Imbolc

Sabbats

Brigid's festival. First stirring of life beneath frozen ground. Ewes begin lactating. Serpent stirs from winter sleep. The creative fire is kindled in forge and hearth. Not yet spring—but spring is coming. Preparation, purification, the first warmth.

Tradition · Wiccan ModernCross Quarter

Correspondences

Elemental Correspondence
Fire
Planetary Correspondence
Sun

Offerings

Offerings
MilkButterCheeseCandlesBrigids crossPoetryCreative worksSeeds blessedWhite flowers

Sacred timing

Sacred Timing
Begins
Sunset january 31
Peak
Dawn february 1
Ends
Sunset february 2
Moon phase ideal
Waxing crescent
Planetary hour
Sun or mars

Symbols and forms

Alternate Names
CandlemasBrigid's DayOimelcFeast of TorchesBride's Day
Symbols
Brigids crossCandleFlameWhite flowersSnowdropSheepMilk pailAnvil

Practice

Invocation Approach
Tone
Tender kindling of new flame
Address to
BrigidThe maidenGoddess of fire and forge
Relationship
Servant to creative fire
Warning
Not yet time to act outward—prepare within
Resonance
Poets healers smiths creatives
Modern Practice

Make Brigid's crosses. Bless candles for year ahead. Purification rituals—cleaning home, cleansing tools. Kindle creative projects. This is still gestation—not birth. Plans form, inspiration strikes, but action waits for Ostara. Tend the forge of your becoming.

Nature and meaning

Mythology Summary

Brigid's festival. First stirring of life beneath frozen ground. Ewes begin lactating. Serpent stirs from winter sleep. The creative fire is kindled in forge and hearth. Not yet spring—but spring is coming. Preparation, purification, the first warmth.

Details

Pronunciation
IM-bulk, IM-molc
Wheel Position
First stirrings
Order
3
Dates
Northern hemisphere
Primary
February 1
Range
February 1 to february 2
Astronomical
Sun at 15 degrees aquarius
Southern hemisphere
Primary
August 1
Range
August 1 to august 2
Themes
First stirringsQuickeningInspirationPurificationPreparationReturning warmthLactation ewes milkBrigidCreative fireHearth and forge
Secondary Elements
Water
Secondary Planets
MarsMercury
Zodiac Position
Aquarius
Correspondences
Colors
WhiteRedPinkPale yellowSilver
Scents
RosemaryFrankincense boswellia sacraCinnamonVanillaMyrrh
Animals
SheepLambGroundhogSerpent awakeningSwan
Ritual Focus
Primary
PurificationInspiration invocationCreative kindling
Workings
Candle blessingBrigid devotionCreative project blessingHealingSmithcraftPoetry
Avoid
Major manifestationCompletion workHarvesting
Veil work
Veil between inspiration and action
Preceded by
Yule
Followed by
Ostara
Opposite Sabbat
Lughnasadh
Wheel Teaching

Inspiration precedes manifestation. Purify before creating. The fire must be kindled before it can blaze. Tend what is stirring within before acting without.

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Referenced by 57

Every entry that names Imbolc, grouped by the system it comes from.

☥ Deities 54

🜂 Incense & resins 2

🜔 Elements 1

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