Welcome to February and the days of Imbolc and the Poet Goddess.
During the month of February, we sit in the stillness perfectly between solstice and equinox.
Some say that Imbolc is the transition of power between Callieach and Brigid as the seasons shift. It is during Imbolc we may feel the first call of spring as we spin on the wheel toward the spring equinox and Ostara.
During the days of Imbolc, we can expect transition and change. Our bodies are aligned with the seasons, so it’s no surprise that with the seasons, we begin to feel different ourselves.
What exists on the horizon? What are we calling in? What seeds will we be sowing soon?
Festivals and Gatherings…
Imbolc is celebrated between February 1st and 2nd. Halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, Imbolc is a crossroads between the seasons, much like the famous symbol of Brigid’s Cross. Brigid is the goddess who presides over Imbolc. Translated in Old Irish, Imbolc means “ewe’s milk.”
During this holiday, offerings are made to waterways and wells (usually small coins or food). The Goddess Brigid is said to rule these areas. Another tradition of Imbolc is to make a Brigid Cross out of reeds and a Brigid corn doll or effigy.
People often asked the great goddess for healing, protection, and inspiration during this time.
Other than Sabbats…
Valentine’s Day and Lupercalia
On Valentine’s Day we celebrate love. On this sweet day, consider invoking and evoking the goddesses of love, depending on your practice (Maeve, Oshun, or Aphrodite, to name a few).
Valentine’s Day and its celebration are rooted in the ancient and Pagan holiday Lupercalia. Lupercalia is a festival of fertility and celebration. During Lupercalia, celebrants would engage in raucous parties, sacrifice, and dancing. During this time, the intention of the festival was to purify the city, keep evil at bay, and, in turn, release health and fertility upon the residents. Later, Lupercalia would also be called Februa, which translates to purifications or purging, and the word from which we receive February.
Monthly Associations
The celebrated stone for the month is Amethyst
Amethyst is a purple stone associated with the days of Imbolc. Amethyst is known for its intuitive properties and is incredibly protective. Work with amethyst when you need to calm the mind, sleep deeply, and dream.
On the Celtic Tree Calendar the month of February aligns with the Ash Moon (February 18th-March 17th)
Ash is associated with the inner landscape. Ash is the perfect tool for prophecy, ocean ritual, and spiritual journeys. Work with Ash for protection and in ritual having to do with inner transformation.
February is ruled by the sign of Aquarius and Pisces
Aquarius and Pisces are signs of dreamers. Aquarius is the innovator, while Pisces is the poet. Aquarius is an air sign, while Pisces dwells in inner waters. Work with these signs to enhance intuition, dream work, and magical abilities. These divine signs show us the way forward.
A Goddess to Work With is Brigid
February 1st is Imbolc or Brigid’s day. Brigid is a goddess of contradiction. She is a goddess of fertility, motherhood, and healing. However, she is also a fiery goddess, even though she is the goddess of serenity and water. She is both powerful and personal.
She is known for the protection of mothers and newborn children and also as an inspiration for the poets.
Learn more about Brigid here.
Monthly Intentions
During February, set your intentions for the spring. Honor the days of Imbolc. Think ahead to Ostara. Reflect back upon Yule. Kneel at the water, write a poem, read poetry to someone you love aloud, and celebrate Brigid.
Leave blessings at the river, say a prayer for protection, experience flow, and dive into the depths of your own creativity. Set a crystal grid with amethyst for your intuition, write a letter to the aspects of your chart in Aquarius and Pisces, and work with an Ash tree in gratitude.
We celebrate February.
Blessed be.
