Today we celebrate Imbolc, the return of the light, new growth, life and emergence from the depths of the darkness, the long winter months but also spiritually an emergence into the lightness of our souls when we let go of the burdens that have crept up on us over the dark, dreary season of winter and move into our purpose with energy, inspiration and a real lightness of being.

You can feel the energy shifts around and within if you make some time to sit (even better if you can be outside in nature), breathe in the silence and connect in with your self, your higher self and look at what’s shifted for you over the last few hours.

But what is Imbolc? What does it mean and how can we honour the Goddess Brigid whose day this really is?

The Origins of Imbolc

From what I’ve been able to find the word Imbolc first appears in Irish text in the 10th Century. Imbolc itself is a Pagan/Wicca celebration of the Goddess Brigid. It’s generally accepted that the word itself means ‘in the belly’ and is said to embrace the belly of the mother, or fire in the belly. Another interesting one is the word imb-fholc which is about purication, to wash or cleanse oneself and Brigid is also celebrated by the early Celts with a purification ritual. You might find her called Brid, meaning ‘bright one’, or in Northern England Brigantia.

Brigid is both a Celtic Goddess and a Saint, and she’s associated with Poetry, healing, fertility, crafts/arts and wisdom. Known as ‘the keeper of the sacred flame’ she guards homes and the people in them. Think of the Goddess in the Tarot, abundant, fertile and strongly connected to the Earth and her cycles.

A triple goddess she embodies all aspects of each stage in our journeys - the Maiden, the Mother and the Sage/Crone singly and simultaneously, but here on her namesake day she appears as the Maiden, young, fresh, full of ideas and ambition. A light shining out of the depths of Winter, a promise of Spring, longer, brighter days, new beginnings, new life and a blossoming of ideas, plans and seeds growing.

Imbolc as a Celtic festival celebrates the return of the light, the lambing season here in the Northern hemisphere, nature stirring from it’s winter slumber, leaves softly unfolding, buds beginning to form. A time to think about which seeds you want to plant, what you would like to nurture and harvest in the later months of this year.

It’s traditionally celebrated with light - fire, torches, candles anything which symbolises the return of the light. But also a cross woven from straw, or a doll made again from straw/reeds or willow but decorated with flowers and herbs.

Celebrating Imbolc

As Imbolc is both a purification festival and a return of the light it’s an ideal time to spring clean, throw open the windows if the weather allows and declutter both physically and emotionally. Brigid reminds us that after the dark comes light and that even in the depths of the dark night of the soul a little light can appear to remind us of brighter, more hopeful times. Cleansing and purifying ourselves and our spaces helps us spiritually prepare for lighter days, for sowing seeds and planning out our dreams for the rest of the year.

Another lovely thing is to use the power of light to celebrate Brigid. Light a white candle, a fire pit or an open fire if you have one and take time to consider what seeds you want to sow as we head into Spring, what dreams do you want to bring into fruition and what needs purifying and releasing. It’s about reawakening the fire within, finding again that inspiration, energy and divine purpose that lives deep in the soul of each of us. Light your candle after Sunset to celebrate the return of light and the energy of the Goddess.

Other ways of celebrating are :reciting or reading poetry;

• Dancing and/or drumming;

• creating a Brigid doll or Imbolc cross;

• get outdoors into nature or bring flowers, leaves, pinecones etc into your house as Imbolc encourages a deep connection to nature, to acknowledge the turning of the wheel and the cyclical nature of earth and her seasons and our deep connection with it;

• using water from a holy well or spring to help purification, cleanse and purify your space with white sage or incense;

• light candles to celebrate Brigids day and the returning of the light;

• create a mood or vision board and set intentions to hold your vision firm;

• if you want to use aromas the ideal ones to use are Spikenard, Cypress, Juniper Berry, Myrrh or Frankincense; all of which have a spiritual purpose around cleansing, rebirth and visioning.

• make an imbolc seed cake (have a read of last years blog if you’d like a recipe to give it a go)

However you choose to celebrate the return of the light, to honour the Goddess and your spiritual core do it with full purpose and intention, be true to your vision and enjoy the ritual. At the very least you’ll be making way for the Full Moon at the weekend.

Imbolc Blessings, may the Goddess protect, inspire and shine her light for you.