Imbolc or Imbolg means “in the belly” & is a Celtic Gaelic festival that celebrates the half-way point between Winter Solstice (Dec. 21st) & Spring (Mar. 20th). It signifies the return of the light & warmer days. We see the Goddess Brigid, The Mother Saint of Ireland, with her fiery red hair and flowing, pastel pale, spring-like gowns waking the earth up with her warm touch.
Brigid, Brigit or Brigantia, Celtic, meaning “High One” is the ancient Goddess of poetry, craft work, divination, fertility & healing & can be seen as a very powerful figure in Irish history.
Brigid was said to bless festivals, homes, births & livestock for the upcoming months. Grasses were crafted into a square like crosses to leave as gifts for her. Villagers would tie bright coloured cloth to their door knobs in hopes to attract her to their homes.
Imbolc is the time of year to usher in new beginnings & new life. This can mean physical life or new ideas or projects. We start to feel the heaviness of winter start to fall away just a little. The Sun is out for a few more minutes every day giving us just a peek of the Spring to come.
I always start my “Spring cleaning” at this time of year. Opening windows & feeling the fresh breeze flow in is always amazing. It’s a great time to start putting your plans to paper so to speak and visualizing how you want your year ahead to flow. You are the “gardener” of your life so get your “seeds” ready to plant.
Some symbols of Imbolc are milk & honey so I usually come up with a few hot drink ideas and some tea blends I want to try. I pull out my lighter coloured candles like white & pink to represent the flame or light returning in soft, subtle ways. The sacred stones that help guide me through this time are always:
- Amethyst for spiritual purification & protection
- Green Aventurine for strength, joy & luck
- Honey Calcite because it’s my ALL-TIME FAVE & for confidence & mental clarity
- Blue Kyanite to do an all-around reset
Take this time to enjoy the last of the cozy, winter days curling up by a fire with a good book or binge-watching whatever you have streaming with a glass of wine or honey mead. Take naps with the kiddos or fur-babies in all the fuzzy blankets before they get put away. Indulge in whatever indoor adventures that make your soul happy as all the outdoor fun is on it’s way.
