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?