Wheel Of The Year: Celebrating Imbolc With The Goddess Brigid

February 1 to 2 is the pagan sabbat Imbolc. This is a cross quarter day on the Wheel of the Year, marking the halfway point between Winter Solstice Yule and Spring Equinox Ostara. This sabbat celebrates longer days of sunlight and the beginning promise of Spring to come after the long, cold, dark slumber of winter. Crocuses and Snowdrop flowers first start to appear in the snow covered grass.

Imbolc means “in the belly”, representing sheep being pregnant at this time. This is a sabbat of fertility as well.

Imbolc celebrates rebirth and renewal, as hope for spring is the air.

Celtic Triple Goddess Brigid of healing, smithcraft, poetry, arts, crafts, inspiration, abundance, and fertility is associated with Imbolc. She is a Goddess connected to fire. Candles are burned to represent her and the sun returning with warmer days ahead. Brigid is said to spread her green mantle over the winter land awakening it for spring. Colors associated with Brigid often used for Imbolc are red, white, and green.

Groundhog Day lands on Imbolc in the US, which is also a day of weather prediction for the last 6 weeks of winter. Imbolc is also a great day for any other type of divination. Bibliomancy, using a book of poetry, is a way to connect to Brigid. Ask her for a message and pick a line of poetry from a book on Imbolc.

Imbolc is also a time for purification and cleansing. Doing some early spring cleaning of your home, along with taking a cleansing bath are ways to connect to this sabbat. Cleanse your altar, re-consecrate your tools, as well as crystals on this sabbat too. Visiting sacred water wells, rivers, and streams is also traditional to do on Imbolc.

On Imbolc any initiation ritual is powerful. If you are starting a new step on your spiritual path of study or new life passage, conduct a self initiation ritual on this sabbat.

Food prepared for Imbolc traditionally include dairy, especially sheep’s milk, such as cheeses, butter, custard, cakes, and bread. Bannocks, an Irish oatcake, made of unleaved oats is popular to make served with honey and butter. Pancakes and crepes, symbolizing the sun, can also be made. Add blackberries that are connected to Brigid for prosperity and protection. Colcannon, an Irish dish, made of mashed potatoes, cabbage, wild onion, herbs, and butter is also traditional for Imbolc.

You can offer some of your feast to Brigid for her blessings of fertility, abundance, good health, and creative inspiration this spring.

Light candles and reflect on renewal and rebirth on Imbolc. What is being renewed in your life? What seeds are you preparing to plant this spring? How will you spend these next 6 weeks before Ostara, the Spring Equinox?

On Imbolc Eve place a piece of cloth or scarf outside so Goddess Brigid can bless it for healing and protection for the year.

Creative activities for Imbolc include:

*Handmade candle making and candle magic.

*Creating a Brigid’s cross of straw or raffia.

*Craft a Brigid doll of straw, raffia, or fabric. Place her in a bed near your altar or fireplace for her to bless you and your home.

*Write a poem in honor of Imbolc and Brigid.

*Create a drawing or painting on Imbolc asking Brigid for creative inspiration.

*Enjoy creating a celebratory meal with food symbolizing the hope for spring’s renewal and returning sunlight.

*Paint or draw flowers crocuses and snowdrops connecting to early budding energy of springtime.

Have a bright, blessed Imbolc.