Imbolg
Feb 2
Pronunciation: Em-bowl/g or IMM-olk
Aka:Brigid's Feast, Imbolc
Symbolism and Legend
Imbolg is largely a celebration of the goddess Brigid (pronounced "Breed"). In christian times much of the legend and tradition associated with Brigid was Christianized and attributed to St. Brigid. Wiccans make Brigid's Crosses at Imbolg (equal armed crosses of straw beleived to bring protection). Tradition states that last years crosses must be burned on February 1st, before they are replaced with new ones the following day.
If you adhere to the tradition of keeping your Yule decorations until Imbolg, these too should be burned prior to Imbolg.
Another Imbolg tradition is the making of a Brigids Bed. To do this by taking a longer bundle of grain (originall berley, but any grain will do), and affixing a smaller one resembling arms. Then dress the doll, called a Biddy in doll's clothing. The biddy is placed in a bed of straw with a similarly sized phallic wand.
Imbolg is also thought to be a time to visit magick wells and throw coins into them (in Brigid's name) with the hopes of having your wishes granted. A magickal well may be substituted with any deep body of water if neccessary.
Dieties & Mythical Beings
- Aengus Og
- Anu
- Brigid
- Sirona
- St. Brigid of Kildare
Prayers
Prayer for Imbolc
by: Morgana West
On this Imbolc day, as I kindle the flame upon my hearth,
I pray that the flame of Brigid may burn in my soul,
and the souls of all I meet today.
I pray that no envy and malice,
no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.
I pray that indifference and apathy,
contempt and pride,
may not pour like cold water on the flame.
Instead, may the spark of Brigid light the love in my soul,
that it may burn brightly through this season.
And may I warm those that are lonely,
whose hearts are cold and lifeless,
so that all may know the comfort of Brigid's love.
By: Galen Gillotte
"Hail Bright Maiden of quicksilver delight,
shine upon me.
Thy morning blessing, which,
like the new dawn, refreshes my Spirit and
lifts my heart with song.
Blessed Be."
By: Galen Gillotte
Lord,
The young Lord bursts
forth in joyous strength.
The Maiden dances
coyly away from Him.
seeking the shape of the doe.
The virile stag keeps pace with Her
as She becomes the wild dove
and He the stooping hawk.
She plummets into the raging stream,
fighting the rapids and rising
in rainbow splendor,
the God a burst of light
in Her wake.
They arise - jeweled dragons
in flight,
illuminated by the Sun.
The courting dance begins anew.
By: Galen Gillotte
"Hail Mother of the golden wheat, You of
plenty and fertile womb, breathe Thy blessing
upon my heart, nourish my soul
that I, too, may create the world with love.
Blessed Be."
By: Galen Gillotte
Lady,
An echo of Winter lies
upon the land as earth
is made ready to receive
the seed of rebirth.
Your womb, the dark of earth,
remembers sweet innocence
and the flowering of unnamed days.
You rise majestic from the mist
of the soul
enfolding all in Your bright shadow.
Time becomes a mosaic of images
and promises yet to be fulfilled.
You engender the birth of Spring
and welcome life into the world.
By: Galen Gillotte
"Hail Dark Lady of the Crossroads,
of wisdom hard-won,
grant me Thy blessing, purify my heart,
and teach me the truth of my soul;
show me that death is but the gateway to life.
Blessed Be."
By: Galen Gillotte
Lady,
In the velvet weave of night the
stars shine forth like independent
beacons of perception.
The air is filled with moist secrets while
the earth awaits the call of Spring...
You walk the night in
ebon splendor, the moon hung
on a braided chain upon
Your brow.
You have walked thus through centuries of time;
beyond time.
Memory of You is bound to the seasons
and the ever-present moon,
and the rich earth, moist and terrible.
Imbolc Prayer
by Akasha
We've made it to the mid-point of the Winter dark and bleak. From this day on the Sun will climb and thaw the ground and creeks. Bless us now, oh Maiden fair, and keep us in your loving care. Showing signs of new life everywhere as you awaken from your sleep.
Brighid, Keeper of the Flame
By Patti Wigington, About.com
Mighty Brighid, keeper of the flame,
blazing in the darkness of winter.
O goddess, we honor you, bringer of light,
healer, exalted one.
Bless us now, hearth mother,
that we may be as fruitful as the soil itself,
and our lives abundant and fertile.
Bride of the earth,
sister of the faeries,
daughter of the Tuatha de Danaan,
keeper of the eternal flame.
In autumn, the nights began to lengthen,
and the days grew shorter,
as the earth went to sleep.
Now, Brighid stokes her fire,
burning flames in the hearth,
bringing light back to us once more.
Winter is brief, but life is forever.
Brighid makes it so.
Rituals & Traditions
Personal Focus
What areas of your life where you need new beginning? Plant seed-thoughts for specific desires
What would you like to grow this season?Along these lines here is a ritual I perform on Samhain. If desired it can be reinforced by repeating it each new moon.
First gather acorns (20-40 should be fine). Then string them together to make a neckace (make sure you use a thick strong needle). Wearing your neckalce, meditate on what you would like to increase in your life. It can be a personal characteristic like patience, clarity or discipline or something you want to bring more into your life, such as love or prosperity. (Personally I always have better success when I use magick to create change in myself, as change in oneself is often needed before changes in your life can manifest.)
After you've chosen, pick a acorn to begin with. Hold it, feeling the energy of potential that it contains. State your wish in one or two short sentences. For example one for patience might be "Each day I grow more patient with others, and more serene in all circumstances." As you do this visualize that which you want to increase as an acorn buried within the earth. See it struggling to break through the hard shell of the acorn. Then watch it as it pushes through the earth, finally reaching the surface. Then visualize it growing, see its roots and branches expand into a healthy, sturdy tree. As the tree grows, see it making the transformations necessary within you to make you ready for this change. Repeat this once for each acorn on your necklace.
What areas of your life do you need to tend to patiently (as Brighid's nuns tended to her fire)?
In what areas of your life could you be more compassionate?
Spring cleaning to make room for the new
Initiation and purification
Colors
- Black
- Brown
- Earth tones
- Lavender
- Orange
- Pink
- Red
- White
Decorations
- Besom (broom)
- Brigid's Cross
- Candles
- Crown with 13 candles (several books recommend birthday candles for this)
- Grain dolly
- Snowflakes
- Sprig of evergreen
- Statue of Goddess in her maiden aspect
- Yellow flowers
Food & Drink
- Chives
- Curries
- Garlic
- Herbal teas
- Honey
- Lamb
- Milk
- Onions
- Poultry
- Poppyseed breads/cakes
- Pork
- Seeds(pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, etc)
- Spiced wine
Oils
- Apricot
- Carnation
- Jasmine
- Neroli
- Olive
- Sweet pea
Incense
- Basil
- Cinnamon
- Frankincense
- Myrrh
- Rosemary
- Wisteria
Herbs & Teas
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