image of a snow covered meadow surrounded by pine trees with the winter sun streaming through the trees illuminating the snow
shared to celebrate Imbolk an ancient festival, part of the Wheeel of the Year, which marks the mid way between winter soltice and spring equinox
Do you celebrate Imbolk and the turning of the Wheel of the Year?
Imbolk OR Imbolc ( can be spelt either way, which is great for someone as terrible at spelling as myself) is Old Irish for “in the belly.”
It’s a time of the year associated with pregnancy & honoring the fertility goddess Brigid.
In modern Ireland it is an important festive day St. Brigid’s Day, has finally, quite recently joined St. Patricks day as a national holiday.
In much of the world It feels like a tide is turning, and our chronic disconnection from nature and the seasons is being felt by more & more people
Many of us have been seeking a deeper connection with “something” even if we don’t quite know what
Maybe like me, you didn’t realise that the thing you were missing was as simple as that.
A more conscious connected life.
Modern life doesn’t work with the seasons, we fight against nature , the darkness, the light.
We have tried to control and conquer it all.
This disconnection is not working for many of us.
We crave a return to old traditions and connection with the earth.
These feelings can get even stronger at midlife as we look inwards and figure out the meaning of our life and our dreams for the next chapters of life
Celebrated on February 1st / 2nd, Imbolc marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox; a time of purification,
renewal, and the return of light.
A time when, after the darkness of winte, Spring suddenly seems like a possibility.
It is all about preparing for new life, new beginnings, and growth.
Rituals and celebrations associated with Imbolc:
Honoring Brigid and seeking her blessings.
Brigid is a Celtic goddess associated with fire, healing & poetry.
Fire is a central element in Imbolc celebrations & symbolizes the return of light and warmth.
Candles are often lit in homes and bonfires are lit outdoors.
Cleansing and purification:
Imbolc is a time for cleansing home and body, both physically and spiritually. You could try ;
cleaning the house/ de cluttering / smudging / taking a ritual bath or performing a cleansing ceremony
Many people plant seeds during Imbolc
Symbolizing new beginnings and the potential for growth.
in the northern hemisphere you would probably need to plant them indoors ready to be transplanted later in the spring.
Crosses are traditionally woven from reeds or rushes and hung in homes to protect against evil, bring blessings and honour Brigid
Sharing a meal with loved ones is a common way to celebrate Imbolc. Traditional foods include dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and butter, as well as breads and cakes.
Decorate your altar with colors and symbols related to Imbolc
ideas could include
Red or orange candles, symbols of the sun,
Snowdrops daffodils or other early out flowers
Something woolen, (the lambs start to be born around now)
A triskele or other triple goddess symbol
Early greens and buds
Blue to represent flowing water
Crystals with solar associations like, garnet, amber, sunstone
Modern adaptations of Imbolc
Focus on personal growth:
Many modern celebrations focus on personal growth and setting intentions for the coming year.
coinciding with the time of the Lunar and Chinese New year, for many people this time feels much more like a time of new beginnings
than Dec 31st/Jan 1st.
Connecting with nature: Spending time outdoors and connecting with the natural world is a way to honor the spirit of Imbolc.
Creative expression: Writing poetry, making art, or engaging in other forms of creative expression can be a way to connect with the energy of Imbolc.
Christianity celebrates Candle Mass on Feb 2nd which bears similarities to the original Imbolc, in that it is all about purification and as the name suggests many candles are lit,
Whether you choose to follow traditional rituals or create your own,
Imbolc is a time to celebrate the return of light, new beginnings, and the promise of spring.