“As the light lengthens, so the cold strengthens”
Around
the beginning of February, many Wiccans will celebrate Imbolc, a midwinter festival halfway between the beginning of
winter (the Winter Solstice) and the beginning of spring (the Spring Equinox)
in March. It marks the literal center
point of the dark half of the year.
The
actual date of Imbolc varies amongst
the many sects of Wicca, falling as early as January 29th and as late as
February 3rd. But as with all
proper Wiccan holidays, it begins the moment the sun sets and ends just before
sunset on the following day.
Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or
"EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg,
("IM-mol'g), by the Druids, comes from an Irish word that was originally
thought to mean 'in the belly' although many people translate it as 'ewe's
milk' (oi-melc). It is derived from the Gaelic word
"oimelc" which means "ewes milk".
Imbolc was one of the cornerstones of the Celtic
calendar. For the Celts, the success of
the new farming season was of great importance. As winter stores of food were getting low Imbolc rituals were performed to harness
divine energy that would ensure a steady supply of food until the harvest six
months later. It is the time of Blessing
of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools.
It was the
festival of the lactating sheep when herd animals have either given birth to
the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life
is flowing into their teats and udders.
It is also
the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season
to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid's
snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (paradoxically,
the origin of ‘Ground Hog Day’).
Akin to
most Celtic festivals, the Imbolc
celebrations centered around the lighting of fires. Fire was perhaps more
important for this festival than others as it was also the holy day of Brighid (also known as Bride, Brigit,
Brid) – the Goddess of fire, healing and fertility. The lighting of fires celebrated the
increasing power of the Sun over the coming months.
For the
Christian calendar, this holiday was reformed and renamed 'Candlemass' when candles are lit to remember the purification of
the Virgin Mary. Various other names for
this Greater Sabbat are Imbolgc Brigantia
(Caledonni), Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (Teutonic, Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day (Christian), Candlemas,
Candlelaria (Mexican), The Snowdrop
Festival, The Festival of Lights,
or The Feast of the Virgin. The ancient Romans, Celts, Greeks, Chinese, and Native Americans all have had corresponding holidays at this time of the year.
On this
Sabbat, the Maiden is honored, as the waiting Bride of the returning sun God. Before
the Nordic influence, it was also the Sabbat in which the Celts saw the sun as
being born anew. In Ireland it was, and
still is, a special day to honor the Goddess Brid in her guise of bride. The modern Irish know this as St. Briget's Day, St. Briget being a
vaguely disguised and Christianized version of the Pagan Goddess.
Celts
would often create Straw Brideo'gas (corn dollies) from dried oat or wheat
straw from the previous harvest, and placed in baskets with white flower
bedding, as representations as brides, and set them in a place of honor within
their homes. They were usually placed in
cradles called Bride's Beds, and nuts, symbols of male fertility, were tossed
in with them. Young girls then carry the
Brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each
household.
Later
at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the
dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see
if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid's Crosses are fashioned from wheat
stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming
year.
Home
hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is placed by the front door to
symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles – symbolic of the heat and light – are
lit in profusion, and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of
the Sun, and often within a wreath, another symbol of the Wheel of the Year in
this Sabbat.
Another
traditional symbol of Imbolc is the
plough. In some areas, this is the first
day of ploughing in preparation of the first planting of crops. A decorated plough is dragged from door to
door, with costumed children following asking for food, drinks, or money. Should they be refused, the household is paid
back by having its front garden ploughed up. In other areas, the plough is decorated and then
Whiskey – the ‘water of life’ – poured over it. Pieces of cheese and bread are left by the
plough and in the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants
during this time.
Imbolc is still a special time for Pagans and
Wiccans today. As people who are deeply
aware of what is going on in the natural world, they recognize that there is strength
in cold, as well as heat; death as well as life. The Horned God reigns over the Autumn and
Winter and although the light and warmth of the world may be weak, he is still
in his power.
For
Wiccans, the holiday is a break from the gloom of winter. It is the day when spring begins to appear
like the light at the end of a long tunnel, not really perceptible at first,
but affecting the earth nonetheless. Though
we can't see it through the cover of white, at Imbolc we know the spring bulbs
have sent runners into the earth, that the ice on our lakes and rivers have
begun to thin and move, and that the first of the young animals due in spring
have been born.
Most
feel that human actions are best when they reflect the actions of nature, so as
the world slowly springs back into action, it is time for the small tasks that
are neglected through the busy year.
Many
Wiccans celebrate this holiday as a group by standing in a dark room, with one
small candle flame lighting their way, each Wiccan then lights their candle
from that flame, until everyone in the room is bathed in the great light of
their community's bounty. Prayers are
said for a gentle spring, and that stores of food and money, greatly depleted
by the festivities of the winter solstice, last long enough to be supplemented
by the first crops.
All
Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time and serve as the deities of
Imbolc. These would include: Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and
Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus. During Imbolc
the deities are still youthful and not yet joined as one through sacred
marriage. They are innocent and
fun-loving, and are waiting just as anxiously for spring as are we!
Symbols
of Imbolc include Brideo'gas, Besoms,
Brides,
White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid's
Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), Ploughs, Grain Dollies, burrowing animals,
and Ewes.
During Imbolc, some herbs which may be burned are Angelica, Basil, Bay Lauren, Benzoin, Blackberry, Celandine, Colts foot, Myrrh, and Tansy. Some may choose to burn incenses such as Basil, Bay, Cinnamon, Myrrh, Violet, Vanilla, and Wisteria.
Heather,
Iris, Violets, and all yellow and white flowers may be used as altar decorations.
Traditional
Foods of Imbolc include Pumpkin
seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppy seed cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, all
dairy products, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas.
The colors
representing Imbolc are White, Silver,
Pink, Red, Yellow, Light Green, and Brown.
Stones which represent Imbolc are Amethyst, Blood Stone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, and Turquoise.
Rituals
and activities celebrating Imbolc might
include the making of candles, candle lighting, reading poetry and telling
stories, gathering stone, snow hiking and searching for signs of spring, planting
spring flowers, making of Brideo'gas and Bride's Beds, making Priapic Wands,
decorating ploughs, feasting, and bonfires may be lit.
Here
are a few suggestions for Imbolc activities, some of which can be incorporated
into the Sabbat celebration or simply as something to make the day more special, especially for children.
Burn the Yule greens to send winter on its
way.
Make the Bride's Bed using the Corn or
Wheat Doll made the previous Lughnassadh. Dress the doll in white or blue with a
necklace that represents the seasons. Lay it in a long basket adorned with ribbons; light white candles on either side of the basket, and say:
"Welcome
the bride both maiden and mother;
rest
and prepare for the time of the seed;
cleansed
and refreshed from labors behind her;
with
the promise of spring she lays before me."
Next morning, remove the dress and scatter
the wheat outdoors (or if you use corn, hang it up in a tree for the squirrels
and birds). This can be seen in terms of the Lady's recovery from the birthing bed and readiness to begin the turning of the seasons anew.
The Imbolc Corn Doll represents the mother
nurturing her son, who will grow and become her husband. This is the earth and
the sun, which is still weak but gaining in strength.
On Imbolc Eve, leave buttered bread in a
bowl indoors for the faeries who travel with the Lady of Greenwood. Next day,
dispose of it as the "essence" will have been removed.
Place three ears of corn on the door as a
symbol of the Triple Goddess and leave until Ostara.
Light a white candle and burn sandalwood
incense.
Cleanse the altar and equipment, do a
self-purification rite with the elemental tools representing earth (salt) for
body, air (incense) for thoughts; fire (candle flame) for will; and water
(water) for emotions.
Make dream pillows for everyone in the family.
Create a Solar Cross from palm fronds, make
enough to place one in each room of the house. Place a red pillar-style candle
center to the front door; with palm crosses in hand, light the candle and open the door and say:
"We
welcome in the Goddess and seek the turning
of the
wheel away from winter and into spring."
Close the
door, take up the candle and go to each room of the house and say:
"Great
Lady enter with the sun and watch over this room!"
Leave a Solar Cross in the room and proceed
thusly throughout your house. This is great for the kids as you can divide up
the tasks for each to do - one can hold the palms, another can open doors,
another can carry the candle, and so forth. The last room should be the kitchen
and here you say:
"Mother
of the earth and sun,
Keep us
safe and keep us warm,
As over
our home you extend your blessings."
Blessed Be!
Some of the information in this post originated from the following books and websites:
"Celtic Myth and Magick" - Edain McCoy
Activities from "Green Witchcraft" - Anne Moura (Aoumiel)
Beliefnet. com
Wicca.com
Joellessacredgrove.com
© 2013 Rosalind Scarlett
This is not only a great source of knowledge and information,but a fantastic Pagan guide, as well. I love this, every word. Keep doing what you are doing! (: Blessed Be! <3
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