#imbolg

Imbolc, also known as Candlemas or Brigid's Day, marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It's a time to celebrate the returning light and the awakening of the Earth.

Altar Decorations:

Candles: Imbolc is strongly associated with the element of fire. Decorate your altar with candles in shades of white, yellow, and light blue to represent the increasing daylight.

Brigid's Cross: Craft or purchase a Brigid's Cross, a traditional symbol associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid. Hang it on your altar as a protective charm.

Seasonal Flowers: Place early spring flowers like snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils on your altar. These symbolize the first signs of life returning to the land.

Herbs: Incorporate herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and cinnamon for their purifying and invigorating properties. Bundle them together with a red or white ribbon.

Seeds: Represent the potential for growth by adding a dish of seeds to your altar. Consider seeds associated with early spring crops like wheat or herbs.

Imbolc Symbols: Include symbols like lambs, ewes, and the sun to capture the essence of this seasonal transition.

Candle Holders: Choose unique candle holders or lanterns to enhance the ambiance. Consider using candle holders in the shape of suns, stars, or nature-inspired designs.

Divination Tools: Add divination tools like tarot cards or runes to your altar for seeking guidance during this transitional period.

Symbolic Stones: Integrate crystals such as citrine for abundance, aquamarine for clarity, and moonstone for intuition. Arrange them aesthetically around your altar.

Feathers: Symbolizing air and spirituality, feathers can be incorporated to invoke the energy of the season. Choose feathers from birds associated with the goddess Brigid, like swans or owls.

Artwork: Display artwork or illustrations that resonate with the themes of Imbolc. This could include depictions of Brigid, snow-covered landscapes, or symbols of growth and renewal.

Imbolc Incense: Craft or purchase incense blends with scents like frankincense, myrrh, and chamomile to fill your sacred space with a soothing and purifying aroma.

Correspondences

Goddess Brigid: Imbolc is sacred to Brigid, the Celtic goddess of hearth, home, and inspiration. Invoke her energy for healing, creativity, and protection.

Colors: White, yellow, light green, and light blue are associated with Imbolc. Use these colors in candles, altar cloths, and decorations to align with the festival's energy.

Stones: Crystals such as amethyst, garnet, and clear quartz resonate with Imbolc's energies.

Foods: Dairy products, especially cheese, and foods made with seeds like bread or muffins are fitting for Imbolc. Set offerings on your altar or incorporate them into your celebration feast.

Water: Imbolc is also associated with the element of water. Include a small bowl of water on your altar to symbolize purification.

Creativity Symbols: Imbolc is a time for inspiration and creative endeavors. Include symbols of your creative pursuits, such as a paintbrush, musical instrument, or writing quill.

Anointing Oils: Create or purchase anointing oils infused with herbs like lavender, rosemary, and frankincense. Use them to anoint candles, tools, or yourself during Imbolc rituals.

Animal Representations: Incorporate figurines or images of animals associated with Brigid, such as lambs, cows, or swans, to honor her connection to the animal kingdom.

Wheat or Corn Dolls: Craft small dolls from wheat or corn husks, symbolizing the harvest to come. Place them on your altar as a representation of the Earth's fertility.

Bell or Chimes: Hang a bell or wind chimes near your altar to symbolize the awakening of nature and the stirring of life. Ring it during your Imbolc rituals to mark significant moments.

Decorative Cloth: Choose an altar cloth with intricate patterns or symbols related to Imbolc, such as suns, wheels, or Brigid's crosses, to add a touch of magic to your sacred space.

A few belated photos from this Lá Fhéile Bríde.

Rabbit Rabbit! Happy Imbolc and first day of February!

✨🐏✨🕯️✨🐏✨

Pronounced as "Im-bulk" or "Im-ulk"

Dates NH: Jan 31-Feb 1 | SH: July 31-Aug 1

Image credits:

🐑🕯️- 💐 - 🧹 🌾 - 🎀 🔥

Irish Paganism for Beginners - Irish Pagan School

Or their podcast:

Much more under the cut:

Samhain Festival

Samhain Authentic Foods

Imbolg Festival

Imbolg Authentic Foods

Bealtine Festival

Bealtine Authentic Foods

Lughnasadh Festival

Lughnasadh Authentic Foods

When is the 'New Year'?

My kofi

Mural of Brigid in Co. Kildare

St. Brigid is an incredibly important and inspirational saint for the Irish people, the Irish diaspora, women, poets, children with abusive fathers or an unstable home, healers, blacksmiths, firefighters, midwives, people giving birth, dairy workers, chicken farmers, sailors, scholars, nuns, pro-choice acitivists, women's ordination activists, travellers, AND MORE! 📚

You may already know that there are heavy connections between the Irish goddess Brigid and St. Brigid. The pagan Brigid is a triple goddess, and not in the "maiden, mother, crone" way. She is Brigid the healer, the smith, and the poet. She is a goddess of fire- the inner fire, the lifeforce, the hearth, the fire of the forge, and the fire of inspiration. In fact, her name means "vitality" or "strength." Imbolg is her holy day. 🔥

St. Brigid is a canonized Catholic saint who's said to be the "Mary of the Gael," showing just how relevant she is to the Irish people. She's started her own monastery and was a travelling missionary. She's especially known for her generosity. She's often depicted as holding a shepherd's staff, something only bishops are portayed with in iconography. As it happens, Brigid may have been (and I believe that she was) one of the first ordained female bishops within the Catholic church. 😇

Now, many Catholics will insist that St. Brigid is a serpate human person from the Brigid of mythology, and many pagans will insist the same. There's debate surrounding the literal historical existance of a human saint named Brigid. My personal belief system is syncretic. It's obvious that St. Brigid's life stories have taken heavy inspiration from pagan tradition. There are some obvious differences as well. It's my personal belief that Brigid can and will express herself in whichever way her people, and any people, will recieve her. Back then it was pagan spirituality and a goddess culture. As time marched forward the Catholic church became Ireland's favorite inlet to the Divine. Brigid is a goddess of multiple persons and infinite possibilities. I don't think it's too much of a jump to veiw the two women as emanations of the same personality. It's also been shown time and time again that Irish folklore has transformed and survived through Catholicism. The love for Brigid is no exception. 💚

Here's a wonderful podcast episode telling some stories from the saint's life, as well as diving into the syncretic nature of Brigid.🎙

Here are some prayers you could use for your novena leading up to her feast day, Feb 1st. To pray a novena, you simply select a prayer or prayers to St. Brigid that speak to you, and pray them for nine days at the same time each day. A candle lit in her honor during your prayers (or even a perpetual flame, if you know your fire safety and wanna get fancy) is a nice touch but not required.🕯

Prayers listed by a Catholic community in support of inclusivity and women's ordination.

Prayers and traditions surrounding St. Brigid

More prayers, including a litany to St. Brigid

Hopefully during this Imbolg season I'll be able to post more about the goddess and saint Brigid. St. Brigid, pray for us! 🕯