Imbolc
The first whispers of spring
Every year, I eagerly await Imbolc and those first whispers of spring. Winter is not my favourite season, and I spend much of January wishing it away and longing for spring.
Of course, it doesnโt help that January is 659 days long.
But what is Imbolc, and how do we mark it?
Imbolc, or Imbolg, is an ancient Celtic festival, generally celebrated on February 1st, that marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Beltane in May, Lughnasadh in August, and Samhain in October, and honours the first light of spring. Often translated as โin the bellyโ or โeweโs milk,โ Imbolc (pronounced IM-olk) signifies the start of lambing season and the first signs of life returning to the earth.
The festival honours Brigid, the goddess of blacksmithing, poetry, livestock, healing, fertility, dairy work, and prophecy. Revered as a triple deity, she represents the arrival of spring, sacred fire, and wisdom, and is one of the most powerful religious figures in Irish history. Legends describe her as owning a special white cow with red ears, who provides a constant supply of milk.
โIn modern Britain today, She [Brigid] is shown as the warrior-maiden, Brigantia, and venerated not only as justice and authority in that country, but also as the personification of Britain as is seen on the coin of the realm.โ Druidry, 2020.
Brigid has many faces, and they donโt all include goddesses.
February 1st is known to the Christian world as Saint Brigidโs Day, to honour the woman who opened the first nunnery in Kildare, Ireland, which became a monastery, too. She also supposedly performed a number of miracles, such as turning water to beer and returning a blind womanโs sight.
Were the two Brigidโs separate entities, or the same person, and the goddess had been โChristianisedโ to appeal to โpaganโ converts? This is certainly believed to be the case by many. Some say the Kildare Monastery started out as a pagan sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Brigid, which was overseen by a druidess who bore the title Brigid.
Hmm. The plot thickens. Especially when we hear that Saint Brigid is the patron saint of learning, poetry, protection, healing, blacksmithing, livestock, and dairy work. Sound familiar? According to medievalist Pamela Berger, Christian monks โtook the ancient figure of the mother goddess and grafted her name and functions onto her Christian counterpart,โ but who really knows for sure.
How do we celebrate Imbolc?
If, like me, you are celebrating quietly at home, what can we do to honour Imbolc?
Light candles throughout your home to symbolise the sunโs return.
Create a cozy atmosphere with a simmer pot of spices or citrus.
Light a bonfire if you have outdoor space - but stay safe, especially around pets and wildlife.
Set up an altar space with white, yellow, or green cloths. Decorate it with snowdrops, candles, and sheep ornaments.
Make Brigidโs Crosses from rushes or pipe cleaners. Brigidโs crosses are traditionally woven on St. Brigidโs Eve (January 31st) and hung over doorways, in kitchens, or in rafters on February 1st to invoke protection, blessings, and prosperity for the home, warding off fire, evil, and hunger for the coming year.
Deep clean your home to remove stagnant winter energy. Cleanse with sage or cedar smoke or salt water to welcome new beginnings.
Plant seeds, focusing on herbs and early flowers, but keep them on your windowsill as there is still the risk of frosty mornings.
Take a walk and observe the first signs of spring, such as snowdrops or crocuses.
Reflect on your goals for the year and write them down.
What kind of intentions can I set?
Imbolc intentions should centre on awakening creativity, nurturing growth, cleansing old energy, and inviting warmth in after winter. I already feel this in my bones, and am filled with anticipation for the year ahead. I aim to focus on personal growth and nurturing my inner light, cleansing my mind to make room for new beginnings, and setting gentle yet specific goals that I wish to tend and watch grow.
Last month, I discovered Ava Loves Rosieโs Little Book Of Days, which is such a sweet subscription, and was exactly what I was looking for at the time. For a small charge each month, you receive a package containing a letter, bookmark, stickers, a recipe card, and a discount code, along with your book of days for the month ahead.
โEach day offers something small - a quote, a snippet of folklore, a seasonal tip, a recipe, a gentle thought. Some are practical, some poetic. Thereโs space for your own notes too โ reflections, ideas or things you want to remember.
Thereโs no right way to use this book. Dip in with your morning tea, make note of a thought in the evening or simply use it to jot down lists, birthdays, appointments etc.โ Ava Loves Rosie, 2026.
If you like cute stationery and sweet little quotes, this is the subscription for you.
If you fancy showing your appreciation for the coming of spring in poetry form, how about writing for my poetry (or prose) prompts. This month, many of them are myth-inspired to coincide with the upcoming April issue of Poetic Reveries magazine, with its theme โEchoes of Mythsโ. If you write a myth-inspired poem, feel free to submit it to the magazine here. It would be useful if you have an Instagram account, but it isnโt essential.
February Prompts
Birth of a myth
The season of the snowdrop
Steeped in folklore
Memories circle like moths
Rise like the phoenix
The promise of spring
Winterโs wraith
Jaded hearts still beat
A conversation between trees
These gossamer promises
Telling the bees
The arrival of sorrow
I am the song you never heard
Falling in love with myself
Dreaming about the moon
The song of the sirens
Blood on Cupidโs arrow
The ocean knows all my secrets
I am harvesting the night
The certainty of tides
Happy February, and blessed Imbolc
Jo xo
Bibliography
Winter Cymres. (2020). Brigid: Survival Of A Goddess. [Online]. The Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids. Last Updated: 11 February 2020. Available at: https://druidry.org/resources/brigid-survival-of-a-goddess [Accessed 1 February 2026].
Ava Loves Rosie. (2026). The Little Book Of Days. [Online]. Ava Loves Rosie. Last Updated: 2026. Available at: https://avalovesrosie.co.uk/products/the-little-book-of-days-subscription?selling_plan=710459359608& [Accessed 1 February 2026].
A beautiful post. Thank you ๐ ๐
Blessings โจ๐โจ