How to celebrate Imbolc?
Imbolc is the second Sabbat after Yule held usually on February 1 or 2. Imbolc is also known as Brigid, Candlemas, Imbolg, Brigid’s Day, and many other names depending on the region and the culture. According to Patti Wigington, Imbolc got its name from Irish Gaelic Oimelc, which means ewe’s milk in English. It symbolizes the start of spring season after a very long wait during winter or Yule. In celtic beliefs, it commemorates the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden. Remember the difference of the triple Goddess from our previous article?
Imbolc is a celebration of the successful passing of winter and marks the beginning of agricultural year. It is also a day to celebrate the Goddess Brighid, which is why it is also called Brigid’s Day. Brighid is a celtic goddess that represents fire, fertility, and the Goddess of poetry. If you are a Christian or a former Christian, you might have heard of St. Brigid – yes, they got the name from the celtic goddess. Back when Ireland was in the transition of converting to Christianity, the church realized how hard it was to force Irish people to let go of their old Gods and Goddesses. To solve this, the Christian church still allowed them to worship Goddess Brigid by renaming her as St. Brigid, who then became a symbol of an early Christian nun and abbess.
This celebration also symbolizes the time of year halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, also known as the season of Lupercaria to Romans. The Romans celebrate Imbolc quite differently as they do it on February 15 compared to February 1 or 2. Romans also consider Imbolc as a purification ritual where they kill goats. Think the purge movies to visualize it. However, remember that animals are never sacrificed in Wiccan practices.
Rituals and Ceremonies
Now that you know what Imbolc is and its brief history, you might ask, how do you celebrate it? Like any other holiday, festivals, or celebrations of other religions or even a certain place, it is not a complete festivity without food. There is a number of food that is often associated with Imbolc that honors hearth and home such as breads, grains, onions, potatoes, and dairy items like cheese and milk. There are number of ways on how to celebrate it depending on your location and your tradition. Here is a possible way you can start as a Wiccan:
1. Set up your Imbolc Altar
Since Imbolc is the celebration of Goddess Brighid, it is important to use the colors that represent her – red and white. White is the color of the blanket of snow, while red symbolizes the rising sun; just like how Imbolc represents the start of spring. Also add green candles as it symbolizes the green mantle she sears and fertility. For decors, you may use plants that symbolize new growth and some spring flowers. For design, add Celtic designs such as a Celtic cross, cauldron, anvil, sacred animals, and her statues since she is a Goddess of the Celtics. You may also add your written poems or books containing poems as she is the Goddess of poetry.
If you have not read on Wiccan altars, you may check out our previous articles on its importance and how to set up your own.
2. Cleanse
No, you do not have to cleanse like the Romans by killing goats to make yourself cleansed and pure. Cleanse by taking a warm bath so you can meditate and purify yourself before you start with the actual ritual.
3. Perform an Imbolc candle ritual
After taking your cleanse, you now have the right mindset to start the actual ritual. For this, prepare seven candles and do the following while chanting the following prayers:
“Light the first candle, saying:
Although it is now dark, I come seeking light.
In the chill of winter, I come seeking life.
Light the second candle, saying:I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire, that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.
Light the third candle. Say:
This light is a boundary, between positive and negative.
That which is outside, shall stay without.
That which is inside, shall stay within.
.
Like fire, wisdom and inspiration will a
Light the fourth candle. Say:
I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire, that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.
Light the fifth candle, saying:
Like fire, light and love will always grow.
Like fire, wisdom and inspiration will always grow.
Light the sixth candle, and say:
I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire, that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.
Finally, light the last candle. As you do so, visualize the seven flames coming together as one. As the light builds, see the energy growing in a purifying glow.
Fire of the hearth, blaze of the sun,
cover me in your shining light.
I am awash in your glow, and tonight I am
made pure.”
4. Conduct Initiation for an aspiring Wiccan
In essence, Imbolc is a holiday that marks the start of a new life and new beginnings. So this is a perfect time as well to initiate an aspiring Wiccan. If you are new and still do not know how initiation works, you may check out our previous articles about it but to give you an idea, Wiccan initiation is done alone or with a coven (group). To do this, you must have fully understood the history of Wicca, live its core principles, and practice its rituals for a specific period of time for you to test yourself if you really want to commit to the religion.
5. Chant the prayers
Here are some prayers that you can use to worship Goddess Brighid and to devote your time during the sabbat of Imbolc:
“Brighid’s Fire Meal Blessing
The goddess Brighid is well known as a keeper of the hearth fires in the home. As such, she is often associated with matters of domesticity, including cooking and kitchen magic. If you’re prepped a meal and you’re getting ready to dig in, take a moment to bless your food in Brighid’s name.
Brighid is the lady of flame,
the fire that cooks our food!
Hail to her and to the hearth,
and may our meal be good!
Thanks to Brighid Meal Blessing
In some modern Pagan traditions, it is customary to offer a blessing before a meal, particularly if it’s being held in a ritual context. At Imbolc, it’s a season to honor Brighid, the goddess of hearth, home and domesticity. Celebrate her role as a goddess of the homefires, and offer this simple blessing of gratitude before your Imbolc feast.
This is the season of Brighid,
She who protects our hearth and home.
We honor her and thank her,
for keeping us warm as we eat this meal.
Great Lady, bless us and this food,
and protect us in your name.”
Imbolc is essentially the feast day of Goddess Braghid and it is about cleansing, healing, and purifying just like how it celebrates the transition from cold weeks of winter to spring. To help you prepare for the upcoming sabbats, check out the tools and items that you can use to perfect your craft at Wicca Online Shop.
