We are half way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.
Now is a time to honor the Goddess of the season; Brighid, Goddess of healing, poetry, craft, flame, hearth & home, fertility, rebirth, and the sun.
Think on rebirth, newness, growth, renewal. Remember that the cold season will end and the sunlight will soon begin to reach out and thaw us.
This is the perfect time to begin your spring cleaning, both in your home and your heart. Cleanse your soul of the past year and open yourself to newness. This is the awakening turn of the wheel.
There are many ways to recognize and celebrate Imbolc from crafting to cleaning. Keep reading if you want to know more!
Altar
Your altar doesn’t have to be like everyone else’s. That’s the most important thing I want you to understand; No matter what the sabbat, your altar can be whatever, wherever, however you want it. It doesn’t have to face a certain direction, it doesn’t have to be covered in some woven cloth, and it definitely does not have to be adorned in fancy statues and figures and stones and candles. You do not have to go spend your paycheck at your local metaphysical shop to decorate your altar, I promise. (But if you want a tip about finding affordable “witchy” supplies, I get most of my stuff at the dollar store, Goodwill, and TJ Maxxx.)
For Imbolc, here are some ideas of things you can put on your altar or around your home to honor Brighid and celebrate the sabbat.
* Snow Drops (or any white flower)
* Swan feathers
* Candles in White, Green, and Silver
* Anything White, Green, and Silver
* Figures/Symbols: Serpent, Sheep, Brighid’s Cross, Bridey Doll.
* Food & Drink Offerings: Blackberries, Ginger Tea.
Crafts
* Brighid’s Cross. I make them with my daughter with pipe cleaners every year, but they’re traditionally made with rushes. Rushes are basically dune grass, which I do have access to, but if there’s one thing I don’t do, it’s go outdoors voluntarily in this bitter Michigan cold. No, thank you.
* Bridey Doll. Super simple; just cut a roughly human shape out of two layers of fabric, sew the edges and stuff with fluff. Then you can sew or draw or paint a face on, make some clothes if you want, hair, etc. Boom, Bridey Doll.
* Make a Wand or Besom. Any sabbat is a good time to make a new wand or besom to use in spell work or display on your altar. Use Rowan or Willow branches if you want to stick with the theme of the season.
Activities
* Plant Seeds. I am going to plant my herb seeds and whatever else needs to be planted early and can be started inside. I have big plans for my garden this year and I’m very excited!
* Bake. Something, anything really. It doesn’t matter.
* Go Foraging. Collect whatever you can find. As I mentioned before, I don’t do the cold, but if you do, its a great time to go out in nature and see what’s still living, what’s died, and what’s already trying to come back to life.
* Spring Cleaning. Throw it away. Just get rid of it. You don’t need it. What is it? I don’t know, but you’ve got something, I know it. Toss it.
TAROT SPREAD
1. Seeds to plant for the coming year.
2. Where to focus your fire moving forward.
3. What dormant gift will reawaken within you.
4. What darkness to leave behind.
5. A message from the Goddess.
Imbolc, 1 Şubat tarihinde (1 - 2 Şubat) kutladığımız doğa bayramlarından biridir. Doğanın uyanışını temsil eder. Bu tarih civarında kuzular doğum yapar, toprak bereketlenmeye başlar, kardelenler soğuk toprağın üzerinden çıkmaya başlar, tohumlar yeşerir. Bu yüzden doğanın uyanışı olarak kutlanılmaktadır. Neolitik zamanlardan beri kutlanan İmbolc bir çok uygarlıkta da önemli sayılırdı. İmbolc, saflık, yeniden doğuş, doğurganlık, bereketlilik, yenilenme ve özellikle umut gibi anlamlara gelir. İmbolc’un paganlar açısından en önemli değeri, toprağın sürülmeye başlamasıdır ve ayrıca ekimler de bu aralıkta yapılırdı. Kelime köken olarak “rahim içerisinde” (koyunların hamile kalmasından dolayı) veya ortaçağ etimolojisinde “koyun sütü” (en nihayetinde hamile kalan koyunlarda süt oluşmaktadır) gibi anlamlara gelmektedir. Bu yüzden süt en önemli adaklardan biridir. Bugünün bir diğer önemli unsuru ise “ışıktır”. Bu yüzden sabaha kadar evlerde mum veya topluca şenlik ateşleri yakılırdı. Ki bu yüzden Candlemas olarak da bilinir.
Sizde bugün dışarı çıkın, mümkünse bir doğa yürüyüşü yapın ya da parkları gezin ve doğanın dirilişini kutlayın. Bunun yanı sıra toprağa (hiç olmazsa saksıya) iyi niyetlerinizi, dileklerinizi ve umudunuzu sembolize eden tohumlar ekin. Hoşunuza giden taşları toplayın ve altarınızda bulundurarak İmbolc’un enerjisini eve taşıyabilirsiniz.
🕯ℑ𝔪𝔟𝔬𝔩𝔠🕯 The night of Jan 31st through Feb 2nd is Imbolc for us pagans, and it's extra extra special for me because Feb 1st is also my birthday. 🎂 This year @sistertemperancetarot offered a zoom ℑ𝔪𝔟𝔬𝔩𝔠 ritual and virtually lead us in making altars for Brigid. Mine is small because I wanted it to fit in front of my keyboard. I used birthday candles because they burn quick and are minimum fire hazard, but I literally just now realized they are perfect because it IS my birthday, lol! 🤯 For stones I used amethyst, my birthstone, and citrine for my profession. And for symbols of my profession, I used a hair pin in the shape of scissors and a compact mirror. I don't usually share my #witchlife on my professional account but I thought this would be neat as a different kind of introduction post, and sharing how my craft and my witchcraft are always intertwined. Thank you @sistertemperancetarot for this virtual offering. Hail Brigid! Hail Cailleach! ⚒🔥✂️ #imbolcaltar #witchesofinstagram #pagansofinstagram #imbolc2021 #hairwitchcraft #hairwitch #brigid #cailleach #cronezone #imbolc #happybirthdaytome (at East Austin, Austin) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKy84XulgLS/?igshid=1mqyxehgenbup
I was busy and neglected to wish all Imbolc blessings! But, rituals and celebration still took place privately 😉🙌🏻🤍🕯🔥 #imbolcblessings #imbolc2021 #witchylife #gratefulthankfulblessed #picoftheday #photooftheday #potd #LOVE https://www.instagram.com/p/CK0ax59D74t/?igshid=1nuhs1lwqwncu
Imbolc Rituals, Imbolc marks the beginning of spring, a time to honor the Goddess Brigid, the half way point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Yes, the vail is thinner now, yes you might experience vivid dreams or paranormal experiences. Radiate strength in the light, all will be fine. ☮️🌀🌧🌈🌎 I love you 💕 #brigid #goddess #imbolc #imbolcritual #imbolc2021 #imbolcblessings #witchesofinstagram #witchyvibes #witchcrafts #witches #witchaesthetic #witchart #illustration #rituals #occult #esoteric #springritual #springcleaning #pastelpink #pastelaesthetic #gothicculture #witchculture (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKzCB_iBora/?igshid=1egypefke93gj
𝑆𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑜 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎̀ 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑠𝑎 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑙'𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑟𝑎, 𝑎 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎̀ 𝑡𝑟𝑎 𝑖𝑙 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑧𝑖𝑜 𝑑'𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑜 𝑒 𝑙'𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑧𝑖𝑜 𝑑𝑖 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎.
𝐶𝑖 𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑜 𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑖 𝑠𝑒𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑖 𝑐ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎 𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑙 𝑔ℎ𝑖𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑖𝑜.
𝑄𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑎 𝑙𝑎 𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎 𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜 𝑑𝑖 𝑚𝑒, 𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑎 𝑖𝑙 𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑒 𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑧𝑎 𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜 𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑜.
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑜̀ 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑒, 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐ℎ𝑒́ 𝑒̀ 𝑐𝑖𝑜̀ 𝑐ℎ𝑒 𝑖 𝑚𝑖𝑒𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑜, 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑔𝑖𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑙 𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑖 𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑔𝑖 𝑑𝑒𝑙 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑜 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑖 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑖 𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑙 𝑚𝑖𝑜 𝑐𝑢𝑜𝑟𝑒.
𝑆𝑜𝑛𝑜 𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑒 𝑒, 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑜 𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑒, 𝑙𝑎 𝑚𝑖𝑎 𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑖 𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒.
Il saluto al Sole quella mattina era stata particolare. Sapeva in che punto dell'anno si trovava. In realtà aveva notato, già da parecchi giorni, l'allungarsi della giornata. La ruota dell'anno procedeva spedita verso Ostara, verso l'equinozio di primavera, una festa che lui avrebbe accolto con grande gioia anche per le novità che la sua vita gli stava portando. Fissò sorridendo l'anello che portava e, con un gesto veloce accese le candele dell'altare. Il suo elemento lo fece sentire accolto, amato. Sì la luce stava per tornare sulla Terra e, per la prima volta da quando aveva scoperto la storia del suo clan, sentiva davvero che era forte anche nella sua attuale esistenza e che avrebbe potuto affrontare qualsiasi cosa.
𝑆𝑜𝑛𝑜 𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑒 𝑒, 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑜 𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑒, 𝑙𝑎 𝑚𝑖𝑎 𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑖 𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒.
The bread element for tonight's Imbolc dinner: Boxty scones, or what we'd call biscuits here in the States. Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake, made with a mix of mashed and grated potatoes. These savory scones/biscuits springboard off that same idea, featuring mashed potatoes in the dough! Perfect for people who can't decide which carb you want to indulge in: Now you can have both! Tonight, this year for our Imbolc dinner, I'll be serving these alongside delicious baked ham and a warmed-up can of green beans. Yum, yum! Baked Ham Slice recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqwQ6W7n6_c Boxty Scones/Biscuits 1 cup peeled and diced potatoes 2 cups flour 1 T. baking powder 1/2 t. salt, plus a pinch A pinch of black pepper 3 T. butter 3 T. milk, or more as needed Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and mash. Let cool. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and pepper. Cut in the butter. Add mashed potatoes and enough milk so the dry ingredients come together into a dough and the sides of the bowl are clean. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and, using your hands or a rolling pin, pat or roll it out to half an inch thick. Cut out the scones with a round cookie cutter, rerolling dough as needed. Place the scones on the tray and bake for 20-30 minutes. To serve, slice in half and spread with butter. #FeedingCreatively #WheelOfTheYear #Imbolc2021 #WiccanHolidays #SavoryScones #BoxtyBiscuits #TraditionalIrishBreads https://www.instagram.com/p/CKxT_NPgbkM/?igshid=141vtfhfwth67
🕯 Happy Imbolc 🕯 there is a Catholic tradition of blessing the ploughs before they break the soil for the year. I really like this tradition and this seems like the perfect season to bless our garden tools. What are you blessing right now? #imbolc #imbolc2021 #witchesofig #witchesgarden #witchyaf #witchmom #greenwitch #cottagewitch #kitchenwitch #pagan #paganwitch https://www.instagram.com/p/CKw-7YpnuY8/?igshid=8idqeaofg1kn
