Witches Haven

Imbolg

Imbolg is a Fire Festival. The earth is beginning to warm and spring, new life and hope is on the way. Brighid, an old Celtic deity is honoured. She represents the coming season of birth, the Spring's birth, the birth of the animals of spring. She is our sign of new hope, new life and a fresh beginning.

A good many areas in the northern hemisphere as starting to see signs of life; green is sprouting through the snow. There's a light at the end of the long, dark tunnel of winter. It is now the time to start to make good on any promises, oaths or vows we made at Yule.

A ritual would be a very good idea to reinforce or create a focal point for ourselves. A ritual full of hope, full of promise and love for the time granted to us, yet again. Each year brings us opportunities to re-create our space, our lives, our very selves. Imbolg is warmth, new growth, new life in everything around us, in us.

As may be obvious from other writings on this web site; I have a special affinity, admiration for the Norse culture and the virtues that were so important to the culture. While they may seem noble to us now, they were a matter of survival for the people in the Northern cultures. Their very existence depended on each other. They were a community in every sense of the word.

We are so far removed from that now; every village does not raise a child anymore. We rarely know our neighbours and sometimes, sadly, we really couldn't care any less about them. This is our society. This is what we've made and we seem to prefer it this way.

This doesn't mean that we can't live by the Nine Noble Virtues. Perhaps in doing so, we can bring a little of the sense of community, of extended family back into our lives.

Create an altar with the early signs of spring, perhaps crocus, daffodil or tulips. Light coloured candles, perhaps light green, yellows and pinks are best for this - you want to keep the whole sense and feel of newness, of light and promise to your environment during an Imbolg ritual.

Invoke the Deities of new birth. Deities of hope and love. Do some research and find the ones that touch you.

Take the ritual time to reaffirm your life and the promises you have made to your Gods and Goddesses, to yourself. Another look at the Virtues, recitation of them outload as a further strengthening of that oath.

The Nine Virtues

Courage - Bravery or boldness, the ability to stand and fight in the face of any threat.

Truth - Honesty and the ability to standby what is true.

HonourReputation, renown. Your personal worth as well as that of your family's.

Fidelity - Troth or loyalty to those around you be that family, friends, or fellowship.

Discipline – Self-control, the ability to be in command of oneself, at all times, in all circumstances.

Hospitality - The ability to make a guest feel welcome.

Industriousness - The ability to work hard in maintaining one's self and family.

Self Reliance -ability to rely on one's self without the aid of others.

Perseverance - Steadfastness or the refusal to give up even when things are rough.

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