For me, the season of Imbolc is dedicated, for the most part, to Brigid. Last year, I shared my thoughts on Brigid at Glastonbury, thus solidifying her presence in an Arthurian/ Avalonian context. Today is the new moon nearest Imbolc, so I thought I’d share a short idea for this night which includes some Imbolc faerie lore. I like to think that Brigid of Avalon and Morgan le Fay share a bond, not the least of which is their connection to Faerie. They are both certainly amazing figures, whether you view them as Goddesses, priestesses, or something else. Here is a quote which shows a faerie belief that people held surrounding Imbolc:
“Families claiming descent from fairy women believed that if they had brindled (streaked), red-eared or pure white cattle in their herd at Imbolc, the fairies would favor them—they would be assured of prosperity, especially in the dairy.”
Juliette Wood, in her book The Celtic Book of Living and Dying, p. 37
Faerie cattle are a common motif in Celtic lore. The most common faerie animals are those with pure white bodies and red-tipped ears. We know that the Lord of the Underworld and Faerie, Annwn, has a pack of same colored hunting dogs. Whenever you see an animal like this you know you are entering liminal space.
One of the Queens of Faerie, and for me the main one, is Morgan le Fay. In Arthurian lore, she is a great magical practitioner and healer, as well as the head of a sisterhood of faeries on Avalon. She is sometimes written as Arthur’s sister or aunt. For our purposes on the new moon, she is Faerie Queen and Liminal Goddess.
An invocation:
Morgan le Fay
Liminal Lady
Apple Woman and
Faerie Queen
Hear me this moonless night!
Now you can add what you’d like her presence for. I like to perform divination on the new moon because at this liminal point, we are often more open to seeing true. So, I might say:
“Guide my divination, Mistress of Magic, Bless me this night and all.”
It is always proper to give an offering, so maybe offer an apple or some milk on your sacred space for her. After doing this, I perform my divination. When I feel like I’m done, I always say a devocation, basically the same form as my invocation, but I include many thanks for her presence and guidance. I am also a fan of the Wiccan phrase, “Stay if you will, go if you must.” Then I close out my rite.
Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear your new moon plans and also if you use my invocation.
Blessings to you this new moon,
~Hayley
Loathly Lady 