What is Imbolc
Imbolc lands on February 1 and is considered a “cross-quarter point” in the Wheel of the Year as it marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is a holiday and celebration in Pagan traditions to honor 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, fertility and smithcraft, is honored at Imbolc. Traditionally breads and cakes would be made in honor of Brigid and left outside as offerings 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. (If you are interested in making cake offerings this Imbolc, have a look at this post which has a beautiful recipe to share).
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. So we can 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!
An Imbolc Candle Ritual
Ritual is a wonderful way to honor the cycles of growth, rebirth and transformation within nature and how it is mirrored within ourselves. Below is a guide you can follow for your own Imbolc ritual, or simply light many candles, meditate upon what you wish to birth at spring, and make a delicious feast for your loved ones to honor this day. If you are looking for a special candle for your ceremony, have a look at our beeswax ritual candles which come in many different themes to fit the context of your intention.
You will need
A candle (a taper if possible- although not necessary for this ritual, if you are using a TINY RITUAL candle, the first two items are covered for you).
A crystal symbolic to Imbolc for you (ie. red garnet, citrine, pyrite, green aventurine, or clear quartz is always a good bet).
An old pen, or something sharp to carve into your candle.
A piece of paper + pen
*Remember, these are only tools. The real magic comes from within, and that is what is most important in any ritual. So if you don’t have a candle, crystal etc, you can still do a ritual with you, your heart and your will
Set your Sacred Space
Start by setting up your sacred space or altar. You can include items representative of Imbolc such as candles, a Brigid’s Cross, white flowers and crystals. Cleanse and purify the air by smudging, burning incense, diffusing essential oils, or lighting beeswax candles.
Ground
Ground yourself by taking deep breaths, feeling your energy descend into the Earth. Connect to the quiet, calm and inwardly directed energy this time of year offers; see the blanket of snow outside and the bare trees standing guard, knowing that underground life is beginning to stir.
Meditate
Meditate on how this expression of nature and its inner life 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? You can journal, pull tarot or oracles cards, or simply continue to meditate to receive more clarity about the intention you are called to set.
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. Distill this intention into one or several words, and you’re going to carve that word(s) into your candle.
Visualize
Once you’ve finished carving, hold your piece of paper, candle and crystal to your heart as you close your eyes and quietly meditate upon your intention. Visualize your intention gently growing to fruition. When you feel ready, slide your written intention under your candle holder and place your crystal directly next to your candle.
Light your Candle
Light your candle and continue to feel your intention growing and building. Sit in meditation for as long as you’d like, holding space for the intention you’ve set.
Closing
Before you close your ritual, send massive gratitude and blessings to our Earth who continues to support and nurture us through her ever changing cycles and rhythms.
Let your candle burn all the way down. Once the candle is spent, you are going to keep your intention and your crystal in a safe and sacred space until the Spring Equinox where you will use both in a Spring Equinox ritual!
You may also be interested in this guide to a Bath Ritual for Imbolc if you want to dig a little deeper and have another option for your ceremony.
My favourite candle for Imbolc is either the Healing Candle or the Abundance Candle. Or if you are pregnant, Imbolc is the PERFECT day to set your intentions with our Birth Candle! There so much energy this day you can call upon for healing, or setting your intentions of abundance and prosperity for the coming Spring!
Sending you light, love, warmth and big blessings this Imbolc!
xo Carlyn
