Artwork by Johnathan Browser

 Imbolc mean "ewes milk" this is the time of year when ewes are pregnant with the first lambs of spring and are lactating.  The Celtic word meaning 'in the belly

Traditionally the greens of Yule that are left in place for our protection during the deepest winter months are now removed and burned in a sacred fire. Home's are physically cleaned from top to bottom.   This is traditionally a time of cleansing.  The last of the Yule decorations are burned and the house is cleaned.  This is where "Spring Cleaning" came from.

The midwinter fire festival honoring Brigid, Imbolc the patroness of healing and birth, was honored with sacred bonfires, symbolizing the heat of the life-force, kindled on this night was known as Brigid's Night in Ireland and also known as Brigit, Bridget, Brighid and Brid; she gives her name to our word "bride")  Fires purify and cleanse, and the fires were often utilized in rites to bless livestock, as they were at Yule.

The Goddess has reawakened as the Virgin-Goddess and the young Sun-God begins to grow in strength.  The young couple explore sexuality and fertility at this stage of their growth.  The goddess Brigid was a powerful deity and the patroness of healing arts, fertility, poetry and music, prophecy and agriculture.

Brigid symbolizes the fire's of birth and healing,  of the forge, and the fire of poetic inspiration. This holiday was chiefly marked by the kindling of sacred fires Bonfires. Candles  were light and placed in every room of the house. This is where the Christian church adapted  this holiday and calls it Candlemas.
Some things to do for celebrating Imbolc is to place a broom by the front door; Sweeping out the old and welcoming the new.  Lighting candles and putting them in each window of the house; honoring the rebirth of the Sun.  Making Bridghid crosses from wheat stalks as symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year.

The following are wonderful for the children to make or to do as a family project.

Brid's Oil :
2 drams almond or olive oil
1 dram sage oil
1 dram dragon's blood
crushed garnet

Warm slowly on low heat in an enamel pan. Let cool and then place in small corked bottles. Charge in a circle and then wear or use to anoint candles. 

A Brighid's Cross can be made with wheat stalks, grasses, reeds or rushes. Gather a few dozen reeds of the same length. If they tend to break when you bend them, soak them in water to soften them, so that they will bend easily.

Hold one reed vertically, and fold another in half around the middle of the first.



Fold next reed over the reeds one and three. (It will be parallel to the 2nd reed)


Fold next reed over the reeds one and three. (It will be parallel to the 2nd reed)


Continue to work in a circular fashion, until you have used up your reeds, or created enough of a "woven" center to the cross. Hold the reeds together

Can be decorated with  early spring flowers, with thyme, basil, bay and any other medicinal cooking herbs that look pretty  bright ribbon 

Paper Brigid's Crown

This is especially appropriate for young girls, since this is the holiday for the return of the maiden

You will need:

• Construction paper in your child's favorite colors, and yellow and/or red, for the flames.
  
• Pencil, crayon, or marke
  
• Scissors
  
• Glue (white glue or glue stick
  

• Draw and cut out eight thin rectangles (these are the candles) of paper.
  
• Draw and cut out eight  flames.
  
• Glue the flames to the candles
  
• Draw wicks in the flames and candles.
  
• Distribute the candles evenly around the headband.
  
• Glue the candles to the outside of the headband. (You can glue it to the inside if you think your youngster will wait long enough for the glue to dry!)
  
• Depending on the age of your toddler, they can do the drawing, cutting and gluing. Even the youngest child can hold paper and have you guide her hands.
  

1.heat oven to 425 degrees.
2. grease baking sheet.
3.combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in bowl and mix.
4.Add butter bits and cut in with knife until mixture is crumbly.
5.add oats and toss to combine.
6.in other bowl beat egg with buttermilk.
7.make a well in the dry ingredients.
Pour in the egg mixture and mix with a fork until crumbs hold together. Make dough into ball and transfer to floured surface. Knead 20-25 times. Add flour if sticky.
8.pat dough into 8-inch round and transfer to baking sheet.
9.score a deep cross into the bread but do not cut it through
10.bake 15-20 minutes untill brown.

1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup finely ground almonds
3 drops almond extract
1/2 cup butter or margarine softened
1 tablespoon honey
1 egg yolk

In large mixing bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Add the butter, honey, egg yolk and mix together well. Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and then chill for 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the refrigerator. When ready, pinch off pieces of the dough (about the size of plums) and shape them into crescents. Place the crescents on a well-greased cookie sheet and bake in a 325-degree preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes.

This recipe yields about one dozen Candlemas Crescent Cakes
From: The Wicca Spellbook
By: Gerina Dunwich

I would like the thank Hrana Janto for giving me permission to use her beautiful Bridgit painting at the top of my page. She has also done all the art work for the new 2001 Goddess Calendar, and you can order it from her page.

(Click the picture )

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