My Imbolc Altar

This is my Family Altar. I thought this time round I would keep it nice and simple. In the background is the Kitchen Witch's Creed I printed out for my Mum. We haven't hung it up yet but given that Imbolc is for the Goddess Brighid and she is a Hearth Goddess, it seemed appropriate to place this with the altar. The altar itself is sitting right next to the stove top, another ode to the hearth aspect.

It has 2 white church pillar candles, a purple scented taper and a rose scented square pillar. I love the little rose one, I got it from Cheap As Chips (with two other scents) they often have a great range of candles there. I also decorated it with my little cauldron, a besom, a little dragon and 2 white roses from the Garden.

It's a very simple altar, but I think it captures the mood of the Sabbat. I like my decorations to be simple and easy, I'm not one for flashy or overdone.

I'm still piecing together my personal altar but hopefully it will be completed in time.

Imbolc Correspondences

(Candlemas * Brighid's Day * Festival of Light * Brigantia)

The time of celebrating the virgin & Maiden Goddess as she prepares for her union with the Sun God and to pay homage to the Mother Goddess for nurturing the young God as he continues to gain his strength
A time for purification & cleansing as we bid farewell to the Winter and welcome the coming warmth. We sweep away the dead season and light bonfires and candles to banish the darkness and welcome the light
This day marks the onset of Spring, the beginning of new life in the belly of the Earth
On this day we celebrate Brighid, Triple Goddess, Goddess of healing, poetry and The forge. Patron of smiths, healers and artisans
And so the Wheel turns

Gods Cernunnos, Eros, Herne, Osiris, Pan
Goddesses Aradia, Athena, Bast, Blaize, Brigid/Brighid, Ceres, Cerridwen, Demeter, Gaia, Hestia, Venus, Vesta
Colours Lavender, Light Green, Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
Tools Besom, Bonfire, Brighid's Bed, Candles, Cauldron, Garden Tools, Priapic Wand Symbols Besom, Brighid's Cross, Candle, Corn Doll, Garden Tools, Lantern, Plough, Priapic Wand, White flowers Animals Burrowing animals, Ewes, Deer, Goats, Lambs
Herbs Angelica, Basil, Bay, Blackberry, Celandine, Chamomile, Coltsfoot, Rosemary
Feast Food Bread, Cakes, Dairy products, Seeds Feast Drink Blackberry tea, Chamomile tea, Milk, Spiced wine
Metals Brass, Gold, Iron
Incense & Oils Jasmine, Myrrh, Neroli Flowers Broom, Daffodils, Heather, Iris, Primrose, Snowdrop, Tansy Trees Evergreens, Willow
Gemstones Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet Onyx, Ruby, Turquoise
Altar Decorations Acorns, Brigid's Cross, Corn Doll, Daffodils, Lanterns, Sun symbols, White flowers
Rituals & Spells Awakening Rituals ~ Bride's Bed ~ Bonfires ~ Candle Magic ~ Cleansing Rituals (especially sweeping with the besom) ~ Fertility Magic ~ Consecration of agricultural tools ~ Healing Magic & preparation of remedies ~ Hearth & Home blessings ~ Home Fire (extinguish & relight) ~ Initiation Rituals ~ Place a besom at the front door to symbolise purification & cleansing ~ Plough Decorating

For Small Pagans & Wiccans
All activities obviously require adult supervision

Decorate a Candle with Spring leaves & flowers * Make a Priapic (acorn-tipped) wand * Prepare Bride's Bed * Use your Priapic Wand in the garden to awaken trees and plants from their Winter slumber * Weave a Cross of Brigid * Collect acorns, pinecones & one of the first Spring flower you see for your Altar * Write a poem about Spring, Brighid is Goddess of Poetry (& healing & the forge) * Pour some milk onto the earth as an offering to the earth Goddess and ask that the coming year brings you 'enough' * Make some paper snowflake garlands to decorate the home

Thanks to: http://www.crone-crafts.co.uk/imbolc.htm

Imbolc Ritual

A symbol of the season, such as a representation of a snow flake, a white flower, or perhaps some snow in a crystal container can be placed on the altar. An orange candle anointed with musk, cinnamon, frankincense or rosemary oil, unlit, should also be there. Snow can be melted and used for the water during the circle casting.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the Circle of Stones.
Recite the Blessing Chant.
Invoke the Goddess and God.
Say such words as the following:

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 Earth celebrates
Beneath its mantle of sleep.

Light the orange taper from the red candle on the altar (or at the Southern point of the circle). Slowly walk the circle clockwise, bearing the candle before you. Say these or similar words:
All the land is wrapped in winter.
The air is chilled and frost envelops the Earth.
But Lord of the Sun,
Horned One of animals and wild places,
unseen you have been reborn of the gracious Mother Goddess,
Lady of all fertility.
Hail Great God!
Hail and welcome!

Stop before the altar, holding aloft the candle. Gaze at its flame. Visualize your life blossoming with creativity, with renewed energy and strength.

If you need to look into the future or past, now is an ideal time. Works of magic, if necessary, may follow. Celebrate the Simple Feast. The circle is released.

http://www.ladyoftheearth.com/sabbats/sabbats.html

Imbolc 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.
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 dishes containing raisins - all foods symbolic of the Sun - are also traditional.