Imbolc Celebration from Home

Due to the inclement weather and bitter cold temperatures our in-person Imbolc Outdoor Ceremony has been canceled. Here are some wonderful instructions on how to celebrate Imbolc from home this Friday, Jan 31st.

Celebrating Imbolc At Home
At Imbolc, we honor the Goddess Brigid (later Saint Brigid), and Her Fires of Inspiration, Craft, and Healing. Writ large, it's a time to honor the Divine Light and the lengthening light days, and the kindling of life force and vitality on Earth and in our lives. Saint Brigid’s Day, Feb. 1, is also an official holiday in Ireland, where the Saint’s symbols and traditions reflect the earlier Goddess’s.

Since Winter’s not quite ready to leave yet, here are ways you can honor Brigid’s inspiration and healing gifts at home:

- On Imbolc Eve (Jan. 31), put out strips of cloth at sunset. It is said Brigid and Her sacred cow will bless them with Her healing powers as She passes by. In thanks, leave out a little offering for Her cow – a little “bannock” (roll), bread from grains, etc. Collect the strips after sunrise, as the dew of Imbolc morning is a blessing. Burn three candles to represent Her as Triple Goddess and welcome Her presence.

- Create an Imbolc altar: a special cloth, shamrocks, triple spirals, natural elements like stones and pine cones, a bowl of water. Choose white to symbolize purity and Her sacred milk foods, as well as the pristine snow during this time. Red is the color of Her fires, in temple, hearth, and forge. Her mantle is said to be green, for Nature, and Faeries. In Christian tradition, Her mantle is blue, associated with the Virgin Mary.

- Make Brigid’s crosses out of green rushes, straw, or other materials (pipe cleaners you can reuse work great). Place them above doors or where animals spend time for blessings of protection and good health.
See video and instructions HERE.
Simple instructions can also be found in the document below:
brigid_cross_instructions.pdf

- Ask Brigid to bless your creative work in the year ahead – art, poetry, music, spirituality, and textile crafts. Dedicate something you create or will create especially to Her.

- Take a ritual bath and clear your space with incense or smudging to symbolize purification traditional for this time.
Go outside and appreciate Nature at this moment. Notice any little signs of Spring to awaken. Look for snow drops (little bell-shaped flowers that appear at this time). Take pictures rather than the actual plants. Honor the Earth and the beauty of the season and its beings.

- Enjoy a simple “Imbolc feast” with hearty soup, bread and honey, and butter, milk, and cream.