Merry meet, my darlings! I hope this post finds you all ready for some real manifesting power! “Calista, whatever do you mean?” Well you see, since I put together that walk through of how I celebrate the Full Wolf Moon, I thought it might be nice to do a walkthrough of how I connect to the New Moon as well. It’s the perfect time for manifesting and opening yourself to opportunity and change. As I looked over my calendar, I realized that the next New Moon falls on February 1st, which also happens to be the Sabbat (or witch’s holiday) of Imbolc in the Northern Hemisphere! (In the Southern Hemisphere, our brothers and sisters are celebrating Lughnasadh right now.) That being the case, I think I’ll save the focus of manifesting at the New Moon for a post in March and focus on Imbolc’s parallel manifesting energies as we see the very first signs of spring’s return! As most of us know, research is the heart of witchcraft. What do we do for Imbolc? Why do we do that? Where did it start? What does it *mean*? I don’t know nearly everything, but let me share the knowledge I do have!
Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Historically, this was one of the hardest times of the year. It still is if you ask me. It’s bitterly cold, it’s still dark early in the evening, and before the technological boom, food reserves would start to run thin around this time of year. But there were signs that spring was on her way! Lambs and calves start being born around this time, making milk a plentiful dietary staple. Wild garlic starts poking it’s little leaves out through the cold dirt and snow. As one of the first flowers of the year, snowdrops start showing themselves and their elegant petals. The first stirrings of life are moving in the earth. This is what Imbolc means in Old Irish; in the belly. It’s a time of transition and starting fresh, as well as connecting to the feminine energy surrounding growth and creation.
TRADITIONAL CELEBRATION
Now, the Irish people would recognize the signs of winter nearing its end and hold a festival to the goddess Brigid. Brigid is the goddess of fire and blacksmithing, fertility rites, poetry, springs and wells, and prophecy. She is said to be sister to the Fae and daughter of Dagda, the oldest of the Celtic pantheon known as the Tuatha de Dannan. She is often represented by sheep or lambs since they were the first signs of warmth to come. You see, Brigid being the goddess of fire and fertility was believed to both keep the hearth warm in the frigid, late winter months, and promised a strong crop to take root that year as long as she was properly paid tribute. So roughly 6 weeks after the Winter Solstice, the Imbolc celebration began.
The people would engage in a kind of spring cleaning of their homes and fires would be stoked all over to invite back the warmth and light of the sun, as well as in tribute to the goddess. Some people would even use the fire to divine the coming year by channeling Brigid through fire scrying. They would feast on Colcannon, which is a mixture of greens, potatoes, and butter. They devoured apple cakes, tea, and barmbrack. Roughly translated from Old Irish barmbrack means, “speckled loaf” which makes sense once you know what it is. Barmbrack is a cinnamon flavored bread with raisins scattered throughout, and was served with fresh butter. Fires and abundant feasting are the staples of a pagan celebration! In addition to these well-known methods, they would make little dolls or effigies of Brigid and lay them in baskets next to the hearth fire as a place for her to stay and watch over the home to make sure it remained warm.
Before the Catholic conversion, there was a tradition of using dried reeds to make “Brigid’s cross” to honor her presence and let her know she was welcome. This is still a practice done in Ireland, though it is now attributed to St. Brigid. After Christianity took Ireland by storm, the goddess was demoted to a saint and was given a human life story. Her life included extensive knowledge of agriculturally savvy techniques at a young age, and a close friendship with St. Patrick. One can safely assume this was done to make the transition from paganism to Christianity smoother, as is often historically done during forced religious conversions. However the annual fire festival in Ireland and the making of Brigid’s cross are still practiced today. They serve as small reminders of a time before, when humans were more tightly bound to the earth, her spirits, and her seasons.
MODERN CELEBRATION
Today, modern witches and pagans of the Celtic pantheon hold onto some of these traditions. We still love a good fire and feast, and connecting to the earth and the cycle of the seasons is something most witches can get behind. I like to light up every room in the house on February 1st at sundown to welcome back the sun and the earth from her winter rest. I’ll turn lights on in the rooms I don’t spend much time in, but the main rooms I inhabit, I’ll light candles in. I’ll clean off my altar and put out some sun symbols, citrine and sunstone, and maybe a few silk flowers. Red, white, and orange are colors associated with this time of year, so if you want to decorate your altar and home with those, as well, it’s a bright arrangement! Some people will make entire flower crowns for Brigid complete with greenery, ribbons, and candles! If you decide to do so, I would suggest keeping the Imbolc altar somewhere easily accessible if possible. That way you are reminded of the life and potential to come regularly. This reminder helps keep me on track to my goals.
I like to take some time to meditate on the awakening of the earth and align myself with my goals. Read over recent journaling and make sure I’m still on the path. This year I intend to write a poem about my goals and leave it on the altar for Brigid along with my pomegranate seedlings before making a big fire in the yard. This will be my first big fire now that I finally *have* a yard and I’ve very excited! Some people will spend their meditative time planning what to grow in their gardens in the coming year. Although, if you’re looking for a simpler way to celebrate, try going out for a hike in the evening and appreciate the lengthening days. If you want to connect to Brigid, maybe stop by a pond or well and leave an offering. Make a Brigid’s cross or a corn doll to leave on your hearth. I don’t personally have a hearth, but if I were to make a corn doll for her, I’d leave it in a basket by the stove. If you’re doing any specific manifestation workings this Sabbat, remember that cinnamon stick is a powerful abundance and prosperity tool, and green aventurine is wonderful for conjuring.
There are so many ways to celebrate this exciting time of year. The air is brimming with potential! Especially with a new moon falling on this same day. Channel those manifesting energies, my darlings, and celebrate in a way that feels right for your practice! Blessed Imbolc to all of you!