Candlemas, also known as Imbolc, is a pagan holiday celebrated on February 2nd. It marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, symbolizing the return of light and the beginning of spring. The holiday has ancient roots and is still observed by modern pagan and Wiccan communities. To celebrate Candlemas pagan, many people light candles and bonfires as a way to honor the returning light. This symbolizes the lengthening days and the increasing power of the sun. Candlemas is also associated with purification and renewal, so it is customary to cleanse and bless the home during this time.
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.
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. That s why it s really not important to celebrate Imbolc, or any of the fire festivals, on their exact date on the calendar, but rather to t hink of it as an entire season of celebration , alignment, and tuning into what your mind, body, heart, and spirit are truly in need of at this time.
Candlemas is also associated with purification and renewal, so it is customary to cleanse and bless the home during this time. This can be done by smudging with herbs or by performing a ritual cleansing. In addition to lighting candles, some people celebrate Candlemas by making Brigid's crosses.
Simple Solo Rituals to Celebrate Imbolc
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.
As the calendar turns from the new year into February, many witches and pagans celebrate the festival of Imbolc. For some, this is a holy day of celebration and communing with the goddess.
These are traditional Celtic symbols made from rushes or reeds, which are woven into a cross shape. These crosses are associated with Brigid, the Celtic goddess of hearth and home, and are hung above doorways for protection and blessings. Another way to celebrate Candlemas is by planting seeds or bulbs. This is a symbolic way to welcome the upcoming spring season and to connect with the cycles of nature. Some people also create altars or shrines with representations of the goddess Brigid or other deities associated with Candlemas. Candlemas is also a time for divination and prophecy. Many pagans use this holiday as an opportunity to seek guidance or insight for the coming year. This can be done through various methods such as tarot readings, scrying, or other forms of divination. Overall, celebrating Candlemas pagan is a way to honor the changing seasons and to connect with the natural cycles of life. It is a time for reflection, purification, and renewal. Whether through lighting candles, making Brigid's crosses, or engaging in divination, this holiday provides an opportunity for pagans to celebrate and connect with their spirituality..
Reviews for "Invoking the Goddess Brigid: A Pagan Approach to Candlemas Celebrations"
1. Jen - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "How to celebrate candelemas pagan." The book seemed poorly researched and lacked any meaningful information. It felt like a mishmash of random ideas and beliefs without any clear direction. The author also made sweeping generalizations about paganism that felt condescending and disrespectful to the community. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for genuine insights into pagan practices.
2. Mark - 2 stars
As someone who is interested in pagan rituals and traditions, I was excited to read "How to celebrate candelemas pagan." Unfortunately, I found the book to be quite vague and lacking in detail. The author briefly touched upon different aspects of candelemas celebrations without providing any substantial information or practical advice. It felt more like an overview of pagan history and belief systems rather than a guide to celebrating candelemas specifically. I was left wanting more specific instructions and examples, which the book failed to deliver.
3. Sarah - 1 star
I couldn't even finish "How to celebrate candelemas pagan" because it was just so poorly written. The author's writing style was unclear and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. The book also seemed to glorify pagan practices without questioning or critically examining their origins or implications. I was hoping for a more balanced and informative read, but this book fell far short of my expectations. I would advise looking for other resources if you're genuinely interested in learning about pagan celebrations, as this book simply doesn't cut it.
4. Michael - 2 stars
While "How to celebrate candelemas pagan" had the potential to be an informative guide, I found it to be overly simplistic and lacking depth. The author briefly discussed the history and significance of candelemas but failed to provide any practical tips or insights into how one could actually celebrate this pagan holiday. The book could have benefited from more specific rituals, traditions, and personal experiences to make it more engaging and useful. Overall, I was underwhelmed by the book's content and would not recommend it to others.