A turn in the Wheel of the Year
The word Imbolc is Old Irish for “in the belly.” It’s also known as Oimelc, Lady Day, and, in Christianity, Candlemas or St. Brigid’s Day.
Known as one of the cross-quarter days – represents the true beginning of spring. because although the days have started to lengthen – it is really from now that we notice that the light starts to increase in the evening. Imbolc recognises that winter is over and new buds/new life is now beginning to emerge, even in animals – this is the time when the first “Spring” lambs are born. It is also a time when animals begin waking up from hibernation and it can be a metaphor for humans – a reawakening of sorts – ready to emerge from the winter afresh with new energy and a new way of looking at the world.
The mythology surrounding this time of year is all about the Goddess recovering from giving birth to the New Year’s (Winter Solstice) Sun God. Another telling of this story is that Imbolc is when the triple goddess (Brigid) goes back from the Crone to the Maiden, and the cycle of life begins again. In this sense, Imbolc can represent both regeneration and reincarnation. Catholicism also recognises this time as Candlemas and have a saint named Brigid.
For me this time of the year is for purification, cleansing, and clearing away stagnation that has built up over the winter – whether that be in your body, in your house or in your life. I generally start doing “Imbolc” type activities around this time naturally. On days when I’m home I have started opening up every window and door in my house to let the fresh air run through it, I have started tending to my garden and breaking off parts of plants to make new cuttings. You may have noticed an urge to go some of these cleansing/clearing and renewing activities too.
If you want to recognise Imbolc and create your own ceremony, here’s a list of things you can do:
- Start a juice cleanse or other type of cleansing diet
- Take a long cleansing bath with Epsom salts and fragrant herbs/essential oils
- Spring clean your house
- Spend an hour on the weekend writing out all the energy you want to bring into your life and consequently things you want to let go of
- Start or renew your spiritual practice
As you carry out these symbolic cleansing activities, make it feel more of a ceremonial ritual 1) by setting your intentions first and 2) feeling the belief that this activity will remove any obstructions to your intentions.
Below are some intentions you might want to use, or create your own.
- You are purifying your body/your house/your life of any thing that you no longer need – and even though they may have served a purpose up until now, you can easily release them now.
- You are removing any physical, mental, spiritual and emotional burdens to allow for the new energy to enter
- You are bringing in the energy of lightness and brightness,
Close your eyes, feel what is shifting for you, what is changing or emerging? Really sit with this for a good few minutes and notice what is stiring inside you. What is it that you want to release and what is it that you want to renew and re-energize.
After this ritual write about your visions for the future. You can share them with others or just keep them in your own private journal.