Imbolc Associations

The pagan holiday of Imbolc is associated with symbols and practices that embody its core themes of light, purification, and renewal—and with the Celtic goddess Brigid. (Well, sometimes she's a pagan goddess. Sometimes she's the patron saint of Ireland in the Catholic church.)

A holiday on the Wheel of the Year, Imbolc is celebrated in early February in the northern hemisphere (early August in the southern hemisphere), the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. That’s near Groundhog Day, if you’re in the U.S.

This is the time of year when we are releasing what no longer serves us, cleaning and organizing, reflecting and meditating on the past, dreaming of the future, practicing divination, and setting intentions and goals.

Here are a few associations to get you started on your Imbolc rituals and contemplation.

Imbolc Crystals

There are many crystals whose energies align with Imbolc themes, but here are few of the major associations.

Amethyst

Amethyst is a powerful crystal for spiritual awakening and intuition; it is an excellent pairing for Imbolc meditation and divination rituals.

Garnet

Garnet is known for its vibrant energy and for regeneration, revival, and resilience. As you celebrate Imbolc this year, consider incorporating a Garnet and drawing on its spirit of new life as you look ahead.

Peridot

Peridot is a wonderful tool for releasing what no longer serves you. As you reflect on the past year and plan for the coming year this Imbolc, consider what mindsets, habits, or other roadblocks are no longer helping you. Leave them in this winter as the Wheel turns to spring.

Onyx

Onyx is a wonderful partner for healing and for decision-making; it is an excellent stone to have on hand for goal-setting. And Imbolc is all about the winter goal-setting.

Moonstone

New beginnings, which moonstone represents, are a major Imbolc theme. Let moonstone be a part of the new beginnings you set your intentions on this Imbolc.

Sunstone

Sunstone is associated, perhaps obviously, with the return of the sun and with empowerment.

Imbolc Herbs

Winter is obviously a great time to do indoor magick, and dried herbs are wonderful tools this time of year. Here a few herbs that are perfect for the Imbolc ritual and intentions.

Rosemary

Rosemary is for purification, growth, and renewal, all wonderful aspects of your Imbolc contemplation. It is also known for remembrance, which pairs well with your reflections on the past as you spend the dark season planning for the future.

Bay laurel

Bay laurel is for protection, the enhancement of psychic awareness, and cleansing. It is believed that bay laurel leaves, when burned, release powerful cleansing properties that can purify the aura and enhance spiritual communication. If your Imbolc rituals involve spring cleaning, bay laurel will be a powerful ally for you.

Citrus

Lemon, orange, or grapefruit slices are reminiscent of the returning sun. At the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox, Imbolc is associated with the returning light as nature begins to look toward the coming spring. Citrus fruits are a colorful, fun way to bring new life into your home.

And of course, they are perfect scents for your house cleaning rituals.

Very early spring flowers

Heralds of the coming spring, these flowers vary depending on where you are! Near us, they include snowdrops, violets, and crocuses. Their bright faces poke out of the frozen Earth, stir our winter slumber, and remind us that the Wheel of the Year continues to turn.

Angelica

Angelica is for protection, courage, and intentions. Protection is something that the goddess Brigid takes very seriously. And Angelica can help you as you reflect on the coming year and set your intentions for the work you will do and the seeds of good fortune that you will plant.

Basil

Basil is for protection (again, something important to Brigid), building a business, and making a plan. It is the perfect addition to any planning ritual you may practice in your Imbolc traditions. Use it in any of your Imbolc rituals or include it in foods that you serve as you celebrate Imbolc with others.

As for building a business...you may know that Brigid is a triple goddess. In addition to her maiden aspect, mother aspect, and crone aspect, another triple in her world is that she is the goddess of healing, the goddess of smiths, and the goddess of poets. Nurses, blacksmiths, and poets are all building businesses in addition to doing their sacred work. So honor Brigid with some basil and let it bring good fortune to the business that you're building, whatever it is.

Imbolc Elements

Different holidays can have stronger associations with different elements. Imbolc is strongly associated with fire and water.

Fire

Lighting candles symbolizes the return of light as the days begin to grow longer after the winter solstice. Candles are lit in every room of the home, encouraging the light to grow stronger. This act is both a literal and metaphorical way to bring light into one's life, illuminating the home and spirit through the simple, yet powerful act of flame-kindling.

Water

A symbol of fluidity and intuition, water plays a crucial role in the observance of Imbolc. It’s a good time for any form of divination, but especially scrying—a form of divination where one gazes into water to receive prophetic visions or insights.

Through the use of the many elements connected to this season—water, candles, herbs, and crystals—Imbolc celebrants embrace the cycle of rebirth and renewal and harmonize with the rhythms of the natural world. These rituals facilitate a deeper connection with the spiritual forces at work and promote a feeling of renewal and eagerness for the upcoming spring.

And on a practical level, water is key to house cleaning rituals and to your looking forward to the time when you will plant seeds.

Imbolc Symbols

Here are a few more symbols that are often associated with Imbolc.

Brigid's Crosses and Dolls

Making a Brigid's cross is a Celtic tradition that's perfect for any Imbolc celebration. The cross symbolizes protection and the goddess Brigid. Find out how to make one here. Dolls made out of reeds are also a popular choice for Imbolc.

Note: When the goddess Brigid became St. Brigid, the cross was fine with the Catholic church. Whether you want to celebrate Imbolc or St. Brigid's Day, a St. Brigid's Cross is a wonderful decoration.

Baked Goods

Baked goods are traditionally eaten on Imbolc Eve. For the most traditional option, try your hand at making some bannock.

Sheep and Wool

Imbolc is the time of year when sheep are very pregnant with their babies. In addition to the quickening of the Earth, as winter shows its pregnancy with spring, ewes pregnant with lambs are a major symbol around this time. So celebrate Imbolc with your favorite wool sweater! Or find another way to incorporate the symbol of sheep.

Milk

Ewe's milk in particular is associated with Imbolc; sheep are pregnant, give birth, and have their milk come in. So you can celebrate Imbolc with your favorite dairy treats.

Fun fact: According to Let's Go Ireland's article on Imbolc, the word Imbolc itself may come from the old Irish word oilmelc, meaning ewe's milk.

Holy Wells

Sacred wells are often associated with good fortune, abundance, and healing. And there are many wells associated with Saint Brigid to this day. (Here's a fascinating exploration of St. Brigid's wells from Clare Mondardo, an art history student at the University of Saint Thomas.)

The goddess Brigid is associated with healing, so much so that St. Brigid became the patron saint of, in addition to dairy maids and Irish nuns, midwives and newborn babies.

More on Imbolc

Now that you have your Brigid's Day associations, do you want to explore more about Imbolc? Here are some places to start:

About Imbolc: The winter holiday between the winter solstice and the spring equinox

Brigid and Imbolc: The Goddess Brigid, goddess of healing, smiths, and poets—and Imbolc

How to Celebrate Imbolc: Looking to the future and into your own soul with Brigid during the depths of winter darkness

Imbolc Journal Prompts: Journal prompts relevant to Brigid, Imbolc, the magic of the dark winter season, and the blessings in your life

Imbolc Meditation: An Imbolc meditation to help you honor Brigid and your spring journey ahead.

The Imbolc Companion: Imbolc spells, ritual, coloring pages, and more.