Imbolic means "in the belly," because this is time of the year when the flocks return and give birth.
Other Names of this Sabbath:Oimelc,Candlemas,The Feast of Waxing Light,Laa'l Breechey,Brigid,Brigantia,La Feill Bhtide.
This is the first harbinger of spring.our assurance that the Wheel is turning and the long,warm days of summer will return.
The Goddess Kore,has begun Her journey to return to Hades' realm: in the time ahead She will embrace Mother Demeter and the world is made green again.
This Sabbath is for Initiation and Rebirth. This is a time of The Goddess Brigid who is sacred to women and who reminds of the Strength of women as in the invincible fire that burns streadily through the heart of winter,no matter how dark and cold the world.
Brigid is not only special to women she is special to all poets,artists,healers,midwives,craftpeople of all kinds.
The Sabbath is the turning point, when we lift our eyes from inner remembrance and begin to envision the season of growth that lies ahead.A time for Cleansing and Purification,for discarding the out worn things of the year past so that we may create room in our lives for the Goddess' new bounty.
Symbols for Imbolic: fire in hearth,candle,crown of light,Brigid's bed,& crow
MULLED WINE FOR IMBOLIC:
a small dash of cayenne;peels of orange and lemon;cinnamon;basil;and one bay leaf.
THINGS TO DO ON IMBOLIC:
1: Hold a ritual a ritual where coveners recite their own poetry, with the sound of a hammer softly striking an anvil as a rhythmic background accompaniment. When the readings are finnished, the hammering continues more softly, and in quiet meditation each covener seeks within for any negative feelings they are ready to release. Then feelings of grief,anger,pain,and the like are put on slips of parchment and cast into the Cauldron of Transformation and Rebirth, where they are burned. Grounding and celebration follow.
2: In the sabbat fire, burn the evergreen boughs that decorated your house. Clean your house, and discard all useless or unnecessary possessions.
3: Cleanse your body with a ritual bath, or make a sauna or sweat lodge. Cleanse your body on the inside by eating foods with fiber, and using a mild herbal laxative. Then wise fasting: drink plenty of juice and pure water.
4: Cleanse your heart of old anger,pain, and fear; make peace with those you quarreled with. Meditate to cleanse your mind of old limitations; welcome new challenges.
5: Have a Candlemas "candle bee." after a workshop on candle magick, let conveners design and create their own unique magickal candles for special purposes. Clean your altar and ritual tools and reconsecrate them.
6: Have a "God/dess in Art" night. Come together and let Brigid inspire you to create god/dess images in clay or wood. Or create the artworks individually at home and bring them to share with the coven at this sabbat. Each artist may tell the story of their chosen deity, and then they may all grace the altar.
7: At the nearest well or spring, tie tiny strips of brightly colored cloth to the bushes, invoking Brigid's help in your life. Use cotton and tie it loosely; birds can use it for nests, and it will biodegrade.
8: Create "Brigid's Crosses" of woven rushes or straw; hang them in your home as protective charms and burn the old ones from last year.
9: Make a Corn Bride with corn, a sheaf of wheat or other grain, and dress Her in a little white bridal gown. Place Her in a "Bride's Bed," perhaps make from a basket by the hearth, with a phallic pinecone-tipped wand beside Her. Then light red and white candles and invite the spirit of Brigid in.
10: Go skyclad or in white during purification rituals. Wear brilliant red the rest of the time---red robes, red jewelry, or red ribbons.
11: In Ritual, the High Priestesss wears a "Crown of Lights." The Farrars suggest that this can be a band of actual small candles (over a tin-foil skullcap), which is practical if you are outside, indoors use a battery-powered electric version or simply a tiara of shiny tinsel. Or, you may have 3 Priestesses representing inspiration, healing, and smithcraft.
12: Play the "Candle Game," where the men stand in a circle and pass a lighted candle around,while the women stand outside the circle and try to blow it out. The one who succeeds gets to claim a kiss. This is just for fun, and has no deep religious symbolism. Light the new fire in your hearth.
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