5 Ways to Celebrate Imbolc

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Imbolc is one of the eight Pagan Sabbats that form the Wheel of the Year. The equinoxes and solstices form four of these holidays, and the others are called Cross Quarter days because they fall at the midpoint between an equinox and solstice. As the first Sabbat in the calendar year, Imbolc is sometimes called the Pagan New Year or the Witch’s New Year. This pagan festival falls in early February, halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, and celebrates the fact that winter is nearly at an end.

The word “Imbolc” comes from the Old Irish word meaning “ewe’s milk” or “in the belly.” This festival focuses on the end of winter and the rebirth of life into the world. For Goddess worshipping pagans, Imbolc is the point when the Goddess transitions forms from Crone to Maiden.

The Celtic goddess Brigit or Brigid tends to take center stage for Neopagns on Imbolc. This goddess is associated with fire, fertility and healing waters. As such, many Imbolc rituals and celebrations involve candles, bonfires or holy water. Paganism is extremely individualistic, so different Pagan traditions will favor different rituals, and individuals within each tradition will have their own personal favorites. Whether you are a Pagan looking to honor the Maiden or a non-Pagan looking to celebrate the ending of winter, here are five ways to celebrate Imbolc.

Fire Celebrations

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Brigid is often associated with fire, so many Pagans honor her with fire celebrations. To welcome Brigid, the harbringer of spring, some Pagans hold a bonfire. Wood and herbs are burned outside, and the fire drives away the winter chill.

Arguably the most popular fire ceremony on Imbolc involves candles. Pagans who have pledged themselves to specific deities will light a candle for each deity on Imbolc and renew their dedication to their deities. Those who do not have a specific set of deities will often set out seven candles and light them one by one while reciting a prayer. Imbolc is also a popular day for dedication rituals among Pagans because Imbolc is all about new beginnings. Dedication rituals are when Pagans officially declare the gods and goddesses with whom they most identify and make these deities their patrons. This ceremony is most commonly done in covens and other organized Pagan groups, but solitary practictioners can do a self-dedication ritual if they desire.

Altar Decorating

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Most Pagans have an altar in their house that is covered with a colored cloth, ritual implements, candles and some sort of reminder of the Pagan’s deities. These reminders could be small statues, drawings or everyday objects that remind the Pagan of their deities. Odin, for example, is often associated with his ravens, Hugnin and Munin, so a Pagan who honors Odin might have raven feathers on their altar. Many Pagans redecorate their altars on the Sabbats to reflect the changing nature of the earth and the deities associated with it.

Imbolc altars are often covered with cloth that is white for snow, red for the rising sun or green for new life. Spring bulbs may be placed on the altar, and many Pagans make it a point to display something that honors Brigid. Popular choices are decorative pieces that incorporate Celtic knot work, healing herbs or sheep which are one of her sacred animals. Candles are also a necessity for an Imbolc altar, though most Pagans always have candles on their altar.

Make Talismans

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Many Pagans like to make talismans on Imbolc and keep those talismans all year. One of the most common and popular Imbolc talismans is a Brigid’s cross. These crosses are often formed by interweaving wheat stalks or rushes to form a cross with a spiraling square in the center. Brigid’s crosses are then hung in the home where they are visible to all.

Brigid’s mantles and Brideo’gas are also very popular talismans. A Brigid’s mantle is a length of cloth that is hung out a window during Imbolc. The cloth absorbs the energy of the goddess and can be used for healing and protection throughout the year. A Brideo’ga is a simple doll made from corn stalks or cloth that acts as an effigy of Brigid. In ancient times, the doll would be taken outside and then ceremonially invited inside the house where it was laid in a specially prepared bed. This was believed to welcome Brigid into the house and bring blessings to the household.

Cleansing

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Imbolc is all about new beginnings, so many Pagans will use the Sabbat to purify themselves and their home. Some will do their spring cleaning over Imbolc to make room for the Goddess to reenter their home. Others will do a more ritual cleaning of the house using a birch branch or broom. Birch is associated with Brigid, purification and new beginnings. Incense and candles are also used to clean the spiritual energy present in the house.

Pagans will also take ritual baths on Imbolc to purify themselves. Many will pour herbs into the warm water or run the hot water through a bag of herbs tied to the facet. The most popular herbs for Imbolc are lavender, rosemary and hyssop though cinnamon, peppermint, sweetgrass, sage and chamomile are also used. The bather relaxes in the hot water and visualizes negative energy leaving their body which makes their body, spirit and soul pure for the new year.

Cook

Food is a large part of any celebration, and Pagan Sabbats are no different. Pagans as a general rule like to use food in celebrations. On Imbolc, Pagans tend to focus on foods that fit the season. Root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots are popular because these foods would traditionally have been eaten on Imbolc festivals of old. This is because root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes would have been the foods that were still good at the end of winter. Seeds are popular for the same reason.

Dairy products such as custard are also very popular on Imbolc since the word “imbolc” comes from the Old Irish word for “ewe’s milk.” Cheese, yogurt, milk and cream sauces are commonly eaten on Imbolc, and some people make their own butter to use on Imbolc.

Since Imbolc deals with the return of the sun and the warming of the earth, some Pagans like to use hot spices in Imbolc dishes. Cinnamon and nutmeg are popular as are various curry dishes.