The Book of Correspondences: The Sabbats

Date: ~Feb. 1 (Jan. 11 – Feb. 21) | Theos: Hestia (Brigid) | Archetypes: Maiden Goddess & Youth God | Plants: Sage, Angelica, Snowbell, Crocus, Dragon’s Blood | Minerals: Salt, Selenite, Citrine, Larimar, Pyrite | Colors: White, Pale Green, Pale Yellow, Pale Pink, Pale Blue | Animals: Cow, Sheep, Groundhog, Robin, Dragon | Symbols: Aigis (Brigid’s Cross), Corn Dolly, Besom, Hearth, White Flowers | Tarot: Death, The Empress, The Star

History & Folklore: Coming from either Old Irish ‘i mbolc’ (in the belly [of pregnant ewes]) or ‘Oímelc’ (ewe’s milk), Imbolc (pronounced ‘im-bulk’) is one of the eight sabbats of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year which is inspired by the Gaelic traditional festival of the same name. It may also be called Imbolg or Saint Brigid’s Day. As it occurs during midwinter – the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox – it is considered a Lesser Sabbat, though this does not imply that it is any less important than the four Greater Sabbats.

Imbolc is mentioned in early Irish literature, with some historians arguing that there is evidence to suggest that its observance dates back to ancient times. Regardless of date of origin, the original festival was said to have been associated with the season of lambing and the goddess Brigid, an Irish goddess of fire, metalwork, poetry, healing, protection, and wisdom. Her influence can also be found in Christian and Haitian mythos via figures like Saint Brigid and Maman Brigitte, respectively.

Though little is known about Imbolc’s original rites and customs, there are remaining Old Irish works which give us some cultural insight into the practices around that time period. Besides tending to the livestock, it was also a time of cleansing, blessing, and protection. Around this time of year, people would conduct a spring cleaning of the home, leave offerings of coins or ribbon at holy wells in exchange for water to bless the family and hearth, pour libations to the earth and sea of milk or porridge in soil or running water, and decorate the graves of recently deceased maidens. Brigid’s Crosses, four-armed crosses woven from straw or rushes, would be made and hung over doors, windows, and stables until the next Imbolc to invite Brigid’s protection throughout the year.

On Imbolc’s Eve, if families were considered virtuous, Brigid would visit to bless them and their house. To prepare, a family supper would be made including dishes like sowans, dumplings, colcannon, barmbrack, and bannocks, with some of the meal set aside for her. In many traditions, a bed would be made for her out of straw or rushes, preceded or followed by a member of the family representing Brigid carrying out the more region-specific traditions or a corn dolly called the Dealbh Bríde (Icon of Brigid) being laid in the bed beside a birch wand which represented the wand which Brigid used to bring back the vegetation of spring. Women in some parts of the Hebrides would also dance around the bed holding a large clothing and chanting, “Bridean, Bridean, thig an nall ‘s dean do leabaidh!” (“Brigid, Brigid, come over and make your bed!”) Before bed, some people would leave clothing out overnight to be blessed and others would rake the ashes of the hearth fire smoothly to check for signs of Brigid’s visitation.

On the day of Imbolc, a procession would be held by young maidens, dressed in white and hair unbound, carrying a doll known as the Brídeóg (Little Brigid), made similarly to the corn dollies made for her representation in the home, though sometimes with the embellishment of a shell or crystal set on her chest called the Reul-iuil Bríde (Guiding Star of Brigid). In some places, one of the maidens would instead take on the role of the escorted Brigit, donning Brigid’s Crown, Brigid’s Shield, and Brigid’s Cross, all made from straw or rushes. In some places still, Straw Boys in straw masks and conical hats would occompany these maidens during the procession, playing folk music to accompany the hymns sung by the girls. Throughout the day, the group would go from home to home receiving food or decoration for the Brídeóg. Afterward, the maidens would have a meal with the Brideog seated at the head of the table, put her to bed with a lullaby, and invite local young men in to pay respects to her before joining for an evening of merrymaking.

In what is perhaps a forerunning to the North American event of Groundhog Day, there was also a tradition of observing the behaviors of weather and animals, such as serpents and badgers, to determine how much longer winter would last before the warmer weather finally set in. It was said that, during this time, the hag Cailleach is busy gathering firewood for the remainder of winter. If she requires more time for wood gathering, the weather on Imbolc will be bright and sunny – an indicator that a longer winter is ahead. If the weather is poor, however, Cailleach is instead said to be fast asleep, which indicates that winter is nearing its end.Even in the modern era, Imbolc is a promise that winter will not last forever, regardless of how the season shows up for you regionally. Gaia begins to stir from her stillness, and flashes of life sprout up from snow or formerly dormant flora. It is a time to clear away the old which does not serve us and to begin plans for the new. Over the winter, we have cocooned, and as we being awaken from this internal slumber, we emerge transformed and rejuvenated.

Today, Wiccans, Druids, and Celtic practitioners are among those who observe Imbolc – with Celtic Reconstructions being the most loyal to its historical traditions. As of 2023, Imbolc has been made an annual public holiday in Ireland, with festivals, parades, and other events marking the occasion. Among other relevant festivals are the Imbolc International Music Festival in Derry, the Brigit Festival in Dublin, and the Imbolc Fire Festival in West Yorkshire.

Khthonic Wiccan Folklore: In Persephone’s cyclical seasonal journey, Imbolc marks the beginning of Persephone’s trek to Gaia’s surface. As she spends her final precious moments beside her husband and begins making preparations, Hekate lights the way for her travels, and Demeter begins thawing the surface for her return. We, too, should cleanse and prepare ourselves and our homes at this time to make room for the vibrant energies she brings with her.

In Wicca, we also acknowledge the stage of Divine Youth – the Maiden Goddess and the Youth God. The Goddess has begun to awaken after the birth of the God during Yule. Khaos metamorphosizes into Kosmos just before the Dawning of Existence. Gaia awakens after the birth of Ouranos just before the Dawning of the Tangible. Persephone makes her way toward the surface just before the Dawning of Spring.

In domain, Brigid shares many parallels with the goddesses Hekate, Hestia, and Athene, making them all equally worthy of honor at this time of year. Hekate, of course, in her rule over all realms, is honored on my path year-round. For Athene, we hang a representation of the Aigis in place of a Brigid’s Cross. Finally, while being honored for the whole of February, we give special thanks to Hestia on this day by tending to the home and hearth. As with every Khthonic Wiccan observance of the sabbat, we also take time during Imbolc to offer prayer to the Sacred Triad, to the Olympioi, and to the Protogenoi in accordance with seasonal shifts in energies.

As acts of service around this time of year, it is recommended to donate blankets and food to those in need, to help clean and cleanse the homes of those who could use your assistance, to shovel and clear away snow and ice on roads and walkways, or to aid in the preparation of a community garden.