[january 31–february 2
saint brigid's day/candlemas
third spoke on the dark side of the modern wheel of the year]
If Candlemas day be sunny and bright, winter will have another flight;
if Candlemas day be cloudy with rain, winter is gone, and won't come again.
—proverb
Imbolc is the first fire festival in the dark half of the wheel. This is a festival where we begin to see the light of life returning to earth, as the sun begins noticeably waxing into spring. Imbolc is one of the four Celtic fire festivals (Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh), which celebrates the return of light after the darkness of winter. This is also the time when the Goddess changes from the Crone to the Maiden.
Magickly, Imbolc is not only associated with the sun and fire but also with life, water, and divination. It is the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. However, the festival is celebrated over multiple days and is not as time sensitive as Samhain. A festival of Celtic origin, Imbolc is originally thought to have been celebrated on February 1. However, it has moved to being observed on February 2, which merges it with the Candlemas celebration of the Catholic Church. Currently, the festival of Imbolc begins on what is known as February Eve, January 31, and continues through the end of February 2.
The etymology of Imbolc's origins actually is a little tricky to wrap our head's around even in its seeming simplicity. At its root, Imbolc is an Irish word thought to translate to “in the belly.” Other sources believe that the word actually originates from an older medieval word, oimelc, which translates to “ewe's milk.” Both translations do refer to ewes, as this is the time of year they are pregnant. Given that this is a fertility holiday, it should come as no surprise that the naming and origins reflects that. Interestingly enough, while we give credit to the Celtic people for the observation of Imbolc, it is thought that the earlier indigenous Irish not of Celtic origin celebrated this day first.
In today's world, the Irish still celebrate Imbolc yearly, in a day known as the Feast of Saint Brigid, or Saint Brigid's Day. Retaining some of its pagan origins, Saint Brigid's Day became a Christian holiday in honor of the Irish patron saint Brigid of Kildare.
Brigid was born in County Kildare, Ireland, in 450. Her mother is thought to have been Brocca, a Pict slave who became a Christian after being baptized by Saint Patrick. Brigid's father was a Leinster chieftain, but this did not change her status as being born to a slave in slavery. She is attributed with converting several druid temples into Christian monasteries in Ireland. And she had many qualifying miracles throughout her lifetime that lifted her to sainthood, such as turning water into beer and curing two sisters who were mute by touching them with her blood after an injury. (If ever there was an Irish saint, it would be one who could turn water into beer.)
Most popularly, Imbolc is thought to be most closely associated with the goddess Brigid. This is shown in later years as the festival was converted by the Christian Church into what is now known as the Feast of Saint Brigid. The goddess Brigid was especially important to the Celtic people during the last phase of the winter season. Brigid was not only the goddess of childbirth and healers but also the goddess of the hearth and fire. During Imbolc, it is believed that her light will help to take the darkness out of winter and rejuvenate the earth with the warmth and light of the sun.
As the festival became popular throughout the British Isles, traditions such as creating the Brigid's cross and bride dolly's grew in popularity. The Brigid's cross, and Irish tradition, was a three to four-armed cross made out of woven rushes. These crosses were then hung over doors and windows for protection and to welcome the goddess Brigid into the hearth and home.
Many scholars debate if Saint Brigid was a real person or if she was a Christianization of the Celtic goddess Brigid. Some scholars believe that the overlap between the person and the goddess occurred after her death, making it easier to convert the pagan Irish population.
To many, Brigid absolutely embodies Imbolc. However, to many heathens, it is Frigga who dominates the season. Thinking in a secular way, the beginning of February brings with it love, lust (which can turn into children), and time spent inside to get out of the cold. Frigga was a goddess who wore many hats, but she was known best for being the wife of Odin, the Queen of Aesir, the goddess of fertility, marriage, hearth, and home. Essentially, all of the things that Frigga lords over are themes to Imbolc as well.
While the most popular deities for Imbolc celebrations are the goddesses Brigid and Frigga, this is a time of year for generally every god and goddess of love and fertility. Imbolc brings with it the first thoughts of the earth's fertility, the possibility of spring on the horizon. Much how popular secular culture celebrates love during this time of year, the gods are up to it, too.
For the specific holiday observance of Imbolc, aside from the generalized “Lord and Lady” and the goddess Brigid, there are not that many singled out gods or goddesses. There are other holidays that are closely associated with Imbolc that may even overlap in some way, shape, or form—but Imbolc is a purely Celtic origin holiday that is meant to focus on shaking off the cold and dark of winter and welcoming in the life-giving light and fertility of the sun.
Imbolc is the perfect time to renew your devotion to your craft and to your gods. While we start the witch's year in autumn with Samhain, most of us did not begin our path on that day. And if you're like me, you probably didn't mark down on a calendar the first time you read a book on Wicca, paganism, or witchcraft and decided, “Hey, this might be for me.” While I know I started sometime in 2001, I'd be hard-pressed to nail down an exact anniversary.
Putting this anniversary-type ritual around Imbolc happened pretty naturally for me. At the time I had started doing this, I was living in northwest Montana. The winter was usually long and harsh, and it allowed a lot of time to reflect on myself, my practices, and the future. During this time of the year, most places in the northern hemisphere are on the cusp of spring. Light is returning after months of cold darkness! The earth is once again pregnant with the magick and possibility of new life. This is a special time when we can embody this light and take a moment to appreciate it within ourselves and our craft. This little ritual is truly for everyone, because regardless of whether you have been formally initiated into a coven or you have a solitary practice, there was once a day when you made a personal commitment to yourself to continue following your path.
Thinking back to when I first started doing this ritual in a solitary (and occasionally group) way, I would be lying if I said I had it all figured out. The most important thing to remember while doing this is your commitment to yourself. The commitment we made as pagans and witches before we found a god or goddess is the most important commitment we can keep. Additionally, if things don't feel right as written, change them to fit you! Reading how others initiate their rituals lays the framework for supporting how we build our own. If something I've written doesn't speak to you, replace it with something that does!
There comes a point, however, when beginning witches realize they either no longer want to or can't remain as a solitary island and continue growing spiritually. At some point, we almost all branch out at least a little. If you have a desire to do more group-oriented spellwork and rituals, finding a coven might be the next phase of your journey! I have found that the best way to meet more witches is to go to places witches gather—your local metaphysical or witch shop, a crystal store, a drum circle or concert. When you get there, branch out! Talk to people, and really try to engage. Some stores maintain a list of events that they or others host in the store. By attending these events and networking, you will soon find your way to creating lasting and meaningful witch relationships.
SELF-INITIATION AND RENEWAL RITUAL
As the earth is welcoming in the light of life, we'll take our cues from nature and welcome that same energy into our lives and homes. A few days before Imbolc, you'll want to build an altar for this ceremony, either indoors at an east-facing window or outdoors. Gather the following items:
Set the candles in a semicircle. In the center of the candle arc, arrange your cauldron, salt, and alcohol. Then arrange your flowers, food or drink offering, and pen in a way that's pleasing to you. The tealight candles don't need to be placed on your altar, but could be stored nearby. They'll be used during the ritual.
I like to take the first day of Imbolc in reverence to my gods, the second day in remembrance of my path, and the third day in celebration. So traditionally, this ritual should be performed on February 1, either as the sun is rising or while it is still up in the sky.
Light one tealight candle in each room of your house, not counting the hallways. Starting at the far east room in your house, light a candle anywhere that is safe to light. Repeat this process, going clockwise through your home, welcoming in and literally bringing in the light of the sun and its blessings.
When the clock has come full circle, it is time to begin to work at the altar. This is not a petitioning ritual, or a ritual involving gods or ancestors, but if you feel intuitively called to welcome them into this space with you, then call out to them. After all, you are choosing to share your spiritual life with them.
Light the candles in the semicirlce on the altar from left to right as you repeat this phrase:
From darkness to light,
And from light to night,
Renew and restore,
With these, I do pour.
Once all the candles are lit, prep the eternal fire that is in all of our hearts. Pour an inch of salt into your cauldron. Pour the rubbing alcohol on top just until the salt is saturated. Set aside. When you are ready, take one of the candles and carefully touch the flame to the salt in your cauldron. Doing this will ignite the alcohol and create a small fire.
As the fire burns, visualize your intention and dedication to your craft. What drew you to this path? What keeps you there? How can you continue to grow throughout the coming year?
Take out your notebook and pen and write down affirming “I will” statements. As each year progresses, you will be able to look back at the prior years' “I wills” and see how many you were able to accomplish. (Last year I wrote, “I will write a book.”)
When you have finished writing, look into the fire and focus your energy. Read each of your “I will” statements aloud three times. The first time, you read it for yourself. The second time, you read it for your shadow self (see p. 148). The third and final time, you read it for your spirit. Allow the words to slowly sink into each level of consciousness, manifesting the will and desire you have to enact change.
As you draw the ritual to a close, focus your attention on the food or drink that you brought as an offering. You are the one you're offering to. Partake in the indulgence, knowing that by receiving an offering yourself, you are sealing a pact to take the next year head-on and tackle your goals.