Imbolc is the first Cross Quarter Day of the calendar year. This holiday falls exactly halfway between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara) and between the Wolf Moon in January and the Snow Moon in February.
Even while there may still be snow on the ground, snowdrops, violets, and primrose start to make their appearance, heralding that warmer months are to come. This holiday marks the beginning of spring.
Often associated with the Celtic Goddess Brigid, Imbolc was known as Candlemas in medieval times, as it was traditional to light candles on this day to welcome the return of the sun. Ritual fires are burned. It is a time for birth, healing and inspiration. This is a popular time for vows of dedication or consecration.
Celebrate the increasing daylight and the impending spring season. As the first of the planting and growing sabbats, this is the perfect time to start thinking about what you want to plant in the coming year… and not just your literal plants but also wishes, intentions, and goals! Before the planting can begin, the field must be made ready. For the witchy household, this means getting ready for the spring cleaning to come and performing house blessings.
- Sort through your belongings and set aside any that could be donated or thrown away.
- Cleanse your space with sound ringing bells, clapping hands, playing music-to let the energies that have lain dormant the last couple of months know it is time to start waking up.
- Open up the blinds and curtains in the morning, and light candles to welcome back the Sun and bring its cleansing brightness into your home.
- Bless your seed packets, pots, gardening tools, and so on, as well as your car, your computer, yourself, your family, and your pets.
- Bless your oven, anointing it with rosemary-infused olive oil.
- Perform a house blessing by sprinkling Moon water and salt throughout your home.
Other Names
Imbolg, Imbolq, Olmeic, Candlemas, Bride Day, Brigid, and Brigid’s Day
Related Holiday
Valentine’s Day
Colors
White, Red, Pink, Pale Green
Foods
baked goods, butter, cheese, dried fruit, lamb, milk, mutton, seeds, winter vegetables
Stones
amethyst, bloodstone, garnet, onyx, ruby, turquoise
Symbols
candles, cauldron, chalice, cow, sheep, swan
Flowers/Plants
angelica, basil, bay laurel, celandine, snowdrops
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