Imbolc
About full stomachs, pancakes, tidying up and cleaning up your home... including 2 delicious recipes and a few reflection questions!
One of the topics I love writing about in my Notes of a Wildflower is the idea of living more in tune with the seasons. Following the Celtic Wheel of the Year, with its eight seasonal festivals, provides a comforting rhythm for me. In this notes, I’ll share more about Imbolc, the second festival of the Celtic Year.
A Bit of History
Imbolc... It is one of the four major festivals of the Celtic calendar, celebrated on February 1st, marking the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.
The name “Imbolc” likely comes from the Irish “i mbolg,” meaning “in the belly,” referring to the lambs that will soon be born in spring. Imbolc is also the Celtic word for spring. This festival celebrates the arrival of spring and is truly a festival of light.
Saint Brigid’s Day and Candlemas
Imbolc is also celebrated as Saint Brigid’s Day or Candlemas. Brigid is the Celtic goddess of poetry, smithing, healing, and fertility. Saint Brigid, derived from this goddess, is one of Ireland’s patron saints.
Candlemas, with more Catholic origins, officially takes place on February 2nd, exactly 40 days after Christmas. Candlemas begins with a candlelight procession—a true festival of light. It is also traditionally celebrated by eating pancakes, whose round shape symbolizes the returning sun.
Imbolc Rituals
There are many ways to celebrate Imbolc, including creating a grain doll (representing Saint Brigid), a Brigid cross, or a Brigid altar. Here are some additional rituals to consider:
Celebrate the light: Light plenty of candles and welcome the return of brightness.
Bake and eat pancakes.
Plan your vegetable and/or herb garden and order your seeds. (Yes!)
Plan for 2025. (Have you made a 25 for 25 list yet?)
Go for a walk. Check if there’s a Candlemas walk organized in your area. If not, take your own stroll and see if you can spot the first signs of spring—think snowdrops or budding trees.
And Then... Time to declutter
Imbolc is a great moment to walk through your home, room by room, and consider if everything still brings you energy. If not, let it go. Clear out unnecessary clutter and take it to the recycling center or a thrift shop. Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time for a deep clean.
Spring Cleaning
While it might seem old-fashioned, spring cleaning has its reasons, and they still hold true today!
During winter, we air out our homes less, while spending more time indoors. This worsens indoor air quality and allows dust to accumulate. A thorough clean refreshes your space and your spirit. Clearing and cleaning creates space to grow—space for new plans, ideas, inspirations, challenges, and maybe even new loves.
Make a Plan!
Schedule a time for your cleanup.
Break it into smaller tasks, such as tackling one room at a time.
Recruit some cleaning buddies.
Ensure you have plenty of (eco-friendly!) cleaning supplies. A bucket of warm water with baking soda, salt, and a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender (for bedrooms), or pine works wonders!
Keep drinks and treats on hand as rewards for your hard work.
Put on some good music, sing along, or take dance breaks!
Practical Cleaning Tips:
Work room by room.
Open windows and doors.
Wipe down windowsills, bookshelves, and the tops of cabinets with a damp cloth.
Clean your windows.
Clear away cobwebs.
Vacuum under couches, cabinets, etc.
Cleanse your home with a sage stick if desired.
What to Eat...
Simple recipes suit Imbolc perfectly. Think hearty soups with carrots, potatoes, leeks… Recipes featuring milk, like Slemp (recipe below), rice pudding, or oatmeal. A cheese board with sheep or goat cheese is also a fitting choice. Lemon-poppy seed cake is often baked for Imbolc, symbolizing seeds and freshness. Below are two recipes that suit the occasion perfectly.
Slemp
This warm, spiced milk drink pairs beautifully with the theme of newborn lambs. It’s similar to chai latte.
Ingredients:
1 liter of milk
1 cinnamon stick
A few strands of saffron
2 tablespoons of loose tea or 1 bag of spiced tea
Honey to taste
Place the spices in a tea bag or tea infuser. Heat the milk with the spices until nearly boiling. Let steep for 30 minutes. Sweeten to taste with honey.
Lemon-Oat Cake
A healthy cake perfect for breakfast, lunch, or as a snack.
Ingredients for a 16 cm cake pan:
150 g oats
50 g vanilla protein powder (or vanilla extract and some honey)
400 ml milk (plant-based works too)
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp poppy seeds
Topping:
50 g light cream cheese
100 g low-fat quark
Juice of 1/5 lemon
Honey or sweetener to taste
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 175°C and grease the pan (or line with parchment).
Mix all cake ingredients and pour the batter into the pan.
Bake for 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix the topping ingredients and refrigerate.
Let the cake cool completely, spread the topping, and decorate with lemon zest and/or poppy seeds.
Reflection Questions
What in your life would you like to let go of?
What in your life would you like to grow?
Which ideas and dreams are (almost) ready to plant and nurture?
What do you need to find sufficient rest during this season?
What brings light into your life, or could bring more light into your life?
Book Recommendation
If you’re tidying up, I recommend The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. You don’t need to follow it to the letter, but it’s full of helpful tips.
P.S. I’m participating in
challenge to write 12 chapters this year, culminating in an ebook. Consider this Chapter 1! 😊
Beautiful words!
Thanks for sharing! 🙏🏼