Imbolc - A Sabbat Of Hope

Imbolc is the first whisper of warmer weather to come. It is celebrated February 1st through sundown on February 2nd and is the midway point between Yule (the Winter Solstice) and Ostara (the Vernal Equinox). It is generally thought of as the beginning of the end of winter.

It honors the increasing daylight and slow but steady return of the warmth. We have hope that the darkness that permeates winter will not last forever. And soon the earth will awaken.

The seeds of spring, buried deep within the Earth will soon germinate and bring forth life and beauty.

The Darkness of Winter

While the winter months may not have been fraught with the bitter cold and snow that I am accustomed to, Imbolc is a reminder to me that spring really isn’t that far off. I’ve made it this far and in a few short weeks, the spring birds will return and the earth will awaken. 

The darkness that looms in the late afternoon slowly gives way to longer days and the return of the sun. The need to hibernate from the dark and cold will slowly fade.

We can see the glimmers of spring slowly arriving by how the sun lingers just a bit longer as it sets. It’s not an immediate darkness that erupts in the late afternoon, but rather a lingering light from the sun that starts to set just a bit more slowly.

Imbolc was a reminder to our ancestors that they made it halfway through winter. In a time where supermarkets didn’t exist and they relied on what they could preserve to get through the long winter, Imbolc was a sign of hope. The dark, long months where the earth rested could soon be tilled and planted.

How to Celebrate Imbolc

Imbolc is a time for the modern person to plan. Whether that is for a garden to grow food, or plans for personal goals, now is the time to awaken from our winter slumber, stretch our aching bodies and get ready for the time that will come in a few short weeks for action.

Still take the time to rest. Ostara will be here soon and that is when the real action will begin. But for now, plan. Get your house, both internal and physical in order. 

Keep it simple though. Your body still needs the rest that winter exudes.

To honor Imbolc you can do the following simple celebrations:

• Light candles. Honor the slowly awakening longer days. Meditate or journal by candlelight. Feel the warmth from the small flame and imagine the growing sun.

• Set intentions. Write down what you wish to accomplish during the longer days of Spring and Summer.

• Take some time outside if weather permits. Watch the positioning of the sun in the sky. Keep track of it over the coming weeks. You’ll notice it shifting from the south as it sets to further north.

• Listen to the animals. Watch as the earth slowly awakens.

• Use soothing sounds to cleanse your space: ringing bells, a singing bowl or some gentle music. 

Just remember that Imbolc is a gentle season of hope. The earth is beginning to awaken so start to shake off the darkness of winter and prepare for the illumination of spring and summer.