Sacred Rituals For Brigid and Imbolc
Brigid is the Celtic Sun Goddess who governs healing, smithcrafting, and poetry. She is heavily associated with fertility, and thus she is commonly worshipped during Imbolc. The second of the Celtic fire festivals, Imbolc falls on the first of February every year. It is the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox and the third Sabbat on the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. Imbolc celebrates the healing of the earth after a barren winter. The days are getting noticeably longer, and the Earth has started re-greening. As a healing goddess, Brigid helps facilitate this process of renewal.

An Imbolc Milk Bath
Imbolc has long been associated with milk, as it is the lambing season for agrarian societies in the Northern Hemisphere. The name “Imbolc” is Old Irish Gaelic for “in the belly”, hinting at the new life to come. After a long, barren winter, milk is one of the first agricultural products to be produced. Milk has been used in healing practices for centuries because of its dense collection of vitamins and minerals. In witchcraft, it makes a powerful offering to deities and can be used to bring on prophetic dreams. It is closely associated with relaxation, purification, clearing the mind, and encouraging sleep.

To bring milk into your Imbolc spellcraft, you may try a milk bath ritual . Collect your ingredients: this can include essential oils or dried herbs that correspond to your intention. You can use powdered or fresh milk for your bath, whatever is available. Light some candles to set the atmosphere for your ritual. Step into the milky bath, and meditate, chant, or simply relax and take in its healing and purifying magic. You might perform this ritual as part of your deity work with Brigid, or you may do it to prepare yourself for any divination you may practice during Imbolc.


A Fiery Witch’s Torch
Being a fire festival, it is important to incorporate the element in some way during your Imbolc celebrations. Fire represents inspiration, health, strength, and purification. Witch’s torches (also called a Hag’s taper or a Mullein torch) have long been used in celebrations and witchcraft.
They can be traced back to Roman pagan celebrations. They are made of the dried stalks of mullein, traditionally dipped in tallow or other fats. Today, they are typically dipped in beeswax and can be dressed with different herbs to aid in magical intention. You can burn a Witch’s torch to purify your space, similar to using sage or other smoke-cleansing tools. The torch is best used in a single session for maximum effect, but it can be safely extinguished and used again if desired. A witch’s torch will offer you powerful support in your Imbolc spellcrafting and rituals.

Celebrate the return of the sun and the healing of the Earth this Imbolc by embracing the energy of new beginnings. This sacred time is ideal for planting the seeds of intention and watching them bloom through the warm season ahead. Invite the goddess Brigid to guide and inspire your rituals for abundance and healing. Visit our Asheville shop, online or in person, for all the tools and ingredients you need to honor this special time.

Imbolc (Candlemas, Brigid’s Day) is traditionally celebrated Jan 31-Feb 2, the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.

Imbolc is a festival that honors Brigid (Brighid, Bride, Brigit), a beloved pagan Goddess who was woven into the Christian church as St Bridget. In Kildare, Ireland, a women's only shrine was kept to her where nineteen nuns tended her continually burning sacred flame. She is a Goddess of healing (healers, medicine, spiritual healing) and inspiration (poets, poetry, creativity, prophecy, arts). She brings fertility to the land and its people.

Colors of the Season

White for purity and the color of milk.

Green for spring and healing.

Red for fire and creativity.

Gold for warmth of the sun and the color of grain.

Plants of the Season

Blackberry is Sacred to Brigid; the leaves and berries are used to attract prosperity and healing. Dandelion “the little notched of Bride”, snowdrop, crocus, acorns, oak tree, oat, chamomile, broom, shamrock, rushes, straw.

Imbolc Symbols

Fire - flames, candles, hearth, Brigid’s cross.

Water - cauldron, springs, wells, snow.

Grains- corn & oat sheaves for making Brigid wheels, Bridie dollies, Brigid's bed.

Animals- white cow with red ears, wolf, snake, swan, lamb.

Suggestions for celebration

Bless candles for use in future rituals and workings during the upcoming year.

Make Brigid wheels, placing the wheel above or on the door to bless the home & burning last year’s wheel. Also known as a Brigid's Cross it is traditional fire wheel symbol of protection.

Make a Brigid Doll is an old tradition which can be included in a ceremony and or placed in 'Bride's Bed' to bring fertility and good fortune to the home.

Put out food and drink for Brigid on Her eve (buttered bread, milk, grains, seeds).

Remove Yuletide greens from your home & burning. 

Imbolc Ritual

Decorate your altar with the colors and plants associated with the festival. Include a symbol of the season, such as a representation of a snowflake, a white flower, a Brigid’s wheel, or dollies. If you live in a region with snow, put some in a container and place on the altar. The melted snow can used for the water during the circle casting

Anoint candles with the Brigid Oil.

Light the candles and incense and cast the Circle.

"This is the time of the feast of torches,

when every lamp blazes and shines

to welcome the rebirth of the God.

I celebrate the Goddess,

I celebrate the God.

All the Earth celebrates

Beneath its mantle of sleep."

Take one of the lighted candles and slowly walk around the circle clockwise. You may want to read or recite a favorite poem.

Stop before the altar, holding up the candle. Gaze at its flame.

Visualize your life blossoming with creativity, with renewed energy and strength.

Celebrate with a simple feast of bread, butter, honey, and tea.

The circle is released.

Blessed Imbolc

 

References

Farrar, Janet & Stewart (1987). The Witches Goddess.

Green, Miranda (1995). Celtic Goddesses.

Weber, Courtney (2015). Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess

Cunningham, Scott (1988). Wicca A Guide for The Solitary Practitioner (pages 130 - 131).

 

The year’s shortest day, Winter Solstice will soon be upon us in the Northern Hemisphere.

This culturally and spiritually important day has been observed for millennia across the world. Celebrated under numerous names such as Alban Arthan, Yule, or simply Midwinter, this holiday invites us to seek comfort in the warmth of our hearths and welcome the return of sunlight.

Symbolism of Midwinter

For most cultures, the Midwinter solstice hails the return of the Sun and longer days. It comes in the middle of the cold and barren season. You will notice that the sun rises late and sets early, and the noontime shadows stretch long on the ground as the sun hangs low in the sky.

This year, the solstice falls on the East Coast on December 21st, 2024 at 4:21 a.m. (EST). This is when the Earth’s tilt is the farthest away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Many pagan cultures celebrated this day as “the birth of the sun”. For Druids, a ritual is needed to reverse the course of the waning Sun, which is performed on the winter solstice. After the ritual, the sun is “reborn” and begins to move higher into the sky with every new day. 

In other traditions, such as the Iranian Shab-e Yalda, the Sun God, Mithra, triumphs over the darkness of winter. People will observe this holiday by gathering together by a hearth fire, protecting each other from evil, sharing in a feast, and reciting stories and poems throughout the long night. When the sun rises, they celebrate the victory of Mithra and the banishment of evil. Other deities that are observed around the Winter Solstice include Odin, Frau Holle, Saturn or Kronos, Cailleach, and Horus.

Feasting and Rituals

Food, as with all holidays, is an important part of midwinter celebrations. Even in this agriculturally barren time, people would hold feasts with their loved ones, friends, and neighbors. In China, Dong Zhi, or “Winter’s Arrival” is celebrated by eating traditional foods such as tang yuan (glutinous rice balls in broth) and meat-stuffed or plain dumplings. 

In Japan, the yuzu fruit is considered sacred and used for its healing powers. On the winter solstice, it is common to take a ritual bath with the yuzu fruit to ward off illness and bring good health and luck. Some seasonal foods and herbs you may want to include in your rituals include oranges, cloves, cinnamon, rosemary, and evergreen plants. 

The Zuni and the Hopi Native American nations have their own sacred rituals performed during the Winter Solstice. The Zuni Pekwin, or “Sun Priest”, will announce the moment of the rebirth of the Sun with a long mournful call, and the occasion is marked with a ceremonial dance called Shalako. The Hopi celebration of the solstice is called Soyal. Similarly to the Zuni, an appointed Sun Chief announces the time of the solstice which begins the all-night ceremony. Soyal includes kindling fires, dancing, and even gift-giving.

Make Your Own Traditions

The dark and coldness of Midwinter can affect our mood and spiritual health, which is why so many of our ancient ancestors made traditions that included festivals, feasting, and community. You may find inspiration in these celebrations to create your own traditions for this time of year. Spend the night of the solstice in a protective circle with your loved ones or coven members, and celebrate the sunrise after the longest night of the year. You can give offerings to the Sun God of your choice. If you need more inspiration, you may find it in our Yule Sabbat box, which comes with a wassail mix, ritual oil, incense, and other handpicked ritual items for Midwinter spellwork. You can find our Sabbat boxes and other supplies in our Asheville shop or online store.

Yule is the festival of the Winter Solstice, on or about December 21, the shortest day, and the longest night of the year. Celtic pagan traditions celebrated with the symbolic battle between the Oak King who represents light (summer) and the Holly King who represents dark (winter) , the lighting of large bonfires to keep evil spirits from their crops through the dark months, and feasting.

Io Saturnalia! Ancient Rome’s Winter Holiday

During the dark winter months, ancient Romans turned to Saturn, the god of farming and the harvest. He was celebrated in a days-long festival called Saturnalia, originally taking place on December 17 but eventually extended to December 23. This public holiday brought a carnival-like atmosphere and included animal sacrifices and feasting, as many Roman holidays did.

What did pagans do during Saturnalia?

Societal rules were set aside for Saturnalia, so the usual strict social boundaries were ignored. This extended to slaves and their masters: it was common for these roles to be reversed during the festival. Some households would elect a “King of Saturnalia” or a Lord of Misrule, who had permission to cause mischief and chaos during the festival.  Activities such as gambling and drinking in excess were prominent during Saturnalia, as they were normally discouraged in Roman society. 

Romans typically adorned their homes with evergreen foliage and wore their finest clothing during the celebrations. Of course, it couldn’t be a holiday without a proper feast for the whole community. Lavish banquets were organized by prominent leaders, and townspeople all chipped in and brought their finest food and wine. 

Offerings and prayers would be given to Saturn, showing thanks for a good harvest and ensuring a successful farming season in the next year. At the Temple of Saturn, priests would ritualistically unbind the feet of the god's statue, symbolizing Saturn’s joining the celebrations.

What are the traditional gifts of Saturnalia?

Another prominent activity during Saturnalia included gift-giving. Close friends and family members would exchange small, low-cost gifts as a sign of affection. These gifts were usually handmade by the giver during the festival. Some common gifts to give during Saturnalia were silver, preserved fruits, and small clay or wooden figures known as sigilla. 

Candles were the most common gift to give during Saturnalia. They were lit during the festival much like advent candles are used today. Typically the last day of Saturnalia, called the Sigillaria, was dedicated to gift-giving and opening presents.

Is Saturnalia still celebrated today?

Do lavish feasting, evergreen decorations, and gift-giving all sound familiar? That is because, when Catholicism took over the Roman Empire, parts of the Saturnalia celebration were pieced together to make the modern Christmas holiday. Although Christmas has largely taken over our winter holiday season, there are a number of modern pagans that include Saturnalia in their practice. 

You can easily follow suit and work elements of the Saturnalia festival into your own practice, especially if you already work with Saturn or Saturnian energy. A good first step would be to make offerings to Saturn or Kronos, his Greek counterpart. Great offerings would be red wine, meat, dark fruits, or incense. You can even mimic the ritual of unbinding Saturn’s feet with a bit of cloth and a statue to represent the god. Candles are an important part of Saturnalia because they represent the promise of the return of the light in the dark of winter. You can dress a candle with oils and herbs as part of your worship. 

Most importantly, indulge in old-fashioned hedonism this season: wear your finest clothes, play your favorite music, and feast to your heart's content—embracing the true spirit of Saturnalia. Any supplies you wish to gather for your rituals can be found online or in our brick-and-mortar store. Io Saturnalia!

Ancient Pagan Winter Nights: Honoring Ancestors & Spirits

Winter Nights is a period of holy observation for Heathens and Norse Pagans, it marks the beginning of the Winter season. Also called Vetrnaetr and Winterfylleth, this festival blends feasting, rituals, and offerings to ensure protection and prosperity throughout the harsh winter months ahead.

The Historical Traditions and Rituals of Winter Nights

The medieval, Icelandic historian, Snorri Sturlusson, includes the celebration of Winter Nights as one of the three major Pre-Christian holidays in Northern Europe. There are many different records for when Winter Nights begins: some say it starts on the first or second full moon after the Autumn Equinox, some say it takes place in mid-to-late October depending on the year, and others say it starts with the first winter frost. We know that Winter Nights was traditionally observed over some time, from 3 days to a month.

 

As is typical for many pagan festivals, a feast was given as part of the celebration and included a series of sacrifices as part of the holy rituals. The items sacrificed to deities would typically be the blood of whatever animal was slaughtered for feasting. Two sacrificial rituals are mentioned consistently in historical texts: Álfablót and Dísablót. Álfablót was an offering to the spirits of the land and community, while Dísablót was an offering made to the family’s spirits. Both were private events closed to non-family members. The participants thanked deities and local spirits for a fruitful harvest, and they also connected with the spirits of ancestors at this time.

How Winter Nights Links with Modern Paganism

You may find similarities between Winter Nights and the Celtic holiday Samhain: the two share themes surrounding the start of winter, the final harvest, and the memory of loved ones who have passed. This time of year in the Northern Hemisphere inspires us to consider these topics as the daylight dwindles and the barren winter approaches. Winter Nights offers those interested in Norse paganism or Heathenry a chance to explore winter celebrations with roots in those cultures. Although there are few historical records detailing how pagans observed Winter Nights, we know there was a toast to honor deities, a sacrifice made to family and communal spirits, and a feast.

 

You can follow in the footsteps of many Scandinavian pagans and observe Winter Nights in the modern day using this blueprint. Hold a feast with your closest friends and family, and remember your loved ones beyond the veil: friends, family, and familiars alike. Share stories of them to celebrate their life and memory, light a candle next to their photo, and leave them a food offering during your observances. Your “blood sacrifice” to the gods and spirits can be a cup of red wine, or a morsel of meat from your feast. Deities associated with Winter Nights include Odin, who commissioned the holiday, and Freyr, the god of the harvest. You can take the opportunity to bring any deity into your Winter Nights observances: clear a space for them on your altar and make an offering to them.

 

However you choose to incorporate Winter Nights into your practice, our pagan supply store is here to support you on your journey. You can find oils, candles, herbs, and other ritual tools in our online store or at our Asheville shop, and our knowledgeable and skilled staff will guide you in the right direction.