Imbolc or the middle of the winter
Embrace the stillness
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In the Northern Hemisphere, winter starts when the Sun arrives at zero degrees of Capricorn.
This happens around the 20th of December.
When Capricorn season is over, around the 20th of January, it’s time for Aquarius season.
Aquarius is a fixed sign. This means that the energetic qualities of the winter are already established when the Aquarius month occurs.
The element of Aquarius is Air, which is connected with the mind, ideas, thoughts, intellect, words, and socialization.
Aquarius is a detached and aloof season. During this period, you can connect with people who share your ideals. You probably won’t do it from an emotional perspective but from a very intellectual place.
Imbolc, roughly coinciding with Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada, is the Aquarius celebration. This event occurs about halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The return of the land’s fertility is celebrated.
Through this text, I want to offer insights about the Imbolc celebration and the specific characteristics of the Aquarius season.
To guide myself, I have used my own experience and Scott Cunningham’s book Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.
Ready? Let’s go.
Facts about Aquarius season and the middle of the winter
Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac. It’s related to socializing with structure, your role within a community, your ideals, finding like-minded groups, and collective thoughts.
It’s a fixed sign, which means it is in the middle of a season and is linked with consistency, consolidation, and stability.
It’s an Air sign. This element is connected with the mind, ideas, thoughts, intellect, words, and socialization.
Its season occurs almost at the end of the astrological year. It suggests cleaning up and tying up loose ends to slowly prepare the ground for the next astrological year.
Creativity, originality, innovation, detachment, rebelliousness, and independence are part of its realm.
10 facts about Imbolc
In the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, this festival marks the middle of the winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Some practitioners consider it the best time for purification and spring cleaning to anticipate the year's new life.
Astrologically, it occurs on February 3rd or 4th when the Sun is at 15° degrees of Aquarius.
Culturally, Wiccans celebrate it on February 1st, roughly coinciding with Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada.
It marks the emergence of the first stirrings of spring after the darkest times of the winter.
It’s a time when initiations in covens used to take place. You could perform a commitment ritual and observe nature more diligently to show your dedication to Wicca.
It is seen as a festival honoring the return of light in the sky and fertility in the land. In the past, this was celebrated in Europe by big bonfires, torches, and candles lit in houses and unique attires. Fire represents internal illumination and inspiration, as well as external light and warmth.
The feeling of change is in the air, so it’s a prime time for divination. You can ask about the future in general and the energy of the spring in particular.
Even though spring is coming, winter hasn’t left. Feeling that nothing is happening is normal and a perfect opportunity to embrace the season's stillness.
It is aligned with the Christian holy day of Calendlemas. According to the Catholic Church, the full Christmas Season takes place from December 25th to Candlemas on February 2nd.
Side note: In Spain and most Latin American countries, the Christmas season starts on December 8th. This is the day of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the day of the Virgin Mary. It ends with the last hour of January 6th, Día de Reyes. In English, this day is the Day of Kings for the three kings or magi. In the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, there are eight more days of celebration called las octavitas (the little eight days).
If you’re interested in the connection of Christian holidays and astrology in Spanish-speaking territories, you may enjoy this text:
Rituals to celebrate Imbolc
Eat dairy products or other thick dishes: Since Imbolc marks the return of fertility and cows giving birth, eating dairy products is a traditional way of celebrating this day. If you don’t eat dairy, choose thick or spicy food in honor of the sun. Curry is a good option, as well as dishes including peppers, onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, or spring onions. Aromatic wines and desserts containing raisins are also appropriate.
Decorate your house with snowflakes: Snowflakes or white flowers are Wiccan symbols of this time of year. You can create paper garlands with snowflakes, paint them with watercolors, or hang snowflake lanterns. Another option is to use a crystal snowflake as your table’s centerpiece. You can also get orange candles and aromatize your house with cinnamon or rosemary.
Honor the stillness: Spring is coming, and change is in the air. However, this doesn’t mean the darkness and cold are gone. You may feel that nothing is happening in your life, that everything is still and dull. Instead of resisting it, honor that feeling. Journal about the situations that are painfully stagnant in your current life. And why not rewatch the classical film Groundhog Day?! If you want newer options portraying the absurdity of repetition, I like the shows Russian Doll and The Good Place. Both of them are available on Netflix.
Engage in divination: Like Samhain, this is another ideal time to analyze the past and dream about the future. Choose the practice that suits you best. You can use tarot, an oracle deck, or runes. Whatever rocks your witchy boat. In this opportunity, you can ask questions about the lessons obtained during the winter. You can also ask how to prepare for spring. If you have done my tarot spread suggested for Samhain, you can read what you obtained back in November. Since the reading was for the 12 months ahead, you can re-read it as a reminder. In Imbolc, you should focus on preparing specifically for the spring.
Play with snow: If you live in an area where snow is present at this time, play with it! Make a snowman (or woman), throw some snowballs at your loved ones, and even walk barefoot on top of it. While doing so, remember that this won’t last forever, and warmer days are coming. You can also grab some snow with a jar and put it on your altar or nightstand. Let it melt, and imagine that your worries are vanishing, too.
Tarot Spread for Imbolc
What lessons does the winter want me to remember?
What do I need to clean and release before the spring?
Where should I focus my energy during the spring?
Which ritual did you like the most? Let me know in the comments.
I hope you have a lovely Imbolc. May the renewed light make you shine bright like a diamond!
Thank you for reading!
With love,
Valentina