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This is the first Sabbat of the calendar year. (The Celtic year, of course, began on November 1 of last year.)
This is a Sabbat to celebrate in daylight because it’s a celebration of the growing light and warmth of the sun. At this time we are anticipating spring.
In Britain, where our Sabbats started, there would be definite signs of spring on this date. Daffodils and crocuses would be poking through the ground and the snow would be gone.
Even here in Canada, where the cold and snow are at their greatest at this time, nevertheless sometimes on a sunny February day, when the wind is still, we can begin to feel the growing strength of the sun a little. Vancouver and Victoria, of course, follow the British calendar more closely!
In witchcraft we are interested in the hidden things that go on behind the scenes. When spring comes (most of us Canadians pretty much have to wait until Beltane), we will all be able to see it. But we know that it’s starting right now, in the cold and darkness of the underground.
Imbolg can also be spelled Imbolc. The word means “in the belly”, referring to the ewes getting ready to give birth to lambs. Another name for this Sabbat is Oimelc, which means “ewe’s milk”.
It’s also called Brigid (or Brid/Bride, which is pronounced ‘breed’) because it’s the special day of that Goddess.
Some people call it Candlemas, but others think that smacks too much of the Christian takeover of the old Pagan holy days. (Candlemas is celebrated on Feb. 2 in honor of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple, when candles are blessed.).
At Imbolg, the earth is in the Earthy part of the yearly cycle, but the sun is in Aquarius. This is an air sign, technically, but as its name implies it has a lot of water in it. Aquarius is the water bearer or water pourer. Make an effort to keep your emotions from freezing into winter gloom — keep them moving!
This is a time to start planning and thinking about the future. Right now the air is bright and crisp and full of hope. Breathe deep. Look at seed catalogues or get outdoor equipment ready. Plan new projects, either physical activities or mental work. The name of this month comes from “februa”, purification, and used to be the traditional time for spring-cleaning. We may have to wait until spring, after March 21, but we can do some indoor organizing.
Make sure you’re getting enough light. People in the Northern regions of Europe have a reputation for melancholy, which may be related to their lack of light during the winter. Nowadays we call that condition SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and it’s treated by sitting under a full-spectrum lamp.
Check your astrological calendar to see how the moon-sign fits into the picture. Regardless, stay firm, think clearly and watch your emotions!
Everybody’s looking forward to spring and wondering how long it’ll be. In Canada and the northern United States, people mark Groundhog Day (February 2) as a time to look for an omen. Perversely enough, if the sun is shining that’s bad, because the groundhog is supposed to be scared of his shadow. If it’s cloudy, that’s good (perhaps because it means getting the snow over with now.)
Even the mere thought of spring gets people’s juices flowing. St. Valentine’s Day happens in mid-February and is a time of courting.
St. Valentine’s Day comes from the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia. This celebrated the mating season of wolves. (Rome was supposedly founded by Romulus and Remus, two orphans who were nursed by a she-wolf.) As with many old pagan holidays, the Christians attached a saint’s name to it.
In fact, the Goddess of Imbolg, Brigid, was taken over and made into a saint by the early Christians.
Brigid is the Goddess of fire, wells and smiths (craftsmen).
In ancient days fire was all-important during the winter months and into the chilly days when winter was giving way to spring.
Brigid also represents the Earth Goddess responding to the Sun God. As he grows stronger and pours more heat down on the land, she absorbs his fire and grows stronger too.
Wells and springs were sacred in the early days. They were miraculously ever-renewing. The pure water bubbling up out of the ground was a gift from the Mother. In winter, if streams became frozen, the wells still ran.
Brigid presided over the crafts that the people busied themselves with during the winter. Particularly at this time of the year, people were getting ready for the planting season, sharpening their plow-blades and hoes or making new ones. The blacksmiths used fire to shape their metal and cold water from the springs to temper (harden) it.
Brigid is also the Goddess of healing, with a special interest in children. Winter in primitive times was harsh and people looked to the Goddess for help. Many people, especially the very young, died because they didn’t get enough to eat, or didn’t get enough fresh foods. Until quite recently, rickets and scurvy were common in Northern countries. These diseases are caused by lack of vitamins, particularly in the winter. Even today we may not eat enough fresh, raw foods at this time of year.
Imbolg celebrations involve candles — lots and lots of candles. This is sympathetic magic, to lure the sun back more quickly. Some people make a sun-wheel of candles. Or have a young woman come into the ritual circle wearing a crown of lit candles. (Other people do this at Yule.)
Note:- In Britain the word “corn” means grain in general. British settlers in North America called the Native people’s grain “Indian corn”, and we have since shortened it. Whenever the word “corn” is used in rituals or referring to the old days, it’s meant in the original way. As for instance in the song John Barley-Corn.
The Corn Dolly is made at harvest from the stalks of grain taken from the field. Usually the stalks are turned upsidedown and braided to form the body, with the heads of the grain left to fan out as the skirt.
At Imbolg the Dolly is put in her “Bride’s Bed”. This can be a small doll’s bed, but most authentic would be a miniature of the bin used for storing grain, a tiny “corn crib”. Some acorns, nuts or a twig can be put into the Bed too, as male symbols, along with some ashes from the fall burning of the fields (for fertilizer). The Dolly is left all night and retrieved in the morning. The obvious purpose of this is to ensure the fertility of the fields, for very soon the seeds will be put out in the ground.
Very few of us are farmers. Only a few more have gardens.
But this Sabbat is still important to us metaphorically. We are always “planting” or preparing to “plant” things in our lives in hopes that they will produce good results for us. We all need (mental) fertility. We all need to sharpen our mental tools.
When we feel we have dried up creatively, we need to go back to the well. Or strike a few sparks. Clear out some mental debris. And get ready to work.