How to celebrate Imbolc

Following the pagan wheel of the year, we have now reached the time of Imbolc. Imbolc is also called Brigid's day and is a celebration of the end of the winter and beginning of spring, the start of new life.

Imbolc symbolises growth, fertility, purity and all that is new, The Goddess and the God reunites, we get rid of the old and make room for the new!

Food

Bake bread, muffins or scones with sunflower, pumpkin, poppy and/or sesame seeds as they represent growth.

Add raisins or sundried tomatoes depending on if you prefer a sweet or savoury bread to symbolize the Sun God. You don't need to add this to the bread, but as they are made with the power of the sun, it's a good addition to any meal or to eat on their own.

Serve food on dishes with warm colours to represent the sun and returning of the light.

Soup or stews with winter vegetables such as potatoes, squash and onions is a good idea for the main meal. Vegetables with warm colours such as yellow and red peppers, carrots and sweet potato represent the colours of the sun.

Spiced wines and herbal teas for beverages.

Symbols of Imbolc (Altar ideas)

White flowers, Ploughs, Brighid's cross.

Herbs of Imbolc:

Blackberry, Basil, Tansy, Bay Laurel, Celandine, Angelica, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Violets and all types of white flowers.

Herbs can be incorporated into foods, be made into teas, used to decorate around your home, put on your witch altar if you have one or be burned.

Incense of Imbolc:

Myrrh, Basil, Lemon, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Bay, Violet, Pine, Rose and Vanilla.

All of these smells are appropriate to burn during Imbolc.

Colors of Imbolc:

The following colours represent renewal, sun and earth and can be used to strengthen the magickal power of spells relating to Imbolc and what is symbolises.

White like lilies, pink and red like roses, yellow like the sun, green like grass and brown like soil.

Stones of Imbolc:

The following stones and the moods and properties they represent have extra potency during Imbolc:

Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.

Use them to strengthen your spells, decorate your house with or keep in your pocket. You can also use this time to give your stones a charge by placing them in the sun during Imbolc. This is great for stones used in crystal healing.

What to do:

At sunset, light a candle in each room in your home to honor the rebirth of the sun.

Imbolc is also a great time to visit stone circles such as Stonehenge. Go out with your children and look for signs of spring. Crafting Priapic wands, feasting and lighting bonfires.

As with all Pagan holidays, it's never a bad time to be in Nature and appreciate the current season and everything that it has to offer. Go alone or take your friends and family out for a walk or hike in nature, maybe try some nature meditation should you find a nice and suitable spot for this..

Gather a drum circle, play music or tell stories. Share and be good to others, always welcome people to your circle if they seem to want to join.

If you ever planned to visit Stonehenge, any Pagan holiday is a good time to do so.

Be kind to others.

Imbolc is all about rebirth and renewal. If you have an idea of a project you've been wanting to start for a while, now is a good time to do it! Maybe do a spring cleaning of your home, paint the walls or get rid of clothes you don't have any use for anymore.

Blessed be.