Imbolc - First Fire Festival (1st Feb)

Merry Imbolc, dear friends!

Imbolc is the mid-winter celebration. Winter transforms gradually into Spring. The Sun is slowly but steadily coming back and the ice starts to melt, offering the opportunity for the bravest flowers to bloom.

The first sunbeams and drops of water are waking Mother Nature from her long but necessary slumber. Imbolc is a time for healing, awakening and rebirth.

Imbolc means "in the belly" refering to the pregnancies of ewes and cows. This sabbat emphasizes milk and all dairy products: as the last provisions from the previous harvest were running out, milk made it possible for the Ancients to survive the end of Winter.

This sabbat is sacred to the Celtic triple Goddess Brigid, the Exalted One. She is the bringer of Spring, healing and fertility. She is the patroness of smithcraft and poetry (that's probably why I love her so much... !!!).

Here is a short guide on how to decorate your house and altar for Imbolc:

• Colors: white, red, green

• Decor: candles, white flowers, evergreen, brooms, Brigid's Cross, lambs, groundhogs

• Crystals: amethyst, rose quartz, peridot, garnet, ruby, moonstone

• Herbs and flowers: bay leaves, crocus, primrose, daffodil, angelica, lavender, rosemary, basil, musk, myrrh, willow, chamomille

• Food: milk, dairy products, bread, dried fruits, waffles (yes, really!!)

• Signs: Aquarius and Pisces

As usual, use your instincts first, then follow guidance. If blue candles call to you for Imbolc, so mote it be! :-)

Something I have never done yet but is willing to try this year, is to make your own broom. A big one or a smaller one you can use for your altar for example. Some Sisters Witches are extremely talented and inspiring, I encourage you to go through Pinterest for inspo! If I try in the following weeks, I'll let you know! :-)

Spell work, rituals and magic for Imbolc:

• purification, cleansing

• renewal, changes in the house

• rebirth, both physically and emotionally

• time for creativity

• spells for fertility, connexion, awakening and inspiration

• Ritual of the Ribbon (whisper your intention into a ribbon, leave it outside for the night and receive a blessing from Nature)

• Carve candles

• Lake or river bath (for our dauntless Sisters... ;-) )

• Make your own broom and give the old one back to the river

May the return of Spring bring joy and abundance into your hearts. So it is and it shall be.

Blessed be!