The sabbat of Imbolc falls on the 2nd of February, although like every pagan holiday it has a few days le-way either side.
Imbolc also goes by the names Candlemas, and the Festival of Brigid.
It is a fire festival, the quickening of the year, the time when the earth is pregnant with the promise of summer fruitfulness and the harvest to come.
The Goddess returns as the Maiden, and the God as a vigorous young man who is ready to begin his pursuit of the Maiden.
It is a time for us to let go of the old, and await the new that is coming.
Brigid (sometimes spelt Brighid, Bride, or Brigit) was also honoured and celebrated at this time. She was a much loved pagan Goddess. She is a triple Goddess but at Imbolc is depicted in her Maiden form, bringing fertility to the land and it's people - making her extra special to medicine women, and midwives of old. A Goddess of fire and the hearth, with special connection to healing and poetry.
She is often celebrated at this time with the making of "a brigid cross' or 'a bridey doll' - you can find out how to make both or either of these things by following the following link, which has even more amazing Imbolc ideas.
I'm going to share with you one way in which I celebrate Imbolc.
To do this you will need 3 candles, a needle, and a wooden log that you have hand picked for yourself.
Focusing on your candles first, meditate and find three words that you wish to embody in the coming year. Three wishes, if you will, personal things. Personality, mind, and soul words. They can be either internal or external, in which case you will draw those things to you. My words last year were; Courage, Creative, Loved.
Next take your needle and carve these words into your candles...inscribing them with your thoughts and intentions.
Lighting each candle in turn, let wax drip and pool onto your log, to create a standing base for your candle. Press the base of the candle into the hardening wax. Make sure it is stuck tight.
Below is an image of mine, so you can better imagine how yours may look, although there are no guidelines here, follow your gut. Place your completed log onto your altar or on the hearth to your fireplace; and in the evenings light the candles and take a second to focus on your chosen words. Manifest them into being.
Happy Imbolc!
Merry Part.
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