Enchanted Rose Water

Leonora Carrington, from The Hearing Trumpet

A Complete Guide to Celebrating Imbolc

Date: February 1st – 2nd Themes: Renewal, light, fertility, inspiration, purification Deity Association: Brigid (Celtic goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft)

1. Understanding Imbolc

Imbolc is a Celtic festival marking the halfway point between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara). It celebrates the first signs of spring, fertility, purification, and the returning light. Traditionally associated with Brigid, Imbolc is a time to cleanse, set intentions, and welcome inspiration.

2. Preparing for Imbolc

Declutter and Cleanse Your Space

Do a deep cleaning of your home (similar to spring cleaning) to invite fresh energy.

Use smoke cleansing (sage, rosemary, or incense) to purify your space.

Open windows and doors to let in fresh air and new energy.

Create an Imbolc Altar

Colors: White, red, green, gold

Symbols: Candles, milk, seeds, flowers, Brigid’s Cross, lambs, sun imagery

Crystals: Amethyst (intuition), citrine (light), garnet (passion), clear quartz (clarity)

Herbs & Plants: Chamomile, bay leaf, rosemary, snowdrops, and early spring flowers

3. Traditional Imbolc Rituals

Lighting Candles

Since Imbolc is a fire festival, lighting candles symbolizes the returning sun. You can:

Light a candle in every room at sunset.

Arrange candles in a circle and meditate on the growing light.

Use a red, white, or gold candle to represent Brigid’s presence.

Brigid’s Blessing & Invocation

Invocation of Brigid: "Brigid, goddess of hearth and home, Bless this space where I now roam. With fire and light, your warmth impart, Renew my spirit, heal my heart."

Leave a piece of fabric outside overnight to absorb Brigid’s blessings, then use it throughout the year for healing or protection.

Water & Milk Offerings

Pour fresh milk or water outside as an offering to Brigid and nature spirits.

Place a small bowl of milk on your altar as a symbol of nourishment and fertility.

Fire & Candle Ritual

Write your intentions or wishes for the year ahead.

Burn them in a fire-safe bowl or fireplace while focusing on renewal.

Meditate on the warmth of the flame, visualizing the return of light and inspiration.

4. Imbolc Feasting & Food

Traditional foods focus on dairy, grains, and warming spices:

Milk-based foods (cheese, butter, custards, yogurt)

Breads & grains (oatcakes, bannocks, soda bread)

Spiced foods (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)

Herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint, rosemary)

Hearty stews with root vegetables and lamb

Imbolc Recipe: Honey Oat Bannocks

Ingredients:

1 cup oats

1 cup flour

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp baking soda

2 tbsp butter

½ cup buttermilk

2 tbsp honey

Instructions:

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.

Cut in butter until crumbly.

Stir in buttermilk and honey to form a dough.

Roll out and cut into rounds.

Cook on a greased skillet over medium heat until golden.

5. Imbolc Activities

Make a Brigid’s Cross

Weave a Brigid’s Cross from straw, rushes, or paper.

Hang it over doors or hearths for protection and blessings.

Plant Seeds or Bulbs

Start indoor herbs or flowers as a symbol of new beginnings.

Snowdrops, crocuses, or daffodils are perfect for Imbolc.

Divination & Reflection

Use tarot, runes, or scrying to gain insight into the year ahead.

Journal about your goals, creativity, and what you wish to manifest.

Outdoor Nature Walk

Look for signs of early spring: budding trees, returning birds, or sprouting flowers.

Gather natural items (fallen twigs, stones) for your altar.

6. Closing the Celebration

Gratitude Ritual

Thank Brigid and the spirits for their blessings.

Bury or compost food offerings to return energy to the earth.

Snuff out candles (rather than blowing them out) to preserve the magic.

Meditation & Quiet Reflection

Sit in stillness, embracing the warmth of the candlelight.

Focus on inner renewal and the new cycle ahead.

7. Modern Ways to Celebrate Imbolc

Take a warm cleansing bath with herbs like rosemary and lavender.

Donate to a charity (honoring Brigid’s healing and generosity).

Write poetry or create art to invoke creativity and inspiration.

Craft a protection charm using red and white thread.

Final Thoughts

Imbolc is a time of hope, renewal, and inspiration. Whether through fire rituals, feasting, crafting, or quiet reflection, embracing the light within and around you is the true essence of this festival.

Blessed Imbolc! 🌿🔥

May Helios bless us all 💛🌻

Prayer to Helios: A charm to restrain anger and for victory and for securing favor.

Instructions: Say to the Sun (Helios) seven times, and anoint your hand with oil and wipe it on your Head and Face.

"Rejoice with me, You who are set over the East Wind and the World, for whom all the Gods serve as Body-Guards at Your Good Hour and on Your Good Day, You who are the Good Daimon (God) of the World, the Crown of the Inhabited World, You who arise from the Abyss, You who Each Day rise a Young Man and set an Old Man. I beg You, Lord, do not allow me to be Over-Thrown, to be Plotted Against, to receive Dangerous Drugs, to go into Exile, to fall upon Hard Times. Rather, I ask to obtain and receive from You Life, Health, Reputation, Wealth, Influence, Strength, Success, Charm, Favor with all Men and all Women, Victory over all Men and all Women. Yes, Lord, accomplish this Matter which I want, by means of Your Power.”

[PGM XXXVI.211-30]

y yo me di cuenta de lo mucho que quería tener novio :((</3

“Becoming a witch is an awakening, a remembering, an initiation. It’s a chant to ‘come home, come home, come home’, because even when you feel like you’re lost, you’re not.”

— Gabriela Herstik, from “Craft: How to Be a Modern Witch,” released c. 2018

Spells To Do For Each Phase of the Moon

New Moon: Spells related to personal growth, manifestation, abundance, fertility, new relationships, grounding, and stability.

Waxing Crescent: Spells related to success, growth, attraction, communication, and intellect.

First Quarter: Spells related to courage, motivation, breaking bad habits, passion, and creativity.

Waxing Gibbous: Spells related to balance, organization, completion, emotional healing, and intuition.

Full Moon: Spells related to love, intuition, psychic abilities, abundance, protection, releasing negative energy, and grounding.

Waning Gibbous: Spells related to banishing, breaking bad habits, releasing negative energy, and communication.

Last Quarter: Spells related to endings, closure, forgiveness, passion, and creativity.

Waning Crescent: Spells related to rest, renewal, dream work, divination, emotional healing, and intuition.

My Ko-Fi

〰𓆝☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩

Judith with the Head of Holofernes (detail) by Francesco Cairo.

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I Will Vote

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