The candle is the most important symbol of Imbolc. A ritual suggestion for Imbolc would be to include a central candle that is lit before any peripheral candles. As this central candle is lit, ask for it to be blessed by the Source or your patron deity. All other candles in the ritual are then lit from this central candle.
Imbolc can also be called "Spring's door" or "The Door of Spring". The element most closely associated with Imbolc is Earth, as Imbolc is still part of Winter and Winter is closely associated with Earth. Colors commonly linked with Imbolc are light greens (as mentioned in the Holiday section), heavy browns, white, or light grey. Some tools you might want to include in the Imbolc ritual are the staff, cup/chalice, and altar.
Though Druidic seasonal divination is usually performed on the solstices and equinoxes, Imbolc is also seen to be a holiday conducive to divination energy, especially for looking ahead to the coming Spring. The lighting of fires is important, whether it be candles, hearth fires, cooking fires, or campfires, as it is believed that the more fires that are lit and the more energy put into looking forward to Spring, the faster Spring will arrive.
Imbolc is also a holiday where the sharing of bread and drink (sometimes called "cakes and ale" in other religions) is important. This does not occur at every Druid holiday, but for Imbolc, the food and drink symbolize the hope of plentiful crops and a fruitful year that will begin with the coming Spring. Any bread product will serve as the bread portion, and the drink is usually a wine or honey mead, but a cinnamon tea or other tea with honey added is also appropriate.
In your Imbolc ritual you can also include seed planting in starter pots. Some of the energy in the ritual is directed toward the seeds to encourage strong healthy growth. Afterward, the Druid(s) takes care of the seeds as they germinate, giving care and energy to the young plants. When the plants are ready, the Druid(s) repots the plants and gives one to all who were present at the ritual as a symbol of a fruitful and successful year.
