SABBATH SERIES: IMBOLC
Here we are again with our Sabbath Series, and I couldn’t be happier that you’re here! If you’re a Whisper Coven Enthusiast, than welcome back, and feel free to bypass to the next paragraph where all things Imbolc begins! If we haven’t been acquainted than salutations, welcome sweet witch to our most known series all about the Wheel of The Year and the Sabbaths that are celebrated at each turn of the season. Here you can begin to grow your seasonal magick, and sabbath understanding which provides a guide on how to celebrate (wether solitarily or within a coven). As a solitary practitioner myself, I find that I have unwittingly created an online Coven of sorts, and although I share with this online Coven, most of my knowledge comes from my personal Practice. So take these tips, myths, and rituals in a way that ignites magick for you.
January tends to be a very tough month for so many of us; pressure to make and stick to resolutions, go “cold turkey” on things we may love or bring us joy, not to mention deal with the frigidness that comes with the dead of winter. It doesn’t feel very hopeful, helpful, or happy…and that’s OKAY. As a January baby myself, it took me years to love my own birthday month, I mean, who doesn’t love their own birthday?! But once I started slowing down with nature, listening to what my body needed at this time, which might mean less of a social battery, more hot chocolates and soups, less working out and more stretching instead, and less actions and more planning, I began to settle into Januarys energy and the lead up to Imbolc.
Getting the Details Outta the Way- When, What, Why?
When is Imbolc, and How Will I Know It’s Here?
Those who follow a more modern Calendar, like myself, have an understanding that Spring begins on the Vernal Equinox (Ostara). However, those with passed down/researched Celtic backgrounds will have a different story- Imbolc is when they set their Spring Revival. Of course this may have a lot to do with how different worldly climates respond during this time of year. As someone born and raised in Canada, winter sure took it’s time leaving. Sometimes it would be well into April, almost Beltane, before anything green tried to combat the blusters of frigidness that made home across the land. So now is the time when you get to decide what resonates with you most. For the sake of confusion, I’m going to speak on Imbolc from a more modern standpoint.
Okay, So What Exactly Am I Celebrating?
Imbolc is the glimmer of hope in a storm, a dimly lit candle you see yards away guiding you to safe shelter. It is the sign to make a plan, start shaking the body awake because soon enough you’re going to be pulled into action. Now this isn’t what you’re ‘celebrating’, however, it is important to note that with all the New Year pressures, it’s only at Imbolc that we are finally getting natures nudge to gently wake up from winters slumber. Not to be confused with Candlemas, Imbolc is a traditional pagan holiday- unlike it’s christian copycat (no judgment, just facts). Imbolc is a cross quarter Sabbath, meaning a “major” in the Wheel of the Year. So the celebration is the turning of the wheel towards spring, even though the temperatures are still quite cold, the animals are slowly wakening, the seeds of the trees, flowers, and shrubs are feeling the shift in Mother Earth, Gaia. So celebrate the slowing of winters hold on the Earth and all its inhabitants.
Deities, Gods & Goddesess of Imbolc
Cailleach
Our majestic Goddess of the winter winds is back again! Yes, she is not only to be celebrated through the harshness of winter, but she is said to be the prophesier of the weather still to come. On this day, Imbolc, it is said that Cailleach makes herself known, and depending on the weather presented on the day of Imbolc will depict how the rest of the year will be. Either we are to have a predictable climate as the wheel rolls on, or one that is full of tribulations…and dare I say bad luck!! She tends to be where we point the finger when we get sick this time of year- the weather can be unpredictable, still in a struggle between the Goddess of Winter, sand Brigid the Goddess of Spring.
Brigid
The winter season is indicative of the earth dying only to be reborn again come Spring. Imbolc’s importance to this message is that of a healer, and the ruler of this Celtic Sabbath is Brigid a known healer of the Celtic people. When nature is ready to start sprouting again, Brigid comes in as a Fertility Goddess with a healers abilities, bringing the dead/sleeping back to life. She awakens life all around us, including within ourselves, warming us with her fire, and melting the cold, wintery elements around and within. Known as a fire goddess, Brigid is full of heat and passion! She is a protector of mothers, mothers to be, and those on the path to become mothers. She is the embodiment of all maidens, mothers, and crones, and works with womxn as the move through these phases. Her importance during Imbolc is that of her birth, or rebirth. With that she takes the presence of the maiden, full of curiosity, passion, libido, creativity, grace, and joy; which is what this Sabbath is all about, the seed of vibrancy coming back to life!
Juno Februa
A Goddess of the Greeks who protected the sanctity of marriage, and brought forth fertility to those who sought it (and those who didn’t eek!). Similarly to Brigid, Junos powers bring life in a fertile nature- seeds sprouting, rabbits mating, and humans stirring for connection. She is the ruler of the Greeks, and it’s on February first that the Pagan Greeks celebrated their New Years Februaria! Her name Juno Februa gives much insight to when her reign begins- in February. As Imbolc falls on her day, she is a ruler of this Sabbath. She has many gifts, but it’s the few mentioned here that make her an honored Goddess of Imbolc.
Aphrodite/Venus
Many of us have heard of the Roman Goddess Aphrodite and her powers surrounding love. It’s no coincidence that her importance falls around this time of year, especially with Valentines and all it’s various names. Aphrodite is the Goddess of LOVE, and with that also comes fertility, sexuality, motherhood, romantic relationships, and affairs. Although Imbolc isn’t a day of romantics per-se, and Aphrodites full power is more in the summer seasons, Aphorodites importance comes to us by bringing that spritely desire to be seen, admired, wanted, desired…even if we feel insecure, she wakes up the want in us to start working on our confidence, and to embrace all of ourselves.
As you may have gathered fertility goddesses are extremely important at this time of year. Without them our Earth would cease to produce, to expand, to fuck! All that is natural is explored and experienced on, and around, Imbolc.
Birth of Venus - Sandro Botticelli (1486)
Choose Your Own Adventure: Imbolc Activities
Although this list may invoke the desire to "do, do, do” remember that we are still in a state of rest (especially depending on the climate you are residing in), so go based off the energy of nature surrounding you. Is she (Gaia) clearing the fields of snow and sprouting tiny bits of green? Is she refusing to sprout leaves upon the tree outside your window for another few weeks? Go at your pace.
Start Organizing the Home/Pre-Spring Cleaning
Make Elderberry Elixers, Seltzers, and Serums
Craft Brigids Cross - this may take a few tries to perfect it, but it’s a great tool as well as a beautiful offering
Bring Flowers Into the Home - or plant a seed (indoor or outdoor) and watch it grow
Gather with a Trusted Friend and Have a Study/Life Planning Session
Make Flower Pressed Candles
Set an Alter for Brigid, Aphrodite, Cailleach, Juno and provide offerings
Honoring the Imbolc:
This is a great place to start, it’s more about the energy your invoking and less about the action. Remember when I talked about this being the time of planning, later will be a time of action? You can very easily start that intention at your alter. Here is how:
Creatures: Reindeer, Snow Bunnies, Yeti, Northern Cardinal, Arctic Fox
Colors: Yellow, Soft Green, Pink, Egg White, Gold
Food items: Eggs, Seeds, Blackberries, Dandelion
Candles
Brigids Cross
Hert Shaped Everything
Animals: Sheep/Lamb, Chickadees, Robins, Swan
Crystals: Citrine, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Fluorite
Flowers & Herbs: Tulips, Daffodils, Blackberry, Elderberry
Adding some or all of these suggestions into your routine for Imbolc will support your celebrations tremendously. But as I always say, your journey of retaining knowledge on the Sabbath doesn’t stop here. In fact, I’ll go a step further to say that I’m sure through your exploration that you’ll be making traditions and connections all on your own! How magickal!!
My hope for you is to become more confident in your practice, and to bring in each Sabbath with ease and a true sense of knowing. Until then, I hope the knowledge shared here, and within this series keeps you curious, inquisitive, and active in your personal practice.
Until next time, stay spooky darklings xx
Kat Smith
