Imbolc

[Still Kate]

As the wheel of the year turns, Winter is starting to turn into Spring, Imbolc, a cross-quarter festival falls between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, on 1st  February and continues through the next day.

The festival is also known as Brigid's festival. Brigid is the Pagan Goddess of Fire, fertility and healing. Therefore Fire is an important part of this festival with bonfires being lit or, at least, lots of candles, celebrating light and new life.
(Interestingly, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates 1st February as St.Brigids' Feast Day)

Imbolc is understood to mean purification but its literal translation is "in the belly" or "in the womb" this can also be though of as "in the earth".

As one of the ancient Celtic holidays, Imbolc celebrates the lambing season.

On Imbolc Eve offerings to Brigid include blackberries, dishes of milk and poetry as well as offerings to her sacred animals, usually ears of corn.
Ears of corn woven into crosses, known as Brigid's crosses and were hung in the rafters of the house serve as protection against fire and lightning.

Just a little simple write up about Imbolc.
Feel free to add further information and also how you personaly celebrate this festival.

If the weather abates I will be hanging candles outside the front door, the gardens not big enough for a bonfire, and lots of candles inside. I will keep the ritual simple, giving thanks to Brigid and welcoming the iminance of Spring. 

Bright Blessings and warm wishes to you all.
Kate. xx

[Labrys]

Since I am not Wiccan, but some strange solitary hybrid walking the borders of everything, lol, we don't do Imbolc.

We usually do have a sabbat in February, but it is more of a strange Nordic hybridization of Lupercalia.  This year, however, we are marrying our family celebration to the blot of a local Heathen group.

We will be hosting about 20 folks coming on the 7th of February for a "Disting" and "Charming of the Plow."  Like Imbolc, it has some ritual significance to the coming growing season.  I am very excited, since as the hostess---in my quest to facilitate the best ritual experience, I actually found an old horse-drawn plow we can borrow for the "charming." 

The other part, the disting--means the thing (gathering) for the "disir" and is to honor feminine ancestors and goddesses of special note.  I do my personal disir worship on Dec 20, but this group has rolled it into the February gather.  That is why I made the Nerthus figure for them---the "earth mother" being chosen as the first "dis" by this group.

They celebrate by ritually putting away all weapons, no violence is allowed.  It is the rare blot that has no sacrifice, my altar will remain unblooded. (LOL...well, save our OWN blood---lets just say that piece of stone has taken its share from both me and the Minotaur husband!)
We will begin (not end, in Wiccan fashion) with a meal shared amongst us. (I will spend the entire day before making lefse, lol)  Then we will procession our way outside to the fire pit, carrying the Nerthus image, veiled, before us to the altar.  Gifts will be given to her and each participant can pass their personal wishes to her.  The plow will be blessed, the gifts to the Goddess will be buried in a hole in the garden and Nerthus will be set atop her own mound.  Then the fire ritual will commence with ritual toasts and turns of the mead horn. 

The final bit is the sumbel---the drinking can continue with stories, and poetry.  This can be outside at the fire, or (in case of truly inclement weather) inside the house.

[Still Kate]

Hi Labrys,
          Thats really quite interesting. Enjoy your celebration.

I don't consider myself Wiccan, I tend to follow a Pagan path hence the Pagan "Brigid". However, I do recognise the Sabbats and Essabbats, mainly for some sense of order in my calendar. As I tend to be quite organised. As a solitary, my only contact with people of this path and others, is through this board.

I wish I could write longer today but we have guests due tonight so I've got to go and get dinner prepared. I'll pick this up again in the next few days.
Blessings
Kate. xx
 

[Labrys]

I have been down in the dumps, perhaps over-tired.
So I thought of something more fun to cheer myself up before the blot this weekend, dedicated to Nerthus the Earth Mother.

Since it is a Heathen group coming, I decided the final dessert offering could be an edible divination....a covered plate with the Elder Futhark done in my best gingerbread house-grade cookies will be offered.  Each guest can take one...even the allergic guests, as I made them gluten and dairy free!

[Lark]

The cookies look absolutely yummy!  Do you have a cookie cutter in those shapes or do you do them free-hand?

My Imbolc was quiet, sort of.  I had gone down to Atlanta to be with Brock and to go to an SCA event (at which I was the A&S Champion!).  After the event we went out and had a lovely dinner with one of our dearest friends (and Brock's first teacher) and then did a small ritual at the house afterwards.  Nothing flashy, just a thank you for the turning of the year.

-Lark-

[Labrys]

No cutter, alas.  I hand cut them all, but was pretty pleased with the results---they keep something of the rough look runes have cut into wood or stone!

They are bigger than any cutter usually available being 6 to 8 inches long each and about 1/2" thick.  I think they will end the meet on a happy note.