Image used with Permission
(C) Jane Brideson
Dark Moon Design
Imbolc herbs: Angelica, Basil, Bay, Benzoin, Blackberry
Imbolc colors: White, pale yellow and silver
Imbolc offerings: Beer
Imbolc is a time to honor
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One of the 4 major Sabbats, Imbolc, celebrates the banishing of Winter and welcomes the Spring. At the time of Imbolc, the newborn Sun God is seen as a small child nursing from his Mother. Imbolc is a time to swept away Winter and nuture new beginnings. This Sabbat also represents spiritual growth. Imbolc is a good time to get your life in order, whether mentally, physically, spiritually or emotionally. The name Imbolc is derived from Gaelic, and means "ewe's milk" after the lactating sheep that are feeding their first born lambs of the new season at this time of year.
Altar decorations for Imbolc can consist of, for example:A crown of 13 red candlesa spring of evergreena besom (Witch's broom)a small statue/figurine of the Maiden aspect of the Goddesscandle wheelsgrain dolliessun wheels.
As the days begin to get longer, it is tradition for every candle or lamp in the house to be lit for a little while. In the Christian Calendar, this holiday is called Candlemas and all church candles are blessed for the year. Other names this festival goes by are:
Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (although this is really Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day (Christian), Candlemas, Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin. All Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time.
This is the festival of the goddess Brighid.
As with many of the Wiccan Sabbats, Imbolc has made its way into the lives of non-pagans. The foretelling and omen properties of the holiday gradually evolved into Groundhog Day, the day when the end of winter is foretold by the appearance (or non appearance) of the groundhog's shadow.
This is the time to do your spring cleaning, since Imbolc is a time of purification. Also, burn any Yule greenery you still have left over and put any remaining decorations away! Put bread, cake and milk outside your door as an offering for Brighid and her cow, who walk the land at Imbolc. Leave a silk ribbon on your doorstep for Brighid to bless - you can use it in the future for healing.
Here is a recipe for Imbolc Granary Loaf, which can be used for ritual, or for honoring Brighid:
1/2 cups warm water
1 1/4 cups warm milk
2 pkgs. yeast
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2/3 cup King Arthur Flour's Harvest Grains Blend
2/3 cup King Arthur Flour's Malted Wheat Flakes
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 tsp. salt
Proof yeast in warm water and honey. Mix dry ingredients and cut in oil with pastry knife. Knead and let rise until doubled. Divide into two, then divide again into two unequal parts. Shape larger two into boules, and make indentation in the middle. Shape smaller two into teardrop-shaped boules, and insert into indentations in larger ones. poke finger all the way through center ("bashing"). Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, with rack on lower 1/3 of oven. Redefine holes, spray with oil, bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.
This bread is based upon a traditional English "granary loaf", made with a malted mixed-grain flour; each miller's mix was unique. It includes a variety of whole grains and edible seeds, as it is traditional at Imbolc to include a little of the upcoming year's seed stock in the loaf as a blessing upon the upcoming planting, both in the fields and in our lives.
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