What is Imbolc? Celtic rituals, the goddess Brigit, wheel of the year and more!

Imbolc is the name of one of the four great Gaelic seasonal festivals and its name means “inside the womb”. This festival is also known as Oimelc, Candlemas and St Bridget’s Day, after the period of Christianization of the British Isles, and takes place at the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

Their practices are mentioned in Irish literature and there is evidence that their celebration was precious to rural communities in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Today, pagans around the world celebrate it because of its meaning linked to new beginnings and because it indicates a transition point from the cold of winter to the bloom of spring.

In this article, we will talk about their practices regarding the Wicca vision, including their symbology, their spells and their correspondences, in addition to also dealing with their relationship with the goddess of fire and poetry, Brigid. Check out!

Imbolc is the Sabbat of new beginnings. The Goddess is resting under the Earth and is beginning to show the first signs that life will sprout again. Understand how Imbolc is related to the cycle of the Wheel of the Year seasons, in addition to its rituals and celebrations below!

The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle consisting of 8 seasonal festivals that mark the path of the solar chariot during the year.

In Wicca, a neo-pagan religion based on the revival of Witchcraft, these festivals are called Sabbat and their celebrations are related to the cycles of nature, given from the relationship between the feminine principle, the Goddess, and the masculine principle, the God. From this sacred union all things are generated and the cycles of the seasons can be perceived.

The Sabbats can be divided into two groups: the Major Sabbats, which have fixed dates and are inspired by Celtic festivals, and the Minor Sabbats, without a fixed date and which occur at the astronomical beginnings of the seasons, called the solstices and equinoxes.

Imbolc is closely linked to the Celtic goddess of fire, fertility, poetry and many other attributions, Brigid. Because it is associated with this goddess, Imbolc is also considered as the festival of fire and is associated with the home, babies and breastfeeding.

As part of their traditional celebration, it was common to light fires and make a doll representing the goddess Brigid, using bundles of wheat and oats. When made, the doll was left in a decorated basket known as Brigid’s bed.

Thus, in addition to the doll, it is common to make Brigid’s cross, which should be kept in the home to attract protection and burned in the next year’s Imbolc, when it would be made again.

The Imbolc Rite honors the Goddess Brigid, goddess of fire, healing, and poetry. In it, candles are lit for this goddess, also cleaning the home and making requests to her. Imbolc is celebrated when winter starts to get milder and you can see the first buds of spring.

In the Northern Hemisphere, this time coincides with the melting of ice on the European and North American continents, around February 2nd. During this period, flowers such as the winter bluebell begin to sprout through the ice, giving indications that spring is on the way.

In Brazil and in the Southern Hemisphere, the date of Imbolc is July 31st, a period when winter begins to get milder and show signs that it is going away.

The Imbolc ritual was celebrated as a festival of fire and the return of spring. After making Brigid’s doll, young girls would go door to door carrying it to collect gifts for the goddess.

Also, since Brigid is associated with fire, it was common to light a fire in honor of the goddess, also offering a feast in her honor. Imbolc was also the time to prepare the soil and the seeds that would be planted in the spring.

At Imbolc, nature gives the first signs that it is about to awaken from its period of hibernation. With him comes the light that reverberates over the dreams and projects that were covered up by winter, bringing hope. Learn what to do on this next day!

Imbolc marks the period when winter is finally beginning to dissipate, bringing with it the hope that the Sun’s flame will shine and drive away the shadows. Therefore, it is the ideal time to plan your life, considering your dreams and projects.

You can ask the goddess Brigid for help, so that she lights the flame of success in your life, removing all the evil brought by the winter cold, so that your dreams and projects can be fulfilled.

Therefore, Imbolc is a period of renewal. Take advantage of this energy to get the necessary freshness to fight for what you believe in. Prepare the seeds and soil so that in the spring you can plant what you want to harvest.

Imbolc is a period related to the feminine aspect of divinity, also linked to new beginnings. These are the activities commonly practiced on Imbolc nights:

• Light candles in the house to represent the flame of the goddess Brigid, who will light your home and protect your life;

• Recite poems or sing songs in honor of Brigid;

• Make a Brigid’s Cross, using bundles of wheat;

• Take a cleansing bath with herbs such as rosemary and basil;

• Do a physical and astral cleaning in your home;

• Make a Brigid doll out of straw or cloth;

• Staring at the flame of a candle or the fire of a bonfire, to glimpse the future;

• Practicing love magic;

• Prepare for spring.

Making Brigid’s doll is a typical Imbolc custom. To make it, use bundles of wheat, straw or cloth. Mold your doll in a simple way, first making the part that will represent the head and legs and then the arms.

So, for the ritual with the doll, you will need a wicker basket, preferably rectangular in shape. Fill the basket with scraps of natural fabric and aromatic herbs from Imbolc. Then light a white candle in a safe place next to the basket and place the doll inside it, saying:

Lift the basket and let it rest next to the candle. When the candle is gone, leave Brigid’s bed in a safe place.

A typical Imbolc tradition is to light the candle wheel. To make it, get a ceramic or metal plate, which will represent your wheel. Fix 13 white candles on it. Afterwards, light myrrh incense and recite Brigid’s prayer. Then recite one of the following verses as you light each of the candles:

Imbolc has a series of correspondences and is therefore related to specific colors, herbs, stones and crystals, as shown below:

• Colors: white, yellow, orange, red.

• Herbs: rosemary, blackberry, angelica, chamomile, cinnamon, ginger, lavender, bay leaf, basil, myrrh, frankincense, tansy, violet.

• Stones and Crystals: Amethyst, Citrine, Quartz crystal, Garnet, Heliotrope, Onyx, Ruby, Turquoise.

You can use these herbs in the form of incense or use them along with the crystals to adorn your altar during your Imbolc celebration. In addition, the sacred colors of Imbolc may be represented in the lighted candles or in the clothes you wear.

Foods traditionally related to Imbolc are milk and its derivatives, as well as cakes and muffins. It is traditional to make and consume lavender cookies, breads, as well as drinking herbal teas such as chamomile. If you are vegan, don’t worry, you can replace animal milk and its derivatives with vegetable drinks.

So, when choosing the food you will consume in your celebration, do not forget to say a prayer to the Goddess Brigid and ask her to protect your home and your life.

Although Sabbats are predominantly times of rest, it is possible to practice spells on them to harness their energy. Since Imbolc is a time of cleansing and new beginnings, learn spells below to ward off unwanted people, attract courage, love, and start a new project. Check out!

If you want to ward off envy and unwanted people, take leaves of herbs sacred to Imbolc and hold them in your hands, imagining everything you want to ward off. Then go towards the door of your house, open it and throw those herbs on the ground.

Then, it’s time to sweep all of this off your property, saying, “I sweep away all evil, unwanted people and all harm. I sweep away all evil, envy and curses, wipe away with the power of this spell!”

If you prefer, you can also burn a piece of paper with everything you want out of your life in a white candle.

To boost your courage, you will need a white, orange or red candle and a mirror. On the night of Imbolc, set the candle in a safe place and position the mirror behind it. Then light the candle and watch its flame glow and its light reflect in the mirror. Repeat:

Then let the candle burn down and thank the Goddess for her help.

If you wish to attract love, step out of your house on the day of Imbolc and look for the first flowers of spring in the wild. When you spot them, explain your intention to them and harvest them. At home, remove half the petals from the flowers you picked and place them in a clean glass. Reserve the other half.

On a piece of paper, write the characteristics you want your future love to have. Fold the paper and place it over the petals inside the glass. Then cover the other part with the other half of the petals. Close the glass with a lid and leave it where no one can see or touch it. At the next Imbolc, burn the contents of the glass in honor of Brigid. Love will appear during this period.

To perform the spell to start a new project, you will need a sheet…