Imbolc

(im-molc) (em-bowl'g) - Major Sabbat (High Holiday) - Fire Festival February 1,2 - when the sun reaches 15-degrees Aquarius

AKA:

Imbolg (Celtic), Candlemas (Christian), Brigantia (Caledonii), Oimelc, Festival of Light, Brigid’s (Brid, Bride) Day, La Fheill, An Fheille Bride, Candelaria (Mexico), Chinese New Year, Disting-tid (Feb 14th, Teutonic), DisaBlot, Anagantios, Lupercalia/Lupercus (Strega), Groundhog Day, Valentines Day

Animals/Mythical beings:

firebird, dragon, groundhog, deer, burrowing animals, ewes, robin, sheep, lamb, other creatures waking from hibernation

Gemstones:

amethyst, garnet, onyx, turquoise

Incense/Oil:

jasmine, rosemary, frankincense, cinnamon, neroli, musk, olive, sweet pea, basil, myrrh, and wisteria, apricot, carnation

Colors/Candles:

brown, pink, red, orange, white, lavender, pale yellow, silver

Tools/Symbols/Decorations:

white flowers, marigolds, plum blossoms, daffodils, Brigid wheel, Brigid’s cross, candles, grain/seed for blessing, red candle in a cauldron full of earth, doll, Bride's Bed; the Bride, broom, milk, birchwood, snowflakes, snow in a crystal container,evergreens, homemade besom of dried broom, orange candle annointed in oil (see above)can be used to sybolize the renewing energy of the Sun’s rebirth.



Goddesses:

Virgin Goddess, Venus, Diana, Februa, Maiden, Child Goddess, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Vesta, Gaia, Brigid, Selene (Greek), Branwen (Manx-Welsh)

Gods:

young Sun Gods, Pan, Cupid/Eros (Greco-Roman), Dumuzi (Sumerian)

Essence:

conception, initiation, insight, inspiration, creativity, mirth, renewal, dedication, breath of life, life-path, wise counsel, plan, prepare

Dynamics/Meaning:

first stirring of Mother Earth, lambing, growth of the Sun God, the middle of winter

Purpose:

honoring the Virgin Goddess, festival of the Maiden/Light

Rituals/Magicks:

cleansing; purification, renewal, creative inspiration, purification, initiation, candle work, house & temple blessings, welcoming Brigid, feast of milk & bread

Customs:

lighting candles, seeking omens of Spring, storytelling, cleaning house, bonfires, indoor planting, stone collecting, candle kept burning dusk till dawn; hearth re-lighting

Foods:

dairy, spicy foods, raisins, pumpkin, sesame & sunflower seeds, poppyseed bread/cake, honey cake, pancakes, waffles, herbal tea

Herbs:

angelica, basil, bay, benzoin, celandine, clover, heather, myrrh, all yellow flowers, willow

Element/Gender: earth/female

Threshold:

midnight

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Ostara
Beltane
Litha
Lughnasadh
Mabon



SOURCE(S)
"Katydid"

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