The midpoint between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara), Imbolc is an oft overlooked Sabbat, but one that I personally love. Mostly because I love that liminal energy between dark and the coming light. To me, even though the dark part of the year is chockfull of holidays and happenings, its still filled with shadow and introspection. Especially the window that comes at the end of December, with it’s inevitable let-down leading through January. Imbolc is that perfect between, pulling us out of that dark heaviness to look toward the promise of rebirth that comes at the Spring Equinox.
A few words I like to use to sum up Imbolc are hope, anticipation and renewal.
Some ideas to make the most of this energy are:
Imbolc is also known as Candlemas
Traditionally a time for candles – both the making of and lighting in anticipation of the Sun’s growth, this is a good time to replenish your candle stores. Whether you make your own, purchase hand-poured delights or hit the dollar store for paraffin powerhouses, stock up on candles. Consider both home decor, comfort and the many magickal uses you might want to use candles in as the wheel turns.
Imbolc is prime time for all kinds of cleansings. Sweep away the cobwebs of dark energy to make way for the light. I know that many think of spring cleaning coming in, well, yeah, the spring. But the Imbolc energy sets us on that cleansing path. It’s the time to clean out closets, drawers and under the bed. Dig into those deep, hidden places so easily ignored where stuff tends to accumulate and ask yourself it what’s there is something you actually want to keep or if it’s just taking up space. Clean your altar, dig out those leftover bits and pieces. Dispose of mostly-burned candles (I melt them into the pot for new candles), sprinkle expired herbs on the compost pile, replace or repair any broken tools.
Meditation is a great way to work with spirit guides, call on the Deities or to seek guidance.
And in a similar vein, this is a great time for releasing work. Dig deep and let go of things that aren’t serving you. Be they attitudes, beliefs or old shoes, this is prime time to let them go. And while cleansing focuses on sweeping away the obvious ‘dirt’ and ‘rubbish’, releasing asks us to consider the things that aren’t obviously ready for the trash can but that don’t serve any longer. Or, even harder, things that are holding us back (somehow, those always seem to be the things that are usually most difficult to let go of). Bad habits, those three-sizes-too-small ‘someday’ jeans, resentments, fears, never-to-be-read-again books, and on and on.
Imbolc offers us a chance to take a deep, considering look at our spaces, our home, our energy and our selves, all with an eye toward honest assessment of where we are, what we want and what might be in our way. Draw deeply on tools like meditation, automatic writing or journaling. Elemental cleansings, banishing spellwork, protective crystals. Ask your spirit guides, call on the Deities, seek guidance.
And as with any cleansing or releasing works, it’s always a great idea to bring in something to replace that which you let go. The whole ‘the Universe abhors a vacuum’ maxim is an important message, as its a reminder to replace those old unhealthy attitudes with uplifting new ones—and to fill our newly cleansed homes with something bright and energizing to remind us of what we’re welcoming in.
With that in mind, I hope you’ll find peace in that which you release, and joy in that which you draw in as this year’s Imbolc magick works it’s way through your life.
