IMBOLC

Imbolc, a Cross Quarter Day, marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice & Spring Equinox which this year falls on 4th February.
Imbolc means “in the belly”. This refers to the pregnant ewes who are about to birth their lambs, but can also refer to the Goddess, as “in the belly of the Mother”, for in the womb of Mother Earth.
Imbolc is the time of Mother Nature's awakening from winter sleep, the Wheel of the year begins to move towards warmth & renewal, life awakens. Imbolc is a fire festival. When the fires of Samhain are considered funerary, Beltane fire is the flame of passion, Yule lanterns symbolize the light of hope, then Imbolc candles give purification & rebirth.
In Irish Mythology, the Goddess Brigid was central in the celebration of Imbolc & was the Goddess of fertility, creativity, love, poetry, smithcraft, patroness of inspiration & midwifery. As a healing goddess she was believed to be present to watch over the birth of every child. During the Imbolc festival, a Sun symbol is used as an emblem of Brigid’s protective & healing powers. Goddess Brigid is strongly associated with fire & is regarded as a guardian of the home & the hearth. She prevents disasters from ruining fields, homes & animals. Goddess Brigid is the daughter of the Dagda, the chief god of the Tuatha Dé Danannm, supernatural tribe in Ireland.
Raven & Falcon are associated with Goddess Brigid & the Imbolc festival. These birds represent an end of winter & the coming of spring. Raven builds the nest during the Imbolc festival, signifying new life & fertility.
In modern practices 1. February is considered the feast day of St. Brigid, who is very likely the euhemerization of an early female deity associated with fertility, cattle & Imbolc festivals. The best known modern Brigid's tradition is the making & giving of Brigid's crosses. This tradition is based on a legend about St. Brigid which tells us that she converted a dying Pagan. To explain the new faith to him, she improvised making a cross from Rushes which was all that was available to her in the location.
Goddess Brigid & St. Brigid are both associated with wands made of White Birch or Willow.
As an honor & tribute to the Brigid, the goddess of fertility & spring, you can make a Brigid’s Doll. Decorate her with small stones, shells, ribbons & a small wand made out of Birch. Brigid’s doll is created only out of organic materials & her belly is filled with seeds, symbolizing fertility. Keep the doll in a small bed near the hearth. After one whole year passes, the doll is buried or burnt in the fire.
Perform the ritual act of purification- spring cleaning. This is a good time to do a thorough house cleaning, sweeping the floors with salt water.
If you happen to have a fireplace, it especially should be cleaned very well.
As a part of the magical purification of the house a Birch branch should be used to symbolically sweep the floors. Birch has long been used for rites of purification & new beginnings.
All of this work should be completed prior to the eve of Imbolc, when a small dish of butter should be placed on a windowsill & a fresh fire kindled in the hearth or a candle lit in honor of Brigit.
Imbolc is one of the eight strongest Days of Power for performing various rituals & creating, purifying & recharging your amulets & talismans. Don't forget to charge your crystals!
The main symbol for the Imbolc festival is milk. Milk is poured on fertile land, in reservoirs, also sprayed on the bed & thresholds in the house. Pour yourself a cup of milk or have a coffee with cream. Food like cream cheese, cream & yogurt are brought to the table, acknowledging the lactation of pregnant animals.
Traditional foods are pancakes, cakes & all grain-based foods. Pancakes are considered symbols of the Sun.
Honey celebrates Brigit’s role as protector of beekeepers.
Dandelion salad, an herb sacred to Brigid, makes a tasty & healthy early spring dish.
Blackberry & Blackberry pies, jams, jellies & wines can be eaten in honor of Brigid.
Coltsfoot is a herb associated with Brigid.
Dried fruits, seeds & nuts, hot drinks, milk & tea.
Ginger revitalizes & stimulates the fire within, helps alignment with the rise of Kundalini serpent energy. Mulled wine, spiced wines & herbal teas are also allowed.
Snowdrops, Rowan, Heather, Basil, Angelica, Celandine, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy & Violet are most commonly associated with Goddess Brigid.

May the stirring of life underground, stir new dreams into life within you.
May the flames of inspiration & new growth be ignited within your Being.

Blessed Imbolc