IMBOLC

 

The astronomical cross-quarter date of Imbolc is today, 3. February 2025, halfway between winter solstice & vernal spring equinox
There is definitely Spring in the air already: Sheep have new life growing in their bellies, very soon vixens are all beautifully round & plump with their puppies, birds are romancing on treetops, first buds swelling up & yesterday I met my very first Bumblebee, Snowdrop & Daffodil of the year.
Even though Spring Equinox is so far, yet so close.. all is wonderfulll
Blessed Imbolc beautifuls
Serpents are associated with creativity & inspiration & the powerful Kundalini energy. Paths of Earth energy are called Serpent paths & at Imbolc they wake up from sleep.
Astronomically, the cross-quarter day Imbolc is today, Feb. 3, mid-point between the astronomical Winter Solstice & the astronomical Spring Equinox. Modern date of this holiday was fixed in the calendar during the late-Middle Ages.
For the ancient Celts, Cross-Quarter days marked the beginning of the seasons.
Imbolc is from old Irish, 'i mbolc,' meaning in the belly, referring to the pregnant ewes who are about to birth their lambs.
Today possibly would be the right day to take some notes to predict the coming weather
bright & sunny weather at Imbolc meant more winter weather was to come,
rain at Imbolc meant a good summer growing season was ahead,
if it was cloudy & dark, warmth & rain would thaw out the fields & have them ready for planting,
if Snake or Hedgehog was seen to emerge from its hole that meant that winter was on the wane,
if Lark was heard singing, that was a sign of an early spring,
'In February, if thou hearest thunder,
Thou shalt see a summer wonder,
if February gives much snow,
a fine summer it doth foreshow.'
If you’re out & about in February or March, seek out a river or stream & look for Frog spawn. If the spawn is laid in the middle of the stream it will be a dry summer, as the Frogs want their offspring to survive in what water is left rather than die from dehydration if the water evaporates in the heat.
As the trees begin to bear new leaves & develop their flowers, seek out Oak & Ash. When Oak flowers before the Ash we’re in for a splash. When the Ash flowers before the Oak, we’re in for a soak.
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, smith-craft, 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.
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 Brigid.
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.