IMBOLC - 2nd February

Imbolc is a pagan holiday celebrated on February 1st and is one of the four major festivals of the Celtic calendar. Also known as Brigid's Day, Imbolc honors the goddess Brigid, who was associated with fire, fertility, healing, and poetry. The festival marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and is seen as a time of rebirth, renewal, and anticipation of the coming spring.

The word "Imbolc" is derived from the Old Irish i mbolg, which means "in the belly" and is a reference to the pregnant sheep who were starting to show signs of life in their unborn lambs. The festival is also associated with the goddess Brigid, who was said to have been born at Imbolc and is known as the goddess of fire and light. She was worshipped as a protector of the home and the hearth, and was also considered a patron of fertility and childbirth.

In ancient times, Imbolc was celebrated with feasts, rituals, and activities that reflected the themes of renewal and growth. People would light fires and candles to symbolize the return of the sun and the end of winter's darkness. They would also perform rituals to honor the goddess Brigid, such as creating Brigid's crosses, which were woven from rushes and placed on the threshold of the home to protect against evil and bring good luck.

In Ireland, Imbolc was also a time of purification, and people would take ritual baths or walk barefoot over burning coals as a form of cleansing. These rituals were meant to purify both the body and the soul and prepare people for the new season.

Imbolc is also a time of divination and prophecy, as the veil between the physical and spiritual realms was believed to be thin at this time of year. People would perform divination rituals, such as reading tea leaves or casting runes, to gain insights into the future and their personal lives.

In modern times, Imbolc is celebrated by pagan and Wiccan communities around the world. The holiday is still seen as a time of renewal and anticipation, and is often celebrated with rituals, feasting, and activities that reflect the themes of the festival. People may light candles and fires, make Brigid's crosses, or perform divination rituals.

Imbolc is also a time of reflection and introspection, as people take stock of the past year and look ahead to the future. It is a time to consider new beginnings, set intentions, and make plans for the coming year.

In conclusion, Imbolc is a pagan holiday that celebrates the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The festival is associated with the goddess Brigid and is seen as a time of rebirth, renewal, and anticipation of the coming spring. Imbolc is celebrated with feasts, rituals, and activities that reflect the themes of the festival, and is a time for introspection, reflection, and divination. Whether you celebrate Imbolc or not, the holiday offers an opportunity to honor the cycles of the natural world and embrace the spirit of renewal and growth.

Celebrating Imbolc

Imbolc Activities

Imbolc is a time of renewal and anticipation, and there are many activities that one can do to celebrate the holiday and connect with its themes. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Light candles or fires: One of the traditional Imbolc activities is to light candles or fires to symbolize the return of the sun and the end of winter's darkness.

  2. Create Brigid's crosses: Another traditional Imbolc activity is to create Brigid's crosses, which were woven from rushes and placed on the threshold of the home to protect against evil and bring good luck.

  3. Take a ritual bath: In ancient times, Imbolc was a time of purification, and people would take ritual baths to purify both the body and the soul and prepare for the new season.

  4. Reflect and set intentions: Imbolc is also a time of introspection and reflection, so consider taking some time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the coming year.

  5. Meditate or practice divination: Imbolc is a time of divination, and one can perform divination rituals, such as reading tea leaves or casting runes, to gain insights into the future and their personal lives.

  6. Perform a ritual or spell: If you are a pagan or Wiccan practitioner, consider performing a ritual or spell to honor the goddess Brigid and the themes of Imbolc.

  7. Cook a special meal: Finally, consider cooking a special meal to celebrate Imbolc. You could make dishes that reflect the themes of renewal and growth, such as a hearty stew or a dish made with sprouts.

These are just a few ideas for celebrating Imbolc, and you can adapt and personalize these activities to suit your own needs and preferences. Whether you celebrate Imbolc or not, the holiday offers an opportunity to connect with the natural world and embrace the spirit of renewal and growth.

Candle Magick

Imbolc, and it's connection to fire, (the earth firing up and starting its engines), is the perfect time for Candle Magick.

Imbolc Prosperity Spell

  • Green Candle
  • Red Candle
  • White Candle
  • Cinnamon Essential Oil
  • Lavender Essential Oil
  • Rose Essential Oil
  1. Create a peaceful space, relax (maybe play some soothing music), close your eyes and take deep, slow and rhythmic breaths, and centre yourself until feel calm and at one with yourself.
  2. Hold the 3 candles between your palms and begin to think about what it is you wish for. 
  3. See yourself living your life with your wishes in place. Don't be greedy, this is a time to wish for what you desire, but not overly desire.
  4. Keeping your wishful thoughts, place the 3 candles on a plate, in suitable holders, green on the left, white in the middle and red on the right.
  5. Still visualising your desired wishes, anoint the green candle with a few drops of Cinnamon Essential Oil, the white candle with Lavender Essential Oil and the red candle with Rose Essential Oil.
  6. Once again, focus on your wishes, see your wish fulfilled in as much detail as possible. Now light the candles from left to right.
  7. Stare into the candle flames and ask the Goddess Brigid to help clear the pathway for your desires to reach you. Speak from the heart. If you wish you may prepare your speech in advance. Elaborate or simple, just be sure your request to Brigid is from the heart.
  8. Now, close your eyes once more and focus for a few more minutes on your life being transformed once your wishes have been fulfilled.

Now would be the perfect opportunity to gently release any built up energy as you  continue your Imbolc celebrations with a simple feast.