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Imbolc

Image by Simon Berger

Imbolc is celebrated from the evening of February 1st through to sundown on February 2nd and is one of the four cross-quarter days that roughly mark the midpoints in between solstices and equinoxes. Imbolc is the light in the tunnel assuring us that we are halfway through winter and reminds us that below the ground the seeds of life are tentatively growing, that spring is indeed on her way, we can come out of our hibernation, the light is gradually returning. 

The name Imbolc (pronounced ‘eemolc’ - the b is silent) means in the belly, in milk/ewe’s milk as this is the time that cows’ udders begin to engorge with milk ready for the first births of spring. 

As we used the Yule period for introspection, for releasing what no longer serves us, Imbolc is a celebration of light and the whisper of a promise that the energy is building even though it is not all visible to our naked eyes, but we must trust that life and growth will return from the fertile void below our feet. It is the liminal space between the winter that was, and the approaching spring and the time where we can prepare our own seeds of growth with the purity of a new year ahead as the life and light returns. 

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Imbolc is where we see the pale green shoots of Hellebore, Snowdrops, Crocuses, Iris, and Daffodils start to brave the chill of late winter/early spring. They push their way through the frozen ground at the time we need to see their brightness the most as this is the time of year when the cold snaps can take their icy hold. All can often be still around us, but if we really listen, still ourselves and tune in to nature we can feel the shift of the life germinating beneath our feet. 

Image by lilartsy
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Imbolc is another celebration born from Celtic roots, sometimes in Wicca it is called Candlemas and is definitely celebrated thus in Christianity, and Candlemas is St. Brigid’s day. But who is Brigid? 

Brigid is a Christian saint and a Celtic goddess, she is a bridge between faiths. In Scotland she is called Bride, Ireland, Brid, in Wales she is Ffraid. To the church she is called Brigid of Kildare, and she is the mother saint of Ireland. In the Celtic language Brigid’s name translates as Fiery Arrow. In Ireland, Brigid is a queen of keening at death rituals. Like many mother goddesses she can preside over both life and death, and she is said to reside in and protect cemeteries. 

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Brigid is often portrayed as a fire goddess with a cauldron or vessel, she is the goddess of blacksmiths, yet she is often associated with healing, fertility, motherhood, poetry, creativity and learning, she rules the element of water. She has a strong connection with the sun, and she is also the goddess of passion and fire. She fully represents the contradiction of the season of her feast day, the gentle promise of spring and the continuing harshness of winter. 

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Imbolc is a celebration of the awakening natural world and a time of cleansing and purification. It tends to be a sabbat that goes lesser acknowledged, but it really should be one to be excited by. It is the time for birthing new ideas and projects, for growing what we have been reflecting on over the winter months. 

Spring Cleaning and Cleansing Ritual: Open those windows, sweep your floors, wipe everything down and clear the stagnant energies of winter. Window frames and skirting boards will definitely thank you for this!  

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Lemon Cleaning Spray 

Use 75ml white vinegar 

2 Tablespoons baking soda 

500 ml hot water  

Rind and juice of 1-2 lemons, then keep what’s left of the lemon to add to the hot water 

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In a big jug add vinegar, hot water (boiled and left to cool to a warm/hot temperature), add the lemon juice, rind and all that is leftover. Add the baking soda and stir. Leave to settle and stew overnight. Strain and add to glass spray bottles. You can always use lavender or rosemary essential oils to this is you prefer, it will give a lovely purifying spray to cleanse your home. Check your oils are pet safe first. 

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After you have cleaned your home then it’s the ideal time to cleanse your space with smoke to make room for new energy. Open the windows to let the air blow through taking all the stale energy out.  

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Imbolc is also a time for self-care. Have a salt bath with a sea salt/Epsom salt blend and add some nurturing oils such as jasmine or sandalwood. This will cleanse your energy after you have cleansed your home.  

Set up an Imbolc altar in your freshly cleansed space. Gather some herbs such as rosemary or lavender. Some evergreens like ivy are perfect for adding some colour and life, and if you can find any early spring flowers add those too, or some simple white flowers.

 

Some people use a Brigid cross or corn doll, you can make one yourself from reeds. Associations like cauldrons and horseshoes symbolise both Imbolc and Brigid, and leaving offerings of milk, cheese and honey.

 

Candles, of course, are essential for this fire festival, use spring pastel colours such as white, green, pink, yellow to celebrate purity, new life and gentleness, or darker colours such as red or brown to celebrate birth, passion and earthiness. 

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Intention setting: Some people like to use Imbolc to look to the past, a consolidation of learning and bringing together what we know works, and what we have found doesn’t!

This can help in your manifestations for the year ahead.

Without blame, judgement or ruminating on things that may not have worked out as planned in the past, try to consider the knowledge or lesson you have learned in the past year that will help your goals and intentions for the coming spring.

Meditate or journal with your intentions and think about what you want to tend and grow this year in yourself and your world. 

You can either write these intentions on a bay leaf and burn them in your cauldron (or somewhere else safe) or plant the leaf in a little pot of soil with some seeds to watch grow. 

Imbolc is a great time to plan or work on your garden (or houseplants).

Make a cup of tea, light your candles and think about your garden or plant rotation. If you’re like me and have a miniature jungle inside then now is a great time to check your houseplants soil, dust their leaves, remove dead leaves, or start planting some wild seeds to sprout for the coming Equinox. 

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Go on a nature walk: Many plants have already started their upward journey out of darkness. Crocuses, snowdrops, daffodils, Hellebore and Iris are starting to show their lovely colours. Go outside and look for signs of spring. Be present and mindful, notice any birds, any shoots of leaves or blossom, you might find a Blackthorn tree nearby beginning to form its blossom. 

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Image by Yeshi Kangrang

The Zodiac season is Aquarius, and tarot cards that relate to Imbolc and Aquarius are The Star, The Moon, The Empress and Temperance. Also, the Aces of the suites as they signify new beginnings and ideas, intentions. These are good cards to meditate on, or do your own tarot spread ritual. 

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Have a salt bath or shower, sit at your altar with a white candle, and crystals such as Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Turquoise or Ruby. Use a frankincense incense, or something simple like lavender, pine or rosemary if you prefer. A cup of something spicy like a cinnamon tea or some heart opening Cacao.  

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  • What lessons have I learned from winter? 

  • Where are my blockages? 

  • What ideas are awakening inside me? 

  • How to focus for spring. 

  • What can I look forward to in spring? 

Red brick well in the middle of a pond

Water Scrying

If you don’t want to use tarot or oracle cards for this, then Imbolc is a good time to try scrying. It is a liminal time, so an excellent time for connecting to your subconscious. In times gone by Imbolc was known for weather prophesying. Farmers and scryers alike needed to predict weather patterns to know when to plant, harvest or breed.  

 

Water represents the flow of collective unconsciousness. Brigid is also connected to water and wells, so this really is the perfect form of divination for the time.  

I would cleanse a glass bowl with incense, you could just wash it, it’s your choice but I always prefer to cleanse things I use for magical practice. Fill it with water, if you make moon water then using this is wonderful.  

There are so many opinions on how to scry, and if you learn anything with witchcraft then learn and remember the fact that in many things, opinions are just that. Peoples' views and ideas, and in many ways their own, or their covens' own practice. Your practice is yours and if you find it works for you then don’t let anyone tell you it’s wrong. So, learn to scry in your own style.  

I add water to the bowl, often moon water. I sometimes use the water flat, I often add a couple of drops of black ink. I have agitated the water, I have swirled the water. It doesn’t matter, I don't think providing you get results from it. So, work in whichever way works for you. 

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Take a few deep breaths. Calm, rhythmic breathing can help you relax your mind and focus your concentration. When you feel relaxed, calm, focused, and spiritually grounded imagine a white light or the flame from your candle surrounding and protecting you. 

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Relax your gaze, look through the water – that will enable your subconscious mind/third eye to see. Do not overwork yourself or strain your eyes to see something. Allow images to come to you naturally. They can be symbols, images, even feelings that come to you. Take time to note these down when you have finished as they will all mean something. 

piece of cake on a plate with a daffodil

I also like to make Lemon and Poppy Seed cake for Imbolc because to me a sabbat is not complete without a cake! 

  • 225g butter, softened 

  • 225g caster sugar 

  • 4 Medium Free Range Eggs 

  • 225g self-raising flour 

  • 1 tsp baking powder 

  • 2 tbsp poppy seeds 

  • 2 lemons, zested 

  • 2 tbsp milk 

FOR THE FILLING 

  • 150g mascarpone cheese 

  • 100ml double cream 

  • Juice of ½ lemon 

  • 50g icing sugar 

  • 3 tbsp lemon curd 

  • icing sugar, to dust 

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4, and grease and line two 20cm cake tins with baking parchment. 

  • Using a handheld electric whisk or a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until really light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition. 

  • In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and poppy seeds. Add these dry ingredients into the egg mixture a few tablespoons at a time and continue to mix until a smooth batter forms. Add the lemon zest and milk and mix again. 

  • Divide the mixture between the two tins and use a spatula to smooth over the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden and well risen. A skewer, when inserted in the centre, should come out clean. Allow to cool briefly in the tins before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

  • To make the filling, beat together the mascarpone, double cream, lemon juice and icing sugar until smooth and spreadable. Place the bottom cake onto a stand and spread with the mascarpone icing. Spoon over the lemon curd and sandwich with the top layer of cake. Dust the top with icing sugar and serve. 

 

This cake will keep for up to 3 days in a fridge (allegedly). Unless you live in my house, then there is never leftover cake. 

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Recipe courtesy of Waitrose.

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