Sunday, January 24, 2016

Sabbat Imbolc


Sabbat Imbolc

Imbolc 3695027430755.jpgImbolc is a Pagan holiday celebrated on 1st or 2nd of February and represents the end of Winter and the rebirth of the Sun.  It is defined as a cross-quarter day, midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.  In Wicca, Imbolc is commonly associated with the Goddess Brighid and as such it is sometimes seen as a women's holiday with specific rites only for female members of a coven.  Among Dianic Wiccans, Imbolc is the traditional time for initiations.  For the Norse, it is the Charming of the Plow.  A time to bless the plow and other tools of work and Spring.

Imbolc is time for purification and spring cleaning in anticipation of the year's new life.  In Rome, it was historically a shepherd's holiday and among Celts associated with the onset of ewes' lactation, prior to birthing the spring lambs.  The Sun gets a little brighter, the Earth gets a little warmer and we know that life is quickening within the soil.  The Goddess is transforming from Darkness to Maiden.

 

Other Names: Imbolg, Candlemas, Disting-tid, Feast of Brigid, Festival of Light, Feast of the Virgin, Festival of Milk, Feast Day of St. Blaize, Charming of the Plow, St. Bridget's Day

Activities: Candle lighting, Searching for signs of Spring, Gathering stones, Make butter, Divination, Cleaning, Weather Magic  

Altar: Upon a red cloth light as many candles as you can, as well as a Brigid's cross, a hammer and an anvil, a pen, a bowl of water, bowl of seeds and a sword

Animals: Robin, Burrowing animals, Sheep, Lamb, Dragon, Deer, Groundhog

Attunement Teas(Individually or Blended): Chamomile, Red Clover, Rosemary, Blackberry

Colors: White, Yellow, Pink

Deities: God and Goddess as Children, All Virgin and Maiden Goddesses

Elements: Fire and Earth

Foods: Milk, Honey, Poultry, Pork, Lamb, Cheese, Butter, Dairy  

Goddesses: Anu (Irish), Arianhrod (Welsh), Athena (Greek), Audhumla (Teutonic), Brynhild (Teutonic), Laufey (Teutonic), Selene (Greek), Vesta (Roman), Aradia (Tuscan), Brigid (Irish), Gaia (Greek), Kebehut (Egyptian), Triduana (Scottish)

Gods: Bannik (Slavic), Cupid/Eros (Greco-Roman), Diancecht (Irish), Essus (Gaulish), Pax (Roman), Bragi (Norse), Dainichi (Japanese), Februus (Roman), Trusto (Teutonic)

imbolc8926753_278940699_n.jpgKey Action: Plan and prepare, Rebirth and beginnings, Transitions

Meaning: Honor of the Virgin Goddess, First signs of returning life, Festival of Light

Mythical Creatures: Firebird, Dragon, Berometz

Offerings: Brigid's crosses, Twisted of twine or rope, Acts of creativity, Clean public walkways and gardens  

Plants: Evergreen, Willow, Rosemary, Clover, Dill

Pronounced: 'Im-Bolc'

Ritual Oils: Jasmine, Apricot, Carnation, Sweet Pea, Neroli, Olive, Ginger

Songs: Spring is Coming, Brigid Chant  

Stones: Turquoise, Amethyst

Symbols: Candles, The Bride, Burrowing animals, Grain dolly, Sun Wheels

Taboos: Cutting or picking plants

 

                Spring is Coming 
Tune: "Are you sleeping, Brother John?"

Spring is coming full of flowers,
Freya smiles, Freya smiles.
Idunn and her apples, Idunn and her apples,
All is young. All is young.

Summertime, the corn is golden,
hair of Sif, hair of Sif.
Thor is making thunder, Thor is making thunder,
Rain pours down. Rain pours down.

Autumn brings us fruits and bounty,
gifts of Frey, gifts of Frey.
Frigg's hearth and fire, Frigg's hearth and fire,
Safe and warm. Safe and warm.

Wintertide has come upon us,
Skadhi skis, Skadhi skis.
Uller goes a-hunting, Uller goes a-hunting,
Ravens cry. Ravens cry.

 












 

 

 

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