Imbalc

Today is Imbalc (pronounced Im-molc), the Celtic Sabbat that falls between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It's celebrated sometime around the first of February, as the "beginning of the end" of winter.

Imbalc means "surrounding belly" - the Earth Mother’s womb; soon the seeds in the womb of the earth will begin to swell and creative forces will begin to come alive in the world.

Imbalc is sacred to Brigid, the European and Celtic goddess of healing, crops, poetry, and creativity. As a sun goddess her powers are light, fire, inspiration, and vital energy: Wow! She’s one of my favorite images of the Spirit.

Brigid is the maiden aspect of the Great Goddess and so her color is white; her symbols are a sun-wheel, Brigid's cross, snake, and cock (herald of the new day). 

Agenda for today: 

1. Look for signs of the end of winter

2. Make a Brigid's Cross

2. Make Irish seed cake

3. Seed blessing ceremony

4. Have a fire

1. Look for signs of the end of winter:

Phenology is the observation of reoccurring biological events in Nature, influenced by the seasons. These seasonal indicators are not dates on a calendar, but observed changes that help us know when to engage in gardening tasks.

At the end of January 2024 we had a week of cold and ice that demolished trees all over town. Even our strong Hawthorns took a hit; after the third bought of freezing rain the ice was just too heavy, and a major limb bent and cracked.

And that was followed by a week of warm (60-70º) weather. 

We celebrate Imbalc as the beginning of the end of winter so today I took a walk through the garden to look for the signs. 

The earliest blooming native trees and shrubs in my area are the California hazelnut, maple, red flowering current, osoberry, and the tall Oregon grape. I don't have any of those natives in my yard, but two of our earliest camellias is blooming, and a few violets (Sweet Violet or English Violet - Viola odorata, not native).

2. Make a Brigid's Cross:

My cross has 40 pieces of straw. 

The Bridget’s cross is an ancient symbol of the sun and the seasons. It's hung by the door or in the rafters to protect the house from fire, which is always a threat in Irish houses with thatch roofs. 

Making a Brigid’s cross is one of the traditional rituals in Ireland to celebrate Imbalc and the beginning of early spring. At Imbalc or Imbalc Eve a new Brigid’s Cross is hung above the door, and the old one is burned in the hearth.

The crosses are usually made of rushes, which are abundant in Ireland. The one above was made of straw, and instructions are in this post.

A few years ago I re-invented the crosses using pipe cleaners, and it was easy enough even for the six-year-olds in the group! Instructions for these are in this post.

Hang your Brigid's cross in the kitchen or over a door to protect from fire and evil.

3. Make Irish seed cake:

Celtic deities are not abstract but are a part of daily life; the fires of inspiration and the fires of the home and the forge are the same. 

I usually heat up the oven today to make an Irish seed cake.

4. Seed blessing ceremony: 
This week I made a special creativity altar for Brigid with:

• a white candle - for light and purity
• a Brigid's cross - for the sun and the seasons
• a beaded snake - for healing and regeneration
• a small bowl - for openness and inspiration 
• and some of my garden seeds

Today I light the candle on the altar, and ask the Goddess to bless my garden seeds, and also my seeds of inspiration. 

May they all grow well when the time is right.

5. Have a fire:

Bits of winter collected to burn.

On Imbalc evening we seek out "bits of winter" and burn them in a fire. When our kids were young we hid things around the house -- old Christmas wrapping paper, some leftover wreath greens, last year's calendar... and had a fun search.

Imbalc 2017

This year we invited friends and family over for a backyard fire. We reminded our guests to bring something to burn.

After we burn winter, we will share snacks and drinks.