Celebrating Imbolc

Imbolc – Northern Hemisphere Celebrations

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere and look out your window you may start to notice snowdrops and crocus' starting to appear and the return of daylight as the sun sets later in the day. 1st February has been adopted by many across the world as a day to celebrate. You don't have to be Wiccan or Pagan to do so either.

Imbolc which is known to start around January 29th right through to February 3rd derived it's name from Oimelc (sheep's mik). It is a time of cleansing and renewal of all things and falls half way between the Winter Solstice (21st December) and Spring Equinox (21st March). The date has an astronomical position in the Northern hemisphere when the sun reaches fifteen degrees of Aquarius.

It is known by many different names as over the centuries the festival has been plagerised by religions adapting it to suit themselves. It doesn't matter what you believe or how you celebrate as long as you do so in a positive way. It's all about cleaning out the old, and preparing for Spring. Some of my Wiccan friends will be cleaning up their houses, paying their tax bill online by January 31st and then holding a party serving up lovely foods made from vegetables that have been stored since harvest and also beans, breads and grains. I can see the pot now simmering away on the Aga and fresh bread ready for dipping – yummy!

I light extra candles to bring back the light of Spring, when my step-children were young we made crafts using red and white fabrics. We had red candles and used our own magickal oils to anoint them which was great fun for them to prepare. We also hunted down crocus and snowdrops from garden centres that were in bloom and then transferred them into the garden later on – occasionally they even remembered to plant them early enough to be in bloom in time, but that was always “hit and miss”.

I am lucky to live in North Devon where our micro-climate of living at the foothills of Exmoor allows us slightly warmer and sadly a lot damper weather most of the year round, but it does bring the bulbs out a lot quicker.

There are some great websites with lots of different ideas from many witches sharing their knowledge and practices where you can learn more for your own Book of Shadows.

Above all, it's a great time to celebrate again with friends and family and enjoy the start of Spring.

Bright Blessings for a Happy Imbolc

Oh yes......for my Southern Hemisphere friends – Happy Lammas / Lughnassadh

New Ebay Store

I have finally got my store running on ebay. I am adding new items each day. Not sure if I will get this one to Gold Power Seller like my other account, but I will give it a try!

Lots of metaphysical, Wiccan, Pagan, Angels, Chakras, Reiki to be added in each week. I have some lovely contemporary oil burners too, with a fabulous free oil called Angel Wings; really lovely smell. Most of my items are now with free P&P too.

Bright Blessings