Preparing for Imbolc: Simple Ways to Welcome the Light

If you’re reading this in late January, you’re probably sick of winter. I get it. It’s cold, it’s dark, the holidays are over, and it feels like spring will never come.

But here’s the good news: Imbolc is almost here, and with it comes the first real stirrings of spring.

Imbolc (also called Candlemas or Brigid’s Day) falls on February 1st or 2nd, right smack in the middle of winter. But even though there’s likely still snow on the ground and frozen pipes in your forecast, something is shifting beneath the surface.

The light is returning. The earth is waking up. And we get to celebrate it.

What the Hell is Imbolc Anyway?

Imbolc marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Traditionally, it’s associated with the goddess Brigid, fire, purification, and the first signs of spring.

The word “Imbolc” likely comes from Old Irish meaning “in the belly” - referring to pregnant ewes. Because yes, even though it’s still freezing, lambs are being born and lactation is beginning. Life is stirring even when it doesn’t look like it yet.

This is a sabbat about:

∙ Light returning and increasing

∙ Purification and fresh starts

∙ Early signs of spring

∙ Brigid (goddess of fire, poetry, healing, and smithcraft)

∙ Hearth and home

∙ Inspiration and creativity

It’s subtle magic. Not the big flashy energy of Beltane or Samhain. Just quiet, steady hope that winter won’t last forever.

Why This Sabbat Hits Different

Imbolc has always been one of my favorites because it’s so REAL.

You’re not pretending everything is perfect and spring is here. You’re acknowledging that yeah, it’s still cold and hard, but look - there’s a crocus pushing through the snow. There’s light lasting a little longer each day. There’s hope.

It’s the sabbat that says “keep going, you’re almost there.”

And honestly? Sometimes that’s exactly the message we need.

Simple Ways to Celebrate (No Fancy Altar Required)

You don’t need elaborate rituals or expensive supplies. Imbolc is about simplicity, purification, and light. Here’s how to celebrate without breaking the bank or your brain:

Light ALL the Candles

This is the easiest and most traditional way to honor Imbolc. Light candles. Lots of them.

Put them in every room (safely - don’t burn your house down for Brigid). White candles are traditional, but use what you have. The point is LIGHT.

As you light each candle, think about:

∙ The light returning to the world

∙ The light within yourself

∙ What you want to illuminate in your life

∙ Hope for the coming spring

You can make this as formal or casual as you want. Candles alone are enough.

Spring Cleaning (The Magical Kind)

I know, nobody wants to hear “clean your house” as a celebration. But Imbolc is about purification and fresh starts.

Pick ONE area - your altar, your bedroom, your car, whatever - and give it a deep clean with intention.

As you clean, visualize clearing away winter’s stagnant energy and making space for spring’s fresh growth.

You’re not just dusting - you’re literally making room for new blessings to enter your life.

Make a Brigid’s Cross

This is a traditional craft made from rushes or reeds, but you can use wheat stalks, pipe cleaners, or even strips of paper.

Look up a simple tutorial (they’re all over YouTube), make your cross, and hang it above your door for protection and blessing throughout the year.

The act of making something with your hands honors Brigid as a goddess of crafts and smithwork. Plus, it’s actually kind of meditative.

Milk and Honey Offerings

Traditionally, people would leave offerings of milk and bread for Brigid. You can do this too:

Leave a small bowl of milk and honey (or bread and butter) outside or on your altar overnight. In the morning, return it to the earth (pour it outside or bury it).

As you make the offering, invite Brigid’s blessings of creativity, healing, and protection into your life.

If leaving food outside will just attract raccoons or if you live in an apartment, you can do this symbolically - light a candle, say a prayer or blessing, and then consume the offering yourself as a way of taking in Brigid’s energy.

Poetry and Creativity

Brigid is a goddess of poetry and inspiration. Imbolc is the perfect time to engage with your creative side.

Write a poem (it doesn’t have to be good). Draw something. Play music. Dance in your living room. Make something with your hands.

The act of creation is an offering in itself. You’re honoring the creative spark that survives even the darkest winter.

Fire Scrying

Since Imbolc is a fire festival, use that energy for divination.

Light a candle (safely, in a fireproof container) and gaze into the flame. Let your mind wander. See what images, thoughts, or messages come through.

What does the fire want to show you? What does Brigid have to say? What inspiration is trying to reach you?

Don’t force it. Just watch, breathe, and be open.

Brigid’s Bed

This is an old tradition that’s super simple and kind of sweet.

Make a small “bed” (a basket, a box, even just a nice cloth) and place a corn dolly, a Brigid figure, or even just a decorative candle in it.

Invite Brigid to rest in your home and bless it. Leave the bed on your altar or in a special place.

This is about hospitality and welcoming divine energy into your space. Plus, it’s an excuse to make something cozy and pretty.

Go Outside and Look for Signs of Spring

Even if there’s snow on the ground, there are signs if you look:

∙ Birds acting different

∙ Buds swelling on trees

∙ The angle of the sun changing

∙ The quality of light shifting

Take a walk (bundle up!) and actively look for these subtle signs. Pay attention. Notice.

This practice of observation connects you to the earth’s cycles and reminds you that change is happening even when it’s not obvious.

Imbolc Correspondences (If You’re Into That)

Colors: White, red, green

Herbs: Angelica, basil, bay, heather, rosemary

Crystals: Amethyst, bloodstone, garnet, ruby

Foods: Milk, cheese, honey, bread, seeds

Deities: Brigid (obviously), any fire or hearth deities

Symbols: Candles, Brigid’s cross, corn dollies, snowdrops

Use these if they resonate, ignore them if they don’t. There’s no wrong way to celebrate as long as your intentions are sincere.

A Simple Imbolc Ritual

If you want something a little more formal but still accessible, try this:

1. Clean your space (at least the area where you’ll work)

2. Light candles (as many as you safely can)

3. Set out offerings (milk, honey, bread, whatever you have)

4. Call to Brigid (in your own words - just speak from your heart)

5. State your intentions (What do you want to welcome? What do you want to grow?)

6. Sit in silence (Watch the candles, feel the energy, just be present)

7. Thank Brigid (Again, your own words are perfect)

8. Close the ritual (Extinguish candles if needed, consume or return offerings)

The whole thing can take 10 minutes or an hour. It’s up to you.

What Imbolc Teaches Us

Here’s what I love about this sabbat: it’s about faith in things you can’t see yet.

The seeds haven’t sprouted. The weather is still terrible. Spring feels far away. But you light your candles anyway. You prepare anyway. You believe anyway.

That’s powerful magic - choosing hope when there’s no visible proof that things will get better, but trusting the cycles anyway.

Nature doesn’t skip steps. The earth doesn’t rush from winter to summer. There’s this in-between time where things are happening beneath the surface, in the dark, out of sight.

Your life works the same way. Sometimes you’re in the visible growth phase. Sometimes you’re in the underground preparation phase.

Imbolc says: trust the process. The light is returning. Spring will come. Keep going.

Your Imbolc Assignment

You don’t have to do everything on this list. Pick what resonates:

∙ Light some candles with intention

∙ Clean one space in your home

∙ Make or buy something special to eat

∙ Create something (anything!)

∙ Go outside and look for signs of spring

∙ Say a prayer or blessing to Brigid

That’s it. Don’t stress about doing it “right.” Just show up and honor the returning light in whatever way feels good to you.

Winter is hard. But you’re almost through it. Light your candles, trust the process, and know that spring - both literal and metaphorical - is on its way.

Blessed Imbolc, friends. May Brigid’s fire warm your hearth and inspire your heart.