Imbolc

pronounced ee-molc
February 2nd – also known as Candlemas, Brigid’s Day and Imbolg

WINTER CROSS QUARTER FESTIVAL – Mid Aquarius – Fixed Air

Crystals – Jade – Amethyst – Cornish Serpentine – Jade – Citrine – Black Tourmaline – Golden Healer
to name just a few.

Trees of Imbolc
Rowan and Willow

Colours – Green, especially bright green, yellow and purple

Imbolc is one of the Celtic fire festivals. The festival that celebrates the earth awakening. The first signs of spring and the return of the sun.  Imbolc is a time for transformation and change.

Imbolc means ‘in the belly or womb’. Things may seem lifeless, but the stirrings of life are all around. The first signs of plant life begin to swell, the promise of new life. The ground is often frozen, the earth beneath is protected and fertile. Ready for the seeds to be planted.

Imbolc is a time to seed the intentions you want to set for the coming year. The seeds you plant now will grow later in the year. So be mindful of your thoughts. Lay down some intentions and dream them into life (seeding is thinking, thinking is dreaming).

The time spent in the winter months has given us lots to think about. What have we learnt from the last turning of the wheel? It isn’t uncommon to feel as though the past year or certain parts have been the toughest of our whole living life! It can feel like we’ve shed skin, a layer of our very being.
Winter is often associated with death and decay. This process has to happen. Preparing for a rebirth.

This makes sense when we reach Imbolc. It is an opportunity to learn and grow. We start seeding with beauty and optimism, germinate those seeds as they’re not quite ready to plant just yet. How you want to see your life evolve in the year to come will start right here at the germination stage. Nurture your seeds and give them the best environment for manifesting in the coming months.

Celtic mythology. The Goddess Brigid reins over Imbolc, she comes in her maiden form at this time of year and brings purification, light and renewal. She is the goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft.
Brigid was associated with an awakening serpent which emerged at Imbolc. Serpents are associated with creativity and inspiration and the powerful Kundalini energy. Paths of earth energy were called serpent paths, and at Imbolc, they are stirred from their slumber. Cornish Serpentine is the perfect stone to use to connect with this energy.

Clear, cleanse and charge – house, crystals, belongings.

Get creative. Use creative arts therapy to heal and grow.

Ideas for Imbolc
Spend time outside, sense the stirrings of new life. It is all around you if you look and sense it.

Take a day off. Spend time alone and focus your intentions and dreams. Pay attention to what feels right and not what you ‘think/should’. Let your higher power be in charge. Listen to your gut. Your instincts are more powerful than you might think.

Have a fire outside, for cleaning and purification – even if only a small one in a bowl. Write down all the things you wish to leave in the past and then burn it with the intention that they are gone.

Cleanse with White Sage – purification of yourself and your surroundings. Clearing you for the year ahead.

Make a pledge to yourself. Pledge that you will listen to your intuition, inner voice and your own inner wisdom. When we learn to do this, we become more attuned to who we are and what we want, we can get a true understanding of ourselves.