Imbolc
By MoonRaven

Imbolc (pronounced "IM-bulk", "IM mol'g" or "EM-bowl/k") is one of the Greater Wiccan Sabbats and is usually celebrated on February 2nd. In the Celtic tradition it is celebrated on February 1st or the first Full Moon in Aquarius. Other names Imbolc are known by include Imbolg, Imbolic (Celtic), Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonii Tradition, or the Druids), Candlelaria (Mexican Craft), Disting (Teutonic Tradition - celebrated on February 14th) Candlemas (some Pagan Traditions and/or individuals prefer this name), the Feast of Candlemas and St. Bridget's Day (Christian), Oimelc, Brigid's Day, Lupercus (Strega), the Feast of Lights, the Feast of the Virgin, the Snowdrop Festival, or the Festival of Lights. The name "Imbolc" or "Oimelc", which is derived from Gaelic, means "ewe's milk" after the lactating sheep that are feeding their first born lambs of the new season at this time of year. (Images to the left and below are by Anthony Meadows and from 1998 and 1999 Witches' Calendars. Click on either image to go directly to Llewellyn's Web Site.)

This Sabbat is a time of cleansing and newborn lambs, a good time for the Blessing of seeds. It is a festival of the Maiden in preparation for growth and renewal. Imbolc is a time to honor the Virgin Goddesses, along with the first signs of returning life in a frozen Winterland. In many places, the crocus flower is one of the first to show itself popping up through the snow, and so it is also a symbol of this Sabbat. Candlemas is a Festival of Light and is therefore celebrated by the use of many candles.

Symbolically, many Pagans choose to represent Imbolc by the use of Candle Wheels, Grain Dollies, and Sun Wheels - these may be used in ritual or simply as decoration. Candle Wheels are generally round decorated "crowns" made of straw or some type of natural woven substance which is ringed with either eight or thirteen red, pink or white candles and decorated with colored ribbons. In many Imbolc rituals, it is traditional for the High Priestess or the Maiden to wear this "crown" during the ritual at some point.

Grain Dollies can be made many different ways, and need not take on human shape unless you desire. They are made of wheat or sheaves of other grains such as straw, corn or barley. The sheaves are formed into some semblance of a "dolly" by folding, tucking and tying here and there. They can then be "dressed" in white cotton or satin and lace to represent the bride. You may even choose to create a "bed" (from a basket usually) for your grain dolly, commonly called a "Bride's Bed". There are many Pagan books available on how to create Candle Wheels, Grain Dollies, and Sun Wheels. Please refer to them for further instructions on making these decorations. Imbolc is also represented by burrowing animals, and the bride. Some other altar decorations may include a besom (Witch's broom) to symbolize the sweeping out of the old, a sprig of evergreen, or a small Goddess statue representing Her in the Maiden aspect.

Imbolc can be symbolically represented by a dish of snow, evergreens and/or candles. Ritually, you may choose to light and hold candles (symbol of light) within the Circle. You may also want to place a wheel symbol upon the Altar. 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 in a prominent part of the home or in a window. If snow lies on the ground, walk in it for a moment, recalling the warmth of Summer. With your projective hand, trace an image of the Sun on the snow. Other Pagan activities may include the gathering of stones and the searching for signs of Spring. It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants at this time.

Appropriate Deities for Imbolc include all Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, all Fire/Flame Gods and Goddesses, and Gods and Goddesses represented as Children. Some Imbolc Deities to mention by name include Brigid, Aradia, Anu, Arianrhod, Athena, Branwen, Inanna, Selene, Gaia, Februa, Februus, Pax, Cupid, Eros, and Diancecht. Key actions to keep in mind during this time in the Wheel of the Year include planning and preparing for the times to come. Spellwork for fertility and protection are appropriate, as well as those to help one define and focus on spiritual and physical desires for the future. Imbolc is a good time to get your life in order - whether physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, or all of the above. Make plans, organize, clean out drawers and closets to help create a refreshing sense of bringing in the new and clearing out the old. Preparing yourself and your home now will help to allow you to take full advantage of the wonder and freedom that Springtime will bring.

The most common colors associated with Imbolc are white, yellow, and pink. However, light blue, light green, red and brown are also appropriate colors for this Sabbat. Altar candles should be white, red, pink and/or brown. Stones to use during the Imbolc celebration are turquoise, amethyst, garnet and onyx. Animals associated with Imbolc include robins, sheep, lambs, deer, and burrowing animals like badgers and groundhogs. Mythical beasts associated with Imbolc are the phoenix, dragons and other types of firebirds. Plants and herbs associated with Imbolc are evergreens and willow trees, rosemary, angelica, basil, bay, benzoin, heather, myrrh, clover, dill, and all yellow flowers. For Imbolc incense, you could make a blend from any of the following scents or simply choose one: basil, myrrh, frankincense, wisteria, jasmine, camphor, cinnamon, and lotus.

Foods appropriate to eat on this day include those that represent growth, such as seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower) as well as poppy seed breads, muffins, and cakes. Also quite befitting are foods from the dairy, since Imbolc marks the festival of calving. Sour cream dishes are fine. Appropriate meat dishes should contain poultry, pork, or lamb. 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, herbal teas, honey, and dishes containing raisins --- all foods symbolic of the Sun --- are also traditional.

May you all enjoy the Blessings of the Imbolc Sabbat and all that is represented at this time of year.

MoonRaven

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
By Magical Panther

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Powers: Protection, Love, Lust, Mental Powers, Exocrism, Purification, Healing, Sleep,
Youth

Magical Uses:
When burned, emits powerful cleansing and purifying vibrations
Place beneath pillow to ensure a good night sleep and drives away nightmares.
Hung on the porch and doorposts to keep thieves from the house
Carried to remain healthy.
Rosemary infusions is used to wash the hands before healing work.

Cautions:
Do not take in high doses.
Do not take if pregnant.


Clover (Trifolium spp.)

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Diety: Rowen
Powers: Protection, Money Love, Fidelity, Exorcsim, Success

Magical Uses:
Two-Leaved - Find one of these and you shall find a lover
Three-Leaved - Worn as a protective amulet
Four-Leaved - Strengthen Psychic powers
Five-leaved - Attract money
General - Placed in left shoe and forgotten keeps evil away.

Both the herbs are associated with Imbolc.

May the Goddess bless you on your path.

Magical Panther

The Goddess Bridget of healing, herbalism, the arts, and midwifery
Submitted by Alana

Bridget (pronounced "breed"), was one of the great Deities of the Celtic people. She was known as Brigit or Bridget to the Irish, Brigantia in Northern England, Bride in Scotland, and Brigandu in Brittany. Various interpretations of her name exist including, "Bright Arrow," "Bright One," "Powerful One," and "High One." Bridget was a Sun Goddess, and the legend of her birth is that she was born at sunrise, and a tower of bright flame burst from her forehead that reached from Earth to the Otherworld. The Irish said that the goddess Brigid brought to humanity a number of useful things, including whistling, which she invented one night when she wanted to call her friends. When her beloved son was killed, Brigid invented keening, the mournful song of the bereaved Irishwoman; this story draws her close to the great mother goddesses of the eastern Mediterranean, and like them, Brigid was identified with the earth herself and with the soil's fertility. There existed a vast number of sacred wells and springs dedicated to Bridget. Offerings were cast into the water in the form of gold or brass rings, and later, coins. The Goddess Bridget always had a shrine at Kildare, Ireland, with a perpetual flame tended by several priestesses. No male was ever allowed near, food and other supplies were brought by other women. When Catholicism took over in Ireland, the shrine became a convent and the fire was tended by nuns. The tradition was held and the eternal flame was kept burning for many years, until a catholic bishop became angered because he felt women were subordinate to men, and therefore insisted upon their obedience and ordered the flame to be extinguished. It has since been rekindled in 1993. However; Bridget is the best example of the survival of a Goddess into Christian records. So set in their ways the devotion of the Irish to their goddess that the Christians "converted" her along with her people, calling her Bridget, the human daughter of a Druid, and claiming she was baptized by the great patriarch St. Patrick himself. Bridget took religious vows, the story went on, and was canonized after her death by her adoptive church, which then allowed the saint a curious list of attributes, coincidentally identical to those of the earlier goddess. The Christian Bridget, for instance, was said to have had the power to appoint the bishops of her area, a strange role for an abbess, made stranger by her requirement that her bishops also be practicing goldsmiths. The ancient Brigid, however, was in one of her three forms the goddess of smithcraft. Brigid also ruled poetry and inspiration, carrying for this purpose a famous caldron; her third identity was as a goddess of healing and medicine. Not surprisingly, the Christian Bridget was invoked both as a muse and as a healer, continuing the traditions of the goddess. Her festival, Imbolc, is celebrated February first or second, representing the coming of spring. Fires are lit at sundown and feasts are shared with the Bright One. Celtic Hearth is dedicated to Bridget, and the fire is always kept aflame. Tonight light a candle and give thanks for her creative inspiration and love.

Imbolc
By Demna Gwynvydd

Imbolc is the time when the sun is starting to be felt again, it is starting to warm the earth in preparation for spring. It is the time of the year when the trees are starting to have sap moving again, the time when the animals are in milk ready to feed they’re young. It is the time to prepare for the planting season that will begin at Ostara. One of the ways to take advantage of the energies of this time of year is to get yourself a few seeds and a couple sheets of paper. The kind of seeds you should use doesn’t really matter just use what you have on hand or can easily acquire. You can, if you want, consult a book like Scott Cunningham’s “Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs” or any other fine source of the like to determine specific plant seeds that will lend the kinds of energies that will compliment your magickal workings. This spell can either be done inside or outside, with one seed or as many as you would like. If it is to be done inside though, you will need to acquire a plant pot and some potting soil or enough good dirt from your yard to fill the pot. Also you will need to keep the pot near a window so that it can gather sunlight. I would recommend beginning the seedling inside for now, and transplanting it outside at Ostara so that it will not be too cold for your little seedling. To begin simply write your desire on a small strip of paper, but remember to write it in such a way that it reinforces that you have already achieved your desire. For example let’s say I want to work this magick spell for abundance and wealth I would write on my little strip of paper “I thank thee Goddess for your gifts of abundance and wealth in my life” (you may replace Goddess with your deities name/Spirit/or even Universe, just use what works for you.) Next dig a small hole to plant your seed, place the strip of paper in writing facing up, and put your seed on top, then recover the hole with dirt. Now place your hands on the ground where your seed is planted and imagine warm white light going from your hands down to your little seedling while chanting the growth charm three times.

The Growth Charm:
Grow little seedling Grow
Limits you do not know
My desire is the Goddess’s will
And it is this you must fulfill

If you wish, you may continue to add energy to this spell every day by sending warm white light from your hands to the seedling while chanting the Growth Charm at least three times. The limit on this spell is really only the length of life of the plant, you can continue to add energy to the spell as long as the plant is alive. Also remember to thank the plant regularly for it’s help in your magickal workings, because as the plant grows, your magick grows.

In love and light,
Go with Goddess.

-Demna Gwynvidd

Visualization
Submitted By MoonRaven

Visualization is the ability to see clearly something in your mind, to be able to touch, taste and hear with the inner senses of your mind. Our eyes do not actually "see." Nerve impulses are brought on by light stimuli and are sent to the brain. It is the brain that translates these impulses to images. Visualization is very important if you wish to be successful in working with spells and ritual. Imagination is what moves us forward as people. Visualization takes practice, and more practice. You will be creating an image of what you want. You will see it. But do not force it. Everyone progresses at a different rate. Try to do one of these exercises once a day. Do not get discouraged... keep trying. Some find visualization easier than others. All improve with practice. The follow is an exercise to help develop your visualization skills.

The Exercises
Close your eyes and calm your mind, put aside any everyday thoughts.

Simple Color and Shapes
Imagine looking at a blank wall. It is white. When you can see the white wall, change it to red. When you see the red wall, change the color again. See yellow, blue, orange, green, violet, and then black. When you are successful, move to the next step. Visualize a simple shape on the white wall. See a red Circle, a line, or a triangle. Change the color of the shape to yellow, blue, orange, green, violet, and then black. When you are successful with these, move to the next step. Change the color of white wall to red. See the shape in white, yellow, blue, orange, green, violet then black. When you are successful move on. Change the color of the wall again and the color of the shape. Repeat the change of colors until you are successful with all combination of colors and shapes. Time to move on to something more difficult.

Simple Object Exercise
Find a fairly simple object, a pen for example. Hold the pen and look at it. Look and see it, the size, color and texture of the surface. Study every centimeter of it. Put it down. Now close your eyes and see the pen. Remember the color, what it feels like in your hand. See any marking that are on the pen. When you can see the pen clearly it is time to move on. Now visualize a white piece of paper. Holding the pen, write a simple message with it.

Advanced Visualization of Surroundings
For this exercise remember you must visualize as if you are seeing through your eyes, not watching yourself as if an actor in a play. Start in a room very familiar to you. Face an object in the room and close your eyes. Imagine you open your eyes and see the object. Look around the room See everything. See the colors of the objects in their correct position in the room. See the windows and doors. Do this exercise once a day until you are able to see the room clearly. Imagine that you leave the room. See what is past the door. Enter the next room. See everything in their correct position and color. Do this exercise once a day until you are able to see this room clearly. Time to move on. Do this for each room in your home ending with a room with a door to the outside. Time to move on. Walk out the door. See the neighboring houses if you have them. See the trees, walkways, etc. See what the weather is like. A car may pass you by, what color was it? When you can walk down the street and see these things and are comfortable, then add a person to your visualization. Continue this exercise until you can walk through your home and down the street and see it all quite clearly. Remember, people progress at different speeds. So do not get discouraged keep trying. It will get easier with time.

MoonRaven

Priapic Wand
Submitted By Starlight

Materials:
Small Tree Branch
Acorn
Thin Brown String or Thread
Yellow, Green, and Gold 1/4" Ribbon
Small Gold/Silver Jingle Bells.

Select a small branch about 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter. Cut top end flat. Approx. 1/2" below top score a groove (parents only) with a sharp knife. Take 1' long piece of string/thread and tie in groove. Take another 1' piece of thread and tie in groove on opposite side of branch. Place acorn at top of branch (flat end) and adhere with some glue. Now pull the string up over the cap and wind once around acorn. Repeat with all 3 other pieces of string. Pull strings back down to the groove in the branch and tie off. This will hold the acorn in place. Decorate the branch by wrapping it with the ribbons, leaving enough length at top for streamers. Tie gold/silver jingle bells to the ends of
the ribbons. For smaller children, thread the bells onto the ribbon while wrapping the branch. Tell the children about how the acorn-wand is a symbol of the Lord of the Forest, and how this magical wand helps the sleeping plants and animals wake up and prepare for Spring.

Children will love the sound of this magical wand as they walk about pointing and shaking it at plants and trees, invoking them to wake up from Winter's sleep to witness the union of the Bride and the Lord of the Forest.

Author unknown

Candied Violets and Feather Cake
Submitted by MoonRaven

Candied Violets
After picking a large number of violets, spread them on a cookie sheet to dry for a few hours. Then beat an egg white to a froth, paint it on each flower with a fine brush, and (carefully!) pour fine white sugar over the flowers to coat them. You can color the egg white purple for variety if you wish. (Gum Arabic can be substituted for the egg whites.)

Feather Cake
(Candied violets work beautifully for garnishes on this cake.)
First, rub to a cream 2 tablespoons soft butter and a cup of sugar. Next, add a beaten egg yolk, half a cup of water and whole milk mixed, 1 and 1/2 cups of sifted flour, and a teaspoon each of baking powder and vanilla. Beat an egg white stiff as meringue and fold it gently into the mixed batter. Bake it at a low heat--325 degrees Fahrenheit--for 25 minutes. Don't jump up and down or jar the cake while it's baking or it'll fall and be full of holes. You can add chocolate glaze and/or candied violets when it comes out of the oven.

Drumming
By Cochea

I am learning how to drum from older experienced drummers in our pagan community. At our festivals there are usually six to seven drummers who drum for every ritual. Then there are times when we drum for hours.

I like walking around wearing and playing the strap drum. I can feel the energy in the circle better. I like the sound and beat of the drum. It always makes me feel happy, excited, and powerful. Sometimes while I’m drumming I lose myself in the drum. It’s like I’m in a trance.

My dad told me that a shaman with his drum could reach a level of trance in ten minutes, which a Tibetan monk could only attain after eight hours of mediation. I want to get that good with my drum. That would be so cool.

To me the drum represents the element of fire because of the heat in my palms, the driving beat, and the sound; like fire sometimes it consumes me.

Someday I would like to play drums in a band. Not a rock band, but a group of drummers, flutes, and rattles making meditation music or maybe pagan songs.

Our next big festival is May Day and I can’t wait to see all my fellow drummers again and be able to play with them.

The Groundhog Casts a Long Shadow
(February 2nd)
By Hedgewizard

We have a tradition here in Pennsylvania involving the Groundhog and the ancient Celtic celebration of IMBOLC. We call it Groundhog Day and the star of the whole affair is none other than a chubby groundhog named Punxatawney Phil.

The way this works is if Phil sees his shadow we get six more weeks of winter if he doesn’t we get an early spring and everybody celebrates either way.

Picture about two thousand people chanting “Phil,Phil,Phil” at five in the morning in a small western PA town in the cold and damp or snow to see whether the furry guy sees his shadow and we all get six more weeks of winter.
This is the way we honor a tradition dating back to when Rome invaded Germany and Gaul. The Roman legions, during the conquest of the northern country, supposedly brought about this tradition to the Tutons who centuries later brought it with them through German immigration to the USA. Many of these folks settled in Pennsylvania. They came indirectly through England where a Hedgehog was used for predicting what foul or fair weather would come. They had no such hedgehogs in America. They did find the groundhog which is a little bigger and fatter and maybe not as smart. Never the less Phil filled the bill and Groundhog Day was born.

The parties and the feasts and the general feeling of the day are the same as in the long forgotten days of the ancient Celts. We look forward to the birth of the sun in the sense that we now know spring is coming and even if Phil didn’t see his shadow there are only six more weeks of winter to muddle through. To farmers around here the birthing of animals is still important and even in today’s modern high tech world we honor the day through the chubby groundhog who casts a long shadow across time to the present.

According to an old Scotch couplet:

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear
There’ll be twa winters in the year

And another variation:

If Candlemass day be dry and fair
The half o’ winter to come and mair
If Candlemass day be wet and foul,
The half of winter’s gone at Yule

May February 2nd no matter how it’s celebrated bring you the fresh ewe’s milk of friendship and the realization of the year in it’s infancy will offer new roads to travel and old ones to honor. The sun is born again.

---

When Kindred Meet
By Hedgewizard

Circles glowing; turning, ever stone, and ever burning
The moon is full on harvest night.
How fade the spheres of wrong and right
When kindred meet

The earth in oneness spirits flashing across the land
Leave no room to lay or stand
No tracks upon the drifting sand
When kindred meet

The Awin glows in streams of emerald green
Lights upon all who breathe are seen
It’s then the living becomes the dream
When kindred meet


The Seed is Alive Again
By Hedgewizard

I have come to understand
I come back again and again
From all Groves
Through mists of time

From the ancient fields of battle
And from the edge of the sea
I have traveled through
Pain and persecution

First by Rome
Then by the bloody Anglicans
If I shall be reborn again.
That time I shall know who I am.

My brothers who gathered round
My sisters in the high country
To give me grace in 679

The lords of light
Who watched over me
The Old ones who taught me
Without words and in darkness
I say Thank you.

I was French and Celtic
Germanic and Norse
And Scottish and American
And ever a priest.

In all its shapes and forms
Life is my way
And the new patterns
And all the Groves
And the blades of grass
And all the leaves

I bow to the only truth I know
And to life I give thanks
For the birth of the new sun

By SDCW

Question: There are so many traditions in witchcraft, how do I know which one is right or correct?

Answer: We consider all traditions valid. It makes little difference in modern Wicca or paganism whether a tradition is an old tradition passed on for generations or a brand new one. If its tenets, ethics, and structure are sound and have integrity and it fits your needs for your path then it’s for you. My advice is to study and learn about all traditions before choosing to follow one. Then again you might want to be eclectic and create your own.