This week we reach the midpoint of winter, marked by the cross-quarter day of Imbolc. Traditionally, Imbolc begins at sundown on February 1st & continues through February 2nd.
Imbolc is an ancient Celtic holiday celebrating the very first stirrings of new life–the earliest breaths of spring. Even though there may still be snow on the ground where you are, even if it’s freezing cold outside, we are beginning to feel the very earliest hints of spring rising in our spirits.
After months of turning inward, of hibernation & of rest, life is beginning to stir again.
Read all about the meaning of Imbolc & how its energy affects you here. You’ll also find journal Qs for this powerful time of year here.
Here are 2 sweet rituals you can perform to observe this sacred seasonal day. If you’re able, I recommend doing them both in the order listed.
Take a Cleansing Bath
The purpose of this part of the ritual is to cleanse, not only your body, but also your mind & soul. It’s a chance to meditate & reflect upon the things you’d like to rinse away.
✧ Set the mood by lighting candles & turning off harsh overhead light. Light some incense or diffuse essential oils with a scent you find soothing or inspiring. Play some music, if you find that relaxing. (I have the perfect playlist here.)
✧ As you run the bath, add some epsom salt & any herbs you find relaxing.
– The best way to do this is to tie herbs into a muslin cloth or bag, and hang it on the faucet so that the warm bathwater runs through it into the tub.
– Herbs associated with cleansing include: sage, chamomile, cinnamon, lemon balm, sandalwood, lavendar, rosemary, peppermint.
✧ Once you’ve filled the bath with warm water, immerse yourself in the tub. Spend several minutes allowing yourself to just relax completely. Let your mind clear. Focus on the warmth enveloping you. Close your eyes & become attuned to your body.
✧ Spend several minutes visualizing all the negative energy in your body. As you focus, imagine the negativity being swept out of your body, one particle at a time, through your pores. See any negativity being released from your body. Think about how rejuvenating the bath is. See your body, your spirit, and your soul being cleansed & purified by the herbs & the water.
✧ When you feel ready, stand up and get out of the tub. After you’ve gotten out of the water, release the plug so that all the negativity absorbed by the water can be drained away.
Imbolc Candle Ritual
This ritual is adapted from a ritual written by Patti Wigington
SUPPLIES: 4 tea candles & something to light them with
✧ Light the first candle & say, to yourself or out loud, in whatever words come to you:
Even though we’re still in winter, there is new life stirring in the darkness.
✧ Light the second candle & say:
I call in the light & the fire of the growing sun. I call on its power to spark new life deep in the dark.
✧ Light the third candle & say:
Like fire, wisdom, inspiration & new life will always grow — just like the first spring flowers stirring in the dark.
✧ Finally, light the last candle. As you do, visualize the four flames coming together as one. As the light builds, see the energy growing in a purifying glow.
I call on these flames to cleanse & purify me as I move into the time of new life coming manifest. Fire of the hearth, blaze of the sun, fill me in your shining light.
✧ Take a few moments and meditate on the light of your candles. Think about this sacred day, a time of healing & inspiration & purification.
Do you have something damaged that needs to be healed? Are you feeling stagnant, for lack of inspiration? Is there some part of your life that feels toxic or tainted? Visualize the light as a warm, enveloping energy that wraps itself around you, healing your ailments, igniting the spark of creativity, and purifying that which is damaged.
✧ Spend a few minutes afterward writing your thoughts & reflections in your journal.
FREE
Wheel of the Year
w/ journal prompts for your personal seasonal practice.
I am so very glad to be apart of your “Seasonal Soul” family. Looking forward to all the new with Imbolc upon us and learning to grow and learn. Many blessings, Cynthia
Wonderful Cynthia!! I am so happy you are here. Sending you blessings & love, xo erin
I’m so excited! This is going to be my first Imbolc and I’ve been trying to figure out what exactly I want to do aside from magical workings of course but a ritual bath does sound heavenly so I will probably work that in.
Awesome Ebony, this sounds perfect!! Thank you so much for reading. xo ❤ erin
It’s beautiful. Thank you. Imbolc is an often forgotten turn on the wheel, but it’s powerful in it’s intention.
Erin
Love this did it last year will do again this year.
Thank You so much.
Christina
Thank you, Christina! I really appreciate you being here & reading. Blessing to you. xo
What lovelly rituals. Thank you for posting them.
Thank you Debi!💕
nice, simple ritual. meaningful.
Thank you
Thank you Laurie 💖
My exact thoughts. After searching around and nothing was resonating with me. Thank you beautiful soul.
Thank you so much, Epona. 🙏💕
Loved the article and ritual suggestions! Thank you!
💕
Thank you! I love simple expressions of the seasons.
Thank you for reading, Maureen. I absolutely agree! All the best, erin xo
Thankyou for your words of wisdom and healing ritual.
And the download.
Love and light to you and your loved ones,
Blessed be
Freya )0(
You are so welcome, Freya. Thank you so much for reading. Sending you lots of love, erin xo
Powerful. This is exactly in alignment with what I’ve been feeling/seeing/dreaming. I’m excited to connect! Sign me up 🙂
Wonderful, Stephanie!! I have added you to my email list to continue receiving simple ritual suggestions. I hope you enjoy. Sending you so much love!! erin xo
Thanks so much ! Learning everyday!
Thank you. This was beautiful and calming to read. I hope to try it today.
Thank you so much for your note, Laura. Were you able to try this ritual for Imbolc? I’d love to hear how it went for you. Sending love, erin xo
Love this! Thank you for sharing. Simple yet meaningful.
You’re so welcome, Nikki. Thank you for reading!! xo erin
Hi Erin!
Love all these suggestions. Think I’ll incorporate some of them in a ritual to Brigid to ease the impact of the cold weather in Texas today. Imbolc always comes so quickly right after the whirlwind of the holidays, I often forget… but am determined not to next year!
Namaste
Carrie 💗 Thank you so much for this thoughtful note. I am sending you so much love, I hope you & yours are keeping safe & staying warm. I love that you are incorporating some of these suggestions into a ritual to Brigid. A beautiful exercise to invite warmth & love into your life in the midst of this difficult crisis. I am so glad you found your way here & this is useful to you. Thank you so much for reading. Sending you so much love!! xo erin