Imbolc, herald of spring

Photo by Haley Owens on Unsplash

The wheel turns. The days are growing noticeably longer now, the buds of new leaves beginning to swell on the tips of the branches, the black raspberry brambles flushed with the hidden life inside. Soon the first of the spring bulbs will peek out of the still hard and snowy ground. Winter is, but not forever; the old crone will soon give way to the fertile maiden.

As Yule—the winter solstice—is associated with the New Moon, this time of year is associated with the waxing crescent moon, full of possibility and increase. This is when I chase away the winter doldrums by placing my first seed orders and planting herbs and hot peppers, which take a long time to sprout and are slow growing. As I am still new to herb gardening it takes a while for me to look up each herb I plant to be sure I’m doing it right. Some, like mugwort, sage, and lavender, need to be cold stratified; which means I put the containers of dirt or damp paper towels with the seeds I’ve planted in the fridge for a few weeks before taking them out to sprout in the sunshine. Some require sun to germinate, like mint and St. John’s wort; while others, like chamomile and chives, need it to be warm and dark. Some only germinate if it’s nice and warm (I couldn’t get bee balm or St. John’s wort to grow for me last year, so I’m trying to insulate them more this year). Often the information I find is contradictory, and I have to make my best guess and hope for the best. This forced slowness reminds me that I am not in control here: I can place seeds into prepared soil, I can tend them and watch and wait and hope, but I cannot make them grow. Amid the long slog of late winter, with spring near but not here, I have no choice but to be patient and honor the ageless and mysterious life/death dance going on all around me.

What we, culturally, know as the rather inane holiday called Groundhog’s Day is actually an ancient cross-quarter festival of fire, burgeoning energy, cleansing, and new beginnings. Marking the transition point between winter and spring, this festival (usually celebrated February 1st or 2nd), goes by many names. The Celts called it Imbolc, meaning “in the belly,” referring perhaps to the lambing season begun, or to the Brigid (pronounced: Breed), Goddess of spring and transformation¹, who is said to “conceive of the spring” on Imbolc. The Catholics repurposed Brigid as their saint Brigid, and celebrated this cross-quarter day as Candlemas, the day the Virgin Mary was ritually purified at the temple after birthing her holy son. The Greeks and Romans celebrated Februalia in honor of Februus, the God of death and purification. His month, February, was known in Greco-Roman culture as a “dead month,” a time of spiritual purification that “was thought to bring great virility and fertility to the people and the land².” Death, purification, passion, and rebirth are all common themes that have echoed around the world and across the centuries at this pivotal time of year.

Imbolc is a wonderful time to remind your children, loved ones, and yourself, of the deep magic and great creative potential we each possess. Set aside the day as a celebration of the arts and the artist within. Play music or cook together. Gather every art tool and medium you have on hand, put it all out on a table with smocks for everyone and see what you can create, together or individually. Write stories, perhaps a round story where someone starts and each person gets a turn to add something. Write poetry and share it, or have one person create a piece of artwork and someone else write a poem inspired by it. Go for a walk or a hike, or sit and listen to music with your eyes closed, and then write about how it made you feel and what you experienced internally. Put on some up-beat music and have a family dance party. This is the traditional time for Carnival, so let yourself go a little wild! The winter is passing, and we are still here; ready to burst out of our winter-selves into a new year of new growth. Who knows what that will bring!

Fire is sacred at Imbolc, especially the hearth fire. Traditionally, it is the day for making all the candles that you will use in ritual for the coming year. Candles are fascinating magical tools for any age, and making candles together is a meaningful way to express creativity and prepare for the coming year. Melt some beeswax or soy wax and try dipped candles, or use sand in a bucket to create a mold and pour your own. Larger candles can be decorated with dried leaves and flowers (use the back of a very hot metal spoon to press the plants onto the sides of a still slightly soft candle), and flower buds, glass or metal beads, or other decorations can be added to poured candles. Kids love watching the surprises be revealed as the candles burn. Essential oils can be added to scent the candles (20-30 drops of essential oil per 2 ounces of wax), or used to anoint the candle after it is finished and charge it with intention. A quick internet search with the words: “what are the magical properties of [name of essential oil]” can help you find the right oil or oils to use for your desired intention. Cait Johnson and Maura Shaw, authors of Celebrating the Great Mother: A Handbook of Earth-honoring Activities for Parents and Children, say this about the sacredness of homemade candles: