Celebrate Imbolc, Brigid, and Write Poems of Divine Anticipation

"Today at middle winter, I feel a stirring.
All around me, signs of life emerge
from beneath blankets of snow and ice.
Within me, life emerges too,
and I honor the return of the light,
strengthening my life force on this sacred day.
I light a candle to Brigid, goddess of the eternal flame.
I am grateful for Mother Earth and her gifts.
I invoke the radiant energy of the sun,
as I feel the days growing longer.
The sun's gentle return, the flame,
its rays spreading warmth across the land, across my heart.
I am the light. I share my light with others.
And in doing so, my light expands.
May all that I touch grow, bloom, and flourish
with love and in beauty, always.

Amen, A'ho, So it is."

~The Book of Blessings and Rituals by Athena Perrakis, Ph.D.

About Imbolc, and the Goddess Brigid

"Imbolc (February 1st, 2023) is the halfway mark between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Also known as Feast of Torches, Imbolc was originally a day to honor the Celtic goddess Brigid, goddess of poetry, healing, and metalwork. "  

~Web-Holidays.com

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Brigid is a triple Goddess with three identities: Lady of Healing Waters, Goddess of the Sacred Flame and Goddess of the Fertile Earth. Another symbol for the Goddess Brigid is the serpent, which represents renewal, new beginnings, the creation of new life and the beginning of spring.

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"The goddess Brigid was also revered as the Irish goddess of poetry and song. Known for her hospitality to poets, musicians, and scholars, she is known as the Irish muse of poetry. ​Born at the exact moment of daybreak, Brigid rose into the sky with the sun, rays of fire beaming from her head. She was the daughter of Dagda, the great ‘father-god’ of Ireland.

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​In Druid mythology, the infant goddess was fed with milk from a sacred cow from the Otherworld. Brigid owned an apple orchard in the Otherworld, and her bees would bring their magical nectar back to earth. ​It is said that wherever she walked, small flowers and shamrocks would appear. As a sun goddess, her gifts are light (knowledge), inspiration, and the vital and healing energy of the sun."

~GoddessGift.com

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Imbolc Poetry Ritual

“Poetry is one of the ancient arts, and it begins as did all the fine arts, within the original wilderness of the earth.”

~Mary Oliver

Brigid is the patroness of poets. She flows with inspiration, and sparks words and meaning. For the pagan holiday of Imbolc, 1/21/23, we invite you to draw inspiration from Brigid - and write a poem - it can be as long or short as you like.

You can do this ritual on February 1st, St. Brigid's day, or on any day that you feel called to do so.

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Find a quiet place to create. Sit, and center yourself, taking a few deep breaths.

As the sun goes down, light a white candle - for new beginnings - and call in Brigid, ask for her blessings, her warmth, and her creativity.

Meditate on these phrases for inspiration:

She is keeper of the initiating spark,
A beacon of possibility,
The sustaining warmth of the hearth.
Spring is coming, slowly but surely,
The quickening below the surface of the soil -
Divine anticipation!

Compose a few lines, guided by the inspiration of the moment. Let the creative energy flow through you naturally, with a gentle & open mindset.

When you feel complete, offer the Goddess your heartfelt thanks, blow out the candle and place the poem on your altar, or in another special place.

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“The world is full of poetry. The air is living with its spirit..."

~James Gates Percival

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Learn More

If you are curious about Imbolc traditions, you may want to read Llewllyn's guide to Imbolc: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for Brigid's Day. This guide to the history and modern celebration of Imbolc shows you how to perform rituals and magic to celebrate and work with the energy of the re-awakening earth.

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