How to Work Imbolc Magic: 5 Ritual Paths for the Season of Awakening

Discover five types of Imbolc magic to support renewal, purification, and new beginnings as the light slowly returns.

February 1st is Imbolc: the sabbat (or pagan holiday) that heralds the earliest stirrings of spring.

This is a time sacred to the ancient Celtic goddess Brigid, a widely beloved divinity who is a matron of many things, including poetry, divination, inspiration, pregnancy, childbirth, and healing.

Imbolc is a time of going within, blessing our homes, healing ourselves, spending a few more moments in the darkness, and connecting with our deep inner hearts. Imagine wildflower seeds under the snow becoming conscious of their spark of aliveness before they burst forth and rise up into the light.

Here are 5 types of magic that go perfectly with Imbolc.

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1. Protection Magic

The Brigid’s cross (pictured) is a traditional Imbolc craft, often woven from rushes or reeds. When you make or obtain one and invoke the goddess Brigid to bless it with her fiery light, you will be in possession of a powerful protection talisman. Place it on your front door to keep your home safe from negativity of all varieties. (But also lock your door! Magic always works best when combined with practicality.)

Other forms of protection magic (like this Protection Charm for Empaths or this Clearing and Shielding Meditation) are also appropriate at Imbolc.

2. Purification Magic

Imbolc, like the goddess Brigid herself, is associated with sacred wells of pristine water that purify and bless. Imbolc is also associated with bright, inspiring fire. Both fire and water assist us with purification magic. So take a dunk in a clean, moving body of water (if you happen to live somewhere where it’s not too cold), add sea salt to your bath water and soak, or stand near a bonfire or hearth fire and mentally send old, stuck energy from your aura into the flames.

You may also like to check out these 10 Best Ways to Cleanse Your Aura and these 5 Ways to Purify Your Energy on Imbolc.

3. Healing Magic

Any sort of healing intention – whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional – can be magically supported on Imbolc. Try calling on Brigid to bless a cup of herbal tea with her healing light. Then drink it or serve it to a loved one.

Or, make one of these 6 Magic Charms for Physical Healing.

4. Shadow Work

Imbolc is an opportunity to look honestly at the parts of ourselves we often keep in the shadows. What old patterns are you ready to let go of? What old wounds are you ready to heal? How are you ready to evolve?

Shadow work helps us empower ourselves in so many ways, including through self-forgiveness, self-acceptance, and self-honesty.

Here are some journaling prompts that will help you explore your shadow on Imbolc.

5. Divination

Imbolc is a sabbat of illumination. It is a time of gaining clarity and a time to fuel up some positive new patterns for the sunshiny seasons ahead. So on Imbolc, light a candle, call on the goddess Brighid, and pull out your favorite divination tool. Ask a question, being sure to phrase it in an empowering way. For example, “What will it be most helpful for me to know about [a situation or goal]?” or “How can I best approach [a situation]?” Then do your reading and take some time to look deeply at what you discover.

Or, try this Imbolc Divination Ritual.

…Did you try any of these Imbolc ideas? What did you think? How did it go? Please share in the comments.