Wheel of the Year 101: Imbolc

This is the first in a planned series of articles on each Wiccan Sabbat, as no website on Wicca or Witchcraft would be complete without them. I think they might take your Real Witch ™ card if you left them out. However, rather than inundate you with a rehash of all the correspondences everyone else has already HTML-coded, I’ll discuss how you can apply the symbolism of the Sabbat to work magical transformations in your life. Please note that the holidays in question are Wiccan Sabbats. Though they may be celebrated by non-Wiccan Witches and other types of Pagans in whole or in part, that doesn't make them Wiccan. Nor does it make the holidays any LESS Wiccan. Imbolc is the first Sabbat of the calendar year, though it’s the second in the Wheel of the Year (the first is Yule). At Yule, we welcomed back the light. At Imbolc, we welcome back life and celebrate the first stirrings of Spring. It is the beginning of the Maiden’s time of the year. Think about what happens in early Spring, as the snows melt and the temperatures begin to climb out of the freezing basement. Trees begin to bud. Birds begin to nest. Grass and crocus poke up new green shoots and brilliant purple and gold flowers. Lambs and calves are born. Gardeners begin planning their plots for the year, purchasing seeds and bulbs. Imbolc is a time of beginnings and purifications. This is where, rumor has it, the tradition of Spring Cleaning was born. Imbolc is the time for you to take stock of your goals for the year. Is there a bad habit you want to get rid of? A diet you want to start? A career change in the works? Now is the time to make the plans that will carry you through to Ostara, where you’ll plant your goals in the fertile soil of magic and watch them grow. This year, my overarching goal is to de-clutter my apartment. At Imbolc, I will formally dedicate myself to that plan, sealing my rite by tossing out a bag of “ritual trash”. It may sound silly, but it’s a way of bringing that magical idea into the physical. In addition, Bridget happens to be one of my patrons, and Imbolc happens to be my birthday, so it’s a triple-special day for me! If you’re looking to do something more traditional as part of your ritual celebration, you could make a Bridget’s Cross. Instructions can be found at http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vine. Traditionally, they’re done with reeds, but this site shows you how to make one with straws. Whatever you use, be sure it’s flexible enough to bend in half without ripping. Imbolc can be considered the first of the “fire festivals”, along with Ostara and Beltane. It’s the same day as the modern celebration of “Candlemas”, and some of you may have heard of Imbolc referred to by that name. Imbolc is also the traditional holiday to celebrate Bridget (both the goddess and the saint.) A guided meditation to honor/work with Bridget can be found on the Celtic Spirit site at http://www.celticspirit.org/february.htm (Many thanks to covenmate Boudicca for giving me this link!!) For those of you who just can’t live without a list of links to other Imbolc sites, here are a few for your perusal: Celtic Spirit: http://www.celticspirit.org/imbolc.htm Witchvox’s Imbolc Page: http://www.witchvox.com/holidays/ximbolc. Imbolc Lore: http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/imbol.