Imbolc

Spring is finally on its way! The long winter is now shedding its heavy coat, the days are getting a little warmer and the sun hangs out with us longer. Imbolc is the Gaelic festival that celebrates the arrival of Spring.

So what does that mean for us witches? The first Sabbat of the year is here to get us in the clearing and cleansing mind frame. I wouldn't be surprised the saying "out with the old and in with new" came originally from a Sabbat tradition.

Side note: Imbolc has many interpretations, and my beliefs lean toward the Wiccan point of view. If you would like to know more about other rituals performed by other factions, then I recommend you start with Wikipedia and go from there. My information is based on my current belief system, and I don’t want you to miss out on other cultures celebration!

The Wiccan tradition (and other factions) recognise that this is the time for creation. Like the Empress card the fruits of your labour are starting to come to fruition, what you have slowly been working away at is now starting to grow.

Over the Winter we have been reflecting on how the previous Summer was. What we did well and what we didn't. Through that time we have started to plan for what we are going to do once the weather is warmer.

So what are a few things you can do to celebrate Imbolc in your own home? Well, the first thing you can do is decorate your altar with Imbolc themed items, this could be basil, bay leaves or even burn vanilla incense on the night.

Sticking with plants you could place vases of Marigolds or any sort of white flowers throughout your home. In some traditions, these flowers are used during funerals, so it makes sense to help invoke your loved ones into your mind by having these flowers throughout the place.

Now it wouldn’t be a celebration without a Tarot reading! So for this Sabbat, I have created a spread based around growth and direction. What served us during Winter might not serve us during the Spring. We also need to take into consideration what the warmer months might bring us and how we should approach it.

Well I hope I have wet your palette when it comes to the Imbolc celebrations, it is such a beautiful day and I love connecting with my guides and family.

What do you do to celebrate Imbolc (or Candlemass?) I would love to hear from you in the comments below or on social media.

Love & Light,