Imbolc Celebration
In the spirit of ‘Learning the Turning’, I want to share how I celebrated Imbolc this year with the intention of offering inspiration to those who are building their own traditions. In January of 2025 I was working with my Goddess Temple deck during meditation, and I had pulled the Labyrinth card. As I was meditating on/with this card I began to see visions of a ritual. I saw people carrying unlit candles into the center of a labyrinth, lighting them in the center from the sacred flame of the spring goddess, and then carrying that flame, that spark of hope, back out of the labyrinth and into their life for the new wheel.
I knew at that moment that I wanted to be in Lava Hot Springs for Imbolc. I wanted to walk the labyrinth and use its sympathetic magic to be as Persephone, who descends into the darkness, embraces it, and emerges from it transformed - strong, hopeful and prepared to walk another wheel in the waking world armed with the deep knowledge of the subconscious self.
As we neared the date of Imbolc, a large winter storm loomed on the weather forecast. I smiled, thinking of the lore of the Cailleach, the divine hag of winter and wisdom through hardship in the Celtic tradition. It is said that if the day of Imbolc is sunny and warm, that the Cailleach is out gathering more firewood to prepare for more winter weather to come. If it is a snowy and blustery day it is said that she is slumbering, dreaming her wintry dream as her great cloak of white covers the land, and that the winter is nearly over.
It snowed heavily the night before and leading into the day of Imbolc. As the snow silently fell on Imbolc Eve, we set our Brigid doll out on the stoop in her bed, eternal flame nearby to protect and light her way through the night before we beckoned her to come inside in the morning. We sang to her and marveled at the silent and gentle snow that was fast accumulating all around us. I set the stalks for weaving Brigid’s crosses into mineral water to soak for the night to bless and soften them. The next morning we awoke to a beautiful winter landscape as snow continued to gently fall throughout the morning. We sat around the table, listening to music, laughing, chatting and drinking coffee while we made Brigid crosses together.
We then prepared to visit the hot springs; this seemed fitting as Brigid is known as a goddess of both fire and sacred water. As I sat in the hot water I felt such gratitude for the earth supporting me, the water ensorcelled by fire holding me, and the cool crisp air kissing my face. I offered gratitude to all the spirits of the elements surrounding me as I gently floated in the comforting heat. As I stared up at the familiar trees that were dropping bits of snow and wing shaped seeds on me, I saw the sun crest the ridge of the mountain. I felt its warmth and its gathering strength. As we left the springs I saw that this snow was different - not the icy, frigid snow of midwinter, but soft, fluffy snow which was not bitter cold and was quickly melting; an attestation to the increasing power of the sun. I felt excitement, hope, and happiness, as I splashed through puddles of melting snow. It was time for ritual.
We arrived at the labyrinth and set up a small altar with effigies for each of the elements and a libation offering in knee deep snow. The snow was so deep that the stones demarcating the path of the labyrinth were completely buried, and I realized I would have to walk this path from memory. I remembered all the many times I have walked this labyrinth on spring days and warm summer evenings, most particularly the last time I followed my father into and out of this labyrinth the day before he dropped his body years ago. I smiled, and thanked him and all my ancestors standing with me today. We offered thanks and bid welcome to the spirits of the land, and I lit the flame of Brigid, protecting it from the wind as we journeyed to the center of the labyrinth. The journey was slow and a bit perilous in the fresh, deep, powdery snow. I let my feet carry me through the familiar pattern of the labyrinth, nearing the center only to swing out wide to the perimeter once more; mirroring the winding paths we all walk toward our hopes, dreams and goals. I kept these in mind as I journeyed to the center. Finally we gathered in the center of the labyrinth around the effigy of the goddess of spring, and sang to her as we dripped colored wax over the doll and the bed, infusing it with our love, hope and intentions for the coming wheel as the heat of the life-giving sun returns. We all lit a candle from the flame of Brigid to keep kindled as we journeyed our way out of the center, just as Persephone journeys out of the darkness of the underworld and into the realm of the living once more, the bright kindled flame of her heart guiding her.
We returned once more to our altar and shared a simple libation of homemade bread and fruit, making offerings to the goddess of spring, to the spirits of the land and ancestors, and to each other. We each chose a new Brigid’s cross to bring blessings of protection to each of our homes for the coming wheel. I felt such gratitude for my chosen family joining me in honoring the old ways. After we returned home, we prepared and stoked up the first fire of the year in the outdoor fire pit. The rich scent of pine filled our noses as the wood crackled and sparked. When the fire was well and truly hot, we gently set the bed and doll on the fire, and the flames gratefully and ardently consumed our offerings of love and hope, sending flame sprites up into the night as we chanted “Thus we banish winter, thus we welcome spring. Say goodbye to what is dead, and greet each living thing”.
To all those who celebrate this spring festival, may your magic bring all of your hopes and dreams to fruition. Light and dark are turning… luck be in the burning. Blessed be!
