Happy Imbolc! If you have never heard of Imbolc, it’s the Celtic/Pagan traditional festival of welcoming the “awakening of Spring”. There’s nothing more exciting to know we made it to halfway point of Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox; the early signs of spring are stretching towards the sunshine! It’s also known as Saint Brigid’s Day, or Brigid’s Day, honoring the Irish patroness who represents the light coming back to our days as the days grow longer towards the Spring season. Imbolc is one of four major fire (light) festivals; along with Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain) in the Celtic calendar. The Imbolc Celebration is either February 1st or February 2nd, depending on the regional practices. This year, Imbolc will be on Saturday, February 1st, 2025.
Brigid is a well known Celtic Goddess that’s honored and worshipped around the world. Brighid, Brigit, Bride and Brigantia, as well as Saint Brigid are just a few examples of what Brigit is known as. However, she is most known as the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. As she represents women in different stages of life, she represents fertility (for those who struggle to conceive or carry a child). Many women during pregnancy will call upon Brigid / Saint Brigid to keep them protected and safe during labor as well as to look after them. Brigid is a goddess of the forge, goddess of fire. She was born with flames and fire around her head; fires of knowledge and comfort for others. Not all fires are of comfort, however. The others are of change, inspiration, anger/action as well. Part of the lore written of Brigid’s birth was the fires were as tall as a tower and raised her up to the heavens to be blessed.
So there is no wonder that many people find a connection to Brigid; I happen to be one of those such people. I am a fire sign and creative in the written word. I channel in with Brigid when I need to dive into my work with writing. I will set the scene, and will light candles to call forward the energy of Brigid. It helps to feel the power of Brigid, and her as one of my Spirit Guides, pushing me along, to get my writing done and hit those goals. I’ve always been fascinated by legends some of the stories told of Brigid. The connection to snakes and fire, and how she is a shapeshifter. In today’s times, I believe that shapeshifting would actually be considered as transformation. Brigid is also associated with healing, fire, poetry, and smithcraft. She is fierce, literally fiery, and not afraid of anything. Just this last year, 2024 marked the 1500th anniversary of St. Brigid’s death. 1500 years! And she still is spoken of and honored; how amazing!
There are many ways to celebrate Imbolc, whether you are Pagan, a little bit “witchy”, or wanting to honor the earth as it prepares for Spring. Here are a few ideas to get you started for Imbolc:
- Do some early Spring cleaning. Clean your ENTIRE home; inside and out. Get rid of what you no longer use or need as you will be making room for new. Donate what you will no longer need.
- If you want to do any Magickal Cleansing, such as using traditional sage in smoke form (if you have a smoke sensitivity spritz or spray sage/cleansing works just as well), or you can use the ringing bells in each room. Any regular bells made of iron can help keep evil spirits away; I also use Tingsha bells in clearing and cleansing negative Energy, as I do in Reiki work. **Remember, stale energy will remain in spaces where there is clutter. So, if there is a “storage room” with extra stuff this may be a room you would want to focus on organizing and cleaning up in this year.
- Light a Fire. There is nothing more welcoming than lighting a fire in the fireplace. However, if you don’t have access to a fireplace or you don’t have a firepit, lighting candles works great! Lighting candles in your home welcomes the light of the sun. Ideally, use white candles during Imbolc honors returning light and warmth, it also amplifies the energies of purification and transformation. The flickering flames symbolize hope and inspiration, guiding practitioners through the transition from Winter to Spring.
- Make a Brigid’s Cross: Make a Brigid’s cross from rushes or straw and then hang in your home for protection. The cross will also help to welcome Brigid into your home as well.
- Create an Altar for Imbolc: A few things to incorporate into your Altar would be a Brigid statue (or a photo of Brigid), a corn doll (or poppit doll you made yourself), fresh flowers, Brigid’s cross, Brigid’s crown, candles for fire, Celtic symbols, crystals such as Amethyst, Citrine, Clear Quartz. Leaving some seeds for planting, even fresh water and fresh baked bread, along with dried fruits to symbolize the sweetness of the sun coming back into our lives.
- Making your own Brigid poppit or cornhusk doll: while sewing your own doll, saying out loud your intentions for the Spring season brings the “magic” of the season more powerful. Your own created Brigid doll placed on the Altar just adds a very heartfelt touch.
- Growing indoor plants from seeds: Due to the area we live in, start growing some plants from seeds indoors. By nurturing these seeds from the very beginning, during this later part of Winter, it is symbolic of starting a new project as well as new beginnings. You can do this!
- If you need ideas on what to grow: Basil for love, protection, and wealth; Angelica for protection and purifying. Bay Laurel is for divination, purification, and wisdom; Blackberries: for abundance, healing, prosperity and protection. And Heather: cleansing, luck and protection. All of these plants align with the celebration of Imbolc.
These are just a few ideas of ways to incorporate Imbolc celebration into your life. If you have a connection to Celtic ancestry, or maybe you are wanting to bring that fire energy of Brigit into your world. Channel some of that by starting with Imbolc, the Celebration of Saint Brigit.
May you feel inspired by the inner fires of Brigid.
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Jennifer Goclik-Robinson Intuitive Reader Angel Worker 
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