Imbolc
February 2nd
Greater Sabbat
Greater Sabbat
Imbolc is the festival of the Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess. Brid (also Brigid or Bridget), is the traditional Goddess associated with this Sabbat. She is the bride who is waiting for the return of her groom, the sun God who will court her until their wedding at Beltaine.
General:
Imbolc translates to “in the belly” as in pregnant sheep. In Old Irish it is Oilmec and translates literally to “ewe’s milk”. Lactating ewes were considered a first sign of spring and Imbolc was dedicated to the Goddess Brigid (Bride, Brigid, Brighde, Bridget, Brigantia). She was the Goddess of three faces, Maiden, Mother, and Crone and on Imbolc she was reborn from the Crone of winter to the Maiden of spring. Brigid is the patron Goddess or Saint of poetry, wisdom and many important early crafts. She was closely associated with livestock, regeneration and light. Through the blessings of Brigid people were granted the bounty of nature. Her very name means, “exalted one”. Brigid was the Mother Goddess to many European tribes and it is believed she may have an ancient Vedic history. Imbolc and Brigid also have connection to the Roman myths surrounding the celebration of Lupercalia and the Egyptian Feast of Nut.
In History:
We know Imbolc as a celebration of the return of the sun or "the return of the light from the dark of winter". It is also associated with the slow return of spring (in this case early spring), when new life is formed. Many animals who are nearing the end of their gestation begin nesting at this time. Preparing nests, dens and a like to create a safe warm place to have their babies when spring arrives in earnest. This associates Brighid with home/hearth.
In legend she is the daughter of Daghdha, The Great God and his wife, who has three names Breng (lie), Meng (guile) and Maebel (disgrace). She bore him three daughters, all of whom were named Brighid, carrying on the examples of the triple goddess. Brighid¹, is said to have been born on the threshold of a her house, at dawn. Quickly after her birth she began suckling on the milk of a supernatural cow from the Celtic Otherworld. The cow later became her totem.
Brighid's popularity was so grand that she easily crossed over in recognition from Pagans to Christians. A temple was erected in her honor in Kildare, Ireland. Medieval chronicles describe an eternal flame maintained in the temple, suggesting the purpose of the fire is to honor her illumination and exhaulted spirit.
In Christianity, she is said to be have been the mid-wife to Mary for the birth of Jesus. Who later became the foster mother of the sacred child. She was attended to by 19 nuns who assisted her and guard a grotto surrounded by a hedge. Inside the grotto, was a sacred fire, into which no man was allowed to enter. To celebrate her commitment to Jesus and assistance to Mary, the Celtic Christians honored her as a Saint and celebrated her gifts at the great feast on February 1st as the Festival of Lights. Clearly a celebration of her illumination, which is said to have filled any house she entered.
Traditions:
In modern Wicca and Paganism, Brigid is viewed as the maiden aspect of the maiden/mother/crone cycle. She walks the earth on the eve of her day, and before going to bed each member of the household should leave a piece of clothing outside for Brigid to bless. Smother your fire as the last thing you do that night, and rake the ashes smooth. When you get up in the morning, look for a mark on the ashes, a sign that Brigid has passed that way in the night or morning. The clothes are brought inside, and now have powers of healing and protection thanks to Brigid.
How to make a Brigid’s cross:
http://www.fisheaters.com/
Celebration:
As with any holiday, there are many ways to celebrate Imbolc within the pagan traditions. One old tradition is to start your own eternal fire, at least for the duration of the holiday as a means of honoring Brighid. You can do this by lighting a specially selected white candle, or even a nice log fire to cut the cold chill of this wintry month. But remember, Do Not leave any fire, candle or otherwise unattended.
On Imbolc, Women weave what was called "Brid's Baby" (what today is called Brighid's Cross) to call upon the favor of the Celtic Goddess Brighid. Making the cross on this day was/is an act of asking Brighid to honor the family with fertility. This can be for children in the family, for food that will grow in the garden or in field for livestock that will provide for the family. Learn how to make Brighid's Cross.
During the day, take an inventory of your magickal closet and supplies. Express your own inner spiritual light through some creative endeavor, something that can be used during your ritual celebration in the evening.
Start your celebration at dusk with a family dinner. Because of Brighid's connection with nourishment through the symbol of milk, we like to prepare a cream based entree. Such as Chicken Fettuccini Alfrado, with scalloped potatoes, late fall vegetables and honey milk biscuits.
During dinner thank those who may have helped you during the year to expand your personal spiritual quest or path. Think of this as your way of thanking those who have helped to nourish your own inner enlightenment. This can be a formal teacher, or anyone present who has supported you in some way. Express how they've helped and what it has meant to you.
After your meal, share the chore of cleaning up. This is a way of showing honor and respect to your host and hostess. Think of it as a physical action to show that you understand the interconnection of all life and the desire to respect what you have been given and thanks for receiving those gifts.
Ritual Ideas:
Brigid, or Imbolc, is a preparation for spring. At Brigid, Wiccans clean and organize their living environments, as well as their minds and hearts, in preparation for the upcoming season of growth. It's a time to shake off the doldrums of late winter and light the fires of creativity and inspiration.
Imbolc 7 Candles Ritual
First, set up your altar in a way that makes you happy, and brings to mind the themes of Imbolc. You'll also want to have on hand the following:o Seven candles, in red and white (tealights are perfect for this)
o Something to light your candles with
o A large bowl or cauldron big enough to hold the candles
o Sand or salt to fill the bottom of the bowl/cauldron
Prior to beginning your ritual, take a warm, cleansing bath. While soaking, meditate on the concept of purification. Once you're done, dress in your ritual attire, and begin the rite.
If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so now.
Pour the sand or salt into the bowl or cauldron. Place the seven candles into the sand so they won't slide around.
Light the first candle. As you do so, say:
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.
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.
Take a few moments and meditate on the light of your candles. Think about this Sabbat, a time of healing and inspiration and purification. Do you have something damaged that needs to be healed? Are you feeling stagnant, for lack of inspiration? Is there some part of your life that feels toxic or tainted? Visualize the light as a warm, enveloping energy that wraps itself around you, healing your ailments, igniting the spark of creativity, and purifying that which is damaged.
When you are ready, end the ritual. Open circle. You may choose to follow up with healing magic, or with a Cakes and Ale ceremony.
Imbolc Candle Ritual
Items needed:
A white or silver candle
A pen or pencil
A piece of paper or your journal
A small glass of milk (a traditional food of Imbolc)
What to do:
Cast circle.
Take a moment to center yourself by taking a few deep breaths. Light the candle and sit for a moment, reflecting on what this Imbolc means to you. Will you be working towards a new beginning in your life? Rejuvenating some aspect of your life or relationship? Removing or cleansing something in your life that is negative or cluttered?
When you’ve decided what you will be focusing on for the Imbolc season, consider for a moment what actions you must take to complete your goal. Write down the steps that you think of. If you plan a new beginning in the form of a new job, for example, jot down the steps that you need to take in order to get this done: update your resume, gather applications, renew old contacts, take a class to update your skills, etc.. If you plan to purify and cleanse your home of all it’s clutter, write down the things you’ll need to do so: gather boxes to sort things for donation, to throw away or to recycle; storage boxes to sort and store your holiday decorations, etc..
After you’ve gathered your ideas and feel confident that you have a list that can help you move forward on your objectives, ask for the God and Goddesses help in manifesting your aim and thank them for their help. Create a prayer yourself, or say something like:
“Lord and Lady, as we move forward on the wheel of the year and move ever closer to spring, I ask for your help in manifesting my plans for this season.”
Speak out loud about your goals and what you’ve planned to accomplish them.
“As I work toward these goals, and as we travel toward the spring, I ask that you help me stay focused and move forward, and remember to honor You, myself and my family while I do so.”
Spend a bit of time, if you like, adding details to your plan, or just sitting in meditation on the season. When you are ready, take a drink of milk in honor of the season and extinguish your candle. Open circle. The rest of the milk can be poured outside as an offering.
Imbolc Correspondences
Element:
Earth
Threshold:
Midnight
Herbs:
Angelica, basil, bay, benzoin, celandine, clover, heather, myrrh, all yellow flowers, willow
Gemstones:
Amethyst, garnet, onyx, turquoise
Incense/Oil:
Jasmine, rosemary, frankincense, cinnamon, neroli, musk, olive, sweet pea, basil, myrrh, wisteria, apricot, carnation.
Colors/Candles:
Brown, pink, red, orange, white, lavender, pale yellow, silver
Animals/Mythical:
Firebird, dragon, groundhog, deer, burrowing animals, ewes, robin, sheep, lamb, other creatures waking from hibernation.
Tools/Symbols/Decorations:
White flowers, marigolds, plum blossoms, daffodils, Brigid’s wheel, Brighid’s cross, candles, grain/seed for blessing, red candle in a cauldron full of earth, doll, broom, milk, birchwood, snowflakes, snow in a crystal container, evergreens.
Goddesses:
Virgin Goddess, Venus, Diana, Februa, Maiden, Child Goddess, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Vesta, Gaia, Brigid, Selene, Branwen.
Gods:
Young Sun Gods, Pan, Cupid/Eros (Greco-roman), Dumuzi (Sumerian)
Essence:
Conception, initiation, insight, inspiration, creativity, mirth, renewal, dedication, breath of life, life-path, wise counsel, plan, prepare.
Dynamics/Meaning:
First stirring of Mother Earth, lambing, growth of the Sun God, the middle of winter.
Purpose:
Honoring the Virgin Goddess, festival of the Maiden/Light
Rituals/Magicks:
Cleansing, purification, renewal, creative inspiration, initiation, candle work, house and temple blessings, welcoming Brigid, feast of milk and bread.
Customs:
Lighting candles, seeking omens of Spring, storytelling, cleaning house,bonfires, indoor planting , stone collecting, candle kept burning dusk til dawn, hearth relighting.
Foods:
Dairy, spicy food, raisins pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds, poppyseed bread/cake, honey cake, pancakes, waffles, herbal tea.
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