Imbolc (Feb 1 at sunset through Feb 2 at sunset) -
The winter has ended! The Child of God continues to grow under the guidance of His Mother and protection of His Father. His light is starting to shine on the World. The Goddess starts to let Him make His own way into the World to start His teachings in the tradition of His Father. As the first fertility holiday, the Goddess moves toward Maiden as She prepares to become the Bride of the God again as Her Son finds His way without Her on His path as laid out by His Father.
Interestingly, Imbolc falls 40 days following Christmas which has a meaning described below. Recall that Jesus is said to have left home when he turned 30. Assuming that he went into the desert on his 30th birthday, he would have been tempted by the devil for forty days. This would put his baptism by John roughly on Imbolc. This movement of Jesus out of his mother's care is what allows Her to progress through her yearly transitions.
History -
Imbolc has a very rich history surrounding it as both a Pagan and a Christian festival. In Christianity, this day belongs to Saint Brighid. Girls would create a poppet of Saint Brighid and take it from house to house. At times they would ask for coins to give to the poor.
There are many who believe that Saint Brighid is the Christianization of the Celtic goddess Brighid. If this is the case, it is just yet one more example of religions borrowing from and learning from each other. Christians also celebrate the day as Candlemas.
Forty days following Christmas is the purification of the Virgin. According to Jewish law it takes 40 days following the birth of a son for a woman to become pure again. Therefore, this is the day that Mary, Jesus' earthly mother, would have been allowed back into the Temple and again considered clean. Jesus would also have been allowed in the temple for the first time on this day.
In Ireland it was believed that Imbolc was the day that the Crone would gather her firewood for the rest of winter. If the day dawned bright and sunny, then the Crone was out to gather a lot of firewood and a hard rest of winter would occur. If the day was overcast and foul, then the Crone was not able to go out to gather firewood and the winter would end soon. This appears to be a precursor to the American tradition of groundhog day.
Decorations -
Saint Brighid's Crosses are a wonderful decoration for the day as well as yellow candles and fresh flowers to welcome the early aspects of spring. The colors should be red, white, green, and yellow. Red for the rising sun or purification blood. White represents the snow and purity of the Virgin. Green represents the state the earth is moving to. Yellow represents the coming light. Other decorations would be seeds and bulbs (ones you plan on planting later would make an excellent choice) or a
Making Saint Brighid's Cross can be a fun activity for children using the pipe cleaner method in the link. Or, an adult can follow the same directions using reeds or grasses. You can either keep your cross until next year or burn it as an offering to the Goddess. Or you may burn last year's cross as an offering if you made one of reeds.
You could also use a crown of candles as decoration for this day. To make this simply get a wreath and wire. Using the wire secure the candles onto the wreath. This method may not make a crown suitable for wearing and always use caution with flames.
Imbolc is a fire festival so light a lot of candles if you wish.
Rituals -
Imbolc is considered a day to practice divination. It is a day for looking for the small signs of spring and starting to transition to a time of warmth.
Light a yellow candle to welcome the light. Meditate over the candle about the things you wish to happen in spring. Think about the many ways the Goddess in her time of purity can help to purify your life.
Plan your garden for the year and ask the Goddess and God to bless the plan.
And a final ritual which may need to be done in two parts:
Place a cube of ice or a small ball of snow if available in your cauldron or another dish. Over the snow say:
The time for cold has come to an end
I invite the light that will bring life
Wait for the ice or snow to melt. Place a yellow candle in the water along with herbs or plants that symbolize purification such as fennel, lavender, lime, bay leaf or any others you desire. Light the candle and say:
I call upon fire, which has brought warmth to my home
Extend from here to melt the snow
As new life comes
The signs to me please show
History was found using both Wikipedia and About
