Imbolc

Merry Meet All,

Imbolc is approaching. Imbolc is a Fire festival. It is related to fire. It is the time when it is still freezing cold yet new life stirs within the soil. Hope turns to our warmed hearts that spring is not far away. Imbolc is the first of the three spring festivals.

It's Imbolc1, and that's the Sabbat where many Wiccans and Pagans choose to honor the Celtic goddess Brighid2, in her many aspects. However, other than having a giant statue of Brighid on your altar, there are a number of ways you can set up for the season. Depending on how much space you have, you can try some or even all of these ideas -- obviously, someone using a bookshelf as an altar will have less flexibility than someone using a table, but use what calls to you most.

Colors

Traditionally, the colors of red and white are associated with Brighid. The white is the color of the blanket of snow, and the red symbolizes the rising sun. In some traditions, the red is connected with the blood of life. Brighid is also tied to the color green, both for the green mantle3 she wears and for the life growing beneath the earth. Decorate your altar with a white cloth, and drape a swath of red across it. Add green candles in candleholders.

The Beginnings of New Life

Altar decor should reflect the theme of the Sabbat. Because Imbolc is a harbinger of spring, any plants that symbolize the new growth are appropriate. Add potted bulbs -- don't worry if they're blooming yet -- and spring flowers4 such as forsythia, crocus, daffodils, and snowdrops. If you don't have much luck planting bulbs, think about making a Brighid's crown5 as a centerpiece -- it combines flowers and candles together.

Celtic Designs

Brighid is, after all, a goddess of the Celtic peoples, so it's always appropriate to add some sort of Celtic design to your altar. Consider adding a Brighid's cross6 or any other item incoporating Celtic knotwork. If you happen to have a Celtic cross, don't worry about the fact that it's also a Christian symbol -- if it feels right on your altar, go ahead and add it.

Other Symbols of Brighid

Cauldrons7 or chalices8 -- she's often connected to sacred wells and springs
A small anvil or hammer -- Brighid is the goddess of smithcraft
A Brighid corn doll9 and Priapic wand10
Sacred animals such as cows, sheep or swans
A goddess statue
A book of poetry, or a poem you've written -- Brighid is the patroness of poets
Faeries -- in some traditions, Brighid is the sister of the Fae
Healing herbs11 -- she's often connected to healing rites
Lots of candles12, or a cauldron with a small fire in it

Some of this information was derived from About.com.