Hello, and welcome to day nine of the A to Z Challenge!
Today's topic is Imbolc. Imbolc is one of the eight solar holidays, or Sabbats, that witches and Wiccans celebrate during the Wheel of the Year. In witchcraft, we honor the life cycles of the Goddess through the phases of the moon. We honor the cycles of the God through the Sabbats. Four fall on known solar holidays (Winter Solstice or Yule, Vernal Equinox or Ostara, Summer Solstice or Litha, and Autumnal Equinox or Mabon). The other four are sometimes referred to as the cross-quarters, and fall on specific dates: Samhain (31 October), Imbolc (2 February), Beltane (1 May), and Lughnasadh (sometimes called Lammas), on 2 August.
Imbolc is the first hint of spring, before the weather changes and after the days start to lengthen (this starts at Yule, or the Winter Solstice). Imbolc is a time of new beginnings, the first plantings of crops, and this makes it an ideal time for dedication or initiation. The goddess mostly often associated with this holiday is Brighid (interesting, I know, given that it's supposed to be celebrating the life cycle of the God, yes?) Witchcraft is about the balance between the two, the Lord and Lady, and you cannot honor one without honoring the other. While Brighid is the goddess often associated with this holiday (especially in historical contexts), we honor the God in his youthful or Wild One phase: freely playing, exploring, creating, and reveling in the magic of being.
For me, this Imbolc was an opportunity to rededicate myself not only to the Divine, but also to writing.
For you witches out there, what was meaningful about Imbolc for you? For you non-witches out there, did you learn something new today? :-)
Imbolc is the first hint of spring, before the weather changes and after the days start to lengthen (this starts at Yule, or the Winter Solstice). Imbolc is a time of new beginnings, the first plantings of crops, and this makes it an ideal time for dedication or initiation. The goddess mostly often associated with this holiday is Brighid (interesting, I know, given that it's supposed to be celebrating the life cycle of the God, yes?) Witchcraft is about the balance between the two, the Lord and Lady, and you cannot honor one without honoring the other. While Brighid is the goddess often associated with this holiday (especially in historical contexts), we honor the God in his youthful or Wild One phase: freely playing, exploring, creating, and reveling in the magic of being.
For me, this Imbolc was an opportunity to rededicate myself not only to the Divine, but also to writing.
For you witches out there, what was meaningful about Imbolc for you? For you non-witches out there, did you learn something new today? :-)
Great Post Amy!
ReplyDeleteI have "find unique ways to celebrate the Sabbats" on my To Do list, and Imbolc is definitely making it's way to the top of the list as Brighid is one of my Patron Goddesses.
Heather the Evil Twin, sharing the love through A-Z at thewinetwins.blogspot.com
I'm a non-witch, but I know a little bit - a very little - about witchcraft because 1) it's a topic that interests me, 2) there are witches in my ancestry, 3) I was a witch in at least one past life, and 4) I feel that witchcraft stands by the side of natural healing abilities and related psychic talents.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did learn something new today. I've not spent much time in the research of witch holidays, so this was great. :-)
Intriguing and informative post, Amy. You have a way with the language and I definitely have a good feeling now for Imbolc. Sounds wonderful and celebratory. Thank you kindly for your nice comment on my blog. Very much appreciated. I especially love the beautiful image in the header on your blog page. Simply lovely. So nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteMichael (non-witch)