Falls between February 1st – 2nd in Northern Hemisphere / August 1st – 2nd in Southern Hemisphere

Imbolc (pronounced “IM-bulk” or “EM-bowlk”) literally means “in the belly”. This is because it is the time of year it seems as though life begins to stir within the belly of the Earth, and it is also when the flocks begin to give birth.

It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is a time of the awakening of the land and the growing power of the Sun, when the growing light promises the return of springtime. This is a time for renewal. Dispense with all that holds you back and start fresh. Purify your soul and everything that surrounds you. This is a time for initiations or re-dedications.

History

Originally one of the Celtic high holy days, celebrations are primarily centred around the Celtic Goddess Brighid. Brighid’s snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather (the origin of Groundhog Day).

It was also called Oimealg, (“IM-mol’g) by the Druids. It is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word “oimelc” which means “ewes milk”. Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing.

An Imbolc connection to the festival of purification known as Lupercalia was overseen by a class of priests known as the Luperci (see Valentines).

Customs

Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is placed by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house to honour the re-birth of the Sun. Many places also make their candles on this day, and burn them throughout the night, as this is also the Festival of Light.

It is the time of blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools as well. Another traditional symbol of Imbolc is the plough. In some areas, this is the first day of ploughing in preparation for the first planting of crops. A decorated plough is dragged from door to door, with costumed children following asking for food, drinks, or money. Should they be refused, the household is paid back by having its front garden ploughed up. In other areas, the plough is decorated and then Whiskey, the “water of life” is poured over it. Pieces of cheese and bread are left by the plough and in the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants during this time.

Straw Brideo’gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then carry the Brideo’gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household. Afterwards, at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid’s Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year.

Associations

Symbolism: purity, growth and renewal, the reunion of the Goddess and the God, fertility, dispensing of the old and making way for the new.
Foods: dairy products, curries, onions, chives, seeds, herbal tea, mutton or lamb, poppyseed cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, onions, garlic, raisins, spiced wines.
Herbs: angelica, basil, bay laurel, blackberry, celandine, coltsfoot, heather, iris, myrrh, tansy, violets, and all white or yellow flowers.
Incense and oils: angelica, blackberry, iris, myrrh, vanilla.
Colours: white, yellow, light green.
Stones: amethyst, bloodstone, garnet, ruby, onyx, turquoise.
Animals: robins, burrowing animals, sheep, lambs, deer
Mythical creatures: firebirds, dragons
Wiccan goddess aspect: the Goddess is venerated in her aspect as the Virgin of Light, and in Wiccan traditions, Imbolc is celebrated as the point in the year when the Goddess recovers from giving Birth to the Sun. The young God grows from an infant to a child. Many Wiccans also tend to focus their rituals on the Maiden aspect of the goddess at this time as well, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal.
Spell/ritual work: surrounds fertility and purification, initiation, transformation, beginnings. Alters are decked with snowdrops, the heralds of spring.