Imbolc or imbolg is pronounced "IM- bulk". Is a pagen sabbath marking the beginning of spring. Held on February 2 halfway between the winter solstice and spring Equinox. Celebrates the changing of the Goddess from the crone to the maiden. We honor the rebirth of the sun at this time and visualize the baby sun nursing from the Goddess as its mating session and animals are being born. Brighid's snake is emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather.
(The origin ground hog day)
Symbolism of imbolc : Brideo'gas, besoms, white flowers, candle wheels, brighid's crosses, priapic wands (acorntipped), and ploughs.
Herbs for imbolc : Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, BlackBerry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Violets, and all white or all yellow flowers.
Incense for imbolc : Rosemary, frankincense, Myrrh, and Cinnamon, Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Violet, Vanilla.
Colours for imbolc : White, Pink, Red, yellow, Green, brown.
Stones for imbolc : Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx,
Celebration :
Lighting every lamp in the home for a few minutes at sunset is a tradition way of celebrating the suns rebirth.
Also lighting a kerosene lamp with a red chimney and placing near a window.
If snow is present on the ground walk in it and visualize summer, draw a sun in the snow.
Straw brideo'gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat swraw and place in a basket with white flowers and beads.
Young girls carry the brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image of each house hold.
At the traditional feast, the older woman make special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magick wands left marks as a good Oman.
Brighid's crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as a symbol of protection and prosperity in the coming year.
Home hearth fires are put ou and re - lit, and a besom is placed by the front door to symbolize Sweeping out the old and welcoming the new.
Stone Gatherings
Snow hikings to search for sings of spring.
Decorating ploughs
Bon fire
