Imbolc is the time when the earliest whisperings of Spring are heard and is celebrated on or around Feburuary 1st. The primary purpose of Imbolc is to celebrate Spring's impending replacement of Winter and this is the time of the year associated with beginning growth and is also a meditative period for many Pagans. Now is the time when we plant the "seeds" of our hopes and dreams for the coming summer months.

Tips On How You Can Celebrate:

• Go for a walk! Search for signs of spring. Take off your shoes and socks and squish your toes in the mud
• Create a sun wheel out of stalks of grain and hang it on your front door.
• Decorate candles with stickers, metallic markers, paint and anything else you can think of! Light your candles and give thanks to Brigid for her inspiration.
• Open all the doors and windows and turn on every light in the house for a few minutes and sweep out all the old energy.
• Create your own special and sacred traditions.

Sample Imbolc Feast Focusing On Hope of Growth!

• Appetizer: Lima Bean Soup
• Side 1: Creamy Dijon Green Beans
• Side 2: Herbed Baby Potatoes
• Main Dish Option 1: Marinated Chicken Breasts
• Main Dish Option 2: Pork Chops with Sour Cream Sauce
• Dessert: Amaretto Cheesecake
• Beverage: Your favorite white wine

Night of lit white candles darkness turned into light "everything she touches changes" feast of waxing flame fire of heart and hearth fire on the mind flickering of spark quickening of air warming into inspiration thawing in her innocence snow into desire "she shines for all of us she burns within us all" sipral heat of life "she shines for all of us within us all she burns" the fires to create "she shines in all of us she burns us all within" awakening arising is her need "she shines for all of us she burns within us all" Her candle is our only source ---Diane Stein