3. Take 1' long piece of string/thread and tie in groove.
4. Take another 1' piece of thread and tie in groove on opposite side of branch.
5. Place acorn at top of branch (at the flat end) and adhere with some glue.
6. Now pull the string up over the cap and wind once around acorn. Repeat with all 3 other pieces of string.
7. Pull strings back down to the groove in the branch and tie off. This will hold the acorn in place.
8. Decorate the branch by wrapping it with the ribbons, leaving enough length at top for streamers. Tie gold/silver jingle bells to the ends of the ribbons.
Candle Wheel
Materials:
craft wreath
eight white candles
ivy leaves or vines
glue gun
1. Either drill thick holes into the wreath so that candles can be placed inside or just secure them with screw-bottom candleholders or using the glue gun.
2. Place the ivy leaves around in a decorative fashion.
The eight candles are symbolic of the eight spokes of the year, and spinning the circle into motion at Imbolc is important. In ritual, the candles can be lit with a cauldron or bowl placed in the middle of the candle wheel.
Brigid's Bed
Materials:
basket, box, doll cradle or similar item
padding to make receptacle like a bed
figure to represent the goddess Brigid
figure to represent the God (optional)
Directions:
1. Dress up the basket, box, cradle or other item you've selected to make a bed. Make it comfortable and decorate it as you wish.
2. Make a figurine to represent Brigit. This can be made with a bundle of oats, rushes, straw, or any grain or craft material fashioned into a loop or slightly human shape. You can even use a doll. It can be simple or ornate, and can even can dressed, preferably in white (to represent the Maiden). If you like, you can make a god figurine as well.
Start a new tradition in your home. Place the Brigid's Bed in the most inviting, warmest place in the house and imagine that Brigid will really visit on Imbolc. Leave an aromatic, hot snack out for her by the bed. Invite the spirit of the Goddess to inhabit the bed and ask for her blessings of fertility and healing. Put the dolly in the bed and if you wish, offer the company of the God. Add nuts to the bed to stimulate fertility. In the morning, surprise your children with a small gift that Brigid has left for them. The Bride can also be placed outside then. There she forms an amulet of prosperity, fertility and protection, which can remain till after Samhain. In her book, Ancient Ways, Pauline Campanelli suggests you return The Bride to earth before Yule.
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