Happy Imbolc

There are three candles that illumine every darkness: truth, nature, & knowledge ~~ ancient irish triad.

How do these three candles illuminate your own darkness??

Goddess of the Day: Prosperpina(Persephone): Divination, Protection & Purification
Symbols: Candles, Corn, Pomegranate

In many traditions, people light candles in the Yule Log today, giving strength to the sun & chasing away some of the figurative dark clouds that winter left behind.  If you can't do candles, turn on all the lights in the house for a few minutes for a similar effect.  Another good tradiditon of Candlemas is weather divination, since today is also Groundhog Day, many different cultures do this differently. In Scotland they look for a snake to come out of it's burrow; if it stays out then  winter we will be over soon, if it went back in immeditately then the winter would last longer.  In America, we look for a Groundhog's shadow. If snow falls today foretells twelve more snowfalls before April 22 (St George's Eve)

Information taken from 365 Goddess by Patricia Telesco, & The Celtic Spirit by Caitlin Matthews

Happy Imbolc & Candlemas my loves

Imbolc Blessings

May the Goddess Bless You on this day. 

May Brigid bless the house wherein you dwell. 

 Bless every fireside, every wall and door.

 Bless every heart that beats beneath its roof. 

Bless every hand that toils to bring it joy. 

Bless every foot that walks its portals through. 

May Brigid bless the house that shelters you.

Image here

Honored and revered by the Christians of Ireland as "Mary of the Gael" here is a link about her and her traditonal prayers. The Poem above is taken from the comment section of the blog linked. 

Imbolc Ritual

Today in the Northeast has dawned bright and dreary with ice storms and sleet raining throughout the day.  As a ‘weather maven’ or follower of weather patterns this for me means that winter only has a few more weeks of a hold. I don’t need the Groundhog’s prediction to let me know that. I simply followed the rhyme:

If Candlemas be bright and fair

Winter will have another year

but if it be dark with clouds & rain

winter is gone & will not come again

Traditional Edwardian Saying

Today is a good day to pull out and bless all your candles for the year.

Last night, I placed a Bride’s Bed with the God’s wand which I made in front of the fire place, I also did a small releasing spell and a meditation. I started at midnight and ended close to one, (the Goddess loves to talk). The how of making these items and the little installation ritual came from the Llewellyn Sabbats book.

To make the Bride Bed you will need:

• blue and white cloth 
• blue and ribbon
• some yarn
• corn husks
• cotton balls
• a basket or shoe box top to make the bed
• white cloth to act as bedding
• beading for the goddess
• wand or branches for the wand

Follow Patti's directions here on how to make your doll. My corn husks were fresh because I just purchased corn to make soup. I started at 1130 making the doll and finished just in time to go to the fire place by midnight.

To Make the Bed:
I placed the white cloth in the bottom of the box lid, then placed extra fabric at the head to make a pillow. You can decorate it if you feel like with blue and white paint. 

Installation Ritual:
Place the bed before the fireplace or on your altar. Light the two white candles and your incense. When I placed the Goddess in the bed I repeated the words found in the Sabbat book:

"Welcome the Bride turned from Mother to Maiden

to rest and prepare fot hte time fo the seed

Cleansed and refreshed from the labors behind her

with the promise of spring she lays before me"

Then place the wand beside the Bride and say:

"How soon comes the Lord 

how quickly he grows

the season will turn

before we know"

For my little releasing spell, I made the following:
incense:  equal parts: benzoin, sandalwood, and lavender powder
Scented parchment paper: each paper was scented with lavender essential oil and peppermint essential oil. 

On one paper I wrote all that I wanted to burn away in the fires of the forge, and the other I wrote all I wished to manifest this year. I burned the first list without reading it and told them goodbye. Then I summoned the Goddess as witness as I read what i wished to manifest then i added that to the fire, and let it burn.

In all my years I have never really worked with the Goddess Brigid for anything other than inspiration at this time of the year, but for the month of Feb I wish to work with her and get to know her a little better, since I haven’t gotten any visitations telling me to back off from her I'm guessing Morrigan is cool with her. 


Meditation
So I decided last night to do the regular meditation of visiting the forge, but this time the Goddess took over and man she wasn't what I expected. i sat infront of the Bride's bed, one of the candles seemed to dance more in the 'wind' than the other, and the incense smoke danced and wove it's way around the flame, as I gaze inside i found myself walking through my backyard in the snow, and before me was a bridge, below was a spring river with water so clear I could see the fishes as they swam, beside me were hooks and rope with netting, I knew this is were I placed all my wordly worries and fears. I placed them in the netting, hooked the netting to a line and lowered them into the water, where they would we washed away, and the heavy ones would be lightened for when i return. I turn to walk and noticed that this side of the bridge isn't a frozen tundra like the other-side behind me, there are green shoots, and small spring flowers, crocuses are pushing up from the soil, even with the small patches of snow. I can hear the birds within the deep forest and walk the path that seems to be laid out for me, it's a dirt path the goes deep within the thick woods, where massive trees guard the sides. 


Soon I can hear the clang of the metal being worked and when I walked into the forge the heat hit me, and i saw a tall person wearing the gear of a metal worker, they had long blond hair braided back into a ponytail, and wore the thick heavy gloves, apron and boots of a blacksmith. The body shape from the back was the only way to tell that the blacksmith was in fact a woman (that and her blue ribbons around the white leggings, like the bows on a ballerina's legs), we are alone in the forge, and I walk closer. She turns with a huge flaming piece of metal to the anvil and starts working it. After a while she acknowledges me, tells me to grab a hammer and work the metal with her, i follow the rhythm she has set, she plunges the metal back into the fire, then into the bucket of water, and then works it some more. She doesn't talk as she works and I follow her lead, after awhile I stop working as she is now doing something more intricate and doesn't need my help. I realize she is carving something into the metal, as I lean closer i realize it's my name. 


I stand up as she does the last letter, and puts aside her tools. She looks at me and I quickly tell her why I am there, she cuts me of and finishes with my hearts deepest desires what i wouldn't have said, not yet, when I stare, she laughs, a deep rich laugh, and I smile I can't help it. She talks and when I make a comment she interrupts and tells me " I'm not a child or a genie, I am a Goddess, I cannot be commanded or bent to your will"  ohh oh, I look into her eyes, and feel the weight of her age, she looks young but she is older than time itself, there is something alien there in those blue eyes, something that has never been human, and sees way deeper than I wanted her to.
it is then I notice the clangs of another blacksmith, and look up and see the God, his back is to me, but his forearms and shoulders flex with muscles, and a fissure of desire runs through me, she turns and smiles as she sees him, there is a fleeting expression across her face, I attempt to step closer to see what he is working on, she cuts me off. "You aren't ready to see what is there, yet". She then turns and leads the way out the forge, I walk beside her, her longer legs eat up the ground and she pulls ahead of me, as I walk I notice the changes around me, the green is brighter, the birds sing louder, the trees are beginning to breathe deep again and there is a warmer breeze. I realize She is bringing Spring as she walks, I run to catch up, knowing I have to keep up, somehow we are back at the bridge again " We have much work to do to complete your project, it may take a lifetime, but it will be done.." (she says more things I wish to keep close for now), but then commands me across the bridge, as I go to retrieve my line, she tells me to leave them there, as those worries are no longer relevant. I walk across the bridge and return to my backyard, enter my home, walk to where my body sits waiting and sink back in. 


I have much work to do. How has your Candlemas been so far?
Happy Imbolc!!!

Let me introduce a friend

CharmingPixieFlora is an awesome witch, and mentor for many, including myself, she is so genuine and real, ans shares so much of herself with us. From everything about the craft, to her family's journey and her own personal journey becoming a teacher, a Witch and her wonderful articles and ideas on Zsusana Budapest's website.


Flora is an inspiration and a model of what a witch should strive to be, always working on your craft, not just on high holidays, but everyday, from a simple sunrise to a walk in the park. I love how her 'high' holidays are always both magical and mundane mixing  both worlds well. Leading by example that even though you are a witch 24/365 you don't have to be in "witchy" mode all the time.

Here is one of her videos for Imbolc, go to her page and check out the others.



Enjoy her videos my loves and I will see you tomorrow

KWW: Imbolc Cake & Ale

this is a fire celebration which centers around the lambs being born, and the ewes coming into milk. So many of the recipes for Imbolc include milk, for the 'ale' part of the ceremony (if people in your coven  or if you are are vegan, you can use almond milk to create the smoothies)
Ingredients:
Coconut Banana Smoothie: serves 2
(from this year's Sabbat Almanac) 

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 med ripe banana
• 4 tbsp coconut milk
• 6 ice cubes
• shredded coconut and grenadine (for garnish)

Directions:

to serve cold: place everything in the blender except the garnish and serve in tall glasses

to serve hot: eliminate the ice, and blend everything then add to the stove and warm slowly once warmed, serve in mugs and garnish as before

Increase the amount needed to make enough for everyone in your circle.

One of the traditional desserts served on Imbolc is Syllabub, this menu item is a treat to have, it’s sweet, without being too strong, when my Grandfather would make it he was a little heavy handed with the sherry & brandy, but you can stick to the recipe and it will come out great.

image courtesy of Wikipedia

There are several recipes on Foodnetwork's webste, but her eis the one I have been using for a few years, it comes from the Celtic Folklore Cooking book (which I modified to taste somewhat like my Grandfather's own).

Ingredients:

• juice and zest of 3 lemons
• 3/4 cup sherry
• 2 tbsp Brandy (christian brothers taste best)
• 5 tbsp sugar
• 3 cups of heavy cream (the fresher the better)
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• twists of fresh lemon peel

Directions:

• stir the first four ingredients together (don't use metal container)
• Cover and store in a cool dark place for an hour 
• strain
• add cream, beat together with whisk until the cream becomes thick, and forms ribbons
• pour into individual glasses and refridgerate for 2 hours
• Before serving sprinkle with nutmeg and decorate with lemon peels.

Enjoy!!!

How to Dismiss winter greens

With Imbolc fast approaching if you haven't gotten rid of your winter greens now is a good time to burn them in the Imbolc fire, here's a little chant to say as you do so. I believe this is from llewellyn magazine, but I'm not sure here is the entire quote:

All trees or boughs that have been cut and kept for luck within this house must not be cast away and scorned but gravely burned to dust at last; chop them fine give them flame and say:

forgiving our fire faithful tree warm us now who have warmed thee.

Incense and Oils

Imbolc Incense Recipes:

Imbolc is a great time for coven work as well as initiations, here is a
 Initiation oil recipe:
Base oil, plus 3 drops frankincense, myrrh and sandalwood

Sabbat Oil
Base oil plus, 3 drops frankincense,  2 drops each: myrrh, sandalwood, & 1 dropeach: lemon and orange

Incense
 3 parts frankincense
2 parts dragons blood
1 part cinnamon
1/2 part red sandalwood
a few drops red wine

to make this incense more powerful, add to it the flower petals of the first flower to bloom in your area, during Imbolc (make sure to dry it first).  This i=one I have made and it burns really well, I have also used it on the Imbolc fire and it scents the whole place really well.


I also love the incense recipe given here, by Flora:

Brighid's Incense:

• 1 part birch bark, oak bark, willow bark, and crushed rowan berries
• 1/4 part blackberry leaves, flax flowers
• 1/2 part bistort root, and snowdrop flowers

I have to admit I haven't made this recipe by Anna Franklin, but it sounds pretty interesting, if you try it please leave a comment to let me know about it. 

I hope you enjoy making your recipes 

Imbolc

image from llewellyn witch's calendar

If Candlemas be bright and fair

Winter will have another year

but if it be dark with clouds & rain

winter is gone & will not come again

Traditional Edwardian Saying

Watch the show from 1:34-3:00

Imbolc,
Information from Celtic Folklore Cooking pg 13,& Llewellyn's Sabbats Almanac.

Imbolc sometimes called, Imbolg, Oimelc, Brigantia, Lupercus, Disting Groundhog day, Candlemas or even St. Brigids’ Day.

Today is good day for cleansing and celebrating new beginnings.  It's also a good day for coven work.  
Today on the farms, new lambs are being born and ewes are in milk. 

It's the beginning of Spring cleaning, today is a good day to start as well as opening the windows to air out the home. 

Gods & Goddess associated with Imbolc:
Bridgit
Danu
Epona
Aphrodite
Juno
mars
any sun Goddesses, virgin Goddesses
or young male Gods


Customs of Imbolc:
candle burning
relighting the hearth


Sacred Foods
Milk, cheese, dairy products

Threshold time: midnight

Element: Fire

Symbols:
candles, candle flame, hearth, grain dollies, milk producing creatures, burrowing animals: lambs, sheep, cows, goats, and any winter birds such as blue jays, cardinals, and chickadees.

Imbolc Moon:
Quickening Moon or 
sometimes called the Alder Moon, which is masculine, it is can be used for protection, self guidance and teaching, self-improvement, and self-reliance.


Herbs:
basil, myrrh, wisteria,hyssop, sage

How You can Celebrate:
Dress yourself and your altar in white, while serving white beverage to honor the calving season.  Today is a good day to bless and anoint any candles that you will be using in your rituals for the rest of the year.  
Imbolc has always been celebrated as a fire festival, in some celebrations the festivals are celebrated from sundown to sundown. the bonfires were believed to aide in bringing back the sun, and encourage the summer to return.

Imbolc Correspondences:
Colors: white, red, yellow
Stones: 

• rose quartz,
•  snow quartsz, 
• amertirne, 
• jasper,
•  fire agate, 
• sunstone, 
• goldstone, 
• moss agate, 
• amethyst, 
• connemara marble

Plants: snowdrop, birch tree and rowan tree.

Imbolc Meditation & Prayers

Here are some Celtic prayers found in the Celtic folklore cooking book:


Celtic Prayer 

Everyday I pray to Bridgit 

that no fire, no flamesshall burn me 

no lake, no sea shall drown me

no sword, no spear shall wound me

no king, no chief shall insult me

All the birds shall sing for me

all the cattle shall low for me

all the insects buzz for me 

God's agnels shall protect me

Butter Prayer

to be said when making the butter, which can be done on Imbolc  to be used as part of the ritual.

 She who put beam in moon and sun

She who put food in ear and herd

She who put fish in the stream and sea

Hasten the butter up to me

Pray Bridgit, see my child a yonder

waiting for buttered bannocks white and yellow

Prayer for Brighid's Day:
can be said infront of a new stove or new fireplace in a new home

Brighid, Our Lady, queen of our hearth,

Goddess who guards the heart of our home

threefold flame who shines in the center

we honor and praise you

we offer you our words of worship

Queen of Poets, may our lives be creative

Queen of Smiths, may our lives be useful

Queen of Healers, may our lives be heatlhy

Your family is stanidng before you here

confident you will do what is right

From a book of pagan prayer, 

I personally like to say it as I light the Imbolc fire in the fireplace. 

IF you have the chance you can swing by Beliefnet.com, which also has a great pagan section.  For Imbolc I love this meditataion on the Beliefnet blog.

Patti over at the about.com page for pagans has some amazing information for anyone looking to learn about Imbolc and what it stands for, sign up for her 7 day Imbolc class you will receive information in your email

Mrs. B shared her Imbolc information on her page here.

Imbolc Information

These are the videos I have on my Youtube channel for the Imbolc Series, I hope you enjoy reading the information they contain.






I will be doing postings about Imbolc all week so keep checking back.