The Festival of Imbolc

by Stella Makrigiannis

Imbolc marks the half way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and is celebrated on the 02 of August in the Southern Hemisphere and on the 02 February in the Northern Hemisphere.

It is the festival where we call in the spring, it is also know as the Festival of Lights, Lupercus, St Bridget's Day, Candlemas, the Snowdrop Festival, and many more names.

It is the time to celebrate the Virgin and Maiden Goddesses.  Imbolc is the celebration of the Maiden of Spring about to return to the world, it is the festival of the light in the darkness, of the rekindled fire.

This is the time to plant the seeds for the upcoming harvest season. Pagans and Witches alike will fill their homes with as many candles as they can to bring in the light and say goodbye to the dark of winter.  

It is a great festival to recommit to your spiritual work, to cleanse and purify, or to conduct divination for the year ahead.

The colours of Imbolc are white, orange, red, yellow, pink and brown.

Some of the herbs and incense are rosemary, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, and basil.  

The gemstones of Imbolc are amethyst, garnet, onyx, and turquoise.

Food of celebration are curries, spiced wines, seeds, honey cake, shortbread, apple cider, white biscuits, iced spring water, buttermilk bread and herbal teas.

Here something simple and easy to do to celebrate the Imbolc Festival.

Imbolc candle Ritual

Set up your Imbolc Alter using the colours, gemstones, herbs and incense mentioned above.

Take a nice cleaning bath or shower, meditate on the concept of purification.

Clothe yourself in white clothes to honour the maiden and virgin Goddesses.

To begin the ritual you will need:

7 red and white tea lights, a lighter or matches.

A large bowl to hold the candles in.

Salt to fill the bottom of the bowl.

Pour the salt into the bowl, than place the candles inside the bowl.

As you light the first candle say: 

Although it is now dark, I come seeking light.
In the cold of winter, I come seeking life.

Light the second candle, saying:

I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire, that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.

As you light the third candle say:
This light is a boundary, between positive and negative.

That which is outside, shall stay without.
That which is inside, shall stay within.

Light the fourth candle. Say:

I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire, that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.

Light the fifth candle, saying:

Like fire, light and love will always grow.
Like fire, wisdom and inspiration will always grow.

Light the sixth candle, and say:

I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire, that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.

Light the last candle, and visualise the seven flames coming together as one. As the light builds, see the energy growing in a purifying glow. Then say:

Fire of the hearth, blaze of the sun,

cover me in your shining light.
I am awash in your glow, and tonight I am
made pure.

Meditate on the light of the candles. Think about this Sabbat, a time of healing and inspiration and purification. Allow what is damaged, sagnant, toxic or tainted to come to the forefront. Then visualize the fire of the light wrap itself around you, healing you, igniting the spark of creativity, and purifying that which is damaged.

When you feel the process is complete, come back to your body and ground with some of the foods listed above.

Happy Imbolc everyone.

 

 

 

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