The Witches of The Blackberry Field Present: Imbolc a Celebration of The Returning Light

Name: The Witches of The Blackberry Field Present: Imbolc a Celebration of The Returning Light
Start: 2025-02-09T14:00:00-08:00
End: 2025-02-09T18:00:00-08:00
Location: Archer

Schedule

Sun Feb 09 2025 at 02:00 pm to 06:00 pm

UTC-08:00

Location

Archer | Victoria, BC

Welcome, fáilte to The Witches of The Blackberry Field's annual celebration of Imbolc, A Celebration of The Returning Light. This is a family friendly event for all ages. Children and adults alike are welcome to attend with their families. If minors are planning to attend they must be accompanied by an adult, as we cannot be held responsible for them while attending our circles, although it is a none alcoholic event for all ages.
Imbolc has traditionally been a time to welcome back the returning light of the season in the pan-Gaelic countries, and recognize the contribution of women in music, and the arts. It is a celebration of birth, life, and the new sowing, and planting season ahead. At our ceremony The Three Bridget's, who were the daughters of The Dagda (The Good God), will usher in the returning light, and offer a blessing and purification to all who seek healing, protection, and encouragement in the coming months of spring.
Guests arrive at 2:00pm, and the ceremony will commence at 3:00pm. The potluck will begin shortly after the ceremony at about 4:30pm. Music is played at the opening reception from 2:00pm - 3:00pm, and again after the ceremony during dinner. You will want to come prepared with a chalice for a toast of blackberry juice at the ceremony. Irish soda bread, and gluten free bread will be served at the ceremony, as part of the cakes and ale portion of the ritual. We also recommend bringing a mess kit, usually a picnic basket with plates and cutlery for the potluck afterwards which helps to limit the spread of undetected viruses. So please help keep our community virus free, and bring your mess kits.
Entrance fee is a $10 donation to help cover the cost of sound equipment, and building rental. Children, and infants are free. However if you would like to support our events and see more Pagan friendly fire festivals, we gladly accept donations which go towards our next community gathering.
Dress and attire is usually ritual robes, however we do not make it mandatory. It is a good time though to break out your kilts, and best dresses, for the occasion. Afterall the seasonal celebrations are the time to don your Pagan bests.
Our community is a great way for parents to raise Pagan families. Children get to experience the culture of Irish, Scottish, and Manx Paganism through music, dance, seasonal observances, and crafts at our ceremonies. Likewise adults find a great way to explore their Pagan path through the participation in rituals, music, and dance, much like tribes did in the old days, but now in our modern world. Come be part of a vibrant tribe of earth oriented spiritual celebrations, and meet other Pagans and Witches of like minds. We are always glad to welcome volunteers, who want to support in the outer circle, and put on community events, and new Witches who want to learn more about the Bramble path.
The Witches of The Blackberry Field, is primarily comprised of mystics, artists, writers, bohemians, and talented folks of all kinds. We come together in the spirit of community, and good will to provide open circle events that are welcoming, safe, inclusive, and educational experiences for all alternative spiritual seekers. Often we are conflated with Wiccan traditions, however we are a new and evolving tradition founded in 2009, that is a living tradition. We don't preform, Drawing Down The Moon, The Great Rite, The Five Fold Kiss, nor do we use ritual flogging, or preform Skyclad. Our tradition was originally founded by a group of women, who wanted to provide women's healing circles in our community. We still maintain that tradition at the heart of our practice, and continue to celebrate both Full Moons, and Fire Festivals with men and women, who prefer alternative earth based, spiritual cultures. Our Bramble Mother, Máthair SCO, has been a practicing mystic, and Witch for 26 years, but like most she has been a Witch all her life for 41 years. Her formal training began at the age of 15, when she was mentored by a family friend. She continued her studies with various groups, and covens over the years before finally in 2009, founding the WBBF with other Witches who were looking for an alternative non-Wiccan path. She continues to teach classes, and mentor Witches, and share her passion for art, history, and magic with the magical community.
If you would like to stay in touch feel free to follow along in our Facebook group or Instagram page @witchesoftheblackberryfield , and check out our Ning site, at www.blackberrywitches.ning.com The WBBF, is an international Witchcraft tradition that has existed since 2009. We teach a variety of magical disciplines from pan-Gaelic, Slavic, Norse, and Greco-Egyptian Witchcraft. We support and include LGBTQ and non-binary members, and do not discriminate against ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or culture. We include all well intentioned people in our tradition, and promote a community that is respectful and kind. Thank you.
May this season bring auspicious blessings, and healing, to all of your families regardless of where you're from, or what heritage you have, all people are welcome here. Blackberry Blessings, beannachtaí Sméar dubh.