At sunset today, the 1st of February, the pagan sabbat of Imbolc begins.
This lasts until sunset tomorrow, 2nd February.
This ancient pagan holiday is celebrated by witches, pagans and many other religions, albeit they often give it different names, such as Oimelc, Brigid's Day or Candlemass.
The word ‘imbolc’ comes from old Irish and means “in the belly”, as this is the time for fertility and celebrates the pagan fertility goddess Brigid (pronounced Breej) and the spark of life, in all contexts.
It marks the ‘new growth’ of the sun and a bringing back of the light, as the days start to get longer and the nights brighter, with the reigniting of the spark of life at Yule now really starting to grow, as the ground begins to thaw and the warmth starts to come back to the land.
More about Brigid
In Gaelic and Celtic folklore, Brigid was the daughter of Dagda, the god of life and death, of seasons, agriculture, fertility, magick, and druidry.
Brigid was the goddess of fertility.
She’s the goddess of fire, both of the home and hearth, and of the imagination.
She’s the spark of life, of inspiration, of poetry, song, dance and home making.
She is also the goddess of those who use fire in their craft, such as blacksmiths and glass blowers.
Once the fires of Imbolc are burned tonight and tomorrow, this will ignite the first signs of Spring.
Wild garlic begins to break ground through the frost, and snow drops start to raise their heads upwards to gather the suns warmth, as the sheep begin to give birth.
This is the time of the reawakening, both of life itself, and of the mind.
It’s the time to emerge from our wintering period and look to the new opportunities ahead, as we forge our path forward into this new year.
Here are five things you can do to take part in the celebrations of Imbolc.
1. Light a fire
Brigid is a fire goddess. Fire is the element of destruction and creation. It’s the spark of life and the element which gives rise to new growth.
Lighting a fire during Imbolc is a great way to literally ignite that creative spark.
It can also be used to cook food, stay warm, or burn your intention to release it to the universe.
2. Spring clean your home
Our homes are an extension of our own energy field, so a cluttered or untidy home creates an untidy mind, and vice versa.
There’s a real conscious energy transference when we physically clean and clear our clutter - it’s tangible and we are able to feel the uplift in our own energy once it’s done.
This lift in energy gives mental space for new ideas and ways of being.
So give your home and energy a spring clean, and feel the difference.
3. Visit a place of water
Water is considered to be a symbol of fertility and is the liquid of life.
So visiting watery spaces during this time is a great way to feel in to the purifying energy of water.
This could be a river, stream, lake or even the ocean.
Take time to be close to a body of water and feel your whole body relax and your energy feel uplifted.
4. Make a Brideog
One way to bring the magick of Brigid into your home is to make a Brideog (pronounced bree-jog).
This is a straw doll essentially, which were traditionally made by men and hung on the doors of the home. These are small dolls made from straw, wrapped in white fabric and decorated with the first flowers of the spring, or other beautiful natural objects you can find.
This little doll acts as a talisman to bring the energy of new life to your home, as well as protecting it from negativity.
5. Hold an Imbolc feast
Feasting is a major part of pretty much all of the sabbats.
With Imbolc, the emphasis is on Fire.
So food which require the family to gather around a flame and take part are all encouraged. Things such as roasting marshmallows, or cooking flame grilled meats, baking fresh bread etc are all a good way to honour this fiery goddess, or to rekindle the fires of the new.
So whatever you do to mark Imbolc, may your family, house and hearth feel the warmth of the Imbolc fires, and may your bellies and hearts be filled.
For more musings, why not join the Facebook group Beneath The Canopy?