Other Names: Candlemas, Oimealg, Imbolg, Brigantia, Lupercus, Disting, Lupercalia.
Date: February 2, or when the sun is at 15 degrees Aquarius.
Meaning of the Word: Imbolc means “in milk”.
Primary Focus: New growth, end of winter, rituals of purification, offerings to deity, candle rituals.
Age of Holiday: Unknown.
Popular Mythos: Pouring milk on the ground, associated with the goddess Brigit; laying the Cailleach to rest; Lupercus (wolf god in Italian witchcraft)
Astrological Sign: 15 degrees Aquarius.
Planetary Ruler: Saturn (classical astrology), Uranus (modern astrology).
In Celtic legend, the months from Hallowmas to Candlemas (called the “months of the little sun”) were ruled by the Cailleach or, as she is sometimes called, the Cailleach Bheur, a Scottish female deity that begins winter by washing her plaid in a whirlpool. The Cailleach is not a lady to tangle with, as she is depicted as a wild had with a venomous temper who hurries about with a magick wand in her hand, switching the grass and blasting vegetation to unite the forces of sun, dew, and rain. Her rages are the spring storms. At Imbolc she leaves by raising the tempests in her wake. Bried, or Brigit, on the other hand, is a far more sensible goddess of healing, poetry; and the forging of fire, extends her blessings on this day and it is to her that most generic and traditional Wiccan groups pay homage.
Imbolc Invocation
Coronet of candles, each flame a golden jewel
Saturn Lord withdraws his cloak
yet retains his rule.
Lambs bleat season’s greetings
spring’s essence on theri breath
the sun pays homage to the sky
in Aquarius.
The Lord and the Lady dance the waltz
within the magick round
to banish all that isn’t pure
and prime the sacred ground.
The Cailleach swirls her tempest skirts
to raise the season’s storms
that which lies within her wake
will surely be reborn.
The time has come for tilling
to arrange for harvest’s gain
the right amount of seed and skill
of wind and sacred rain
are needed to perform the task
of planning for my future
I conjure such by Breid’s bright word
and nothing will refute her.
The cat that leaps is not
the cat that lands upon the stair
I conjure things that others think
appear from thinnest air
yet superimposition reigns
my choice a pattern set.
(INSERT WHAT YOU WISH FOR HERE)
My power grows, the light ignites
desires manifest!
Saturn Lord withdraws his cloak
yet retains his rule.
Lambs bleat season’s greetings
spring’s essence on theri breath
the sun pays homage to the sky
in Aquarius.
The Lord and the Lady dance the waltz
within the magick round
to banish all that isn’t pure
and prime the sacred ground.
The Cailleach swirls her tempest skirts
to raise the season’s storms
that which lies within her wake
will surely be reborn.
The time has come for tilling
to arrange for harvest’s gain
the right amount of seed and skill
of wind and sacred rain
are needed to perform the task
of planning for my future
I conjure such by Breid’s bright word
and nothing will refute her.
The cat that leaps is not
the cat that lands upon the stair
I conjure things that others think
appear from thinnest air
yet superimposition reigns
my choice a pattern set.
(INSERT WHAT YOU WISH FOR HERE)
My power grows, the light ignites
desires manifest!
Magickal Ideas for your Imbolc Sabbat Ritual
. Add a circle of white candles to the altar setup, each one representing a goal you would like to achieve in the coming year. Empower, then light during ritual.
. Banish winter by burning paper snowflakes.
. Empower ice to banish negativity. As the ice melts, the negativity will drain away. Pour water off your property.
. Plant seeds to be cared for indoors, or buy an indoor plant and make friends!
. Bless your pet and give him or her a safe amulet for his or her collar, or place in a protected area on the cage (for smaller animals)
. Purify the house with a house blessing ritual incorporated into the sabbat, or do one separately.
. In ritual, offer milk to the gods, then pour outdoors on the ground, or leave in a bowl for the animals.
. Do a visionquest/meditation on the wolf totem.
. Imbolc is a fire festival falling in the fixed astrological air sign of Aquarius. The magick that you do during this time period will have long-lasting consequences. Uranus and Saturn (modern and classical planetary rulers, respectively) bring the ability to make sudden changes, reach for rewards, and learn how to interact with authority figures.
