IMBOLC (February 1)

Imbolc is is also referred to as CANDLEMAS in the Celtic tradition. This Sabbat falls in the middle of winter and involves a celebration of banishing the winter season. Plus the Imbolc Sabbat marks the time to welcome the coming spring season when all life reawakens from the cold sleep of winter. On this festive day fertility is celebrated along with things yet to be born. Thus by celebrating Imbolc you are welcoming the change from old to new.

Lavendar and white candles can be burned in observance of this Sabbat. This is also a good time to work in the house, changing table clothes and curtains, room painting and wallpapering and fixing furniture. Plus it is a good time to start spring cleaning, throwing out the old to make room for the new. During your ritual celebration you should symbolically sweep out the old to welcome the new by the sweeping of the circle with a besom (witches broom). This is traditionally done by the High Priestess of the Coven, who wears a brilliant crown of thirteen candles on top of her head.

In Europe, Imbolc was celebrated by a torchlight procession to purify and fertilize the fields before the seed planting season, and to honor and give thanks to the various associated deities and spirits.

It is also a good time to look over your magickal cabinet to determine what you need and what you are low on.

Imbolc is also referred to as Imbolgc Brigantia (February 1st; Caledonii), Lupercus (Strega), Candelaria (Mexican Craft) and Disting (February 14th in the Teutonic Tradition).

Most Agricultural people celebrate some kind of sign of the coming spring season. It could be in the form of the sap rising in the maple trees, the return of certain birds, the rising of a spring constellation in the winter sky, even the American groundhog looking for his shadow. I do not consider it a coincedence that Ground Hog Day (February 4th) falls around this Sabbat. It is further evidence to me of the Christians usurping Pagan/Witch Holidays and Sabbats. For example on February 2nd Christian celebrate CANDLEMAS to remember the presentation of Jesus in the temple and the ritual purification of his mother (according to Jewish law women were considered unclean after birth!) 

On Imbolc Witches bring together potluck dinners for our Celebrations. We honor Brigid, not as Virgin Marys midwife, but as the Celtic Fire Goddess, who can keep the hearth fires burning during the remaining dark cold nights of winter. Brigid is also recognized as the Goddess of wisdom, poetry, prophecy, divination, healing and sacred wells.

Traditional foods for the Imbolc/Candlemas Sabbat are foods representing growth, such as seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, etc.), poppyseed breads and cakes, and herbal teas.

Sources of information include (1)"Power of the Witch" By Laurie Cabot and
(2)"To Ride A Silver Broomstick" By Silver RavenWolf