Playlist for Wheel of the Year: Midwinter

Over the years, I have created rituals to celebrate the Wheel of the Year with my wife and children. Music has been an essential part of the experience. Without it, it would be much more difficult to create the sense of sacred time and space and to evoke the experience I desire for each ritual. So I want to share with you my playlist for each station on the Wheel of Year. Here’s the first list. Enjoy!

Imbolc / Brigid / Midwinter

In our family, we call this day “Midwinter”, because it falls half-way between the start of winter on the December solstice and the start of spring at the March equinox. Though the traditional date for Imbolc is February 2nd, I prefer to celebrate it at the actual midpoint, which falls on February 3rd this year.

“Hail Brigid” by Sharon Knight

Hail Brigid of the triple face
Whose voice does rise on the lilt of grace
Whose blossoms beautiful ever bloom
On the wings of poetry’s sweet perfume

“Brighid’s Flame” by Kellianna

I am the spark before the fire
from winters cold I do inspire
I am the promise of the Spring
I am the tiniest of flames.

A dancing fire upon the snow
in darkest night a mighty glow
I circle toward the coming spring
I am all life awakening.

Mid-Winters’ slumber I do shake
I coax the seed and bulb to wake
I pull them slowly from their dreams
I am the Maiden of the flame.

Protecting all at time of birth
In love and safety draw them forth
I wrap all newborns in my light
I am the Maiden dressed in white.

“The First Melt” by Woodland

Melt the ice that stills you,
in this season that chills you,
may the fire within you,
be lit by this hearth.

Bring the cold, cold water,
from the dark, dark well,
to the warm hearth fire,
when the ice begins to melt.

May the days grow longer,
as the fire grows stronger;
may the waking of spring,
be the light in your dark.

When the nights grow warmer,
may your heart grow stronger;
may the first melt of light
warm your dreams in the night.

“O-o-h Child” by The Five Stairsteps

Ooh-oo child, Things are gonna get easier
Ooh-oo child, Things’ll get brighter
Ooh-oo child, Things are gonna get easier
Ooh-oo child, Things’ll get brighter

Some day, We’ll put together what was commin’ undone
Some day, We’ll tie it all tighter
Some day, We can lay in the rays of a beautiful sun
Some day, The sky will be brighter

[refrain]

Some day, It won’t be long when I see you again
Some day, The time will be tighter
Some day, We’ll loose the blue and the hurt in your heart
Some day, Then my heart will be lighter

[refrain]

“Brighid’s Kiss” by Trinity

Gabbaim molta Bríde (I praise Brighid)
Ionmhain í le hÉirinn (Beloved of Ireland)
Ionhain le gach tír í (Beloved of all lands)
Molaímis go léir i (Let us all praise her)

Lóchrann geal na Laighneach
(The bright torch of Linster)
A’ soilsiú feadh na tíre (Shining throughout the land)
Cean ar óghaibh Éireann (The pride of all Irish women)
Ceann na mban ar míne
(The pride of women for gentleness)

Tig an geimhreadh dian dubh (Comes the hard dark winter)
A’ gearradh lena ghéire (Cutting with it’s severity)
Ach ar Lá ‘le Bríde (But on St. Brighids Day)
Gar dúinn earrach Éireann (The Irish spring is near to us)

Brighid of the sunrise
Rising in the morning
Rising with the springtime
Greening all the land

See you in the soft cloud
See you in the raindrop
See you in the winds of change
Blowing through the land

You the red eared white cow
Nourishing the people
Nourish now the hunger
Souls longing in our land

Bird that is unfolding
Now the time’s upon us
Only have we eyes to see
Your Epiphany

[Instrumental]

You the red eared white cow
Nourishing the people
Nourish now the hunger
Souls longing in our land

Bird that is unfolding
Now the time’s upon us
Only have we eyes to see
Your Epiphany

Gabbaim molta Bríde (I praise Brighid)
Ionmhain í le hÉirinn (Beloved of Ireland)
Ionhain le gach tír í (Beloved of all lands)
Molaímis go léir i (Let us all praise her)