The Sacred Day of Imbolc

Imbolc, (pronounced Im-bolc or Em-bolc) is a day celebrated by modern-day Pagans throughout the world. Falling on the first day of February, Imbolc is also the festival day for the Celtic goddess Brigid. Brigid is described in the 10th century Cormac’s glossary as the daughter of the Daghda, who in Celtic mythology was the great God of the Tuatha de Danaan. She was and still is seen as a goddess of poetry, crafts, healing and the hearth. Brigid is also a goddess of farm animals, abundance and regeneration so it’s natural that her day falls on what was considered by the ancient Celts to be the first day of spring.

Imbolc is a time, in many parts of the world, when the first stirrings of spring begin to show. The survival of ancient peoples depended greatly upon the abundance of crops and the fertility of their livestock so that they would have plenty of food to get them through the harsh winter months. The blessing of animals and seeds was something that was commonly done in order to help ensure this fertility and abundance, and these rituals are still part of Imbolc celebrations to this day. However, to most current-day Pagans, Imbolc symbolizes new beginnings and it’s common for personal or group rituals to focus upon purification and rejuvenation. Wiccans recognize Imbolc to be one of the four major Sabbats and see it as a time when the Goddess, in her Maiden aspect, is nurturing and nourishing the young God.

Common activities for Imbolc may include spring cleaning, baking, preparing the soil of a garden if the weather is mild enough, candle making and having a family dinner. Because the egg is a symbol of fertility it’s also common for people to decorate eggs.

List of herbs, incense, colors and foods associated with Imbolc