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.

Date: ~Mon. 20 – 21 (Feb. 22 – Apr. 10) | Theos: Eos (Ēostre) | Archetypes: Maiden Goddess & Youth God | Plants: Tulip, Daffodil, Lily, Lemongrass, Apple | Minerals: Moss Agate, Rose Quartz, Carnelian, Aquamarine, Silver | Colors: Pastel Pink, Pastel Purple, Pastel Blue, Pastel Green, Pastel Yellow | Animals: Chick, Lamb, Rabbit, Butterfly, Phoenix | Symbols: Greek Cross, Basket, Egg, Baby Animals, Pastel Flowers | Tarot: The Fool, The High Priestess, The Magician

History & Folklore: Named for the little-known (and dubious, even) Germanic Goddess Ēostre – which may be the namesake for the Anglo-Saxon month of April, ‘Ēosturmōnaþ‘ (to shine or dawn) – Ostara (pronounced ‘oh-star-ah’) is one of the eight sabbats of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year which is inspired by older celebrations honoring the first days of spring. As it occurs during the vernal or spring equinox – one of two days of the year in which day and night are equal in length – it is considered a Greater Sabbat, though this does not imply that it is any more important than the four Lesser Sabbats.

As far as Ēostre is concerned, the sole historical mention which exists of her comes from the 8th-century writing of the English monk, Bede the Venerable, wherein he claims that during the month of April, the Anglo-Saxons held feasts in her honor. He claims, though, as well, that the tradition had died out and given way to Christian practices by the time he’d written about it. The only other bit of information we have on her, her association with hares, wasn’t speculated until much later in 1874. Scholars have linked the name itself to a variety of individual names, locations, and goddesses with other varying titles (such as Haéusōs, Proto-Indo-European Goddess of Dawn). Though, with recent developments in Indo-European studies, Ēostre has come to be generally accepted as a genuine goddess, her existence has previously been a long-standing topic for debate. Until further discoveries are made, additional information which can be found on her is dubious at best.

If we move our focus away from the etymology and lean toward the observation of the equinox, however, we see there is very much a basis in history for this practice. Whether for agricultural time-keeping purposes, spiritual/religious observances, or a combination of the two, cairns, stonehenges, and other stone structures across the globe are arranged in such a way as to acknowledge the positioning of the sun during some or all of the solstices and equinoxes. Some examples of these include America’s Stonehenge in New Hampshire, the Calendar Stone and Calendar II in Vermont, Fajada Butte in New Mexico, the Temple of Kukulcan in Mexico, the Loughcrew Cairns in Ireland, Stonehenge and Fernacre Circle in England, Mnajdra in Malta, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and many more.

The energy around Ostara – and, indeed, throughout spring – is about awakening, rebirth, rejuvenation – the creation of something new. Plants are sprouting. Chicks are hatching. Feelings of whimsy overwhelm us. It is fitting, then, that the Christian holiday of Easter (also called Pascha), is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These themes are observed not only in the act of the resurrection itself, but also in the idea of being reborn in aligning yourself with him as a result of this sacrifice. Additionally, if you observe much of the décor crafted for modern day Easter, it’s hard to miss the fertility symbolism and celebration of the features of vernal equinox which are rampant throughout it.

There was a time when the vernal equinox was considered the beginning of the new year. This explains then why Aries is considered the beginning of the zodiacal year and why the later months – October, November, December – are named as they are. In fact, for the Zoroastrians of Persia, this day had its own name: Nawruz (نوروز, pronounced ‘noh-rooz’ and meaning new day). Today, the holiday is still observed by modern day Zoroastrians, the Isma’ili, and followers of the Baháʼí Faith.

Khthonic Wiccan Folklore: : In Persephone’s cyclical seasonal journey, Ostara marks the first steps of Persephone onto Gaia’s surface. Every step she takes changes the ground beneath her. Every breath she breathes changes the air around her. From the Realm of Death springs the Goddess of Life. With her, she brings rebirth, fertility, vibrance, balance, and transformation. Demeter is reunited with her daughter, and Haides pines for her once more from afar. As day overcomes night, Hemera, Aither, and Helios take up domain over their half of the year, casting light all around us. We can assist with and attune to this process by sewing our own seeds and ensuring an abundant bounty for all.

In Wicca, are moving toward the more adolescent stage of Divine Youth. The fertile Maiden Goddess becomes the highly sought-after prize in the eyes of the virile Youth God. The Void Womb of Khaos is fertilized by the organized momentum of Kosmos. Ouranos covers Gaia to give life to the Tangible. Persephone brings about the Season of Spring.

In domain, if we consider the connection between Ēostre and Haéusōs, the logical conclusion in parallel is the frisky Goddess of Dawn, Eos, who rises from Okeanos at dawn to scatter the mists of Erebos. In some mythos, she was cursed by Aphrodite for consorting with Ares. As a result, she has an irresistible and unquenchable desire to make love with beautiful men. She ultimately settled down with the Trojan prince, Tithonos, whom was turned into a grasshopper by a poorly-worded request to Zeus for his immortality but not his eternal youth. In addition to Eos, Persephone, Aphrodite, and perhaps Khloris may be given special honors during this time of year. I would also add Eunomia, per my personal associations for her. As with every Khthonic Wiccan observance of the sabbat, we also take time during Ostara 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 the old to be reused anew, set out birdfeed, plant for endangered and local insects, and continuing tending to any community gardens you have given your attention to.

Beltane

Date: May 1

This section is coming soon. I hope to have the entire Witchipedia completed before the end of this year. Thank you for your patience as I move my notes from my personal grimoire to the digital grimoire on this website. 💜

Date: June 20-22

This section is coming soon. I hope to have the entire Witchipedia completed before the end of this year. Thank you for your patience as I move my notes from my personal grimoire to the digital grimoire on this website. 💜

Date: August 1

This section is coming soon. I hope to have the entire Witchipedia completed before the end of this year. Thank you for your patience as I move my notes from my personal grimoire to the digital grimoire on this website. 💜

Date: September 20-22

This section is coming soon. I hope to have the entire Witchipedia completed before the end of this year. Thank you for your patience as I move my notes from my personal grimoire to the digital grimoire on this website. 💜

Date: November 1

This section is coming soon. I hope to have the entire Witchipedia completed before the end of this year. Thank you for your patience as I move my notes from my personal grimoire to the digital grimoire on this website. 💜

Date: December 20-22

This section is coming soon. I hope to have the entire Witchipedia completed before the end of this year. Thank you for your patience as I move my notes from my personal grimoire to the digital grimoire on this website. 💜

This section is coming soon. I hope to have the entire Witchipedia completed before the end of this year. Thank you for your patience as I move my notes from my personal grimoire to the digital grimoire on this website. 💜

This particular section will pertain to U.S. Holidays through a Wiccan or Khthonic Wiccan lens for those who wish to participate culturally while still incorporating your own religion and ritual in the process.

This section is coming soon. I hope to have the entire Witchipedia completed before the end of this year. Thank you for your patience as I move my notes from my personal grimoire to the digital grimoire on this website. 💜

This particular section will pertain to a modern Khthonic Wiccan observation of Ancient Hellenic religious festivals.