Celebrating Imbolc

Imbolc (pronounced ihm-bowlk) falls on February second.  This pagan holiday ushers in the first hints of spring and says farewell to the winter months.  The month of February is most commonly associated with Valentine's and Groundhog Days, with good reason.  When a groundhog emerges from the ground, it is a good sign that spring is on its way (regardless of whether the animal sees its shadow or not).  And as a holiday of fertility--or of coming spring--, Imbolc goes hand in hand with Valentine's day celebrations.

For pagans, Imbolc is most commonly associated with the goddess Brighid (or Brigid, or St. Brigid).  An excellent celebration and crafting project for this day is making your very own Brighid's Cross to hang on the wall to promote good health within the walls and to protect your home from lightning and fire.  Brighid is also the goddess of fertility and the protector of virgins.  This is also a great projects for kids that they can do while the family cooks dinner. For instructions on how to make a Brighid's Cross, please see my hub on the subject!

All pagan holidays should include good food and good company.  Traditional foods for Imbolc might include any leftover fruits and vegetables stored through the winter (though in modern times, that would mean onion and potato dishes).  This part of the celebration is best done the night before the holiday, February first.  The night before Imbolc is traditionally when Brighid would come to bless homes.  Before going to sleep on this night, hang an article of clothing from each member of the house outside for the goddess to bless.  As she passes, these will be imbued with protective and healing powers.

On the actual day of Imbolc, get ready to clean!  This is the traditional day for good old fashioned spring cleaning.  Clean the house from top to bottom, dust, organize, and get rid of the clutter that you have accumulated over the winter months.  I highly recommend setting aside boxes or bags to fill with donations to your neighborhood Goodwill or Salvation Army (or whatever such places are called in your area).  Give things away to friends and relatives who want them, and when you feel that your home is refreshingly clean enough get ready to give it a cleansing.

Light a blue candle and place it in the busiest room of your house as you work.  Blue represents peace, wisdom, communication, truth, patience, health and happiness.  Fill a small ceramic or glass bowl with some water and add a pinch of salt.  Salt provides protection and purification properties to rituals like this.  If you have a scented oil that you find calming (something like camphor or myrrh, for instance) add a few drops to the water as well.  Tie together a small bundles of sage or a similar herb that you find meaningful and start at the front door to your home.  Dip the bundle of herbs in the water and gently wipe them over the door frame.  Continue to do this to all doorways and windowsills in the house while envisioning the protection and peace spreading from the entrances to the rest of your home.  When you have finished, let the bowl of water sit out overnight to anchor the protections and let the bundle of sage dry before burning it using your blue candle.

Spend as much time as possible on and after Imbolc with your loved ones and enjoy the peace and comfort of a protected home.