Imbolc is a pagan holiday celebrated from February 1st to February 2nd. It is based on the Celtic tradition. It marks the halfway mark between the winter solstice or Yule and the spring equinox or Ostara.
Imbolc Represents
Imbolc represents the coming of spring, this is a time of hope as we begin to emerge from the darkness of winter and life begins to warm and sprout. It is also associated with the goddess Brigid, a Celtic Goddess of healing, poetry, and Smithcraft. She is linked to fire and water, which can attest to this holiday also being referred to as Candlemas. This time is a time of rebirth, not only of the nature around us but of us. We follow the wheel as well, we are the wheel and therefore go through these same cycles as the wheel turn if we allow ourselves to evolve.
That is what I intend to do as the wheel turns this year. I have taken the time during the death season and am ready for my rebirth. For me, this starts as prioritizing me and my practice. Again, I do want to be clear that if you are not able to celebrate in some elaborate manner, that is okay. Just acknowledging the holiday and the presence of change, as the wheel turns, is enough. I have had a hard time finding the time to do my rituals just due to other responsibilities that at the time I felt were more pressing and use to beat myself up about it. Your practice is your practice and no one can tell you if you are wrong or right, only you can.
But for me, I want to prioritize celebrating my holidays at least in some small way or more.
Here are my Imbolc plans:
A simple ritual. I love to keep it simple then the practice can easily be woven into my busy day and life. Then it can become a habit.
Imbolc traditionally starts at sundown on January 31st and carries over to sundown on February 2nd. Now, personally, I am not able to carry on a ritual for 2 full days, but we can do a little each day.
At the start of Imbolc, I will be lighting a plethora of candles to call and welcome back the warmth. Upon lighting these candles, I will say something along the lines as, “Mother, as the wheel turns, return to us the light and warmth, the hope of Spring. As these fires burn, So Mote it be.” Then I will sit in meditation for a moment appreciative of what I have and what the coming season will bring. The candles will be white and green.
Once Imbolc is in full swing, and if the sun is shining, I will definitely attempt to get outside. On any holiday, getting outside is the best way to celebrate, just to breathe in all that the world provides. This evening, I will sit and do a tarot spread or some divination. See more on Tarot and find the spread I did here.
The ritual I will perform is below:
1. Ground your energy and cast a circle: I do this by envisioning a beam of light emerging from me, then I direct it clockwise in a circle around me and see it spread to encase me in a ball of protection
2. Light my candles of green and white and welcome the goddess, should you choose to work with one, here I just welcome the mother.
3. Light my incense: Vanilla (or you can use what resonates with you)
” Cleansing smoke wash over me, Purifying fire fill me” x3
4. You can all the corners at this time if you wish. I choose to fire gaze and chant
“Cleanse me of my past, mind, body, and spirit
Heal me for my future, mind, body, and spirit
Purify me for my rebirth, mind, body, and spirit
This day as small seeds turn new and grow
Triumphs await me, so Mote it me.”
5. Continue your meditation.
6. Complete the cakes and ale ceremony if you chose and leave an offering.
7. Bid the goddess farewell, thank and release the corners if you called them and close your circle. (Do so as you opened it but in reverse)
This is the ritual I will be doing on this Imbolc. Feel free to try it out and/or modify it for your path. Celebration of the holiday is your way of connecting with the wheel and the energies that surround this time, embrace it how you feel is best.
Blessed be and happy Imbolc.
References
Wigington, Patti. “How to Set up Your Imbolc Altar.” Learn Religions, Learn Religions, 21 Oct. 2019, https://www.learnreligions.
“Imbolc / Candlemas.” Imbolc / Candlemas | The Goddess and the Greenman, https://www.
Ladyoftheabyss. “Imbolc Correspondences & Association.” Witches Of The Craft®, 30 Jan. 2018, https://witchesofthecraft.com/2018/01/30/imbolc-correspondences-association/.
Nock, Judy Ann. “Season Three: Imbolc.” The Wiccan Year: Spells, Rituals, and Holiday Celebrations, Adams Media, Avon, MA, 2007, pp. 65–91.
