The Celtic holy day of Imbolc (also called Candlemas) is celebrated February 1st. It is the Sabbath of Brigid, which marks the middle point between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara). This is a time of hope and preparation.
Imbolc means “in the belly” descriptive of a pregnant Earth, nurturing the seeds of the coming harvest. This is a time for fierce purification and fertilization of our desired manifestations. The land may still lie in darkness, but the seeds (intentions) we planted for this year’s harvest are in the unseen realms, gestating and coming into Creation.
“Imbolc is a powerful time to state our prayers, renew our intentions, and lovingly foster the faith that our wishes & desires will come into form.” -Kate Becker
Imbolc is also a celebration of the Celtic fertility Goddess Brigid, and many of the traditions are linked to her magic as Goddess of fire, blacksmiths, wells, healing waters, springs and poets. In the Northern Hemisphere, once the winter solstice has passed, and we’ve celebrated the return of light, Imbolc honors the first stirrings of life.
The Divine Spark that was born in mid-winter is growing, and Nature is beginning to Awaken. Remember the intentions for the New Year you made? Now is the time to clear the way for them to grow, symbolically, and perhaps literally!