Imbolc & Ways to Celebrate

Imbolg or Lá Fhéile Bríde is a Gaelic fire festival & cross quarter day marking the mid-point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. For the ancient Irish Celts, cross quarter days signaled the beginning of a season. In this case, Imbolg is a threshold crossing initiating mamy of us into early Spring. This festival traditionally took place around February 1st.

Overview:

1. Introduction

2. What is Imbolc?

3. Nature's Arc of Change

4. Imbolc & the Fixed Cross

5. Orienting to Cyclical Time 

6. The Awakening of New Life

7. Ways to Celebrate Imbolc

   1. Celebrate with Friends & Family

   2. Celebrate in Solitude

8. Closing

Introduction

Dear one, can you feel it? The quiet quivering and restless stirring beneath this thick blanket of snow? The weight of heavy eyelids slowly lifting as the lengthening light penetrates into the depths of darkness?

I feel it too... It's as if we're standing between worlds, with one foot in the clinging shade, knee-deep in the cold freeze of Winter, and another standing in the warm sun on thawing ground, with new little green shoots appearing for the first time. Imbolc is the season where opposites meet, where fire and ice co-mingle. Between the frozen stillness of the Winter's embrace and the coming thaw of Spring, Imbolc signals the quickening of life, buried deep within the earth.

I can sense this tension of opposites at play within my own life (and the collective) as I experience old parts of me (habits, behaviors, thought patterns) clinging on for dear life, wishing that I would stay in unconscious slumber or simply remain in what's familiar and comfortable. I'm noticing the need for rest and longer sleeping hours because less energy is available as a result of fewer daylight hours.

And yet simultaneously, new aspects of self are emerging (as I have called them forth) along with opportunities to apply myself in fresh and exciting ways. Some of these things are already pushing at the edge of my comfort zone, requiring more energy for greater focus as I strengthen new neural pathways (embodiments, rhythms and routines).

"In the dim winter days of the early year there grows within all of us a longing for more light. In old Scotland February fell in the middle of the period known as Faoilleach, the wold month; it was also known as a'marbh mhios, the dead month. But although this season was so cold and drear, small signs of new life began to appear: lambs were born, and soft rain brought new grass. Ravens began to build their nests, and larks were said to sing with a clear voice. The Cailleach (kal-yukh), Old Woman of Winter, was transformed into Bride, the Fair Woman of February, fragile yet growing stronger each day as the sun rekindled its fire." - Mara Freeman

What is Imbolc?

Imbolc (pronounced Imb'ulk) falls on or around February 1st and is one of the four Gaelic fire festivals (cross-quarter days)—along with Samhain, Bealtaine and Lunasa. The name "Imbolc" comes from early Éire (Ireland), which means ‘in the belly’ ~ a time of gestation and rebirth. It has strong associations to the first milk of the year as ewes birthed their lambs, heralding the return of new life. It is a time when the momentum shifts from death to rebirth. Though Winter is still all too present above ground, something deep below begins to awaken and quiver into consciousness. It’s not obvious on the surface of things but to those who are paying attention there are signals and signs that a cycle of renewal is beginning and preparing to emerge, come Spring.

In the eloquent words of our dear friend Hope Horton...

"This is the time when the old hag of winter begins to loosen her icy talons and stumble on the shifting winds of Spring. The wise crone makes way for Brigid in her maiden guise to appear, bearing a staff of light to initiate a new cycle of growth, fertility, and abundance. The ice cracks and quakes, the wind shifts, and the temperatures rapidly rise and fall, bringing slush as well as snow, causing us to wonder if winter is coming or going . Of course, it’s only February, so we must wait awhile before the landscape changes. But we know that a new season is coming as sure as day follows night, and we believe in better days."

In later centuries, this day came to be known as Brigit's Feast Day, but in the Christian calendar the festival was replaced by Candlemas Day on February 2nd, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and featuring candlelight processions. A powerful female figure of light hovers over both celebrations, and indeed, Brigit was often called Mary of the Gael.

Other Names & Associated Festivals 

Imbolc, Imbolg, Oimealg, Lá Fhéile Bríde (Brigid’s festival), the Feast of St. Brigid, Brigid’s Day, Bride’s Feast, Ground Hog Day, Imbolgc Brigantia, Imbolic, Disting, Lubercus, Candlemas, Candlelaria, the Snowdrop Festival, The Festival of Lights, the Feast of the Virgin, February Eve

Goddess Brigid

You might be wondering, who is Brigid anyhow ? (other name variations are Brigid, Brighid, Brid in Éire (Ireland), Bhrighde and Bride in Scotland, and other variations elsewhere). It is said that of the four fire festivals, Imbolc is the one that was likely dedicated to the Goddess Brigid. In Ireland, she is the daughter of the Dagda (King of the Tuatha Dé Danann) and represents the beginning of spring, returning light and warmth to the land. . According to Irish mythology, the Tuatha Dé Danann ("tribe of the gods") were a supernatural race inhabiting the land before the arrival of the Milesians (the ancestors of the modern Irish). According to Mara Freemen, "She was also known as the mother of the three gods of Danu, which perhaps reflects and earlier matrifocal, or woman-centered, tradition." Saint Brigit's name is taken from the goddess Brigid.

Tara Brading, women's educator, storyteller and songstress, tells us of the relationship between Bríd and the Cailleach, whose story changes from region to region:

"In Scotland, one tale tells the story of how the Cailleach captures Bride beneath the mountain of Ben Nevis during the winter months. When spring comes, Bride escapes and returns to the land, melting the snow and ice as she ushers in the spring. But there’s a struggle between the two seasons from Imbolc to Spring Equinox, and an energetic struggle between the two Goddesses."

Brigit is the nearest thing we have to a Great Mother of the Celts and it is for this reason that she is deeply associated with the country of Éire (Ireland), where to this day some Irish rivers bear her name. There is much more to learn and say about Brigit, but I hope this is a good start. At Imbolg, we welcome Bríd back into the world and open our hearts toward new dreams and possibilities.

Nature's Arc of Change

Imbolc is a cross-quarter day in Nature's Arc of Change, marking the darmidway point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinx. This alignment happens when the Sun is sitting at 15° of Aquarius.

Nature's Arc of Change is a calendar illustrating cyclical time expressed through thresholds of change found in nature. Within it I combine pre-christian, Indo-European, Taoist and astrological tracking methods.

Under industrial growth society, we follow the concept of linear time, however in the past, when we lived in closer relationship to the land, we embodied the cyclical rhythms of nature. Indigenous cultures from around the world recognize that we are embedded within and informed by cosmic-earth cycles, what we call Nature’s Arc of Change. 

It's important to note that Indigenous and folk cultures from around the world share very similar earth-based, cyclical orientations to time that are shaped and informed by their own unique bioregional cosmologies. Please bear in mind the obvious limitations of this particular map (which is applicable to only certain regions). This template is adapted for the northern hemisphere. Take this illustrative map as a starting point and adapt it to where you are by paying attention to the subtle changes you observe in the natural world over the course of the seasons.

Nature's Arc of Change is divided into eight equal sections, demarcated by the following seasonal thresholds:

Quarter Days

1. Winter Solstice: Dec. 20-21 | 0° of Capricorn (Cardinal Cross)

2. Spring Equinox: Mar. 19-21 | 0° of Aries (Cardinal Cross)

3. Summer Solstice: Jun. 20-21 | 0° of Cancer (Cardinal Cross)

4. Fall Equinox: Sep. 21-23 | 0° of Libra (Cardinal Cross)

Cross-Quarter Days:

1. Early Spring: Feb 4-6 | 15° of Aquarius (Fixed Cross)

2. Early Summer: May 4-6 | 15° of Taurus (Fixed Cross)

3. Early Autumn: Aug. 6-8 | 15° of Leo (Fixed Cross)

4. Early Winter: Nov. 6-8 | 15° of Scorpio (Fixed Cross)

Orienting to Nature's Arc of Change is a powerful way to reclaim your ancestral connection to these seasonal thresholds, including Imbolc, for each is a portal bearing gifts. This time can be made more meaningful by slowing down, listening deeply, and taking one step at a time. Embracing the seasonal energy, and leaning into the invitations nature brings, will support you THRIVE in these early days of the light's return.

Imbolc & the Fixed Cross

Imbolc, the cross-quarter day that corresponds to Aquarius at 15 degrees, marks the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Just as Winter Solstice brings the darkest night, Imbolc stands as a turning point, where the light begins to grow noticeably stronger, yet there is still a sense of quiet anticipation before the full blossoming of spring. This time corresponds with the Taoist Qi Node 1, Lìchūn, the "Start of Spring," which, like Aquarius, represents a subtle stirring of new energy beneath the surface. While the world is still in the grip of winter, the subtle energy of Imbolc invites us to prepare for the coming season of growth, expansion, and renewal.

Aquarius, with its fixed air quality, imbues Imbolc with a sense of mental clarity, innovation, and vision. It asks us to pause and consider how we can break free from old patterns and make way for new ideas and approaches. Unlike the Capricornian energy of the Solstice, which emphasizes grounding and structure, Aquarius calls for a more forward-thinking, progressive approach. It is about seeing the potential for transformation and growth on the horizon, even when it might still feel too early to act. Aquarius, ruled by Saturn’s co-ruler Uranus, prompts us to consider the long-term vision, to look ahead with the clarity of someone who can see where the future is headed.

Orienting to Cyclical Time

If you are in the beginning stages of disentangling yourself from the death-grip of colonial capitalism, shifting from linear to cyclical time can seem quite foreign and unfamiliar at first. As part of our colonial conditioning, many of us have have become used to perceiving time as a never-ending accumulation of events. Disorientation, dislocation and disassociation are all manifestations of the trauma of separation from nature (aka. colonial fragmentation). Making the shift toward nature's cycles will take time. That is why we came up with the Nature's Arc of Change as a tool to support you on your journey.

Here is a ROOTING practice to support you with orienting to cyclical time:

1. Find an accessible place in nature to ROOT. Rooting is an anchor practice; a place to be held by nature and to behold nature.

2. Go to this place daily or as often as possible to observe subtle, seasonal changes in the landscape. Use a nature journal to record what you observe or experience.

For Example:

1. Silently listen to the soundscape and notice what you hear.

2. Observe the flora around you and be curious about who is growing, flowering, seeding, fruiting etc.

3. Track the phase and position of the moon over an entire lunar cycle, from new moon to new moon.

4. Track the position of the sun in the sky and how it changes from Winter to Summer.

The Awakening of New Life

"To everything there is a season,

a time for every purpose under the sun:

A time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to lose and a time to seek,

a time to rend and a time to sew,

a time to keep silent and a time to speak..."

- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Lamsa

And lest we forget the sacred in- between's. The lived experiences that don't necessarily belong to the categorical highs and lows or polar extremes, yet fill out and give shape to our daily lives. These are the moments that exist within the realm of the quiet mundane, where change is always afoot and yet often overlooked.

Nature teaches us through the turning of the wheel that change happens slowly, often imperceptibly. Thus Imbolc invites us to pay close attention to the magical subtleties unfolding in every moment and to deepen our presence in the here and now. As multidimensional beings we exist between worlds and are designed to hold and be with the complexity of what it means to be human. We can co-mingle and dance between fire and ice; we can know and simultaneously experience both sorrow and joy for the world, knowing that love gives rise to both.

Nature also reveals that the process of awakening is not for the faint of heart. It takes great courage (bravery of the heart) to meet life at the edge of your comfort zone. This is how we expand and grow into new horizons. New beginnings require strong vision and focus and inevitably will bring an element of challenge and surprise - our faith and perseverance will be tested. So be ready. The journey of awakening can be both daunting and exhilarating!

Orienting to nature's rhythms is a powerful way to reclaim your ancestral connection to this sacred time of the year. Imbolc can be made more meaningful by tracking your own fluctuations, inner tensions and moods, or by simply contemplating your relationship to change and new beginnings. This is a great time to practice standing between worlds - giving yourself permission to embody paradox, to shape-shift accordingly, to create space for ample rest while simultaneously sensing the inner stirring that's afoot. Embracing the seasonal energy and leaning into the invitations nature brings will really help you to THRIVE during this time.

As the sun returns and brings rebirth

I give my thanks to Mother Earth.

Embracing change, renewing hope,

the future seeds of light I sow.

Imbolc & Ways to Celebrate

Celebrate with Friends & Family

1. Candle Making and Lighting Ceremony

Imbolc is known as a Fire Festival, so gather your loved ones and make candles together. You can use beeswax or soy wax, adding essential oils or herbs for scent. Once the candles are made, have a small ceremony where everyone lights their candles and reflects on what they hope to bring into the coming year. This ritual symbolizes the growing light as we move from the darkness of winter toward the promise of spring.

2. Weave a Brigid's Cross

There’s a folk tradition in Ireland associated with Brigid, which is the weaving of a Brigid’s cross. This is a lovely activity that you can do during the Imbolc portal. All you'll need is a handful of rushes (if you don’t have these growing locally, you can buy them online). In Ireland’s National Folklore Collection, there is an entry which says:

 “In olden times it was a custom to make a St. Brigid's cross and fasten it to the ceiling. The cross is supposed to keep away all diseases for the years. St. Brigid's cross is made of rushes. This cross is supposed to be a miraculous one. All the people of this district make these crosses and they firmly believe in its power.”

 Here's a short video that will teach youhow to make a Brigid’s cross.

3. Find somewhere to Rest in Nature Together

Take a walk outside, even if it’s cold, to observe and experience this time in your bones. Find somewhere to sit or settle together. Bring blankets and chairs with a hot drink. Take in the silence. Settle into the stillness. Can you sense the inner stir?

Celebrate Solo

1. Spring Cleaning and Clearing

Imbolc marks a time of renewal, so this is a wonderful time to cleanse the home. It doesn’t have to be a major overhaul—just a symbolic clearing of clutter and stagnant energy. This could include decluttering spaces, organizing, and opening windows to invite fresh air and energy into the home.

2. Create a Personal Altar of Light

Set up a small altar with candles, crystals, and symbols of renewal. Focus on creating a sacred space that feels peaceful and inspiring. Light a candle (or several) to symbolize the return of the light, and place items on the altar that represent your intentions for growth and change in the coming year—this could include fresh flowers, seeds, or a journal. Spend some time meditating or reflecting on your personal journey, and think about the seeds you wish to plant for the future.

3. Reflect & Journal

Imbolc is a time for renewal and clarity. Take some quiet time to journal about your goals, desires, and intentions for the coming months. Reflect on where you’ve been, what you’ve learned, and what you hope to nurture in your life as the light grows stronger. You can write a letter to your future self or create a vision board for what you want to cultivate. This is a time for mental and emotional cleansing, so don’t be afraid to release old beliefs or patterns that no longer serve you.

The following journal prompts relate to the theme of awakening, renewal and inspiration. Explore your relationship to this seasonal energy by reflecting on these questions:

• What does it take to come back to life?

• What within me is being rustled awake or perhaps beginning to thaw?

• What are the signs that a process of renewal is underway within me?

• What has been lying dormant, awaiting a new season?

• What is the next cycle calling for? How must I dare greatly and live evermore boldly?

Closing

As Imbolc marks a quiet yet powerful turning point in the wheel of the year, it offers us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and prepare for the change that is on the horizon. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones or honoring the day in solitude, this sacred time invites you to align with the rhythms of nature, acknowledging the stirrings of new life beneath the surface. It’s a moment for setting intentions, clearing the old, and embracing the growing light that signals the approach of spring.

In these moments of reflection, we are reminded that, just as the Earth is waking from its winter slumber, so too can we awaken to new possibilities and opportunities. The energy of Imbolc encourages us to open our hearts and minds to the future, trusting that the seeds we plant now will take root and flourish in the months to come. May this Imbolc bring you clarity, inspiration, and the courage to begin anew.

Wishing you a peaceful and inspiring Imbolc, filled with light, renewal, and the promise of growth.