iheartpaganism: Imbolc, (“IM-bulk” or “Em-bowlk”) is a cross quarter holiday and Greater Sabbat and is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word “oimelc” which means “ewes milk”. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year and is the festival of the Maiden because from this day to Ostara, it is her season and a time for the earth to prepare for growth and renewal. 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. Even though Imbolc occurs at the coldest and bleakest time of year, when spring seems far away, it marks the time when the days become noticeably longer and beneath the snow, ice, and frozen ground, unbidden, life begins to stir in the earth from the depths of winter. The earth is coming alive and once again it is time to begin anew. On this day we celebrate the return of light, new beginnings, fertility of the land which is shown to us in things such as the swelling of buds, on bare branches and in many places the first crocus and snow drops flower, springing forth brightly from the frozen earth. In old Scotland, the month fell in the middle of the period known as Faoilleach, the Wolf-month; it was also known as a’ marbh mhiòs, the Dead-month. But although this season was so cold and drear, small but sturdy signs of new life began to appear: Lambs were born and soft rain brought new grass. Ravens begin to build their nests and larks were said to sing with a clearer voice. Imbolc was very important to our ancestors as it would give hope that their communities would survive another year. Their farm animals would begin to give birth, and cows and ewes (lambs) would begin to produce milk, Geese would began to lay eggs. Before this time of year, food would become very scarce, and such gifts from the Goddess were necessary to get thru the rest of the winter. This Sabbat is sacred to Brighid whose name means “The Exalted One.” She is the Goddess of inspiration, dying, weaving, brewing, poetry, wisdom, healing, fertility, reflection, meditation, great knowledge, intelligence, understanding and smith work, who in later times became revered as a Christian saint. She is closely connected with livestock and domesticated animals. It is also said that Brighid’s snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, and this is thought to be the origin of Ground Hog Day. Another important aspect of Imbolc revolves around cleansing and purification. This may have come from our Pagan ancestors back when they used to sleep on straw and often had their barnyard animals living in their house with them during the cold winter months. Between Yule and the Vernal Equinox, they would assess how were doing with the hay to feed their livestock, and also provide themselves with bedding. If they figured they had enough to get through till spring, they would than take the old hay outside and burn it, and clean out their houses. This was a literal act of purification and cleansing. It may be one of the reasons why spring cleaning is associated with this holiday, and why many Pagans burn their greens from Yule at this time. It is also a symbolic way, of letting go of the old, to make way, for the new. Many Wiccans cleanse and consecrate their tools at this time. This is not only a time, for physical purification, but can be used for personal, spiritual purification and cleansing. It can be a time for fasting, not only, to clean out ones physical system, but also in remembrance of the times, when food was scarce. It can also be a time for putting ones personal business in order, to ask for forgiveness, and for forgiving oneself. A time to take inventory of relationships and jobs, a time of letting go of people and material possessions, that no longer serve our spiritual needs. During the time before Imbolc, one may experience the feeling of “waiting alone in the dark” A time that may appear to be passive, but unseemingly, it is really an active time. Its activity is about getting ready to “awaken”, the potential for action, a time for preparation, for freeing oneself, and letting go. It is a time of hope for the future. Date: February 1st – 2nd, or the first Full Moon in Aquarius. Also may be celebrated at the very first signs of Spring, or at the full Moon closest to equally in-between Yule and Ostara. 2nd August in Southern Hemisphere.Type: Greater SabbatSymbolism: Festival of Light and Fire, first signs of returning life, honoring the Maiden Goddess, the returning fertility of the Earth, saying farewell to Winter and encouraging Spring. Purity, growth and renewal, the reunion of the Goddess and God, fertility, dispensing of the old and making way for the new.Etymology: Irish Gaelic for “in the belly.” Other names include Brighid (pronounced “breed”), who is the Irish goddess whose festival this is; and Oimelc (pronounced EE-mulk), which means “ewe’s milk” in Scots Gaelic. Place in the Natural Cycle: End of Winter and the start of Spring. The days steadily grow brighter, even if the cold is still upon us. The end of the dark half of the year is in sight; Imbolc is a celebration of the return of the light. It is now time to prepare for the Planting season. 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. Pagan Mythology: Goddess recovers from childbirth, becomes Maiden. The child Solar God continues to mature, as can be witnessed in the lengthening days, and celebrations frequently centre around light. Oak/Holly King Cycle: The Oak King, still a child, starts waxing as the Holly King wanes. The Holly King now sacrificially mates with the Goddess, dying and being reborn in Her arms to ensure his rebirth at Litha and to give the land his strength and fertility for the Planting season. Animals: sheep, deer, burrowing animals, cow, lamb, dragon, phoenix, firebirds, snake, groundhog, raven, deerAltar Decor: snowflake cut-outs, white and yellow flowers, Brighid Crosses, seeds, candles, stuffed animals of sheep, cowsHerbs: basil, sandalwood, angelica, myrrh, rosemaryFlowers: crocus, iris, marigolds, tans, violets. All white or yellow flowers and first flowers of the year.Trees: Evergreen, Rowan, & WillowCeltic Tree Month: Rowan (Luis). Planetary ruler: Uranus Zodiac: 15 degrees of Aquarius Moon: Storm Moon, Quiet MoonTraditional Foods: All dairy products, breads, curries, chives, garlic, honey, lamb, leeks, muffins, mutton, onions, peppers, poultry, pork, poppy seed cakes, pumpkin seeds, raisins, shallots, scones, seeds, sour cream, yogurt. Traditional Drinks: Chamomile tea, red clover tea, rosemary tea, blackberry teas, milk, spiced wines.Incense: cinnamon, frankincense, jasmine, rosemary, vanilla, basilTools: plough, garden implementsStones/Gems: amethyst, garnet, onyx, ruby, turquoiseGoddesses: Brighid, all Virgin/Mother GoddessesGods: Cernunnos, Eros, Herne, Osiris, PanColors: white, pink, red, yellow, green, brownThreshold: dawn /daybreakTaboos: cutting or picking plantsOilsapricot, cinnamon, rosemary, sweet peaTarot Card: the StarMagickal Studies: It is a celebration of the first stirrings of Spring, and as such is associated with new beginnings, purification’s, and inspiration. This is the time to prepare the garden and start seeds indoors, as such; it is a good time to study the magickal or witches garden and to bless seeds. Now is a good time to tidy up the “magickal chest” and dispose of old herbs, oils, incense and such. Cleansing and re-consecrating the household hearth is also traditional. Ways to Celebrate - Now is a good time to cleanse, purify, and bless you house. It’s an excellent time to work inside, mend furniture, change tablecloths, bedding, and curtains, paint or wallpaper, spring clean, discard the useless, make room for the new.- Clean and purify yourself, inside and out. Take a ritual bath, sauna, or steam bath, drink plenty of water and juices. Meditate to remove your mind of old limitations and negative thoughts.- Make Maiden, Mother, and Crone sundaes, Vanilla (maiden), red strawberry sauce or strawberry (mother), and chocolate sauce or chocolate (crone).- If there is snow on the ground, walk in it for a moment, recalling the warmth of summer and with projective hand trace a sun in snow.- Cleanse and purify your tools.- Write poetry- Burn Yule greens to send winter on its way- On Imbolc Eve, leave buttered bread in a bowl indoors for the fae who travel with Brighid- Scatter food for the animals and birds outside.- Weave Brighid crosses from straw or wheat to hang around house for protection.- Make a crown of light (13 candles)- Place a lighted candle in each and every window of the house, beginning at sundown on Imbolc Eve allowing them to continue burning until sunrise.- Help your kids go through all their clothes, toys, and books to find unwanted and outgrown items. Donate everything to a charity that will give the items to children who need them.- Plant and bless seeds in an indoor herb garden.- Turn off all lights and light only candles.- Give milk to the earth as an offering by pouring it into the ground.- Make candles.- Make dream pillows.- Have a bardic night. Have the evening of family fun with storytelling, music, and dance. Have a bardic circle where everyone brings poetry, songs or a short story that they have written to honor Brigid (Brigit/Brigid/Bride was the daughter of Dagda. She was the protector of the poets, the forge and the healing persons.)- Go through all your herbs and discard those that are more than a year old.- Gather stones.- Leave a silk ribbon on your doorstep for Brighid to bless: It can then be used for healing purposes.- Place a besom by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new.- Meditate as a family. Have everyone explore what it would feel like to be a seed deep in the Earth, feeling the first stirrings of life. Lie on the floor and put out tendrils. Stretch and bloom.- Lead the family on a parade around the outside of your home, banging on pots and pans or playing musical instruments to awaken the spirits of the land. - Have your children hold some herb seeds in their hands. Talk to the seeds. Bless them with growth and happiness. Fill them with love. - Make corn dollies and a cradle for them to sleep in.- Prepare a new project.- Decorate your house with red table/ altar cloth and the flowers that will be coming in the spring.- Before you start to plant, explain to you children the process of growth and renewal. Explain that as the bulbs grow, so will the sun, and by the time they flower, it will be spring. Imbolc is a celebration that spring is on its way, to warm the earth and bring life back to it. Tell your children that the name of this day is Imbolc, which means in the belly of Mother Earth. All the plants are asleep in her belly, as are the baby lambs in the ewe’s bellies, and the eggs in the chickens’. The fire of the sun will awaken all the sleeping things that are ready to be born.- As you plant your bulbs, ask your children to hold each one, and fill it with their hopes for the coming year. As they plant it, they will nurture their hopes and watch them grow. When all the bulbs are planted, place the pots on warm windowsills, and water them well.

iheartpaganism:

Imbolc, (“IM-bulk” or “Em-bowlk”) is a cross quarter holiday and Greater Sabbat and is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word “oimelc” which means “ewes milk”. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year and is the festival of the Maiden because from this day to Ostara, it is her season and a time for the earth to prepare for growth and renewal. 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.

Even though Imbolc occurs at the coldest and bleakest time of year, when spring seems far away, it marks the time when the days become noticeably longer and beneath the snow, ice, and frozen ground, unbidden, life begins to stir in the earth from the depths of winter. The earth is coming alive and once again it is time to begin anew. On this day we celebrate the return of light, new beginnings, fertility of the land which is shown to us in things such as the swelling of buds, on bare branches and in many places the first crocus and snow drops flower, springing forth brightly from the frozen earth. In old Scotland, the month fell in the middle of the period known as Faoilleach, the Wolf-month; it was also known as a’ marbh mhiòs, the Dead-month. But although this season was so cold and drear, small but sturdy signs of new life began to appear: Lambs were born and soft rain brought new grass. Ravens begin to build their nests and larks were said to sing with a clearer voice.

Imbolc was very important to our ancestors as it would give hope that their communities would survive another year. Their farm animals would begin to give birth, and cows and ewes (lambs) would begin to produce milk, Geese would began to lay eggs. Before this time of year, food would become very scarce, and such gifts from the Goddess were necessary to get thru the rest of the winter.

This Sabbat is sacred to Brighid whose name means “The Exalted One.” She is the Goddess of inspiration, dying, weaving, brewing, poetry, wisdom, healing, fertility, reflection, meditation, great knowledge, intelligence, understanding and smith work, who in later times became revered as a Christian saint. She is closely connected with livestock and domesticated animals. It is also said that Brighid’s snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, and this is thought to be the origin of Ground Hog Day.

Another important aspect of Imbolc revolves around cleansing and purification. This may have come from our Pagan ancestors back when they used to sleep on straw and often had their barnyard animals living in their house with them during the cold winter months. Between Yule and the Vernal Equinox, they would assess how were doing with the hay to feed their livestock, and also provide themselves with bedding. If they figured they had enough to get through till spring, they would than take the old hay outside and burn it, and clean out their houses. This was a literal act of purification and cleansing.

It may be one of the reasons why spring cleaning is associated with this holiday, and why many Pagans burn their greens from Yule at this time. It is also a symbolic way, of letting go of the old, to make way, for the new. Many Wiccans cleanse and consecrate their tools at this time.

This is not only a time, for physical purification, but can be used for personal, spiritual purification and cleansing. It can be a time for fasting, not only, to clean out ones physical system, but also in remembrance of the times, when food was scarce.

It can also be a time for putting ones personal business in order, to ask for forgiveness, and for forgiving oneself. A time to take inventory of relationships and jobs, a time of letting go of people and material possessions, that no longer serve our spiritual needs.

During the time before Imbolc, one may experience the feeling of “waiting alone in the dark” A time that may appear to be passive, but unseemingly, it is really an active time. Its activity is about getting ready to “awaken”, the potential for action, a time for preparation, for freeing oneself, and letting go. It is a time of hope for the future.

Date: February 1st – 2nd, or the first Full Moon in Aquarius. Also may be celebrated at the very first signs of Spring, or at the full Moon closest to equally in-between Yule and Ostara. 2nd August in Southern Hemisphere.
Type: Greater Sabbat
Symbolism: Festival of Light and Fire, first signs of returning life, honoring the Maiden Goddess, the returning fertility of the Earth, saying farewell to Winter and encouraging Spring. Purity, growth and renewal, the reunion of the Goddess and God, fertility, dispensing of the old and making way for the new.
Etymology: Irish Gaelic for “in the belly.” Other names include Brighid (pronounced “breed”), who is the Irish goddess whose festival this is; and Oimelc (pronounced EE-mulk), which means “ewe’s milk” in Scots Gaelic.
Place in the Natural Cycle: End of Winter and the start of Spring. The days steadily grow brighter, even if the cold is still upon us. The end of the dark half of the year is in sight; Imbolc is a celebration of the return of the light. It is now time to prepare for the Planting season. 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.
Pagan Mythology: Goddess recovers from childbirth, becomes Maiden. The child Solar God continues to mature, as can be witnessed in the lengthening days, and celebrations frequently centre around light.
Oak/Holly King Cycle: The Oak King, still a child, starts waxing as the Holly King wanes. The Holly King now sacrificially mates with the Goddess, dying and being reborn in Her arms to ensure his rebirth at Litha and to give the land his strength and fertility for the Planting season.
Animals: sheep, deer, burrowing animals, cow, lamb, dragon, phoenix, firebirds, snake, groundhog, raven, deer
Altar Decor: snowflake cut-outs, white and yellow flowers, Brighid Crosses, seeds, candles, stuffed animals of sheep, cows
Herbs: basil, sandalwood, angelica, myrrh, rosemary
Flowers: crocus, iris, marigolds, tans, violets. All white or yellow flowers and first flowers of the year.
Trees: Evergreen, Rowan, & Willow
Celtic Tree Month: Rowan (Luis).
Planetary ruler: Uranus
Zodiac: 15 degrees of Aquarius
Moon: Storm Moon, Quiet Moon
Traditional Foods: All dairy products, breads, curries, chives, garlic, honey, lamb, leeks, muffins, mutton, onions, peppers, poultry, pork, poppy seed cakes, pumpkin seeds, raisins, shallots, scones, seeds, sour cream, yogurt.
Traditional Drinks: Chamomile tea, red clover tea, rosemary tea, blackberry teas, milk, spiced wines.
Incense: cinnamon, frankincense, jasmine, rosemary, vanilla, basil
Tools: plough, garden implements
Stones/Gems: amethyst, garnet, onyx, ruby, turquoise
Goddesses: Brighid, all Virgin/Mother Goddesses
Gods: Cernunnos, Eros, Herne, Osiris, Pan
Colors: white, pink, red, yellow, green, brown
Threshold: dawn /daybreak
Taboos: cutting or picking plants
Oilsapricot, cinnamon, rosemary, sweet pea
Tarot Card: the Star
Magickal Studies: It is a celebration of the first stirrings of Spring, and as such is associated with new beginnings, purification’s, and inspiration. This is the time to prepare the garden and start seeds indoors, as such; it is a good time to study the magickal or witches garden and to bless seeds. Now is a good time to tidy up the “magickal chest” and dispose of old herbs, oils, incense and such. Cleansing and re-consecrating the household hearth is also traditional.


Ways to Celebrate

- Now is a good time to cleanse, purify, and bless you house. It’s an excellent time to work inside, mend furniture, change tablecloths, bedding, and curtains, paint or wallpaper, spring clean, discard the useless, make room for the new.
- Clean and purify yourself, inside and out. Take a ritual bath, sauna, or steam bath, drink plenty of water and juices. Meditate to remove your mind of old limitations and negative thoughts.
- Make Maiden, Mother, and Crone sundaes, Vanilla (maiden), red strawberry sauce or strawberry (mother), and chocolate sauce or chocolate (crone).
- If there is snow on the ground, walk in it for a moment, recalling the warmth of summer and with projective hand trace a sun in snow.
- Cleanse and purify your tools.
- Write poetry
- Burn Yule greens to send winter on its way
- On Imbolc Eve, leave buttered bread in a bowl indoors for the fae who travel with Brighid
- Scatter food for the animals and birds outside.
- Weave Brighid crosses from straw or wheat to hang around house for protection.
- Make a crown of light (13 candles)
- Place a lighted candle in each and every window of the house, beginning at sundown on Imbolc Eve allowing them to continue burning until sunrise.
- Help your kids go through all their clothes, toys, and books to find unwanted and outgrown items. Donate everything to a charity that will give the items to children who need them.
- Plant and bless seeds in an indoor herb garden.
- Turn off all lights and light only candles.
- Give milk to the earth as an offering by pouring it into the ground.
- Make candles.
- Make dream pillows.
- Have a bardic night. Have the evening of family fun with storytelling, music, and dance. Have a bardic circle where everyone brings poetry, songs or a short story that they have written to honor Brigid (Brigit/Brigid/Bride was the daughter of Dagda. She was the protector of the poets, the forge and the healing persons.)
- Go through all your herbs and discard those that are more than a year old.
- Gather stones.
- Leave a silk ribbon on your doorstep for Brighid to bless: It can then be used for healing purposes.
- Place a besom by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new.
- Meditate as a family. Have everyone explore what it would feel like to be a seed deep in the Earth, feeling the first stirrings of life. Lie on the floor and put out tendrils. Stretch and bloom.
- Lead the family on a parade around the outside of your home, banging on pots and pans or playing musical instruments to awaken the spirits of the land.
- Have your children hold some herb seeds in their hands. Talk to the seeds. Bless them with growth and happiness. Fill them with love.
- Make corn dollies and a cradle for them to sleep in.
- Prepare a new project.
- Decorate your house with red table/ altar cloth and the flowers that will be coming in the spring.
- Before you start to plant, explain to you children the process of growth and renewal. Explain that as the bulbs grow, so will the sun, and by the time they flower, it will be spring. Imbolc is a celebration that spring is on its way, to warm the earth and bring life back to it. Tell your children that the name of this day is Imbolc, which means in the belly of Mother Earth. All the plants are asleep in her belly, as are the baby lambs in the ewe’s bellies, and the eggs in the chickens’. The fire of the sun will awaken all the sleeping things that are ready to be born.
- As you plant your bulbs, ask your children to hold each one, and fill it with their hopes for the coming year. As they plant it, they will nurture their hopes and watch them grow. When all the bulbs are planted, place the pots on warm windowsills, and water them well.

(Source: earthmagick)