Celebrating Imbolc

Imbolc is here! Let us rejoice! Over the past weeks I've been doing a lot of research on ways to celebrate Imbolc, and I looking forward to trying them out and see which ones "fit". I created an Imbolc altar by adding a red candle, some seeds, and one of the saved snowballs in a bowl. I took time throughout the day to watch it melt slowly into pure clear water. Lovely. As the candles burned, I cleaned the home whilst singing to myself and listening to music. I also turned on all the lights in the house to encourage the sun's return. Not quite as exciting as lighting torches, but it works!

After the house was (almost!) done, I ran myself a bath with salts and fresh rosemary (a bath fit for a goddess!). The house is ready for spring, so now it's my turn! Before I climbed in I poured the water from the melted snowball into the bath and recited the following:

We’ve made it to the mid-point
of the Winter dark and bleak.
From this day on the Sun
will climb and thaw the
ground and creeks.
Bless us now, oh Maiden fair,
and keep us in your loving care.
Showing signs of new life
as you awaken from your sleep

Finally I stood outside and called out "Old Man Winter, it's time to go! Take with you this pile of snow!" and then I threw one of the saved snowballs as far as I could into the night. I must confess though, as soon as the first words left my lips I suddenly felt incredibly shy! I finished speaking, but my focus had shifted from the fading winter to worrying about whether or not the neighbours had heard me. It is so different when you speak aloud - it becomes a declaration and there is a power to it. I want to feel more at ease with having my voice heard (or potentially heard) in this way. But I still did it though! And I feel really good about my Imbolc celebration this year, it had meaning for me and it was fun.