Imbolc: Meaning, Traditions & A Tarot Reading
Blessed Imbolc! This is one of my favorite European pagan holidays, since it provides optimism and joy during the midpoint of winter.
Keep reading to learn more about the holiday of Imbolc, how and why it’s celebrated, and the Imbolc tarot reading I’m offering right now!
IMBOLC
Occurring six weeks after the Winter Solstice (Yule) and six weeks before the Vernal Equinox (Ostara), Imbolc is the celebration of new beginnings. It takes place on February 1 & 2 in the Northern Hemisphere and November 1 & 2 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Imbolc marks the period of time when the days are getting longer and the hours of sunlight are increasing. Life is beginning to stir within the earth, buds are beginning to pop up through snow, and lambs are beginning to give birth.
As this happens in nature, so does it also happen within ourselves. Just as with plants, we also need water, food, sunlight, and a solid foundation from which we can grow.
Colors
The colors associated with Imbolc include Yellow, White, Green, Red, Pink, and Light Blue. These are softer than the deep reds, greens, and oranges of the Winter Solstice, but more nature-based than the pastels of the Vernal Equinox.
Rituals
While there are rituals you can follow, you can also do anything that helps bring more light into your life, gets your creative fires going, and helps you slowly begin to grow toward your goals.
Candles are the traditional way to celebrate Imbolc as a celebration of the sun’s growing strength and eventual return. At sunset, you can also turn on the lights in every room in your home or light a candle in each room for a period of time.
If you are planting seeds, especially to grow food, this is a great time to bless them for the upcoming planting and harvest seasons.
Food
The foods commonly eaten at Imbolc are what was available at this time of year, such as dairy products, fish, preserved meats, root vegetables, and grains. Other foods you can eat this time of year are blackberries, bacon, bread, fish, spring greens, root vegetables, oatcakes, and Brighid Cakes. Spicy foods are also eaten at this time, as they represent the sun’s energy and help to celebrate its growth each day.
To make a special Imbolc meal, you can cook with with seasonal vegetables, dairy products, meat, or fish, and set your table with candles, flowers, and the colors of Imbolc. Everyone can reflect and share what they are looking forward to in the coming months or things they are working toward in their lives.
Plants
The plants associated with Imbolc include Alder, Alfalfa, Benzoin, Birch, Bistort, Chickweed, Coltsfoot, Crocus, Dandelion, Elm, Fir, Ginger, Hop, Lily, Mugwort, Periwinkle, Rowan, Snowdrop, Willow, Woad, and Wormwood.
Oatcakes Recipe
Also known as bannock, oatcakes are commonly eaten in Scotland and other parts of Britain. I adapted this recipe from The Hearth Witch’s Compendium: Magical and Natural Living for Every Day by Anna Franklin (which I highly recommend, by the way). I prefer this with some maple syrup to add a little sweetness and flavor, but feel free to experiment with other ingredients of your choosing.
1 cup oatmeal
¼ teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon melted butter
Hot water
Optional: 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Mix oatmeal, baking soda, and salt. Combine with butter, maple syrup if using, and enough hot water to make a soft dough. Combine ingredients until it forms a ball and transfer to a greased baking sheet or cast iron skillet and spread mixture thinly. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until the edges curl. Serve with butter and jam.
Crystals
The crystals associated with Imbolc include Amethyst, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Garnet, Moonstone, Onyx, Ruby, and Turquoise. Imbolc occurs during the astrological season of Aquarius, and the crystals Amethyst and Garnet also correlate to the sign of Aquarius.
Depiction of the goddess Brighid by artist Helen Mask
BRIGHID
The Celtic Goddess Brighid is central to the celebration of Imbolc. February 1 is known as her feast day, or the day to create altars and celebratory meals in her honor. Brighid is known for having fiery red hair and is associated with the elements of fire and water. The number associated with her is 9, or 3+3+3.
Brighid is the goddess of transformation, creation, midwifery, blacksmiths, and invention. She oversees poetry, music, healing, birth, prophecy, artisans, livestock, artists, and smithcraft.
Her favored people are midwives, poets, snake charmers, blacksmiths, writers, and healers. She helps aid transformation and the creation of life, healing, art, and metal.
Kildare, Ireland was once known as Brighid’s City, and it once held her eternal flame and healing well inside a temple. Brighid was associated with many healing wells in the British Isles, but her temple in Kildare was later turned into a convent where the nuns tended to her flame.
Brighid was so loved that she was later adapted into Saint Brigid, and Imbolc became the Christian holidays of St. Brigit’s Day on February 1 (still making it her feast day) and Candlemas on February 2. Brighid also became Madame Brigitte in Vodou tradition as Irish and Scottish indentured servants were relocated to the Caribbean.
Other Names
There are many variations for spelling her name, as well as other monikers she goes by, and these include Bride, Brigid, St. Brigit, Fiery Arrow, The Bright One, Lady of the Shores, The Ashless Flame, and Moon Crowned Queen of the Undying Flame.
Brighid’s Cross
Her symbol is known as Brighid’s Cross, which is a fire wheel symbol that is traditionally handwoven with rushes or straw. It can be used to represent Brighid, and is also used as a symbol for protection.
Feast Day
If you would like to work with Brighid or petition her help, you can build her an altar with food, flowers, coins, and crystals, or offer her a meal. Her favorite foods are blackberries, ale, and eggs. You can offer creative works such as songs or poetry or light candles, and also make Brighid Cakes.
Brighid’s Animals
Her animals were a white bull and a white cow with red ears, and she is also associated with Horses, Wolves, Pigs, Snakes, Swans, and Vultures.
Plants
The plants associated with Brighid include Birch, Bistort, Blackberry, Dandelion, Flax, Hop, Oak, Rowan, Snowdrop, and Willow.
Brighid Cakes
Also adapted from The Hearth Witch’s Compendium, I altered this recipe to make it savory instead of sweet. You can also add other ingredients, such as lemon zest or herbs, if you like. This is a very easy bread recipe that does not require yeast, and is good to eat with generous amounts of butter.
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
A pinch of salt
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
4 ounces butter or margarine, softened
1 ¾ cups milk
Combine flour, salt, cream of tartar, butter, and baking soda in a bowl. Add the milk and knead into a dough. Place in a greased 7-inch tin and bake at 400°F for 60 minutes. Then turn the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 30 minutes. Cut into quarters and serve with butter.
Pictured: Pagan Otherworlds Tarot Deck by Uusi
TAROT READING
As Imbolc is the time of year when life begins to stir and the first buds begin to sprout, it’s a chance to look at what is growing in our own lives. Winter is a time when we typically want to hermit indoors, and spend time focusing inward and feeling comfortable.
But as the sun’s strength grows and life begins to stir, we can look forward to what’s ahead. Ostara, or the Vernal Equinox, takes place six weeks from now on March 21. This is when spring has officially begun, and we celebrate life with eggs and bunnies—symbols of fertility and procreation. What do you want to create by the Vernal Equinox?
The Imbolc Tarot Reading answers these questions:
What is stirring and awakening inside you?
What is something you’re meant to nourish in your life?
What will grow in your near future?
This reading is 30 minutes long and includes a combination of channeled messages and tarot cards. The reading can be sent to you in a detailed email, and costs $70, which can be paid through Venmo or PayPal. To book your reading, simply email Kajora Lovely at kajoralovely@gmail.com.
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