31/01/2026
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💚 Happy Imbolc 💚
Tonight we will start our Imbolc celebrations in the Northern Hemisphere. Imbolc is the ancient festival of new beginnings. A perfect time to manifest your dreams.
The festival of Imbolc marks the first stirrings of spring in the Celtic Calendar and is celebrated on the 1st of February, but it actually starts tonight as in Celtic traditions the new day starts at dusk the night before.
It is believed that at this midway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox the Goddess Bride walks the land and underneath her feet the snow melts, the earth warms and the first snowdrops raise their little heads in her footsteps.
In Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales Bride has been honoured at this time of year for many centuries. She is the patron of smiths, poets and healers. Her name varies slightly in different areas (e.g. Bridget, Brigit, Brid …). All over the world this maiden aspect of the goddess is worshipped in various shapes and forms. Many believe that she was loved so much that she found her way into Christianity as St Brigid, one of the patron saints of Ireland.
The sacred Isle of Iona on the West Coast of Scotland is known to be her island home. According to legend Bride landed on the shores of Iona accompanied by oyster catchers when she was looking for safety and shelter. It is said that she lived by the Well of Eternal Youth upon the hill Dun I, guarding her sheep and blessing the land. All islands off the West Coast of Scotland are named the ‘Hebrides’ after Bride.
As the Goddess of birth she brings fertility to the land, animals and people. Her blessing is believed to bring the milk flow to the ewes and cows before they give birth. As the keeper of the flame she walks by our houses and blesses home, hearth and hearts with her warmth. She also protects waters and wells and blesses them with her healing powers.
As one of the four Celtic Fire Festivals that mark the halfway points between the Solstices and Equinoxes, at Imbolc we celebrate the time from which the days are getting noticeably longer again and the sun gains strength. The soil warms and life bursts forth, the first buds and shoots break through. After the cold introspective wintertime our attention is drawn outwards again.
A time for the ritual sowing of the first seeds in our gardens and our hearts. A time of holding our dreams and intentions clearly before us and planting them into the nourishing environment of our hearts so the new gained warmth and light can help them grow. A time to gather together around a fire or light a candle by ourselves and visualise the new ways we want our lives to flow this year.
Supported by the energies of spring and growth in the darkness of this potent night let's visualise our dreams grow into the reality we desire.
If you would like to celebrate Imbolc this year here are some ideas for you, based on our Findhorn rituals. Most of them you can enjoy at anytime during this first week of February:
• Sow seeds. Start off early seeds like tomatoes in the warmth of your homes. Plant them with intention while connecting to your hopes and dreams.
• Visit wells, rivers, lakes or the sea to wash away what no longer serves you and invite healing. Bring some water home to bless your family, house, garden and animals. Alternatively take a long shower or bath to wash away the old.
• Spring clean your house and declutter to create space for the new in your home.
• Create a Brigid's cross or a Brigid's doll from rushes or straw. (You can find tutorials online.) Legend has it that leaving a doll in her liking by your front door will entice the goddess to enter your home and bless it. A Brigid's cross hung by the doorway will protect and bless your home all through the year.
• Leave a scarf or clothes outside for Bride to bless with her healing powers, when she is walking the land on this last night of winter. She also welcomes some food and drink if you leave it out for her on her walk past your house.
• Hold a candle-lit meditation and invite the new into your life. Ideally use a white candle.
• Have a bonfire and feast with friends to celebrate abundance and spring to come. Maybe find some Imbolc songs online honouring Bride. If there is anything you would like to release, write it on a piece of paper and burn it. Do the same for anything you would like to invite.
Have a wonderful time as spring is awakening here in the Northern Hemisphere and to all our friends in the Southern Hemisphere: Enjoy slowly moving towards autumn... May peace be with us all!
With Love and springtime Blessings from Findhorn, Britta 🤍🕯️🤍
