Tag: brigid

Spirituality, wheel of the year, witchcraft

Celebrating Imbolc: Three Simple Rituals for Rebirth and Renewal

Cosmic Kat

Imbolc (1st Feb) is a “wheel of the year” event. Not a solstice or an equinox, but it marks a liminal time; the midpoint between Winter and Spring, between darkness and light, between death and rebirth.

The 1st of February is also the feast say of St. Bridget who is considered to be the Christian counterpart to the earlier Pagan Goddess Brigid who was associated with poetry, healing and fertility in addition to fire and healing wells.

Here are three simple rituals to support you to work with the energy of Imbolc.

1. Write Poetry

Poems don’t have to rhyme (or even make any sense at all.)

You could write a poem as an offering for Goddess Brigid and burn it before burying the ashes or scattering them in a stream.

You could write a poem inspired by Spring or rebirth.

You could even write a poem to yourself, your own inner child or inner loving mother.

2. Make art / Create

You could paint or draw something inspired by Imbolc (half Winter / half Spring) or play a song inspired by Imbolc (like this one by Lisa Thiel) and dance freely.

Using dry twigs from the Oak, Rowan, Birch or Willow tree you could also create your own charcoal and use this. (Make a fire safely and place the twigs in a tin with a hole in the top on the fire until the steam stops coming out.)

Imbolc means “In the belly”, a reference to pregnant ewes, so it’s a good time to think about what you’re birthing in the world and to nurture your creative spirit.

3. Make a St. Brigid’s cross

The Christian story of the St. Brigid’s cross is that she made it to convert a dying chieftan. But the symbol has pagan roots and is also considered to be a symbol of protection and connected to the four seasons and elements (fire, earth, air water).

It’s easy to make one using either rushes, straw or paper.

You could set an intention for healing or protection as you make it and then place it on your altar, above your bed or by the entrance to your home.

Here is a simple tutorial I found on YouTube that explains the process.

Do you have any rituals you do for Imbolc? Let me know in the comments.

If you’d like to receive some spiritual guidance and support at this liminal time, please consider booking a free taster spiritual life coaching session or check out my other offerings.