Explore Rituals, Ancient Paganism & Witchcraft!

Imbolc - the first stirrings and yearnings of new life in the Northern hemisphere falls on 1st February this year. It’s a time of awakening. Although the days have been getting longer since the winter solstice it can often still feel as if winter is at its most harshest. Yet look closely and the glimmers of change are all around from the new buds on the trees and the green shoots of new flower life peaking through the frozen earth.

Imbolc is a high Sababt a cross quarter day between the Solstice & Equinox. Imbolc, means in the belly, and lambs milks, referring to the promise of renewal, regeneration and expectancy that the return of the light brings. The Earth is awakening and new life is stirring, springtime is in the air. We’re beckoned to look closely at the new shoots emerging in the soil, mirroring the awakening of our inner worlds after the darkness of winter.

The festive roots of Imbolc are from the Celtic tradition. Our ancestors honoured the home and hearth as well as blessing the fields for future fertility. Brighid the Celtic Goddess is central to Imbolc. Her name means ‘Exalted One’. Brighid is the patron goddess of birth, pregnancy and the home. Honouring Brighid is about strengthening the bonds of home, family and community. It’s a time to provide substance for your body and soul after the long winter and the challenges that the darkness may have brought you. 

During Imbolc we celebrate and honour hope, birth, the return of the sun, the home, fresh thoughts, dreams and actions, birth, cleansing.

Rituals of this time call forth nourishment for the whole of our being in communion with all of humanity and nature. Here are some of my favourite rituals to honour and celebrate Imbolc.

Imbolc Altar 

Craft a sacred altar space for Imbolc, decorate your altar with colours of vibrancy, renewal and fertility, think greens, white, silver to call in the freshness of Spring. Snowdrops and daffodils are beginning to bloom!  Bring seeds to your altar ones to plant in spring or to plant now and tend to with the softness and fullness of your heart. Work with intention as a magical moment to seed your goals and desires. Gather water from springs and wells, blessing herbs to nourish your soul, body and life. Collect quotes that inspire you, divination tools, oracle and tarot cards to channel your intuition.  

Curate a list of people that you wish to offer healing to during this portal of Imbolc, place their names on cards to place on your altar, as part of your daily practices read their names and offer healing in any form that feels good to you  prayer, song, dance, visualisation, through your hands. Find a way to ignite and offer the healing for some time during your practices in a way that feels good and right to you  

Space Cleanse/ Blessing

Cleanse and clear your home with blessing herbs to create space, make way for new projects and fulfilment. Some herbs traditionally associated with imbolc are basil, blackberry, angelica, bay, coltsfoot, celandine, and violet. 

Ask Brighid to bless the smoke and that it may represent her power. You can use the following invocation or create your own:

Brighid, I ask that you bless this smoke, may it be a sign of your presence and power, clearing away all negative energies. This is a home filled with love, joy, renewal and fulfilment

Blessed be!

Thank the spirit of the blessing herbs and the spirit of Brighid for their presence and labour in clearing your space.

Make An Offering To Brighid And The Spirits Of The Land

The tradition of making an offering to the earth goes back to Pagan times. At Imbolc offerings are made of milk and cream; these are sacred to Brighid. They also help us to connect more fully with the land and season.   You can leave the offering to Brighid and the land outside your door or in your garden in a small bowl. As you leave your offering call upon Brighid and all of the good spirits of Imbolc, asking for their blessing for this coming year.

Sovereign Soul Care

Practise sovereign soul care, this is anything that feels replenishing  and regenerative.  Preparing nourishing feasts, eliminating foods that deplete you, replace them with foods to strengthen and cleanse your system. Take time in nature to allow Mother Earth and all that she brings to replenish you. Journaling and contemplation asking to connect with the eyes of the heart and following what comes through.

Imbolc is when we begin to slowly and gently shake off the layers of winter, clearing any stagnant energies to make way for the new beginnings that spring and the light offer us. Renewing our commitment to our communities, mother earth and ourselves. Imbolc blessings one and all 

Blessed be!

xx Ella Farahani

About Ella Farhani

Ella Farahani is an Avalonian Priestess, devoted ritualist, sound therapist and energy healer. Honouring the turning of the wheel of the year and the wisdom traditions of the lands of her ancestors where she resides. Ella crafts potent healing ritual spaces allowing you to awaken to the truth of who you are, who you have always been. To live a life filled with more ease, joy and freedom.

You can find her on World of Enlighten or Instagram.