Imbolc
Colors
White, Yellow, Pink
Other Names
Imbolg, Oimelc, Candlemas, Disting-tid, Feast of Brigid, Festival of Light, Feast of the Virgin, Festival of Milk, Anagantios, Feast Day of St. Blaize, St. Bridget's Day, Candlelaria.
Symbols
Candles, The Bride, Burrowing Animals, Grain Dolly, Sun Wheels.
Deities
God and Goddess as Children, All Virgin Goddesses
Activities
Candle Lighting, Searching For Signs of Spring, Gathering Stones.
Taboos
Cutting or Picking Plants.
Animals
Robin, Burrowing Animals, Sheep, Lamb, Dragon, Deer.
stones
Turquoise, Amethyst
Plants
Evergreen, Willow, Rosemary, Clover, Dill.
Meaning
Honor of the Virgin Goddess, First signs of Returning Light, Festival of Light.
Attunement Teas
(Individually or Blended)
Chamomile, Red Clover, Rosemary, Blackberry.
Ritual Oils
Jasmine, Apricot, Carnation, Sweet Pea, Neroli, Olive.
Goddesses
All Virgin Goddesses, All Flame Goddesses, Anu (Irish), Aradia (Tuscan), Arachne (Greek), Arani (Aryan), Arianhrod (Welsh), Artio (Gaulish), Athena (Greek), Attar (Arabic), Audhumla (Teutonic), Blaize (Breton), Branwen (Manx-Welsh), Brigid/Brid (Irish), Brynhild (Teutonic), Cardea (Roman), Dahud (Breton-Cornish), Februa (Roman), Frimia (Teutonic), Gaia (Greek), Inanna (Sumerian), Kebehut (Egyptian), Laufey (Teutonic), Lucina (Roman-Norse), Selene (Greek), Triduana (Scottish), Vesta (Roman).
Gods
All Dragon-Headed Gods, All Flame Gods, Bannik (Slavic), Braggi (Norse), Cupid/Eros (Greco-Roman), Dianichi (Japanese), Diancecht (Irish), Dumuzi (Sumerian), Essus (Gaulish), Februus (Roman), Pax (Roman), Trusto (Teutonic)
Lore
It is traditional upon Imbolc, at sunset or just after ritual, to light every lamp in the house- if only for a few moments. Or, light candles in each room in honor of the Sun's rebirth. Alternately, light a kerosene lamp with a red chimney and place this in a prominent part of the home or in a window.
If snow lies on the ground outside, walk in it for a moment, recalling the warmth of summer. With your projective hand, trace an image of the sun on the snow.
Food
Foods appropriate to eat on this day include those from the dairy, since Imbolc marks the festival of calving. Sour cream dishes are fine. Spicy and full-bodied foods in honor of the sun are equally attuned. Curries and all dishes made with peppers, onions, leeks, shallots, garlic, or chives are appropriate. Spiced wines and dished containing raisins- all foods symbolic of the sun- are also traditional.
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