A guest post by Kasia
Imbolc is one of the eight annual Celtic festivals. It conveys optimism and joy in the middle of winter. In this article, learn more about Imbolc, how and why it is celebrated, which rituals you can do, which colors symbolize it and how you can celebrate annual festivals connected with cacao.
When is Imbolc celebrated?
Six weeks after the winter solstice (Jule), on December 21st and six weeks before the vernal equinox (Ostara), we celebrate Imbolc on February 1st and 2nd. It means something like "in the stomach" and marks the point in time when the days get longer and the hours of sunshine increase. Life begins to stir in the earth, buds begin to sprout through the snow and the first lambs are born. Just as this happens in nature, so does it within ourselves. Just like plants, we need water, food, sunlight, and a solid foundation on which to grow.
Imbolc colors and rituals
Colors associated with Imbolc include yellow, white, green, red, pink, and light blue. They are softer than the deep reds, greens, and oranges of the winter solstice and more natural than the pastel tones of the spring equinox. Dress in these colors to celebrate Imbolc or decorate your table with items in these colors.
While there are specific Imbolc rituals, you can also do anything that will help bring more light into your life, ignite your creative fire, and help you slowly move towards your goals.
Candles are a traditional way of celebrating Imbolc to celebrate and symbolize the growing power of the sun and its return. At sunset you can light a candle in each room of your house and place it on the window sill or you can switch on the light for a short time and welcome the new life that is coming.
Vision quest with cacao
For me, Imbolc is definitely the celebration of the vision quest. It's just the right time and the right season for it. As already described, life is now beginning to move again. The plants and all beings of nature have made their plan and are slowly making their way to the outside.
So you too can use this time optimally to find your vision. What is it that gets you on your heart path? There are many different tools for this. It helps a lot to spend a lot of time outside without being distracted by your smartphone. Perceive nature with all your senses. It is also a way to do vision quest meditation and dream journeys.
And of course a cacao ceremony, in a group or on your own, can also help you to connect more with your heart and thus find your vision. Prepare your cacao with the intention of finding a vision and invite the cacao spirit to support you. With your cup in hand, you can quietly tune into the ceremony and articulate your intention. This intention is picked up by the cacao. Then you drink your cacao in deep awareness. You can feel how it feels in your mouth, feel its temperature, and watch it move and spread through your body. I recommend paying attention to what is happening for you. Stay present while, depending on how you feel, you can also write down what you have experienced.
Afterwards you can see what it feels like for you, listen to a meditation, dance, write, take a bath, sing, go for a walk. Do everything intuitively, there is no right and no wrong. Everything you do then wants to support you in directing your own divine energy and increasing your vibrational frequency.
Be sure: Embarking on a vision quest with Kakao is a very deep, personal, spiritual moment for you. At the end of the ritual you will recognize and feel the power and finally you can thank Mamakakao. Be sure, you will take your vision impulses into your life.
Plants and crystals
Plants associated with Imbolc include alder, alfalfa, benzoin, birch, bistort, chickweed, coltsfoot, crocus, dandelion. Elm, fir, ginger, hops, lily, mugwort, periwinkle, rowan, snowdrop, willow, woad and wormwood are also plants associated with this annual festival.
The crystals associated with Imbolc are Amethyst, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Garnet, Moonstone, Onyx, Ruby, and Turquoise. If it feels like it, choose your gem intuitively, incorporate it into your imbolc ceremony, or meditate with it.
Brigid - Celtic goddess
The Celtic goddess Brigid is the focus of the Imbolc celebration. February 1st is known as her national holiday in Britain and is also the day when altars and celebratory meals are erected in her honor. Known for her fiery red hair, Brigid is associated with the elements of fire and water. The number assigned to it is 9 or 3+3+3. She is the Imbolc goddess personified, encouraging women to reconnect with the cyclical nature of nature in order to go deeper into their own being. This is exactly why I created the MAGIC WOMEN CIRCLE ➚ .
If you would like to celebrate Imbolc and other festivals in the protected circle of women, feel free to drop by Kasia.
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