Many baby witches start out with a bay leaf wish spell: you write your wish on a bay leaf and then burn it. Ancient Celtic peoples celebrated Her as Bride, Brigit, or Brighid, a Goddess of healing. It allows you to charge many wishes at once. These candles are also used in healing spells, so if you are blessing someone who has been ill or is dealing with mental health issues, white is the best candle to choose. Please note that posts on this site may contain affiliate linksIs it even possible to throw an eco-friendly Christmas or Yule party? So this spell doesn’t rely on the blessing of a deity. 2 min read. So I figured this would be a good time to cover what Imbolc means for not only a vast majority of Celtic focused Pagans but also many Christians out … And on February 2nd, many celebrate Groundhog Day — clearly an anticipation of Spring! How do you decorate your home for Mabon? One scholar suggested Imbolc derives from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning “milk” and “cleansing” although another scholar suggests that it comes from a Proto-Celtic root meaning “budding.” Imbolc is also associated with Goddess Brigid, who’s name means … The centerpiece also recalls the movement of the stars as the year passes. The word “Imbolc” (usually pronounced “EE-molg) is from the Gaelic word for ewe’s milk, for this is the time when the first lambs are born. Her canonization is celebrated with a perpetual flame at her shrine in Kildare.St. The chickens have recently resumed egg laying again. Clearing out to make room for what you would like to grow; meaning … But instead of switching on the electric lights, light candles as the sun goes down on February 1st. The days stretch a little longer every day. Use this Imbolc blessing spell to bestow prosperity, happiness, and courage not only to yourself but to everyone you love. Among agrarian peoples, Imbolc has been traditionally associated with the onset of lactation of ewes, soon to give birth to the spring lambs. Grotto Notre Dame Campus. Write one name of a person you love on a bay leaf, and then on the other side, write a wish or blessing for them. ... IMBOLC BLESSINGS In a few days -- this coming Saturday, in fact -- it will be Imbolc. St. Brigid, also known as “Mary of the Gael”, was the founder of the first Irish monastery in County Kildare. Fall is coming, and with it a rainbow of colors. © 2021 Eclectic Witchcraft - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Traditionally at sunset on Imbolc, each lamp in the house would be lit. The Cross is used to protect a house and drive evil, fire, and hunger away.Representing the Celtic aspect of the Divine Feminine, the Saint and the Goddess continue to intermingle into the present day. Imbolc Blessings. Imbolc was first celebrated in honor of the original Brighid, a Gaelic fertility goddess, and of the coming spring, and is thought to have been observed since Neolithic times.. This Imbolc blessing spell is a modification of that kind of magic. I’ve gone through every stage you can imagine as I learned about my faith and practice. The Celtic goddess Brigid was said to visit homes during Imbolc. Even while snow may still dot the ground, you may see the first buds breaking through the hard soil and reaching for the growing light of the longer days.February 1st is also celebrated as St. Brigid’s feast day and the remembrance of the Celtic Goddess, Brigid. This concept is woven throughout the sabbat as a time of rebirth, hope, and internal growth. Bright blessings at midwinter to all! Imbolc and Candlemas blessings. Last night on my walk I saw jonquils, and friends have seen snowdrops Wishing you all the joy, new energy and awakening as the light returns, and you plant the seeds of what you’d like to grow in your life . Its one of the main Sabbats or seasonal celebrations that make up The Wheel of … Jan 31, 2019 - Explore Jeanette Blake's board "Imbolc blessings" on Pinterest. Its one of the main Sabbats or seasonal celebrations that make up The Wheel of the Year. I posted last year about the meaning of the day, and about its significance to Pagans -- particularly to those of us who follow Brighid, since it's Her day and all. A candle holder big enough for your candle to have about a half-inch of space around it, A cauldron or fireproof and fire-safe container. Purification and cleaning rituals for the home and self are also welcome. As each wick is met with a flame, call in Brigid. Encourage them to bring foods and drinks that represent the season. They can be unpredictable sometimes! Imbolc is an Irish fire festival dedicated to the goddess Brigid. What was born at the Winter Solstice begins to manifest, and we see young Sun grow strong as the days become visibly longer. Imbolc is an Irish fire festival dedicated to the goddess Brigid. Light a Lamp. However, beginner witches sometimes feel uncomfortable working with gods and goddesses. This altar cleaning experience is actually the perfect way to celebrate Imbolc and welcome the energy of new life that is building as we pass the midpoint between Winter and Spring. The name Imbolc refers to the lactation of the Ewes. February 2, 2008 Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. Pagans and witches love to celebrate during this holiday, just as much as anyone else! Brigid’s Cross has a square centerpiece with four radials, and it’s usually made of straw, rushes, or reeds that are woven together in a criss-cross pattern. The winter is a very depressing and hard time for me and many others. When you write their name on the bay leaf, it establishes a connection with them. Today, in our western culture, it is symbolically celebrated as Groundhog Day, and also known as Saint Brigid's Day in Christian religions. In some modern Pagan traditions, it is customary to offer a blessing before a meal, particularly if it's being held in a ritual context. The word Imbolc means “in the belly” in the old Irish Neolithic language, referring to the pregnancy of ewes. If you decide to honor Brigid while doing this ritual, you could say the Smooring The Fire prayer from Alexander Carmichael’s Carmina Gadelica. She was a fire goddess, so lighting candles and bonfires is typical at Imbolc. See more ideas about candlemas, sabbats, wicca. Often that means Imbolc is a time of real transition & change. So this spell doesn’t rely on the blessing of a deity. In this spell, the salt is being used to absorb any negative energy or bad luck surrounding the people we are blessing. Smooring The Fire prayer from Alexander Carmichael’s Carmina Gadelica, Throw An Amazing Eco-Friendly Christmas Or Yule Party, Samhain Intentions: 5 Reasons To Set Seasonal Intentions, Etsy Christmas Gift Ideas For Pagans And Witches, Decorate Your Home For Mabon: Fantastic Harvest Decor. Imbolc Meaning – The Esoteric Start of SpringThe Spiritual Significance of ImbolcImbolc is the ancient Celtic name for the Solar Fire Celebration that marks the hidden start of Spring. This ritual is designed for a group of individuals, but could easily be … In the Christian calendar, this day is observed as Candlemas. It doesn’t even require working with a deity. It is a time to start over. The most common explanation is that it comes from the Old Irish i mbolc (Modern Irish: i mbolg), meaning 'in the belly', and refers to the pregnancy of ewes. 1 ml of an Imbolc Anointing Oil included! N ow you begin to spiral out from the dark seasons, turning, turning to the light. The word Imbolc means literally "in the belly" in the old Irish Neolithic language, referring to the pregnancy of ewes. Imbolc is the feast of the growing light. If you’re not familiar with the idea of the Wheel of The Year, it is essentially a map of the Earth’s journey through the changing seasons throughout the course of a year. And as the earth grows full of life, may you find abundance on your own path. You can send them good energy or bad energy. We talk about growth & change & letting go of the things that no longer serve us with anticipation & excitement. Salt removes negative energy from our home and altar. It’s a prayer dedicated to Brigid and the hearth fire. It is the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, and traditionally marks the beginning of spring. This is a time of rebirth and fertility. Merry Meet and Blessed … I’m Emma, your host and guide through all things witchy and new age. Teaching others about witchcraft and paganism is a passion for me! With bay leaves, you can write down specific blessings you wish to share with your loved ones. That’s part of why there’s a candle in this spell, because Imbolc is a fire festival! Being unable to spend hours outside…, Please note that posts on this site may contain affiliate linksYule is soon to be upon us, so why not grab some Etsy Christmas gift ideas? It might have its roots in the pagan sunwheel, which was meant to bless the earth with fertility and life. Brigid’s (Bridget) festival is honoured on February 1 and is called Imbolc “ewe’s milk”, Imbolg, or Oimelc. What Is Imbolc? Imbolc most commonly is celebrated on February 2nd, since this is the cross-quarter day on the solar calendar, halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox in the northern hemisphere. Imbolc is the first Celtic Sabbat in the calendar year, falling halfway between the Winter Solstice + Spring Equinox. Specifically made for Imbolc with Corresponding flowers and herbs. So we are using white salt, which will draw in any negativity around them. Or, light it for an hour or so every day until it burns out, making sure to snuff it out instead of blowing it out. Imbolc means “in the belly” and corresponds with the time that sheep would typically become pregnant. Invite your friends and family around for an Imbolc potluck celebration to complete your house blessing ritual. Here are 5 simple ways to call in the Goddess Brigid for your Imbolc celebration… 1. Bay leaves are associated with granting wishes and with prosperity and abundance. Welcome to Eclectic Witchcraft! So today we celebrate the return of Spring. Maybe you need to let go of some friends, or people you thought were friends. Let’s learn why I chose the ingredients in this spell, and at the end, you’ll find the directions for the Imbolc blessing spell. Although most people maintain that Imbolc means “milking” referring to the pregnancy and milk that comes from livestock in spring, there scanty evidence for this. The Eve of Imbolc falls around the 1st February, the midway point between the winter solstice and the coming vernal equinox of spring… This day is used to make or bless the candles that we will use during the year. Imbolc is thought to derive from the Irish 'i mbolc' meaning 'in the belly' - referring to the soon-to-be-born lambs in the bellies of pregnant ewes. The worship of Brigid was so widespread, and devotion to her so intense that the Christian … As with many religious traditions, there is a combining of stories and legends.In ancient Irish mythology Brigid was a fire goddess. Imbolc is the season of lambing, of new life, and a time to celebrate the nurturing warmth of the Goddess Brighid. Then stick the bay leaves into the salt around the candle. If you have witchy or new age friends, something on this list is sure…, Please note that posts on this site may contain affiliate linksMabon brings splashes of orange and red to the greens of summer. At Imbolc, it's a season to honor Brighid, the goddess of hearth, home and domesticity. Imbolc is the first of the Celtic spring festivals (Imbolc/Imbolg, Spring Equinox, Bealtaine) and one of the four fire festivals in the Celtic Wheel of the Year. In this spell, of course, we’re sending them good things! The Spiritual Significance of Imbolc. It cleanses and protects us. To look within, to let go of things in your past and to move confidently forward. Ask for her blessings. Winter Blessings and Beauties: Day 94. A few basics paired with harvest essentials like a cornucopia will make your home festive…. Group Ritual to Honor Brighid. Some people make crosses for her or dollies that look like her during this time. I haven’t had…, Please note that posts on this site may contain affiliate linksSetting Samhain intentions will guide you through the lonely, cold autumn and winter. Buy my printable book of shadows pages for witches here! It is a moment of celebration that honors the passage of time between the winter solstice and spring equinox. Many Imbolc spells involve the deity Brigid since the holiday is so closely associated with her. It is a time of promise, as the Wheel turns from Winter to Spring and the green world gradually reawakens. Please note that posts on this site may contain affiliate links. As the darkness of winter fades, the Imbolc blessings offer a soft radiance surrounding spring blooms inviting us to transcend into the new season. This connection allows you to manipulate the energy around them. There are a lot of similarities, and there is a historical tie between them. Once the candle is finished, burn the bay leaves in your cauldron or fire-safe container. This is a time of leaving what is safe & comfortable in order to grow more fully into yourself. Candles at Imbolc – Since Imbolc (also known as Candlemas, St. Brigid’s Day as well as Ground Hog Day) is a fire festival, lighting your way to renewal begins with lighting a tons of candles! Those old hurts or betrayals, that seem to linger on? It is the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, and traditionally marks the beginning of spring. Candles should always be incorporated into your decor and ritual altar, especially at Imbolc or any one of the other fire festivals. I have been a practicing witch for almost 2 decades now. Imbolc is a wonderful time to clear clutter and start fresh for the fast-approaching spring, and it’s also a time of clearing the mind. Below the blessings is a section for Calling in the Directions and opening and closing the circle. You must devote yourself to their wellbeing and pray for good things to happen to them. In Ireland, at this time of year, even though it was still cold and harsh, they began to prepare their land for Spring farming. I homeschool my son, I do digital art, and I love to run and do yoga. My greatest hope is that I will ignite this passion within you, too. Some experts believe that the term comes from Old Irish i mbolc, “in the belly” or imb-fholc, “to wash or cleanse oneself.”. The Goddess is celebrated at this time as the Maiden. Spring has sprung! Brighid has returned with the sacred flame watching over home and hearth. White candles represent hope, purity, protection, spirituality, and spirits. Filling the space with good energy, love, and laughter is the best way to end your evening. Imbolc Blessings and a Spell ... Imbolc is a quiet sabbat, but one full of a deeper meaning. Don’t use it in cooking, or you will ingest all that bad energy. They are also an all-purpose tool for spells when you don’t have a specific color to represent your desires. At Imbolc, we celebrate the evidence that winter soon shall cease and fresh flower buds soon shall sprout. But are they really the same holiday? Another possible origin is the Old Irish imb-fholc, 'to wash/cleanse oneself', referring to a ritual cleansing. Do this as many times as you need to bless everyone you love. Put your candle in your candle holder, centering it as best you can. Sign up to receive our occasional newsletter, Reflections on the February Moon Meditation, Looking for the Queen: Solstice reflections. Both of these are important to evoke when making wishes for other people. Celebrate her role as a goddess of the homefires, and offer this simple blessing of gratitude before your Imbolc feast. I’m one of those people. To the Irish, Imbolc marks the Feast day of Brigid, Celtic Goddess and Patron Saint.Brigid is the only Saint who retained her Goddess stature … Parties and entertaining can be hard to do in a frugal and environmentally friendly way, but it is certainly possible! Imbolc Blessings During this time of the year many Pagans in the northern hemisphere are celebrating Imbolc. And Lughnasadh blessings to my friends in the north. Imbolc blessings to my friends in the southern hemisphere. Light the candle and let it entirely burn out. Imbolc is the ancient Celtic name for the Solar Fire Celebration that marks the hidden start of Spring. Imbolc was beautiful, and the very first days of February were a happy song sang to fast-approaching Spring, with the buzzing of bees around the scented flowering wattle, and the blooming bulbs, and a single butterfly. Finally, white is associated with prayers and devotion. They simply couldn’t stop the local people from revering her. Do you ever crave something you haven’t had since you were a kid? The meaning of the term “Imbolc” is still a matter of debate among scholars. Bless all your loved ones with this simple spell for Imbolc. printable book of shadows pages for witches here! Wishing you Bright Blessings for New Beginnings. The celebration embraces the return of spring, the welcomed end of long, cold, dark winter months. Let’s learn why I chose the ingredients in this spell, and at the end, you’ll find the directions for the Imbolc blessing spell. May the stirring of life underground,stir new dreams into life within you.May the flames of inspiration and new growthbe ignited within your Being.~ Imbolc Blessing. In other words, the holiday is either related to the pregnancy of ewes or to cleansing rituals. You can throw an awesome eco-friendly Christmas or Yule party by choosing reusable…, Please note that posts on this site may contain affiliate linksIt’s common for people to think that Samhain and Halloween are the same holiday. Imbolc We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. In this spell, we use white to send hope and happiness to our loved ones. Even though there are a lot of similarities, they actually…, Please note that posts on this site may contain affiliate linksI was really craving these Yule ginger snap cookies this week. The worship of Brigid was so widespread, and devotion to her so intense that the Christian church made her a saint. Happy Imbolc. I call in the Goddess Brighid, Goddess of the three-fold fire. That’s what happened to me this week while dealing with the stress of buying and wrapping Yule gifts. :)))) Imbolc is also known as Candlemas. I love this simple spell because it’s perfect for the beginner witch. Make sure you throw this salt away after the spell is done! Fill the empty space around the candle with an inch or so of salt. The word Imbolc means “in the belly” in the old Irish Neolithic language, referring to the pregnancy of ewes. For some, this guidance is absolutely necessary. It is derived from the … February 1st has been celebrated for time immemorial as Imbolc. Also celebrated as Candlemas, Oimelc and Brighid (with or without an “H”), this Fire Festival and greater Sabbat is a time of dedication, purification, and the making or renewing of spiritual vows. Cleansing blessing for spring. When I’m not blogging about witchcraft, I can be found doing a couple of things. Name on the bay leaves are associated with granting wishes and with prosperity and abundance the name Imbolc to! To Brigid and the green world gradually reawakens dealing with the sacred flame watching over home and hearth related! 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