Imbolc is considered the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. It is recognized from February 1 – 2 and is also known as, Imbolg, Brigid’s Day, Oimelc or Candlemas. It’s a time to celebrate the recovery of the Goddess Brigid (It's pronounced “Breej,” or in some parts of Ireland, closer to “Breeds.”). Brigid is the daughter of Dagda and is one of the most well-known Goddesses in Irish Lore. Brigid is a Goddess that is usually celebrated and honored during Imbolc. She is a Goddess of the hearth, home, and inspiration. A protector of women and children and she is also associated with midwifery. The Goddess Brigid is well-connected to fire and encompasses all things to do with poetry, healing, and blacksmithing.
Imbolc is the first Fire Festival in the dark half of the wheel. This is a festival where we begin to see light and life returning to the earth. The Earth is being reborn with new life! 
A Celtic originated holiday that is meant to focus on brushing off the cold and dark of winter days and welcoming the life-giving light and fertility of the sun. The celts celebrated around this time, the birth of new sheep and goats. In fact, Oimelc literally means “ewe’s milk”.
Imbolc is associated with fire and sun and also with divination, water, and life. Imbolc is the perfect opportunity to renew your devotion to your craft and/or to any deities. It’s a time of purification and of appreciation for the revitalization of the Earth.
Symbols of Imbolc
Food: Beer, cake, honey, seeds, dairy, garlic, onion, raisins, mulled wine, and breads
Colors: Red, white, pink, yellow, light green, and brown
Crystals: Amethyst, garnet, bloodstone, onyx, turquoise, and ruby
Herbs: Rosemary, lavender, jasmine, chamomile, bay leaf
Incense: Cinnamon, vanilla, jasmine, camphor, frankincense, and myrrh
Animals: Sheep, cows, goats, snakes, and swans
Here are a few ideas you can utilize to celebrate Imbolc:
Honor Goddess Brigid – Bonfires may be lit to honor the Goddess.
Set intentions with candle magick – invoke the energy of the fire elemental.
Make a Brigid’s Cross or Corn Husk Doll.
Explore and connect with nature – go outside and breathe in the fresh air, observe any signs of spring you might find.
Perform a cleansing ritual bath – using lavender and rosemary.
Use cinnamon; as this is the perfect, fiery spice to work with to connect with the energy of Imbolc. You could light a cinnamon incense or do some kitchen witchery to incorporate cinnamon!
Spells can include: Cleansing, growth, new starts and wishes.
Cleanse and adorn your altar using natural elements such as branches, antlers, white flowers, and acorns.
However, you choose to celebrate Imbolc, may it be filled with happiness and feelings of renewal and fresh beginnings.
Until next time, Live, Love, & Magick!
-Laurie Gouley, The Eclectic Green Witch
Try this recipe for Imbolc, it’s all done in one pan, so clean up is so easy!
Imbolc Ritual Cake
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (you can use gluten-free)
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
2 tbs. poppyseeds
1 tbs. zested lemon
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tbs. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
Powdered sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking soda, and salt with a fork in an ungreased 9x9x2 baking pan.
Stir in the remaining ingredients, except the powdered sugar.
Bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, and the top is golden brown.
Remove from oven and cool.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Makes 8 servings. Enjoy! Happy Imbolc!
Laurie Gouley
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Happy New Year, everyone! As we make our way closer to the lustful month of February, the first sabbat of the new year is upon us, and it is no other than Imbolc. Associated with the passionate energies of fire, new life, and renewal, Imbolc is a Celtic festival that takes place on February 1st and celebrates the emergence of the spring only a few weeks away. It also marks the halfway point between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara) and signifies that the winter is coming to an end. However, this powerful sabbat signifies more than just the physical changes happening on the earth around us and also brings our attention to the light and new changes that are beginning to grow within us.
With that said, with so much going on energetically right now, it can be hard to know the best ways to welcome in and celebrate the energy of the season fully. So, to help you out, in this article, we're going to go over everything having to do with the sabbat of Imbolc. From its history to its correspondences, traditions, and a few ways you can celebrate today, let’s dive into everything you need to know about this powerful sabbat and how you can truly make the most of its incredible energy in your own unique way.
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