Imbolc

"IM-bulk, EM-bowlk"
Southern Hemisphere Date: August 1/2st
Northern Hemisphere Date: February 1/2nd

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It marks the time to welcome Spring or the festival of the beginning or the end of winter. It is a festival of light and of fertility. Imbolc is the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. The lengthening periods of light awaken Her. The God is a young, lusty boy, but His power is felt in the longer days. The Earth begins to feel this warmth, marking a return to the months of Spring. It originated in Ireland as a holy day for Brighid (pronounced "breed"), the Great Mother Goddess,  who was in the form of a bride for the returned Sun God. The word Imbolc is Irish Gaelic for "in the belly." and Oimelc (pronounced EE-mulk), means "ewe's milk" in Scots Gaelic. Children born on Imbolc are said to be the "first children of spring" and will always be one step ahead of everyone else. A good time for self-dedication rituals (performed or renewed.) Represents new beginnings and spiritual growth, and the "sweeping out of the old." A good time to look over your magickal cabinet.

Other Names: Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imelc, Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (Teutonic, Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day (Christian), Brighid, St. Bridget's Day, Bride's Day, Lady day, Candlemas, Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin.

Correspondances

Colors: White, Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Light Green, Brown.
Food: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, muffins, diary products, peppers, onions, raisins, garlic, poppyseed breads and cakes, herbal teas, dairy, spiced wines, potatoes, turnips, bread, rabbit and venison. Use up last of winters supply of food.
Incense: basil, bay, cinnamon, violet, vanilla, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh and wisteria.
Candles: brown, pink and red.
Gemstones: amethyst, garnet, onyx, bloodstone, ruby and turquoise
Deities: All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus.
Symbols: Brideo'gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid's Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), lamps, yellow flowers and Ploughs.
Herbs: Angelica, basil, bay, blackberry, celandine, coltsfoot, heather, iris, myrrh, tansy, snowdrop, violets, all white or yellow flowers.

Activities and Traditions

- Adults only or with adults help - maybe dangerous

- Ask permission from parents first

• Light is placed in each window to show good fortune the way to the house
• A good time for Self-Dedication rituals or to renew them
• Hiking in the snow
• Bonfires
• Feasting
• Looking for signs of spring
• Stone Gathering
• Carry out a rite of Candle Purification
• Burn a figure of Winter to signify the end of harsh weather
• Burn the mistletoe, holly and ivy decorations from Yule to burn away the old and keep the goblins from the house.
• Prepare a spiced apple cider and drink to each other's health
• Bake a cake and hide a bean in one portion. Whoever gets the bean becomes the king or queen of the feast, commanding each person to do something silly -- and these commands must be obeyed
• Appoint one person to "awaken the earth" during the ritual. He or she goes to the ritual circle's north quarter and beats upon the ground, calling out to Mother Earth to wake up
• A masquerade party!
• Make your own Brighid's Cross

Imbolc Recipes

Poems

GENEALOGY OF BRIGIT

The genealogy of the holy maiden Brigit,

Radiant arrow of flame, noble foster-mother of gods,

Brigit the daughter of the Dagda,

Dagda the Good God, the son of Ethlinn,

Ethlinn the daughter of Balor,

Balor the king of the Fomoire.

Every day and every night

That I say the genealogy of Brigit,

I shall not be killed, I shall not be injured,

I shall not be enchanted, I shall not be cursed,

Neither shall my power leave me.

No earth, no sod, no turf shall cover me,

No fire, no sun, no moon shall burn me,

No water, no lake, no sea shall drown me,

No air, no wind, no vapour shall sicken me,

No glamour out of Faery shall o'ertake me,

And I under the protection of the holy maiden,

My gentle foster-mother, my beloved Brigit.

Document Copyright © 1993, 1997 by Mike Nichols

BRIGIT THE AID-WOMAN

There came to me assistance,

Danu fair and Brigit;

As Danu bore the Dagda,

As Dagda's wife bore Brigit,

As Brigit bore Ruadan

Without flaw in him,

Aid thou me in mine unbearing,

Aid me, O Brigit!

As Lugh was conceived of Ethlinn

Full perfect on every hand,

Assist thou me, foster-mother,

The conception to bring from the bone;

And as thou didst aid the Mother of the Gods,

Without gold, without corn, without kine,

Aid thou me, great is my sickness,

Aid me, O Brigit!

Document Copyright © 1993, 1997 by Mike Nichols

Links

Imbolc/Candlemas at Sacred Spiral

Back to the Sabbats Page

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