What is Imbolc
Imbolc lands on February 1 and marks the midpoint of winter. In the Wheel of the Year, Imbolc is the “cross-quarter point” between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. In Celtic Pagan traditions it is honored and celebrated to welcome the returning sun and the promise of spring. It represents a time of purification, growth, renewal, fertility and letting go of the old as we make way for the new.
In other religious traditions, Imbolc is known as Candlemass and St. Brigid’s Day. Brigid, the Celtic goddess of healing, purification, childbirth, midwifery, fertility and smithcraft, is honored at Imbolc. Traditionally breads and cakes would be made in honor of Brigid and left outside as offerings to her to ensure health, fertility and prosperity the coming season. Brigid was so beloved by the Pagans that the Christian church actually adopted her as one of their patron saints, St Brigid and is still celebrated on her feast day- February 1.
In the Belly
Imbolc literally translates to “in the belly” which is a perfect representation of what is occurring at this moment in nature; although we can’t see it, the seeds are beginning to stir underground as they prepare for their birth at spring. Nature is pregnant! So we need to ask ourselves: What is stirring within us that is yearning to be brought forth and birthed? Or what do we need to clear in order to make way for the new at Springtime?
Just as a baby is cradled and nurtured within the womb for 9 months, we must nurture and incubate our own ideas and goals before they are birthed into the world. What ideas have been floating around in your mind that you’re wanting to bring to fruition? Are there goals you are wanting to set but haven’t taken the space and time to really commit to them? Those are the types of intentions you want to be setting at Imbolc so that they are ready to be birthed and manifested at the Spring Equinox!
A Ritual Bath for Imbolc
Water is often associated with cleansing, new beginnings, initiation, growth, fertility and a nurturing energy. At Imbolc (although often associated with fire and candles) it can be appropriate to get yourself into water and connect with that incubating energy that water can carry. We will literally incubate our intentions at Imbolc until they are birthed at the Spring Equinox. I find baths to be so powerful because it forces us to set aside 20-30 uninterrupted minutes to focus on letting go, and dreaming our intentions into creation.
You Will Need:*
sea salt or epsom salts (for cleansing)
a handful of calendula petals (for the returning sun)
a handful of rose petals (for love)
a handful of cedar (for cleansing and protection)
2x pieces of paper and a pen
a fireproof bowl or small cauldron
one main candle (Tiny Ritual candles are great because there are different themes to support the energy of your intentions) and a lighter
*If you don’t have access to all the herbs- don’t worry! Use what you have, or simple get into bath water. Nothing needs to be fancy here.
Set the Space
Make your bathroom a sacred and magical space. Light as many candles as you can, smudge or burn incense, turn on some ambient music and run your bath. Before stepping in, take a moment to take a few deep, grounding and cleansing breaths letting everything from the past few months wash off you. Allow your mind to be clear, and let yourself be completely bare and vulnerable.
Write your Release
Once you’re in the bath you can start to consider what you would like to release or let go of. Think of this as the final release before Spring. Maybe it’s a theme you’ve been working with for the last couple months. Maybe it’s something new that’s surfaced that you’re working on healing. Whatever it is, get it out on paper. If you have a fireproof bowl or cauldron, burn that paper! As the paper burns, let all energetic attachments burn away too.
Meditate and Envision
Take time now to close your eyes, relax into the bath and connect with what you want to be nurturing within you this Imbolc. Meditate on how nature’s pregnancy is mirrored within you. Can you feel that inner stirring within your belly? At this time in your life, what needs to be cultivated so that it can be fully birthed and realized at the Spring Equinox? Breathe into these ideas and intentions, and envision them coming to fruition.
Write Down your Intention
On your piece of paper, write down your intention of what you wish to cultivate, heal or gently grow as we move toward the Equinox. Be specific and clear. You can word it something like, “On this Imbolc night, I [your name] call in massive love in the form of partnership”. And sign your name.
Release Into the Waters
Release your written intention into the bath water, and spend time steeping in your intention-filled water! Really visualize it within your belly, and feel the emotions rise in your when you imagine it coming to fruition.
Closing
Before draining your bath, send out massive gratitude to God/Source/Creator/Universe and give deep thanks for all the blessings in your life.
The 3 candles I love most for Imbolc are the Abundance Candle, the Healing Candle and the Love Candle. There is so much opportunity on this night to invite in the seeds of prosperity, healing and deep love. If you are pregnant, this is a beautiful night to set your birthing intentions with the Birth Candle (I personally did this on Imbolc when I was pregnant, and it was a lovely ceremony for myself and my growing baby).
You might also be interested in this guide to a Candle Ritual for Imbolc if you’re not feeling called to get into a bath, but still want to do something meaningful.
Wishing you many blessings this Imbolc!