Candle Festival
February 1 or 2
Imbolc marks the midpoint of the dark half of the year. At sunset,
the household fires are put out and then re-lit. In modern times, this might mean that you turn off the furnace in your
home, wait for a few moments, and then turn it back on. Around the fire, corn dollies are made to symbolize the goddess
who is now full in her pregnancy. Brigit crosses are made for protection of the home and poets, artisans, craftperson's
and smiths are honored. Candles are burned in the home to symbolize the growing of the "son"light within the goddess.
Sunrise marks the first official day of ploughing and it is a good time to plant a fruit tree to symbolize the fruit that
the goddess Brigit or Sophia carries within her. The father-god the Dagda or The All That Is is honored, though his
role is minor at this time. Divinations are wise now as the creativity of the goddess is at it's peak. The marriage
ceremony of the son and his bride is planned as he will arrive at the next Sabbat. Special "wedding" cakes are baked
and eaten at this time.
Pagan Deities: Brigit -
the Dagda - Lugh
Colors:
White, Silver and Pale Yellow
Customs: Candle Burning, Hearth Re-Lighting
Symbols: Single
Flame, Hearth
Sacred Foods: preserved, dried, canned foods
Herbs: Angelica, Basil, Bay, Benzoin, Coltsfoot, Bladderwrack, Mace, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy,
Hops, Horehound, Cohosh, Elder Flower
