celebrating imbolc: what, when, where, why & how.
If you are new to 'The Wheel of The Year', then it may seem a little overwhelming, as there are eight festivals during the year to get one's head around. Do not fret, as I am here to help you with the navigating of it all. I will help you by breaking it down. In this blog post I will focus on the first fire festival of the year, Imbolc.
what is Imbolc?
Imbolc is also named Oimelc, which means ewe's milk. Imbolc means "in the belly", which refers to the pregnancy of ewes and cows. This Sabbat emphasises milk due to it being the source of food that kept people alive when the harvested food began to run out. As mentioned above, Imbolc is the first fire festival of the year. The days are beginning to get longer, as Mother Nature begins to wake from her slumber. It is time for rebirth. This Sabbat is dedicated to the Celtic triple goddess Brigid who is the bringer of spring, healing and fertility.
when is it celebrated?
Traditionally, Imbolc is celebrated in the northern hemisphere on the 1st of February, though some pagans will celebrate it from the 31st of January to the 2nd of February. In the southern hemisphere, it is celebrated on the 1st of August.
Imbolc is also named Oimelc, which means ewe's milk. Imbolc means "in the belly", which refers to the pregnancy of ewes and cows.
where is it celebrated?
All over the world, Witches, Wiccans, Druids, and other Pagans across America, Canada, Europe, Australia and elsewhere, recognise and celebrate Imbolc.
why is it celebrated?
"Imbolc, or Brigid's Day, is the celebration of the earth waking up and warming up; it is a preparation for spring. Winter is coming to an end and the sun king is becoming stronger. We are celebrating that the days are beginning to become brighter and we are preparing and planning what needs to be done for when new life comes."
"It is time to honour the Triple Goddess, while she is in her maiden form and is warming up the cold earth with the seed of spring gathering in her womb."
- 'Wicca' by Harmony Nice
how can I celebrate it?
Suggested ways to celebrate Imbolc:
Clean, declutter & tidy your house/space. Make space and create positive energy to welcome in new life, things and experiences.
Practice divination. Awaken the psychic in you again. Practice divination (especially fire scrying) and strengthen your psychic abilities. Whether it be tarot cards, oracle cards, palmistry etc.
Light candles. Welcome in the sun god as he awakens by lighting a bonfire or candles.
Visit River. Go to a river nearby and cleanse yourself in the running water or stand near it and allow the sounds of the river and Mother Nature cleanse and invigorate you.
Create Talismans. Create talismans that you will carry with you or place in your home for the rest of the year. A popular talisman is the Brigid Cross.
Create a Brigid doll. This is created to bring luck into your home. Use grass, reeds and sticks to create a Brigid doll. After you are finished with the doll, bury it in Mother Earth or burn it for good luck and to welcome the sun as it begins to wake up.
Make cheese. Imbolc is related to canning and preserving food, especially milk. It also provides the opportunity to connect with our ancestors who practices similar activities.
Clear emotional baggage and/or set emotional boundaries in relationships. This will help you to move into positive new beginnings, and to help release any karma that you may have attached.
Clear, clean, cleanse, (collect new items for) your altar. Don't forget to also clear, clean and cleanse your altar. Create a Imbolc altar. Gather new tools to enter into the new season with.
Begin planting seeds in your flower/herb/veggie garden. It is now a good time for planting the seeds for your floral/herbal and/or veggie garden for the coming Spring. Just after the new moon is also a good time to begin planting seeds.
Plant seeds in wild places. Go out into the wild and plant seeds as well! Encourage and help Mother Nature to thrive just as she does for you.
Leave food out for Brigid. This is to welcome her energies into your home.
Go for a walk and look for signs of spring. This great for practicing mindfulness and gratitude of what life gives us.
If you are a new witch, use this Sabbat for a self-dedication or ceremony.
magickal tools and items that represent Imbolc.
Food and Drink
Seeds
Poppy seed cakes and bread
Oats
Dairy or dairy replacements
Garlic
Peppers
Onions
Olives
Bakery goods
Crystals
Amethyst
Yellow Tourmaline
Citrine
Garnet
Bloodstone
Citrine
Ruby
Turquoise
Herbs
Blackberry
Coriander
Snowdrops
Cinnamon
Witch hazel
Camomile
Lemongrass
Incense
Vanilla
Spring Flower Scents
Carnation
Myrrh
Bay
Basil
Rosemary
Items
Candles (White, Gold, Yellow, Green, Red)
Crystals
Brigid Cross
Brigid Doll
Triple Goddess Statue
Snowdrop Flowers
Ribbon (Orange, Red, Yellow)
Swan feathers or white feathers
Picture of the Sun
Sheep decorations- wool, stuffed toys, statues of sheep
Incense
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. I hope it was helpful to you. Please feel free to share and like it if you liked it. Find out how I celebrated Imbolc in a previous celebration. Click on the play button below:
RESOURCES:
'Wicca' by Harmony Nice
'The Complete Grimoire' by Lidia Pradas
Do you celebrate Imbolc? How will you be celebrating it? Let me know in the comments below.
Blessed be
Cassie xx
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