1 February marks one of 8 main celebrations of the Year’s Wheel - Imbolc. The Year’s Wheel is something our grandparents were more aware of due to their connection the land and harvest and hence seasons. In Tarot, it is represented by The Wheel of Fortune. These 8 main dates reference the cyclical nature of seasons and show us our interrelation to nature, planets as well as the energies that are tied to these periods.

Imbolc is celebrated on the night of 1 to the 2 of February, however, the energies will continue from 1-10 February. It is a Gaelic traditional festival is the beginning of spring is about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

Since it is one of the main 4 purification holidays is so important to start it with cleansing energy of first fire and then water.

The energy of this day is a strong straight and upright movement towards the sun. To connect to that energy :

Light a candle or start a bonfire
The fire will get rid of all the energies that no longer serve you
Have a Bubble or Milk Bath

Imbolc translates as ‘in the belly of the Mother’ because that is where seeds begin to grow. Another name for this holiday is Oimelc, meaning milk of ewes since it is also the traditional lambing season in the old world. So I would recommend to >

2. Make some fresh homemade plant-based milk

Since it is also a time of new life making its way, it is beneficial to search for signs of Spring.

3. Go spotting new green shoots pushing through the soil 

It is a Snowdrop season, which is a pure joy to witness and if you want to join me on the 9th of February for Snowdrop spotting see the calendar date home page.

With reference to the white, it is a great opportunity to wear celebratory white coloured clothes that symbolise purity and a fresh start.

4. Wear White

Visit the White section in our shop for vintage, handwoven and plant-based clothes.

Think of anything white: Swans, Quartz, Lace, Cotton, White flowers…Other colours are green for healing and brown for the grounding soil energies.

Known as a homage to the“Triple Goddess” Brigid, the matron of divination, inspiration, childbirth, pregnancy, but more importantly healing, poetry, and smithcraft.

For the witchy ones, in Tarot the numerical Lower Arcana cards in the suit of Cups is represented by Imbolc.

Cups and Chalices have always represented heart, emotions and feelings.

5. Meditate on the Ace of Cups

You will notice that in some decks it is the Emotional cup of Chalices or Hearts is filled and even overpouring because it is full and we see a white dove crowning the begging of this heart’s journey. I even have a deck with a beautiful white serene sailing boat, when The Year’s Wheel deck is a cup filled with snowdrops and a lit white candle.

6. 1-10 Manifestation
I feel 1 of February marks the begging of these energies. You could sleep on the Ace by putting it under the pillow or you can use Ace - 10 of Cups to herald the unfolding of these energies for the next 10 days by putting them on the altar and changing them from Ace, 2, 3… until you reach to 10, the ultimate emotional fulfilment. This would be an interesting experience of connecting to the energies as they evolve.

7. Lay THE BRIDHID’s CROSS SPREAD

This spread will shed light on issues related to healing and personal development. The cards are laid out in the form of an old Celtic Brighid’s cross, which was made at the time of Imbolc - 1 February -from straws or rushes, and was hung by the hearth to bring good luck to the home.

Sourced from The Druid Plant Oracle Carr- Gomm family

Brighid the pagan goddess wove the cross from rushes, a solar symbol.

As you lay the nine cars out face downwards, imagine that each card offers an insight that brings you closer to the heart of the matter you are considering. Turn over each card one by one, except for the central ninth card. Reach each of the other 8 cards to see if they offer helpful ideas, then turn over the ninth card and see if the insight it offers cuts to the heart of the matter.

The Symbolism of Imbolc:
Purity, Growth and Renewal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility, and dispensing of the old and making way for the new.

Here are other inspirational images for you to connect to and purify:

Purify with the rising energies of Imbolc!