Sabbats: Imbolg

Imbolg (pronounced phonetically) is also referred to as Imbolc. It is a mid-winter holiday celebrated on February 1-2 in the northern hemisphere or August 1-2 in the southern hemisphere.  It seems to be the least practiced and least understood of the sabbats.  Imbolg celebrates the following:

• halfway point through the winter
• the sun starting to return
• ewes and goats starting to produce milk again
• some signs of spring returning (depending on where you live)
• some people call it Brigid’s Day and honor her

Here are some ways that I and other people I know celebrate this holiday culturally:

• lighting candles
• clean your home
• cleanse your home
• do guided meditations
• do inner work
• make crafts
• unplug all electronics for the day
• light your home by candlelight for the night
• make and eat foods made with milk and dairy products
• read books to improve your spiritual knowledge
• feed animals who might be struggling through the winter
• take a walk in the snow (if your locale permits)
• create a corn dolly
• create a protective sigil
• de-clutter your home

Here are some ideas for Imbolg rituals:

• Call for the return of the sun
• Bless holiday-appropriate foods and eat them
• Meditation
• Inner work
• Honor the Goddess Brigid
• Cleanse your ritual tools
• Protection spells

Please remember that your celebration and ritual can be as simple or complex as you want and have time for. How do you celebrate Imbolg?