FEB 1, 2012
Imbolc is a time for celebration and ritual, but more importantly to honor Brighid, Goddess of the Hearth. Imbolc is also a time for new beginnings purification and cleansing. As long as you are taking the steps in celebration of winters end, you can't go wrong with your Imbolc celebration.
…she shall arise like a shining sun… — Lives of Saints, The Book of Lismore
CELEBRATING IMBOLC. . .
Imbolc is a great time of purification and cleansing as I previously stated. So, the first thing you will want to do is clean your house! Put away the entire holiday décor left around from yule/xmas, wipe the debris off the windows and allow the light in. As a matter of fact, let some fresh air in and open the windows if weather and temperature permits. Not trying to create a chore list, since we all have one that we already try to avoid as it is, but the cleaner and more organized your space, the more you will see the chaos that may be lingering around in your life disappear. Also this cleanse will allow a better flow of energy thru your home and energizing the hearth.
Things you will need:
-Brighid's crosses (can buy or make them, I have provided a link with instructions on
the manufacture of the Brighid's cross http://fisheaters.com/stbrigidscross.html, you will also need something to hang the crosses with, both cord and tack)
-1 white devotion candle or
-Floral scented candle (optional)
-A bouquet of flowers (your choice, I personally like to stick to white flowers and mix
in some sunflowers, but what ever makes you feel the joy of spring and the happiness
of the returning warmth and the end to winter)
-Athame
-Sea Salt (iodized salt will also work fine)
-Water (tap is fine, if possible gather your own spring, lake, river, or ocean water)
-Smudge wand (sage, cedar, or sweet grass, or a mix of all 3 - your choice)
-Quartz crystals/how ever many windows you have in your home (optional)
-an object you would like to have
blessed by Brighid.
-Piece of cake
-Glass of milk
-A large pot or planting spot in garden or yard
-A potted flowering plant to be repotted. (Pot and plant are optional)
After your home is clean and organized, or at least tidy if you have time restraints, go ahead and start making or hanging your Brighid's crosses.
(I personally find that my rituals build more energy when I create the crosses on my own, but if you do find them for sale, make sure to purify and cleanse them, you will then want to charge them with your own energy. Hang them up around the house, one in each room and several in the hearth of the home. You can find directions on how to make the Brighid's crosses at http://fisheaters.com/stbrigidscross.html. Divine Spaces and The Divine Grove are not associated with this site, but found the instructions easy to follow, you can use what ever site or instructions you would like.
Once you have the crosses hung up, you will want to dress your altar with a bright colored altar cloth, (I will be using a bright, but pastel green). Use the bouquet of flowers to decorate your altar and if finances or garden permit, why not spread a floral welcome in every room of your whole home.
(With my altar I will be putting a vase of real flowers along with silk blossoms spread around the altar and home) The silk blossoms will probably stay around all month, or at least until St. Valentine's Day.
Light the white candle and place it on the altar, take a bowl of water and put 3 pinches of salt into the bowl. Stir the bowl 3 times with your chalice and place your hands over the bowl. Meditate and feel the peace and warmth of the candle, imagine the warmth of the sun beaming down on you, grass sprouting all around you. The trees blooming with flowers and you can smell the floral scent in the air. (The floral candle helps bring this meditation to life.)
Meditate and focus on what you would like to have grown in this New Year. Do you want to grow financially, health, ect...?
Once you feel the water is fully charged with positive happy energy, energy of growth and development, purification and cleansed of all negative energies you will want to smudge your home with sage, cedar or sweet grass. (Any is fine to preference, and if you have a smudge of all three that would be best). When you are smudging do this counter clockwise around the home while you are turning on every light. Make sure to get all the corners, cabinets, and closets.)
After you have smudged, you will then sprits the water into every corner of every room by dipping your fingers in the water and flicking them with intention into the spaces you are cleansing. You will want to do the water sprits in a clockwise manner as you continue the thoughts from your meditation spreading the joy of the end of winter. (I personally find Listening to inspiring and uplifting meditative music while you do this to be helpful.) Dip your fingers in the water and wipe every window seal and around every door way.
Once this is all done, put a line of salt in the doorways and window seals. (Optional- you can also put a quartz crystal in every window for additional protection and balance of flowing energy.)
You will want to put out an offering of cake and milk outside your front door. Brighid will be walking through your area along with her cow and she will definitely appreciate the offering.
Some traditions leave a cord or ribbon on the door for Brighid to bless, I will be putting a bowl with all my crystals and ritual tools outside along side my offering dish. (Do not do this if you do not feel comfortable with the safety of your sacred tools)
The next day, get your offering cake and milk along with the pot and flowers you will be planting. Place your offering into the ground or pot, pour milk into the pot, place more dirt, and then plant your selected plant according to its specifications. Welcome Brighid and the coming spring, putting an end to winter, live life filled with love and light. Blessed be, and have a merry Imbolc.
Take a visit to Divine Spaces for spiritual inspiration http://www.divine-spaces.com
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