February 2nd

The very first hints of spring are beginning to reveal themselves, as Imbolc represents the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. This time of year is perfect for cleansing, rejuvenation and purifying your life.

You might begin to see the smallest buds forming on the trees or sprouting from the still snow-dusted grass. Winter is far from over, and we can likely expect even more snow to fall. However, the days are becoming noticeably longer, and this added light brings with it renewed life and the undeniable promise of spring!

Though still too early to plant seeds, Pagans of the past used this time to consider what crops they would like to plant in the coming season. They used this early time of year to prepare and plan while also practicing rituals and honoring certain gods/ goddesses with hopes of earning the blessing of a bountiful harvest.

The Celts associated Imbolc with the mother Goddess Brigid, she is the keeper of the living flame and is also known to be a divine healer. In the tradition of her Tripple Goddess aspect, she embodies the Crone of winter and is then reborn as the maiden of spring.

Some Wiccans and other Pagans recognize the Horned God/ Sun God, who is reborn with the sun at the Winter Solstice. Like the Maiden aspect of Tripple Goddess coming into her fertility at this time, so too does the Horned God begin to mature. He is natural and unrestricted, representing the divine spirit of the forest and the animals who live there. During Imbolc, this youthful God is said to lead a Wild Hunt through the wilderness.

Symbols of Imbolc:

Snow Drop Flowers

Milk

Candles

Seeds

The colors white and red

Sheep

Swans

Simple Rituals to Celebrate Imbolc:

Imbolc is the time to welcome back the sun and to contemplate the seeds you wish to plant in the coming months!

Make room for new beginnings in your life, begin by spring cleaning your home!

Declutter your outer world by donating unused and unnecessary items.

Open the windows if you are able and cleanse your home with purifying white sage.

Recharge the positive energy in your home by burning Polosantos wood.

Sprinkle Sea Salt or spray saltwater at every entrance into your home, including windows.

Splash homemade sacred water or moon water into all four corners of your home to promote peace and harmony.

Rearrange your furniture to allow a new flow of energy in your environment.

Spring Cleaning Your Inner World:

Take a ritual bath by candlelight, enhance the water with Sea Salt and essential oils such as Lavender, Sage, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, or Jasmin.

Follow a guided meditation specifically for releasing, aligning your chakras, or connecting with your AGGS ( Angles, Guardians, Guides.)

Journal, releasing all of your negative energy and thoughts to the paper.

Utilize this Sabbits energy of renewal and rebirth by creating a list of intentions you wish to accomplish!

Other Ideas:

Have a bonfire, light your fireplace, or a candle to honor the goddess Bridgid and the returning of the light.

Take a walk in nature, observe the changing of the season.

Bake bread or Cake

Poor milk or cream onto the earth as an offering to spring

Leave offerings of bread, seeds, honey, and milk outside to honor the nature spirits and Fair Folk.

Correspondences:

Crystals:

Amethyst

Blood Stone

Onyx

Garnet

Cleansing crystals such as quartz or selenite

Colors:

( Candles, cloth, clothing)

Yellow

Red

White

Brown

Pink

Green

Herbs/ Flowers:

( For a ritual bath, alter, tea, etc.)

Chamomile

Jasmin

Lavender

Rosemary

Basil

Imbolc is a beautiful time of year, the days are getting longer and the promise of springs return is in the air! Allow yourself to release old, stale, energy built up over the long winter. Then consider the seeds you wish to plant metaphorically and physically with this increasingly fertile energy!

I wish you a blessed Imbolc!

See Also:

Yule, Rituals, and History: https://therockymountainpagan.com/celebrating-yule-and-the-winter-solstice-the-longest-night-of-the-year/

New Moon in Aquarius: https://therockymountainpagan.com/new-moon-in-aquarius-rituals-and-meaning/

Setting Intentions With The Power of the New Moon: https://therockymountainpagan.com/setting-intentions-with-the-power-of-the-new-moon/

Harnessing the Power of the Full Moon: https://therockymountainpagan.com/cycling-with-the-moon-simple-rituals-to-help-you-recharge-and-honor-this-lunar-phase/