Imbolc is one of the eight sabbats or celebrations on the Witches’ Wheel of the Year. It is observed on the 1st to 2nd February and marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. The word Imbolc is thought to mean ‘in the belly’ and signifies the start of Spring in the UK.
Imbolc is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. The stirrings of new life after the cold of Winter. A time to let go of the past and look to the future. A time to clear out what we no longer need, physically and metaphorically. A time for spring cleaning. A time to start something new.
Imbolc is closely associated with Brigid, the goddess of fertility, poetry and healing. Brigid was often called upon to protect homes and crops during this festival with rituals or offerings. One popular craft to make is a Brigid’s cross using corn, which is thought to protect from negativity.
Imbolc Altar Ideas
Some ideas for an Imbolc Kitchen Altar are:
- Candles – to represent the growing late as the days get longer.
- Broom or Besom – to signify cleansing or spring cleaning.
- Seeds – to represent growth & new life.
- Sun – for warmth and light.
- Snowdrops or Daffodils – often the first signs of Spring in the UK.
- Cow or Sheep figurines.
Imbolc Correspondences
Colours: White, Yellow, Green, Brown, Pink.
Crystals: Amethyst, Garnet, Carnelian, Turquoise.
Essential Oils: Lavender, Rosemary, Frankincense.
Foods: Bread, Cake, Wine, Seeds, Cheese, Honey, Milk.
Rituals and Activities for Imbolc
Go for a walk. Wrap up warm and head outside to look for the very first signs of Spring. Daffodils starting to grow, snowdrops showing their heads.
Sow some seeds. If you like to garden, there are plenty of seeds you can start to sow now. Herbs, flowers, indoor chillies, lettuce, even sprouting seeds and microgreens. Make it into a ritual by writing your goals or intentions onto a piece of paper and place it under your pot, or create a sigil and draw it on the pot. Remember your goal as you water and tend to your seeds, and use it as a reminder to take the steps you need towards your goal.
Make an Imbolc simmer pot while spring cleaning. Place a pan of water on the hob and add some lemon, rosemary, chamomile, bay leaves and a splash of Vanilla, heat it up so the smell fills your home.
Bake a cake. Using some of the correspondences above, find a recipe that contains one or a mix and bake up something delicious. You can even leave some on your altar as an offering to Brigid to protect your home.
Take up a new hobby or start a project. Why not take this opportunity to start something new? Whether you want to take up colouring or upcycling furniture, learn to sew or paint, try air dry clay or learn to roller skate.
Create a vision board. If you enjoyed a slow start to the year, this is a lovely time to start getting back to it. Maybe you have already decided what you want from the year and what you are ready to leave behind, so put together a vision board as a reminder. You can make either a physical or digital one, just try to put it somewhere you will see it.
Do you celebrate Imbolc? Let us know in the comments how you mark the festival.
