Tag Archives: imbolg

Sabbats and Esbats, Wiccan Holidays

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The Sabbats are the eight Pagan holidays related to the passage of the sun, which is sometimes personified as a God.  A lot of Wiccans have a story of how the God is born at Yule, grows to manhood, impregnates the Goddess at Beltane, and dies at Samhain only to be reborn again at Yule.  Because they are based on the Sun, they mostly occur at the same time in the calendar year.

I am slowly including posts for each Sabbat. Each post goes into what is celebrated at each Sabbat, ways to culturally celebrate, and some suggestions for rituals at each.

Yule (Winter Solstice)

Imbolg (February 1st or August 1st for the southern hemisphere)

Ostara (Spring Equinox)

Beltane (May 1st or November 1st for the southern hemisphere)

Midsummer (Summer Solstice)

Lughnasadh (August 1st or February 1st for the southern hemisphere)

Mabon (Autumn Equinox)

Samhain (October 31st or April 31st for the southern hemisphere)

The Esbats are the 12-13 Pagan holidays related to the passage of the moon. They usually coincide with the new moon or the full moon. The moon is often personified as a Goddess. Because women’s bodies (mostly) change on a 28-day cycle, the moon is often associated with females. When I have finished with the posts for the Sabbats, I will then focus on the Esbats.

Sabbats: Imbolg

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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:imbolg 2

  • 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 candlesimbolg 1
  • 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?

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