Imbolc
Imbolc
Pronounced: EE-Molc, IM-bulk, IM-molg, or imb-OLC
Astrological Timing: midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox
Calendar Timing: February 2
Sun Zodiac Sign: Aquarius January 20 - February 18
Sun Zodiac Sign Element: Air
Sun Zodiac Sign Element Quality: Fixed
Moon Phase: New
History/Mythology:
The second Sabbat of the Wiccan year celebrates the coming end of Winter and the beginning of the growing cycle in the Northern Hemisphere. The long, cold months are nearly over, and the first stirrings of Spring can be witnessed in the blooming of daffodils and crocuses and the slow emergence of animals from their hibernation. Although snow may continue to cover the ground in many regions, the bleakest part of the cold season is now behind us. [6]
Imbolc is a Cross Quarter Day, midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, it can fall between the 2nd & 7th of February when calculated as the mid point between the astronomical Winter Solstice and the astronomical Spring Equinox. The astronomically derived date is later than the traditional date of January 31st / February 1st. [5] The holiday is celebrated by Wiccans and other practitioners of neopagan or pagan-influenced religions. Imbolc is just one of several pre-Christian holidays highlighting some aspect of winter and sunlight, and heralding the change of seasons. [3]
This is the seasonal change where the first signs of spring and the return of the sun are noted, i.e. the first sprouting of leaves, the sprouting of the Crocus flowers etc. In other words, it is the festival commemorating the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year. This Festival also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden. [4]
It is the day that we celebrate the passing of Winter and make way for Spring. It is the day we honour the rebirth of the Sun and we may visualize the baby sun nursing from the Goddess's breast. Imbolc (February 2) marks the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. The lengthening periods of light awaken Her. The God is a young, lusty boy, but His power is felt in the longer days. The warmth fertilizes the Earth (the Goddess), and causes seeds to germinate and sprout. And so the earliest beginnings of Spring occur. [4]
This is a Sabbat of purification after the shut-in life of Winter, through the renewing power of the Sun. It is also a festival of light and of fertility, once marked in Europe with huge blazes, torches and fire in every form. Fire here represents our own illumination and inspiration as much as light and warmth. [4]
Mound of Hostages
At the Mound of the Hostages on the Hill of Tara the rising sun at Imbolc illuminates the chamber. The sun also illuminates the chamber at Samhain, the cross quarter day between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice. The Mound of the Hostages at Tara is a Neolithic Period passage tomb, contemporary with Newgrange which is over 5000 years old, so the Cross Quarter Days were important to the Neolithic (New Stone Age) people who aligned the chamber with the Imbolc and Samhain sunrise. [5]Other Names for Imbolc
'Candlemas' is the Christianized name for the holiday, of course. The older Pagan names were Imbolc and Oimelc. 'Imbolc' means, literally, 'in the belly' (of the Mother). For in the womb of Mother Earth, hidden from our mundane sight but sensed by a keener vision, there are stirrings. The seed that was planted in her womb at the solstice is quickening and the new year grows. 'Oimelc' means 'milk of ewes', for it is also lambing season. [1]
Another name for this holiday is Oimelc, meaning milk of ewes since it is also the traditional lambing season in the old world. Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. [2]
Imbolc is also known as Feast of Torches, Oimelc, Lupercalia, Feast of Pan, Snowdrop Festival, Feast of the Waxing Light, Brighid's Day, and probably by many other names. Some female Witches follow the old Scandinavian custom of wearing crowns of lit candles, but many more carry tapers during their invocations. [4]
Brigid
Daughter of the Dagda, Brighid is another member of the Tuatha de Danann who evolved from a pre-Celtic society, and is believed to have originally been a Sun deity. There are actually several variations of her name, including Brigit, Bride, and Brigh (pronounced “Bree”), but all are usually translated as “exalted one.” [16]
Revered in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales under various names, Brighid is considered a “triple goddess” in the sense that she has three primary associations—healing, smithcraft, and poetry. Some believe that she was actually three “sister goddesses,” all named Brighid, who were later merged into one, but her worshippers usually hold that these seemingly separate deities were always simply aspects of the complex, three-fold goddess that is Brighid. [16]
Patron deity of poets, healers, and magicians, Brighid was so popular in Ireland that the Christian Church chose to make her a saint rather than try to suppress her worship. In fact, the Catholic clergy even transformed a shrine to Brighid into a convent. The shrine, in the Irish county of Kildare, had been tended for centuries by nineteen priestesses who kept an eternal flame burning in her honor, and this tradition remained in place until the 13th century, when the patriarchal forces of the Church finally could no longer tolerate such veneration of the divine feminine. Nonetheless, the Celtic world never completely gave up their relationship with Brighid—whether she’s thought of as a goddess, a saint, or some combination of the two, she is still honored at holy wells throughout Ireland, Scotland, and Wales as she was for millennia. People would toss gold or brass rings into the wells as offerings, and you’re still likely to find coins in these holy waters. It’s also still a common practice to offer prayers to tie ribbons or strips of cloth to trees in the vicinity. [16]
In Irish mythology, Brighid was said to have been born at sunrise, with a tower of flame bursting from her head and reaching all the way to heaven. Brighid possessed the cauldron of inspiration, from which poets and bards could draw in order to compose their works. This creative force also extended to magic, crafting in general, and to childbirth, as Brighid was known to watch over women in labor. She was a mother herself, and one story has it that at the death of her son, Ruadan, she began the tradition of keening—weeping and shrieking—as a grieving ritual. [16]
Brighid has widespread appeal to Wiccans as a “classic” triple goddess, even though some see her strictly as the maiden aspect while others see her as the mother. Her association with magic and smithcraft can also suggest a crone element, for those who wish to work with her in a triple goddess context. She can be called upon to assist with a number of magical purposes, particularly those associated with inspiration, healing, and manifestation of creative intentions. She is most associated with the festival of Imbolc—so much so that it is commonly called “Brighid’s Day” in Ireland and by Celtic Wiccans. To honor Brighid, try writing a poem to her and/or leave offerings at a natural spring or at a place where three streams come together. Appropriate altar imagery includes flames, water, the hearth, metal items to represent smithcraft, and flowers—especially dandelions and trilliums. Corn, oats, garden sage, and pumpkin seeds make suitable offerings. [16]
Brigid and Candlemas
The holiday is also called 'Brigit's Day', in honor of the great Irish Goddess Brigit. At her shrine, the ancient Irish capitol of Kildare, a group of 19 priestesses (no men allowed) kept a perpetual flame burning in her honor. She was considered a goddess of fire, patroness of smithcraft, poetry and healing (especially the healing touch of midwifery). This tripartite symbolism was occasionally expressed by saying that Brigit had two sisters, also named Brigit. (Incidentally, another form of the name Brigit is Bride, and it is thus She bestows her special patronage on any woman about to be married or handfasted, the woman being called 'bride' in her honor.) [1]
The Roman Catholic Church could not very easily call the Great Goddess of Ireland a demon, so they canonized her instead. Henceforth, she would be 'Saint' Brigit, patron SAINT of smithcraft, poetry, and healing. They 'explained' this by telling the Irish peasants that Brigit was 'really' an early Christian missionary sent to the Emerald Isle, and that the miracles she performed there 'misled' the common people into believing that she was a goddess. [1]
Brigit's holiday was chiefly marked by the kindling of sacred fires, since she symbolized the fire of birth and healing, the fire of the forge, and the fire of poetic inspiration. Bonfires were lighted on the beacon tors, and chandlers celebrated their special holiday. The Roman Church was quick to confiscate this symbolism as well, using 'Candlemas' as the day to bless all the church candles that would be used for the coming liturgical year. [1]
The Catholic Church, never one to refrain from piling holiday upon holiday, also called it the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The symbol of the Purification may seem a little obscure to modern readers, but it has to do with the old custom of 'churching women'. It was believed that women were impure for six weeks after giving birth. And since Mary gave birth at the winter solstice, she wouldn't be purified until February 2nd. In Pagan symbolism, this might be re-translated as when the Great Mother once again becomes the Young Maiden Goddess. [1]
Today, this holiday is chiefly connected to weather lore. Even our American folk-calendar keeps the tradition of 'Groundhog's Day', a day to predict the coming weather, telling us that if the Groundhog sees his shadow, there will be 'six more weeks' of bad weather (i.e., until the next old holiday, Lady Day). This custom is ancient. An old British rhyme tells us that 'If Candlemas Day be bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year.' Actually, all of the cross-quarter days can be used as 'inverse' weather predictors, whereas the quarter-days are used as 'direct' weather predictors. [1]
For modern Witches, Candlemas O.S. may then be seen as the Pagan version of Valentine's Day, with a de-emphasis of 'hearts and flowers' and an appropriate re-emphasis of Pagan carnal frivolity. This also re-aligns the holiday with the ancient Roman Lupercalia, a fertility festival held at this time, in which the priests of Pan ran through the streets of Rome whacking young women with goatskin thongs to make them fertile. The women seemed to enjoy the attention and often stripped in order to afford better targets. [1]
Christian Holiday Adoption Dates:
The Christian religion adopted a number of these themes, as follows: February 1 became St. Brigit's Day, and February 2 became Candlemas, the day to make and bless candles for the liturgical year. The 'Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary ' adapts the Maiden Goddess theme. The alternative date of February 14 Old Candlemas, Christianized as Valentine's Day is employed by some Covens. [2]
Symbols:
Brideo'gas
Straw Brideo’gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then carry the Brideo’gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. [9]
Candle Wheels
A popular candle-lighting custom of Anglo-Celtic cultures was to have a young woman, representing the Virgin Goddess, enter the ritual area carrying a circle of lit candles. This was a lighted Sun Wheel, a symbol of the Wheel of the Year being warmed and lighted again by the returning Sun. Later, the candle wheel was worn as a chaplet on the head. Edain McCoy in _Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways_ says this idea originated with Norse Yule customs. In Sweden today, this custom remains intact. There the crown is usually made of woven wortleberry twigs or evergreen boughs, and is used in the celebration of St. Lucia's Day (December 13). Lucia, by the way, is probably a later incarnation of Lucina, Roman Goddess of Light. Many covens and solitaries still practice this custom at Imbolg, and great care and creativity goes into ensuring the safety of the wearer. Non-drip candles are a must. [10]
Brighid's Crosses
The Saint Brigid's Cross was traditionally hung on the kitchen wall to protect the house from fire and evil. Even today a Brigid's Cross can be found in many Irish homes, especially in rural areas. [5]
Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped)
Priapus was a god of fertility, and was always depicted with an erect phallus. In some traditions of Paganism and Wicca, a Priapic wand — phallus-like in appearance — is made, and used in ritual to bring forth the new growth of spring. [11]
Practices:
Candle Lighting
Candle Lighting (light Candles or lamps in each room of the house right after sunset for a few minutes to honor the Sun's rebirth), Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring, Making of Brideo'gas and Bride's Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, and Bon Fires maybe lit [2]
Crown of Lights
A Covens High Priestess may wear a crown of lights (candles) to symbolize the return of the Goddess to her Maiden aspect, just as the Sun God has reached puberty. Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth. [2]
Colors:
White
White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is considered to be the color of perfection. [12]
White means safety, purity, and cleanliness. As opposed to black, white usually has a positive connotation. White can represent a successful beginning. In heraldry, white depicts faith and purity. [12]
In advertising, white is associated with coolness and cleanliness because it's the color of snow. You can use white to suggest simplicity in high-tech products. White is an appropriate color for charitable organizations; angels are usually imagined wearing white clothes. White is associated with hospitals, doctors, and sterility, so you can use white to suggest safety when promoting medical products. White is often associated with low weight, low-fat food, and dairy products. [12]
Pink
Pink, a delicate color that means sweet, nice, playful, cute, romantic, charming, feminine, and tenderness, is associated with bubble gum, flowers, babies, little girls, cotton candy, and sweetness. [13]
The color pink is the color of universal love of oneself and of others. Pink represents friendship, affection, harmony, inner peace, and approachability. [13]
Pink is the official color for little girls and represents sugar and spice and everything nice. Pink is the sweet side of the color red. While the color red stirs up passion, aggression, and action, large amounts of the color pink can actually create physical weakness. [13]
Both red and pink represent love. The color red represents heat and passion, while the color pink represents romance and charm. Hot pink is used to communicate playfulness, while light pink is used to communicate tenderness. [13]
Pink gemstones are believed to bring about serenity, relaxation, acceptance, and contentment, as well to neutralize disorder or soften frustration. [13]
Yellow
Yellow is the color of sunshine. It's associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. [12]
Yellow produces a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness, stimulates mental activity, and generates muscle energy. Yellow is often associated with food. Bright, pure yellow is an attention getter, which is the reason taxicabs are painted this color. When overused, yellow may have a disturbing effect; it is known that babies cry more in yellow rooms. Yellow is seen before other colors when placed against black; this combination is often used to issue a warning. In heraldry, yellow indicates honor and loyalty. Later the meaning of yellow was connected with cowardice. [12]
Use yellow to evoke pleasant, cheerful feelings. You can choose yellow to promote children's products and items related to leisure. Yellow is very effective for attracting attention, so use it to highlight the most important elements of your design. Men usually perceive yellow as a very lighthearted, 'childish' color, so it is not recommended to use yellow when selling prestigious, expensive products to men – nobody will buy a yellow business suit or a yellow Mercedes. Yellow is an unstable and spontaneous color, so avoid using yellow if you want to suggest stability and safety. Light yellow tends to disappear into white, so it usually needs a dark color to highlight it. Shades of yellow are visually unappealing because they loose cheerfulness and become dingy. [12]
Brown
Brown, the color of earth, wood, stone, wholesomeness, reliability, elegance, security, healing, home, grounding, foundations, stability, warmth, and honesty, is a natural, neutral color that is typically associated with the seasons of fall and winter. [15]
The color brown is a warm color that stimulates the appetite. While it is sometimes considered dull, it also represents steadfastness, simplicity, friendliness, dependability, and health. [15]
Shades of brown when combined with green create a palette often used to convey concepts of recycling, earth-friendly, or all natural. Dark brown can be used in place of black and brings warmth to color palettes. [15]
The brown color says stability, reliability, dependability, and approachability. It is the color of our soil, growth, fertility, and earth, and it is associated the concepts of “all natural” and “organic.” Brown is the color of the Earth and is comforting and nurturing. [15]
The color brown affects the mind and body by creating feelings of wholesomeness, stability, and peace. Brown provides feelings of organization, history, and connection, as well as cozy feelings of relaxation and warmth. [15]
Brown is believed to help create a wholesome feeling, a connection with the earth, and a sense of orderliness and convention. Brown is a stable and grounded color that is believed to help you feel like you fit in and belong. [15]
Planets in 2020 from February 1 thru 9
From https://cafeastrology.com/astrology-of-2020.html
Date Time Moon Phase Position
Feb 1 8:42 PM First Quarter Moon 12 Tau 40'
Feb 3 6:37 AM Mercury enters Pisces Mer 0 Pis 00'
Feb 7 3:02 PM Venus enters Aries Ven 0 Ari 00'
Feb 8 12:59 PM Juno Retrograde Jun 21 Lib 39'Rx
Feb 9 2:33 AM Full Moon in Leo 20 Leo 00'
Ritual Information:
This is the “Feast of Lights.” It is another fire festival, so there is again a cauldron containing the makings of a fire standing in the north quarter. Beside it lies a besom (broomstick). This is the midpoint of the dark half of the year; the halfway point in the God’s predominance. But although it is in that segment of the year’s cycle, yet it is very much a festival of the Goddess (particularly Brigid, Brigantia, Bride, and other variations). Beside the altar rests a “crown of light”—a circlet of candles.20 The altar cloth and candles should be brown. [14]
Circle Casting as appropriate and announcement of intent
Then follows an enactment of a seasonal motif (e.g., the midpoint in the Sun’s winter journey; sweeping out the old and starting anew; the running of the priests of the Lupercalia, at the ancient Roman festival; the preparation of seed grain for growing in the spring; the inviting of the Goddess of Fertility to enter into the house and lodge therein). A telling of the history of the holiday. [14]
Closing of Circle or Ritual as appropriate
Correspondences:
Sun Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Strengths: Progressive, original, independent, humanitarian [7]Weaknesses: Runs from emotional expression, temperamental, uncompromising, aloof [7]
Aquarius likes: Fun with friends, helping others, fighting for causes, intellectual conversation, a good listener [7]
Aquarius dislikes: Limitations, broken promises, being lonely, dull or boring situations, people who disagree with them [7]
Aquarius-born are shy and quiet , but on the other hand they can be eccentric and energetic. However, in both cases, they are deep thinkers and highly intellectual people who love helping others. They are able to see without prejudice, on both sides, which makes them people who can easily solve problems. [7]
Although they can easily adapt to the energy that surrounds them, Aquarius-born have a deep need to be some time alone and away from everything, in order to restore power. People born under the Aquarius sign, look at the world as a place full of possibilities. [7]
Aquarius is an air sign, and as such, uses his mind at every opportunity. If there is no mental stimulation, they are bored and lack a motivation to achieve the best result. [7]
The ruling planet of Aquarius, Uranus has a timid, abrupt and sometimes aggressive nature, but it also gives Aquarius visionary quality. They are capable of perceiving the future and they know exactly what they want to be doing five or ten years from now. [7]
Uranus also gave them the power of quick and easy transformation, so they are known as thinkers, progressives and humanists. They feel good in a group or a community, so they constantly strive to be surrounded by other people. [7]
The biggest problem for Aquarius-born is the feeling that they are limited or constrained. Because of the desire for freedom and equality for all, they will always strive to ensure freedom of speech and movement. Aquarius-born have a reputation for being cold and insensitive persons, but this is just their defence mechanism against premature intimacy. They need to learn to trust others and express their emotions in a healthy way. [7]
Sun Zodiac Sign Element: Air
This is the element that connects all other elements, even though it might seem less relevant, invisible as it is. The distance from the nature of Earth lifts us up high, in impractical and mental planes that don’t satisfy our physical needs. Still, this is the element that can be found in all others, keeps the fire going just like the Sun burns hydrogen. We may say that the beginning of life wouldn’t be possible without Fire, but there would be no Fire on our planet without Air. [7]
The element of Air gives us room to breathe, widens our lungs, and with them, opens our Soul to personal freedom. All signs that belong to this element have a strong need to feel liberated and free. [7]
Air Signs
Signs that represent the element of Air in the zodiac are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. It is interesting to notice that two of them have a problem with the Sun, Libra taking it to fall and Aquarius to detriment. This is understandable for the Sun keeps all things in order and circling around it, and Air needs to be free to circle the Universe instead. [7]
Looking at the bigger picture, people born under the strong influence of these signs have a problem fitting into a regular order of their surroundings, no matter if it is their country or their workplace. Their main goal in life is often just to stop pleasing others and worrying about their opinions, so they can be able to follow their brightest and most liberating ideas. [7]
How Do We Balance Air?The biggest challenge for every individual marked by Air is to find grounding and understand the importance of their body. They have a strong tendency to remain in higher spheres, where everything is lighter and seems possible. It is not easy to find a way to implement their ideas, intelligence and knowledge into practical things and truly make them alive. [7]
To truly succeed in personal growth and overall development, the most important thing for Airy individuals is to stop talking and start doing concrete, practical moves towards fulfillment. They are balanced by the element of Earth and need a healthy daily routine, with their meals repeated at the same time every day, and physical activity to remain aware of their physical existence. If they forget to eat, for example, this hole in their stomach will have an effect on any rational plan they’ve had. The importance of fulfilling their physical needs is primal and irreplaceable. [7]
Moon Phase: New
The New Moon marks the very earliest beginnings of the lunar cycle. After a period of darkness, with no source of light in the night sky, the tiniest sliver of the Moon’s surface emerges. It’s not yet big enough to be visible to the naked eye, but it can still be felt, energetically, by many who are attuned to lunar rhythms. [8]
Just as Imbolc marks the first stirrings of new life beneath the still-cold ground, the New Moon extends a promise of new things to come. This is the seed-time of the growth cycle—all the potential of a new manifestation is still contained within a small packet of highly charged energy, invisible to us as it remains buried in the soil. This is a good time for dreaming of what you wish to create in your life. [8]
Perhaps you don’t know exactly what you want it to look like, but taking some time to imagine how you will feel once it has manifested will guide you toward a more specific vision as the month goes on. For example, if you want to get a new job, but don’t have a clear sense of where or in what field you’d like to work, use the New Moon as a time to open up to various possibilities—including those you haven’t consciously thought of—and tune in to your intuition about which ones feel the most alive to you. Work a spell that asks for help in clarifying your employment goals, or invite a number of potential offers to come your way so you can make decisions from a highly empowered place. [8]
Traditionally, magic aimed at initiating new projects and ventures is favored at this time, but anything involving attracting or increasing what you desire is appropriate here. It’s also a good time for formalizing any intentions aimed at self-improvement, whether it be an exercise plan or a resolution to learn more about a particular topic. It’s helpful to keep in mind that New Moon spells aren’t really about instant manifestation. They’re about new beginnings, initiating actions that will bear fruit down the road. We plant the seeds, water them gently, and remain patient as they begin to germinate. [8]
Many Witches work their spells as close as possible to the exact time of the New Moon, or just after, as this is thought to be the most potent time to harness the magical energies of this phase. Others prefer to cast New Moon spells during daylight hours, since at this point in the cycle the Moon rises and sets with the Sun. Of course, you may not have the luxury of following either of these strategies, depending on your daily schedule. If this is the case, don’t let it worry you. Just do your best to work on the actual day (or night) of the New Moon or no more than one day after, if you want to align your work with these particular energies, which will continue to influence events throughout the waxing phase. [8]
Goddesses: Diana (Roman), Artemis (Greek), Astarte (Phoenician)
References:
- Nichols, Mike. Eight Sabbats of Witchcraft. www.Abika.com
- Chamberlain, Lisa. Wicca Natural Magic Kit: The Sun, The Moon, and The Elements: Elemental Magic, Moon Magic, and Wheel of the Year Magic . Wicca Shorts (Chamberlain Publications). Kindle Edition.
- Buckland, Raymond. Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft (Llewellyn's Practical Magick) (p. 101). Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.. Kindle Edition.
- Chamberlain, Lisa. Wicca Magical Deities: A Guide to the Wiccan God and Goddess, and Choosing a Deity to Work Magic With . Wicca Shorts. Kindle Edition.
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