5 Simple Ways to Celebrate Imbolc

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are on the verge of celebrating Imbolc–an ancient Celtic festival of purification and the first signs of Spring.  It is also known as Candlemas or Brigid’s Day, popularly celebrated on February 1st or 2nd, and is one of the four fire festivals.

So what are some simple ways you can celebrate this day? 

Much like a full moon, there are ways to incorporate cleansing and purification rituals, as much as there are ways to celebrate new dreams.

Here are 5 ways you may want to try purifying and honoring your space this time of year.

1.Use salt to cleanse your space.

–Pour some pink Himalayan salt on the floor that most people frequent in your home, or everywhere in your home if you’re feeling determined to purify everything.  Leave the salt overnight to soak up any negative energies.  Vacuum up the salt or sweep it out of the house while chanting your favorite mantra.  I personally love chanting the healing sounds of Ra, Ma, Da, Sa, Sa, Say, So, Hung.  Message me if you’d like help finding a chant.

2.  Burn your favorite incense or sage.

— You can burn your favorite incense or sage smudge stick in each room to clear the space of any negativity.  State something similar to “I cleanse this space of negativity and welcome abundance, love,  joy, peace for the highest good of all.” Opening up the windows while you do this also helps to air out the negativity.

3.  Meditate while gazing at a candle’s flame.

–There is a yogic technique called trataka.  Gazing upon the flame without blinking has “a purifying, invigorating effect on the mind and improves concentration, paving the way for a deeper meditation practice.  Trataka also cleans and heals the eyes.”

–Find your favorite meditation space.  Sit comfortably on the floor or in a chair.  Place a candle, safely, at eye level.  You could use a chair or a small table to do this.  Start focusing on your breathing first (inhale to the count of 4, exhale to the count of4).  Start to steady your gaze on the candle flame and try to do so without blinking.  Feel any blocks you may still have becoming purified as you allow your whole body to fill up with more and more white light.  Become the light and welcome it in.  Try this for 3 minutes to start and work up to 11 minutes.

4.  Plant your seeds of intention.

–This is a great time of year to make new commitments and goals for the rest of the year.  During the dark park of the year, we go within to really discover what it is we hope to release to become the best version of ourselves.  Spend some time today journaling what you hope to bring into your life this year.  Maybe even write down a few yearly or weekly goals that will help you stay on track with your intentions.

5. Cleanse your body with a ritual bath.

Use the simple bath recipe below and spend at least 15 minutes soaking in your bathtub.  Allow the aromas to fill your senses as the sacred waters cleanse you spiritually and physically.  Light some candles, play calming music, and let this time melt away any stress or discomfort.  Surrender to peace.

Bath Ritual Recipe:                                                           

2 sprigs of rosemary (or rosemary essential oil)   

2 tablespoons of epsom salt                                             

2 sprigs of lavendar (or lavendar essential oil)                                                               

Can also add dried rose buds or substitute anything you feel called to .                 

–Ask the water to “be healing and cleansing for your body, mind, and spirit for your highest good” before you get in.

Take time after doing any of these simple rituals noticing the energy shift around your space.  This is where the magic happens.  Take a moment of gratitude for the time your spent focusing on your growth.  Let the light in and let your life in!  Be your truth.