Imbolc and Candlemas. The two terms are frequently used interchangeably, but do they really mean the same thing?

Well, the short answer is no. Imbolc, celebrated on February 1, has its roots in Irish paganism, where it gradually became conflated with a celebration of St. Bridget as Christianity took hold. Candlemas, on the other hand, is a purely Christian festival and marked on February 2.

The earliest records of Candlemas are found in fourth century Greece before it was adopted by the Roman Catholics in the seventh century. Neither Greece nor Rome had any history of celebrating Imbolc, so while the two festivals share certain themes, they arose independently of each other. However, while Candlemas can be said to be a truly Christian festival, many pagans prefer to use this name for the sabbat rather than the Celtic pagan Imbolc.

The beginning of February seems to be an important time in many cultures. Americans celebrate Groundhog Day around this time, and for many people, this month sees the beginnings of Spring. Indeed, I know some who celebrate Imbolc when they see the first snowdrops push out of the ground and if that’s true, we’re already in Imbolc tide in South Wales, as a few brave flowers have now spread their petals. It’s also associated with the early lambing, a sign of the new year’s bounty to come.

Now’s a good time to start thinking about spring cleaning. In Celtic tradition, this was when the winter fires would be extinguished and the hearth cleaned out. A community bonfire would be lit and people would bring home embers or coals to light the new fire for the year. For those marking Candlemas, they might light a candle from the main candle at the service and bring them home to light their own candles to bless the house for the coming year.

Candles are obviously a main feature for rituals at this time of year, while those wishing to honour Brigid might make corn dollies in preparation for the first sowing when the dollies would be buried along with the new plantings. Sweeping out the house would symbolise the chasing away of the last of winter.

A time of renewal, Imbolc is an opportunity to clear out old negativity and welcome in new positivity.

Whether you choose to celebrate Imbolc or Candlemas, here’s a little ritual you may like to use or adapt for your own purposes.

Imbolc Ritual

You may want to spend the day cleaning your home. Set up your altar with symbols of the season, such as snowdrops (although be aware that in some cultures, it’s bad luck to bring snowdrops indoors) and food from this time of year such as goat’s or sheep’s cheese, as well as some wine or fruit juice. Have some incense prepared that evokes the season for you and, in addition to your regular candles, have a central candle standing in the middle of your altar.

Before your ritual, take a warm bath or shower. While you cleanse yourself, meditate on the themes surrounding Imbolc of rebirth and cleansing, visualising any negativity flowing away with the water.

When you’re finished, dress yourself in ritual robes if you have them or white clothing otherwise.

Sit before your altar. Light the candles except the central one and burn some incense. Close your eyes and imagine a brilliant white bubble of energy around you, protecting you from negative influences.

When you feel safe and secure, call upon the Lord and Lady to join you, saying:

I welcome you, Lord and Lady, to join me in this celebration of Imbolc

Sit with me, share your wisdom and guidance, as I give thanks for the new cycle to come and bid farewell to the old.

Feel their presence and take a moment to connect with them, listening for any messages they may have to share with you.

When you are ready, take the unlit candle and hold it next to your heart. Fill it with your energy, pouring joy and fulfilment into the candle.

Say:

In the depths of winter come the first glimmers of spring

As the darkness now fades, so I welcome light in

I light the Imbolc flame for love and life to grow

May the blessings of the Lord and Lady ever be yours to know

Place the candle back on your altar and light it. Take a moment to gaze upon the flame and think about any aspects of your life that need healing. Imbolc is a time of purification, healing and nurturing. This is your opportunity to use these blessings to bring more positive energy into your life.

Watch the movement of the candle flame, noticing whether it seems to be sending you any messages about your hopes and dreams. Now close your eyes and visualise the flame in your mind’s eye. Let it grow brighter and brighter, getting larger and larger until your whole body is filled with its warm, beautiful energy, helping to banish any lingering negativities and filling you with hope, creativity, and happiness.

When you are ready, open your eyes and eat and drink some of the food on your altar. Leave a little food and wine as an offering before saying goodbye to the Lord and Lady:

I thank you, Lord and Lady, for joining me in this celebration of Imbolc.

My rite is now at an end, and thus I bid you farewell, knowing that you always walk with me.

Finally, close your eyes and visualise the protective bubble you built at the beginning of the ritual disappearing. Clap your hands (or ring a bell if you have one), saying:

The circle is open, yet unbroken. Blessed be!

Leave your offerings in a suitable place, now your ritual’s over. You may like to diarise your experiences straight after you’re done so everything’s still fresh in your mind.

Do you celebrate Imbolc or Candlemas? We’d love to hear about your rituals at this time of year. Tell us what you do in the comments.