The Cotswold Pagan Society:

To those with an adventurous nature, Clearwell Caves is a delightful place to explore.

An ancient iron mine situated in the Forest of Dean, and providing iron ore and coloured ochres since prehistoric times, it is privately owned, but open to the public.

The path inside the mine takes you on a circular tour through gigantic caverns with limestone formations and natural rock pools.

Imbolc, which takes place on the second of February, is a celebration for the awakening of the earth after its winter slumber. Snowdrops, which are usually the first flowers of the year, are a symbol of this festival.

In Tibet, it is the New Year; the Muslims and Japanese also hold a festival at this time. For Christians, Candlemas or Lady Day is celebrated as a time when mary presented Jesus at the Temple, forty days after his birth.

Interesting to note the parallel, as in paganism, which is much older, Imbolc is celebrated forty-two days after the winter solstice, when the new sun is born.

A time to rejoice the occasion of a new birth, and be thankful that both mother and child have survived. And still today, new mothers always have a medical check, six weeks after a birth.

On Sunday 1st of February at 2pm, over fifty people from far and wide, arrived at Clearwell Caves for the Imbolc ceremony. There were Druids, Wiccans, hedge witches, Odinists - a whole mix of different paths.

We had asked the owner for permission to hold the ceremony. He had agreed and asked if he could join with us.

The cave was the largest and the furthest underground, some 100 feet below the surface. The owner had supplied dozens of candles, which were placed in niches in the walls and ceiling. When they were lit, the cave took on a totally ethereal air.

In the middle of the cave, we placed an altar table. Upon this was placed a water-filled bowl with six floating candles.

Imbolc is essentially a fire festival, but the emphasis is on light. The lit candles symbolise the rising light of the New year, also the light of a new generation. The water represents the Mother Earth, the Goddess and all mothers.

The feminine element of water and the masculine element of fire are united in perfect harmony, symbolising also the horizontal plane of Space with the water, bisected by the vertical lines of time, with the candles.

Two portal keepers raised their staffs to make an archway into the cave. A symbolic gesture to mark the entry into a sacred space.

We walked in through the portal, and once around the cave and then took our places to form a circle. We asked for peace in the Quarters and throughout the world.

The Quarter callers made their invocations and invited the ancestors to join us.

An introduction was given, to explain the meaning of the festival.

Then a chant and rune, followed by a set piece, which told a tale of the three faces of woman: maid, mother and wise woman. The three women handed out flowers to everyone.

Cake and mead were offered around the circle. Two children were picked for this honour. The food and drink remind us of our dependence on Mother Earth for our survival

The young squire downed the contents of the mead goblet and everyone laughed. This moment broke the ice. For a few people, this was their first time attending a pagan ceremony and they weren't quite sure what to expect.

After this came the Talking Stick. The Talking Stick is passed from one person to the next around the circle. The person holding the stick has the opportunity to take the floor, uninterrupted, to make their personal contribution fo the celebration.

We were treated to songs, one duo sang a folk song, and Rebecca's crystal like voice was sensational in that cave. We had music; rattles and a didgeridoo and chanting; everybody contributed, if only to state their name.

We made announcements of news and events, and sent out our best wishes to those who were unable to be there or had recently passed over.

The Druids prayer followed, a spiritual blessing for ourselves, a closing of the ceremony.

The Quarter callers announced the closing of the Quarters and we thanked the ancestors for joining us.

The portal keepers formed an arch at the exit and after circling the cave one time we walked out of that sacred space.

It had been a totally new venture, working underground, but judging by people's reactions, everyone had enjoyed themselves and found it a moving experience.

So much so, we're going back again next year!

Victoria Hammond, Cotswold Pagan Society

(For a listing of other events organised by the Cotswold Pagan Society - and links to further reviews - please see the Listings page.)