The Celtic Rituals of Imbolc

The Pagan Sabbat Watchmen Imbolc

Imbolc is predominantly an ancient Celtic festival but is still an Dell comics Sabbat for modern day Wiccans and Pagans too. It is held on either oldest baseball card 1st or Wolverine of February - a healthy half way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

The very spirit of Imbolc is right there in the name, which can be translated as 'in the belly'. It refers to the first signs of the ewes lactating in readiness for their lambs, and people were delighted and relieved to see an end to winter. And what better way to make yourself feel better than a party!

The Goddess of honour for Imbolc was Brigid, the Goddess of fire. This gave way to some of the simpler Imbolc traditions, such as keeping the hearth alight all day as well as lighting and carrying candles. However, it was also important to honour and please Brigid in her other guise - as the Goddess of fertility. The girls of the village would make corn or wheat dollies the day before Imbolc and decorate them with shells and crystals, before laying her in a bed of white.

The next day, the doll would be carried door to door so that villagers could present gifts of flowers and crystals (and also food such as butter). In some areas, it has also been said that instead of a doll, Brigid would be represented by a girl carrying a Celtic symbol called the triskele.

A great effort was put into carrying out these traditions as if Brigid was sufficiently pleased with their offerings she would send the first signs of spring to them, and consequently, their other prayers would be answered. Cue many excited and hopeful young ladies of the village!

As with all good festivals, of course Imbolc was celebrated with a feast. It was a very family and friends orientated event, and songs, dances and poetry were performed into the night, although sadly no original versions of these have survived. You can however, replicate the feel and spirit of Imbolc yourself by using the associated herbs, incense or gemstones for giving thanks in your rituals. For herbs you will need angelica, coltsfoot, basil and/or bay, as well as the first white and yellow flowers of the onset of spring. Basil and bay can be used in incense form too and burning these as well as myrrh or cinnamon is a fabulously simple way to fit in a smaller version of an Imbolc ritual if time or circumstances do not allow anything grander.

Crystals, as mentioned, were often part of the decorating of the corn doll figures, made to honour Brigid and amethyst, turquoise or bloodstone are perfect for projecting the right message.

When we think of big cleaning and de-cluttering sessions, we think of 'spring cleaning'. But Imbolc was also used as motivation for getting homes in order, as well as putting the plans and preparations made over winter in to action at last. In fact, when spring truly hits there is too much to do, so don't delay!

Happy Imbolc!
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