Tomorrow, February 2nd, is the first Sabbat of the calendar year.
Imbolc (im-bulk) is a Pagan fire festival that falls on February 2nd, the cross-quarter day between Yule (Winter Solstice, Dec 21-ish) and Ostara (Spring Equinox, March 21-ish.) Imbolc marks the half-way point of winter, much like Groundhog Day, and is a celebration of the lengthening days that signal the awakening spring.
Because Imbolc takes place in February, aspects of Valentine’s Day and New Year’s often make their way into festivities:
Imbolc celebrates fertility (this is the time of year when farm animals become pregnant) and the goddess Brigid, a fertility and fire goddess. Because Imbolc is a fire festival, elements of passion and lust are present as well. In this way, Imbolc relates to Valentine’s Day.
Because February is the second month of the calendar year, much of the magic and ritual done on Imbolc involves New Year’s resolutions and planning for the future. February is a time for incubation. Figure out what direction your life will go this year. Pin down specific ideas and think about what projects you want to spend time on. Write down the steps you need to take and ask a corresponding goddess for their help.
Imbolc Correspondences
Colours: white, yellow, red, light green
Stones: garnet, carnelian, ruby
Goddesses: virgin or maiden goddesses, like Diana, Brigid and Persephone
Foods: early spring flowers like tulips and snowdrops, milk, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, cinnamon, vanilla
Magical Workings: accomplishing goals, willpower, fertility, love, removing obstacles
Activities: spring cleaning, candle making, baking with milk and dairy, buying seeds
My advice: leave strips of cloth outside overnight on February 1st. Hang them in a tree or tie them to a railing. Goddess Brigid walks the earth on the eve of Imbolc and will bless the strips of cloth with healing and protection.
