Imbolc is the second Major Sabbat of the Witches’ Year and the first of the Spring Sabbats. It is also sometimes called the first of the Fire Festivals (although I am personally inclined to call it the second as I start counting from Samhain). Imbolc is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of February (or the 1st and 2nd of August on the Southern Hemisphere), in preparation for the upcoming awakening of nature.
When the time for Imbolc shows, watch for flowers through the snows.
Wiccan Rede
Etymology
There are two possible origins for the word Imbolc. Its meaning might be Irish (“In the belly”) or it might date back to an older, medieval word meaning “Ewe’s milk”. Both meanings are linked to the symbolism of lambs, which around Imbolc start to be born. Dairy is traditionally associated to this festival, as animal milk feeds humans until the land provides crops again.
Spring Sabbat
Although it might seem as if the earth is asleep during winter, by the time that February comes around, new life is stirring. Deep within the soil, seeds are awakening, and the first lambs are born in the meadows. Although the days have been lengthening ever since the Winter Solstice, Imbolc marks the midway point towards the Spring Equinox, and it’s only now that the days start to feel increasingly longer as well. At its essence, Imbolc is a promise of light and warmth to come. Because of this, Imbolc is traditionally associated with concepts as light and fire.
Of Goddesses and Saints
The origins of Imbolc date back to Celtic times, when the goddess Brigid was celebrated on the 1st of February. Brigid was the daughter of The Dagda, the chief god of Irish mythology, and a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a supernatural race in Irish Mythology, the name of which signifies “Folk of the Goddess Danu”.
Brigid was the goddess of the hearth (another link to the concept of fire), and patroness of poets. The warmth of her flame thaws snow and ice, helping to awaken spring. As she rides past on her white stag, the hoofbeats encourage nature to gradually wake up after winter’s nap.
Later, when Christianity replaced pagan believes, Brigid and her feast were merged with Saint Brigid. Although there’s limited historical evidence of her existence, Brigid of Kildare (ca. 450 – ca. 523) was thought to have been an Irish woman known for her charitable works. She is said to have performed several miracles, and is associated with healing springs. One of her gifts was to make any tree she touched blossom. Saint Brigid is mostly known for founding abbeys and convents, thereby helping the spread of Christianity in Ireland.
Saint Brigid is one of the three national saints of Ireland (with Saint Patrick being her most famous colleague) and is known there as “Mary of the Gael” or “Celtic Mary”. She is typically portrayed with a candle, a cross, a flame above her head, or a cow at her feet. She’s the patronnes saint of babies, poets, scholars, healers, dairy workers, and blacksmiths.
As with all saints, there are many stories and legends surrounding Saint Brigid. One that particularly interests me places her in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. According to that legend, Brigid worked at the inn and helped Mary and Joseph out. She is said to have looked after Jesus while Mary rested up after giving birth to him. Because of this, she is sometimes called “the foster mother (= nursemaid) of Christ”.
Neopaganism
In modern-day Paganism, Brigid’s birth is considered to coincide with dawn on February 2nd. This way, the Triple Goddess completes her transformation from Crone to Maiden. To represent Brigid, you can place a kettle on your altar and light a candle within.
Meanwhile, the Oak King or Summer King, reborn at Midwinter, is slowly maturing. As he grows, so do the days. Nevertheless, he is still a child, and he invites us to rediscover beauty and nature with a childlike wonder as well.
Other Goddesses and feasts
To this day, some Christian denominations (especially Catholics) celebrate Candlemas on the 2nd of February. While this feast does not have a direct link to Saint Brigid (it commemorates the presentation of baby Jesus at the Temple by Mary and Joseph), there’s a clear overlap in symbolism. As the name suggests, Candlemas is observed by blessing candles, candle/torchlight processions, and a mass illuminated by a multitude of candles. In other words, another link to light and fire. This isn’t a surprise, as Saint Brigid was also said to have an eternal flame, and nuns kept a fire ever going in her shrine. In certain countries, among which Belgium, Candlemas is traditionally celebrated with pancakes, the shape of which resemble the sun.
If Candlemas day be sunny and bright, winter will have another flight,
Proverb
if Candlemas day be cloudy with rain, winter is gone, and won’t come again.
Brigid, in both her goddess and saint shapes, is associated with the concept of wisdom. Because of this, it’s probably not a surprise that some pagan traditions also celebrate the Greek goddess Athena or her Roman counterpart, Minerva during Imbolc. Similarly, the concept of the hearth leads to association of the festival with the Roman goddess Vesta and the Norse goddess Frigg.
Last but not least, there’s a potential historical link to be made between Imbolc, Candlemas and a Roman pastoral festival called Lupercalia. This “purification” festival was celebrated on the 15th of February, but it is said to have been considered improper by Christians and replaced with Candlemas. There’s no clear historical evidence for this, however. To be fair, Lupercalia involved naked priests running through the streets, whipping people, so there might be some truth to that.
Associations
Below, I have listed a few crystals, colours, plants, and foods that are typically associated with Imbolc. However, this is not an exact science, and preferences of individual practitioners and pagan traditions might vary.
| Crystals | Colours | Plants | Foods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue quartz Fire agate Rainbow tourmaline Amethyst Carnelian Moonstone | White Blue Red Silver Gold | Snowdrops Cinnamon Basil Rosemary Chamomile Brambles | Nuts Seeds Dairy Eggs Dried fruit Lamb |
Rituals
Two of the most typical ways in which Brigid is honoured as part of Imbolc celebrations are forms of straw art. Brigid Crosses are intricately woven crosses made out of straw (or rushes). When hung at the front door or in the hall, they are said to protect the house against fires, hunger, and evil spirits. This custom is linked to the legend of Saint Brigid, who is said to have woven such a cross while consoling a dying man. Alternatively, little straw dolls called corn dollies or bride dollies can be made and placed on altars.
Thanks to Imbolc’s association with the upcoming revival of nature, the sabbat is likewise associated with hope, dreams, wishes, and goals for the upcoming period. Because of this, it’s a perfect moment for setting intentions, clearing out the old and inviting in the new. After all, Brigid’s warmth is said to provide renewed energy and motivation to start new endeavours, and she’s the safekeeper of intentions. Consider it a re-orientation in preparation for spring: how can you prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically for a new start? Typical ways to do this include:
- Journaling about intentions
- Spring cleaning your home
- Spiritually cleansing your home (e.g. with sage, drumming, or symbolically with a twig broom)
A possible visualisation to work with is that of an earth with a belly full of plant seeds, similar to the growing potential in yourself.
Furthermore, Brigid’s fire is often translated as the spark of creativity or imagination. As she’s the Goddess of poetry, one great way to celebrate her is to write and recite a poem in her honour.
Other interesting Imbolc rituals include:
- Blessing a blanket
- Blessing candles
- Creating healing bells
- Planting seeds
- Lighting several candles throughout the house
- Lighting a bonfire
Bibliography
- ALDEN – Year of the Witch (Goodreads)
- COTTERELL (ed.) – Encyclopedie van de wereldmythologie | Encyclopedia of World Mythology (Goodreads)
- DAY – 100 Heiligen | A Treasury of Saints: 100 Saints (Goodreads)
- DENIS & DENIS – Remèdes et potions de sorcière (Goodreads)
- KANE – Magie van goddinnen | Goddess Magic (Goodreads)
- KNIJPENGA – Heiligen Legenden | Stories of the Saints (Goodreads)
- MABELLE – Kristallen voor heksen | Crystals for Witches (Goodreads)
- SQUIRE – De magie van Moeder Natuur | The Witch of the Forest’s Guide to Natural Magick (Goodreads)
- SUMMERS – Wicca heksen en witte magie | The Book of Wicca (Goodreads)
- TSCHIRCH – De magische energie van natuurrituelen | Rituale für die Seele (Goodreads)
- VAN DER LINDEN – Heiligen (Goodreads)