Imbolc Feb 2015

Imbolc, (pronounced “IM-bulk” or “EM-bowlk”), also called Oimealg, (“IM-mol’g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word “oimelc” which means “ewes milk”. Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid’s snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth.

The Maiden is honored, as the Bride, on this Sabbat. Straw Brideo’gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then carry the Brideo’gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid’s Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of the Sun.

Another traditional symbol of Imbolc is the plough. In some areas, this is the first day of ploughing in preparation of the first planting of crops. A decorated plough is dragged from door to door, with costumed children following asking for food, drinks, or money. Should they be refused, the household is paid back by having its front garden ploughed up. In other areas, the plough is decorated and then Whiskey, the “water of life” is poured over it. Pieces of cheese and bread are left by the plough and in the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants during this time.

Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (Teutonic, Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget’s Day (Christian), Candlemas, Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin. All Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time.

Deities of Imbolc:

All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus.

Symbolism of Imbolc:

Purity, Growth and Re-Newal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility, and dispensing of the old and making way for the new.

Symbols of Imbolc:

Brideo’gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid’s Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), and Ploughs.

Herbs of Imbolc:

Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Violets, and all white or yellow flowers.

Foods of Imbolc:

Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppyseed Cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, all dairy products, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas.

Incense of Imbolc:

Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Myrrh.

Colors of Imbolc:

White, Pink, Red, Yellow, lt. Green, Brown.

Stones of Imbolc:

Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.

Activities of Imbolc:

Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring, Making of Brideo’gas and Bride’s Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, and Bon Fires maybe lit. 

Things to do to for the crafty witch over this season:

Things to do at Imbolc.

Bless your candles for the coming year

Burn the Yule greens to send winter on its way

Weave Brigit crosses, ensuring the fertility of mind, body and spirit.

Make the Bride's Bed using the Corn (or Wheat)

Doll made the previous Lughnassadh. (Directions: Double over a

Bundle of wheat and tie it near the top to form a head. Take a bit of

the fiber from either side of the main portion and twist into arms that you tie

together in front of the dolly. Add a small bouquet of flowers to the 'hands', then you can decorate the dolly with a dress and bonnet.) Dress the doll in white or blue with a

necklace that represents the seasons. Lay it in a long basket adorned with ribbons; on either side of the basket,and say:

Welcome the Bride both Maiden and Mother;

rest and prepare for the time of the seed; cleansed

and refreshed from labors behind her; with the promise

of spring she lays before me."

Next morning, remove the dress and scatter the wheat

outdoors (or if you use corn, hang it up in a tree for the squirrels

and the birds). This can be seen in terms of the Lady's recovery

from the birthing bed and readiness to begin the turning of the

seasons anew The Imbolc Corn Doll represents the mother nurturing her son, who will grow and become her husband. This is the earth and the sun, which is still weak but gaining strength.
Plant the seeds in garden and nurture them.

Purification rituals

Brighid is the goddess of poetry. Write a poem in her honor, and read it aloud during any Imbolc ritual you may have planned

Cleanse and re-consecrate your ritual tools and clean your altar

Ritually cleanse your home and start your "spring" cleaning

On Imbolc Eve, leave buttered bread in a bowl

indoors for the fairies who travel with the Lady of Greenwood. Next

day, dispose of it as the 'essence' will have been removed

Place three ears of corn on the door as symbol of

the Triple Goddess and leave until Ostara

Make dream pillows for everyone in the family

Send an e-card to friends who are far away

Start something arty craft.

Excerpts taken from the book “Green Witchcraft” by Ann Moura

Crafty bits

Imbolc Wand

Materials:
Small Tree Branch,
Acorn,
Thin Brown String or Thread,
Yellow, Green, and Gold 1/4" Ribbon,
Small Gold/Silver Jingle Bells.

Children will love the sound of this magical wand as they walk about pointing and shaking it at plants and trees, invoking them to wake up from Winter's sleep to witness the union of the Bride and the Lord of the Forest.

Select a small branch about 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter. Cut top end flat. Approx. 1/2" below top score a groove (parents only) with a sharp knife.
Take 1' long piece of string/thread and tie in groove. Take another 1' piece of thread and tie in groove on opposite side of branch.
Place acorn at top of branch (flat end) and adhere with some glue. Now pull the string up over the cap and wind once around acorn. Repeat with all 3 other pieces of string.
Pull strings back down to the groove in the branch and tie off. This will hold the acorn in place.
Decorate the branch by wrapping it with the ribbons, leaving enough length at top for streamers. Tie gold/silver jingle bells to the ends of the ribbons

For smaller children, thread the bells onto the ribbon while wrapping the branch.

Tell the children about how the acorn-wand is a symbol of the Lord of the Forest, and how this magical wand helps the sleeping plants and animals wake up and prepare for Spring.

Heres something crafty to make that will do some good, perhaps make them for friends who are in need:

Dream Pillows
Cut a 4"x6" piece of fabric, sew 3 sides closed and turn it right side out. In a bowl combine about:
1/4 cup rose petals,
1/2 cup lavender flowers,
1/4 cup mugwort
1/4 cup chamomile.
Mix well. In another bowl pour approximately 1/4 cup buckwheat hulls,
flax seed or corn cob fiber.
5 drops lavender Essential Oil,
3 drops bergamot Essential Oil
onto the buckwheat or corn cob. Stir with a wooden spoon. Then, combine
them, the two together and spoon into your fabric bag you have sewn. Sew
the remaining side closed.

Stress Relief Pillow
1 part bay leaves
3 parts mugwort
1/2 part cloves
1 part lavender
1 part rose
take 1/4 cup of flax seed, buckwheat, or corn cob ground and add 3 drops
lavender, 3 drops rose essential oils. Mix everything together and put
into your pillow.
Make pillow as in above or make it the size you like. These can be
placed under your own pillow at night or hung above your bed.

Sweet Dream Pillow
3 parts mugwort
1 part lavender
1/2 part clove
1/2 part mint
Make a pillow like above. Add 3 drops lavender, and 3 drops peppermint
essential oil to 1/2 cup flax seed, or ground corn cob, or buckwheat.
Mix it all together and put into your pillow.
Also can use it as a potpourri.

With thanks to : craftways@yahoo.com

A member of the group ancientpagan@yahoogroups.com

Imbolc Potpourri

45 drops of Musk oil 'or' Myrrh oil
2 cups dried Heather
2 cups dried Wisteria
1 cup dried Oakmoss
1 cup dried yellow Tulip petals
½ cup dried Basil
½ cup chopped Bayleaves

*source unknown*

Incense by Scott Cunningham

3 parts Frankincense

2 parts Dragon's Blood

1/2 part red Sandalwood

1 part Cinnamon

a few drops of red wine

a pinch of the first flower of the season-dried

Braided Altar Rug

Braided rug making instructions: use those old fabric scraps!
*source unknown*

Materials Needed

In order to create your own braided rag rug, you will need only a few
supplies. The most important of these supplies is a variety of
leftover scrap material. The scraps can be of any type and any
pattern. The only requirement is that the scraps must measure at
least two inches wide. Scraps wider than two inches should be cut
into two inch strips and set aside for easy use. For those who don't
have many scraps, I suggest checking with area thrift stores before
purchasing new fabric. Often, scraps are donated and can be bought
for very little cash. You will also need thread in either a clear
nylon or a color to match the general mood of the fabrics chosen, and
a thick, sturdy needle (a curved upholstery needle works best, but
any thick needle will work).

Putting it All Together

The first task necessary before braiding can commence is to prepare
the strips for braiding. Make sure you have cut all fabric into two
inch strips. Then sew each strip together end-to-end with right sides
facing until you have three long strips. The longer the strips, the
larger the rug will be, and vice versa. You may use more than three
strips if you are familiar with the process. If you are worried about
frays along the cut ends, spray the strips with a spray adhesive or
Fraycheck. In the event that neither of these are available to you,
clear fingernail polish will also work when applied to the edges;
however, this method takes a great deal of time and patience. It's
perfectly okay to braid the strips with no treatment. The frays that
eventually evidence themselves add character to the rug and add more
of a country flair to the finished work.

Next, tie the three strips together. Place something heavy on the
tied end (or have someone hold it for you) to make braiding easier.
Begin braiding using the method most familiar to you. You can remove
the heavy object (or release your helper from holding on to the other
end) when you feel you've braided enough to prevent the tied end from
twisting as you go.

When you have all your strips braided, sew the loose ends together.
Carefully coil the braid on the floor, starting from the center and
working your way outward. For a circular rug, simply coil in a
circle, starting with a very small coil. For an oval, lay
approximately one foot of braided strips along the floor. Holding the
strip down firmly, begin the coil around the one foot braid. Feel
free to experiment with other shapes until you find the one that
suits you best.

When you have finally shaped the rug into the pattern you desire,
start sewing the rows of coil to each other, keeping all stitches on
the top side of the rug. Once secured tightly, fasten off.

If you wish to add a non-slip surface to your finished rug, you have
several options. The two simplest (and cheapest) ways are paint and
rubber backing. By adding designs with Puff Paint (found in the craft
aisle of your local department store), you create a unique surface
that will grip most vinyl and hardwood floors. Just be sure the paint
is completely dry before placing the rug on the floor, or your rug
may actually stick. An alternative method would be to buy some of the
rubber backing used in drains, cabinets, and counters. Your local
Dollar General or Family Dollar will usually carry these at a very
reasonable price. Use liquid Super Glue to adhere the rubber to the
rug. Trim along the edges as necessary.

That's it! Enjoy your rug!