fire Goddess of the emerging spring. She is the Goddess of the land, the spring time, and the energy of new growth. She is the Goddess of the bulbs that push through frost and snow and flower regardless. She is the Goddess of the new born lambs and the very first ewe’s milk of the year. These are the signs that the darkest days of the year are over and the light is beginning to dominate. The Brigantes tribe were a large group comprising many different, smaller tribes, situated over the northern Pennines and into Cumbria. Brigantia was invoked as Deae Nymphae Brigantiae in Irthington, Cumbria and Brampton in Cumberland. Inscriptions have been found at South Shields, in County Durham, and in Adel and Castleford in North Yorkshire. In the northern region of Yorkshire, the mountain Ingleborough forms part of the Three Peaks range. The other mountains in the range are Whernside and Pennyghent, and the challenge is to climb all three in a day. On the summit of Ingleborough are found the foundations of Iron Age huts within a fortification wall. “Borough” developed from the Old English word “burh” meaning “fort on the hill.” It suggests Ingleborough was named after an ancient fortress built on the visual advantage point on high ground, to protect the surrounding fertile area. The hill fort may have been known as “The King’s Fort” to the Romans. Many stones have been moved, but the defensive wall can still be found. A large cairn has been built on top of Ingleborough, and from that stone-built construction of modern times, we take our inspiration for the ritual. Nearby, on the outskirts of Settle is the lovely Scalebar Foss. This beautiful waterfall flows down a small rocky ravine, known as a “linn”, changing direction with every drop, and enhanced by the cloak of green mosses which cover the limestone rocks. This seems to personify the wildness, the elemental freedom of Brigantia, yet is highly accessible to visitors from the road. Notice the rich botanical environment of moss and ferns that thrive in this damp area. Alternatively, from Ingleton, one can take the “Waterfall Walk” and indulge in spectacular scenery with rare plants and ancient oak woodland. Here we can experience the essence of ancient Brigantia, wildness, an elemental force, the regeneration of life, and the spark of life that keeps us invigorated. SUBJECT: BLESSING When we send a blessing to someone, we are sending positive energy for that person’s highest good. We do not always know what is best for a person and so often as not, we send general good wishes to the person in the hope that they will benefit. In this ritual we only work for a person’s highest good, sending them positive energy that will do them good. CORRESPONDENCES CAIRNS Cairns are way markers, built to mark the pathways over the mountains, hills and high ground at times of the year when the path is lost to view under snow. Climbers make cairns by adding a stone to a summit pile when they have climbed to the top of a hill or mountain. It is a way of celebrating and acknowledging the achievement. Cairns can be seen from a long distance away and mark some of the highest areas of land. SNOWDROPS Snowdrops are Britain’s first flower of the Spring. They survive January snow and push up through the frozen soil to herald the way into the warmer months. EQUIPMENT The Altar: A symbol of the Goddess: a white candle Altar cloths in pale green and white A vase of snowdrops The Elements Air: an essential oil diffuser and essential oils of lemon and thyme Fire: white candle Water: white dish of water Earth: white plate of rock salt Ritual Items: A pot of bulbs, already growing A pile of tumblestones A white plate Libation: White bread, oat cakes, sheep’s cheese and a glass of milk The Four Directions: East: yellow candle and a yellow crystal South: red candle and red crystal West: blue candle and blue crystal North: green candle and green crystal The Ritual 1. Set up the altar, and place the ritual items next to it. 2. Set the four candles and crystals at each of the four directions. 3. Cast the Circle. 4. Call in the Four Directions: Face the East: “I call in the Spirit of Spring and new growth. Hail and Welcome.” Light the yellow candle. Face the South: “I call in the Spirit of Summer and the growing crops, vegetables, fruit and flowers. Hail and welcome.” Light the red candle. Face the West: “I call in the Spirit of Autumn and the harvests of grain and fruit. Hail and welcome.” Light the blue candle. Face the North: “I call in the Spirit of Winter when the land is dormant, but Snowdrops push through the soil to bloom. Hail and welcome.” Light the green candle. 5. Sprinkle a little salt in the water. “I purify this water with the element of earth. I bring earth and water to this ritual. Blessed be.” 6. Light the incense. “I bring the element of air to this ritual. Blessed be.” 7. Light the white candle. “I bring the element of fire to this ritual. Blessed be.” 8. Call in the Goddess Brigantia. “I call in the Goddess Brigantia, she who brings renewal, and blessings, please be welcome in this circle. I ask your loving blessing on this ritual. May it be for the highest good of all. Hail and welcome!” 9. State the purpose of the ritual: “This ritual is to bless me, my family and friends with positive energy for their highest good.”