Imbolc and Spring

Imbolc is on Saturday - that is the 'official day' however if you see snowdrops pushing up through the soil or even flowering already, you can have your ritual at any time now. Imbolc is not as fixed as Halloween date-wise, as it is usually celebrated with the appearance of the first snowdrops - and they will appear at different times in varying countries. SO do what feels right for you.

To me, Imbolc is a Celtic festival and as a Scot, I welcome Bride (rather than the Irish counterpart, Brigid or Brede). I use white candles and a pale green altar cloth (you could use a white altar cloth here if you wish). I light the candles and go to my front door at night, opening it and welcoming Bride in. I see a tall, dark haired young woman in white as she enters my home, and I lead her through the house, with the candle to light our way. No part of the house is neglected (and this is why I clean beforehand (this is the forerunner to spring cleaning!)). This is also a type of house blessing.

Some people will make corn bread at this time but as I celebrate this time as a Celtic festival (and corn did not grow in the UK/Ireland prior to a couple of hundred years ago), I bake soda bread - recipe on my last post. It's very easy and native. however, if you live in America or anywhere else in the world where corn was native, go for the corn bread. Again, this is entirely up to you.

Making a brigid knot or a corn dolly is something else many people do at this time, tying it off with red ribbon. There are hundreds of site on how to do this, including youtube video's. Here is one example : How to make a Brigid Cross

Remember that while they will state using straw, you can use lavender stalks and other similar material.

If the weather is not too horrific, try to go out and have a look at some greenery, spot a few snowdrops, which are the symbol of Imbolc. This is the first Goddess festival of the year and the energy is expectant, soft, that breath before the burst that is Spring.

BB

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Preparing for Imbolc

I know Imbolc is a couple of weeks away but many of us have already begun our preparation for this time of year. Cleaning is one of the main things we do - as we want to welcome Bride/Brigit/Brede/Bridig into a clean home on the 2nd of February.

Many people don't really think of Bride as the Goddess of the home and hearth, but she is, among other things, and among other deities. She brings that step of inspiration that hint of spring, clearing the cobwebs of winter away, igniting our creative spark.

This weekend I and my husband have cleaned out our bedroom, the fridge, one kitchen cupboard, cooker and done some dusting. The bathroom was cleaned last weekend and we will do the rest of the cupboards before the end of the week.

Taking time and breaking the job down makes it seem like much less of a hassle and mammoth task. We are lucky in this instance that we live in a small house, one bedroom, bathroom and a kitchen/living room. We have a small job really but even those with much larger homes can lift a duster, hoover, clean their cupboards and fridge out, squirt the loo with bleach etc. A couple of tasks a day has it all clean in no time.

In this we are also mentally preparing for the return of the spring, for the divine to return to our homes.

In your living room (or kitchen if this is your main room), light a white or pale green candle, preferrably beeswax, in preparation for Bride's return.

Baking is another great way of welcoming Bride. Bread or cakes are the best way to welcome her home. They are also the best way to make a house a home.

Soda Bread is a great and very, very easy bread to start with.

500g plain flour
1 tso salt
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
400ml live full fat yoghurt

Preheat over to 200C/400F/GM 6

Flour a bakig tray and a work top.

Sieve dry ingredients together, make a well in centre and add yoghurt. Mix to gooey/sticky consistency (add a hint of milk if you need).

Put out onto work top and form into a round - don't work with it too much.

Place on tray and score a deep cross on the top of the bread.

Bake for 40-45 mins. When taking out, tap base - if it sounds hollow, it's ready. Pop on a cooling tray and you can have a slice as little as 15 minutes later :D

I think this bread is better the day after it is baked.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Magical beginnings

Until Sunday, 20th January, we are in the Celtic month of the Birch Tree. In Scotland, birch trees are abundant. This is a very good time of year to begin things, or to renew things, like renewing your magical vows/dedication, stepping up learning about the craft, starting your magical journey. It is a time of beginnings.

Magic is, as many of us know, a journey through life. In fact is is what we use to help navgate that journey.

The birchg tree is a purification tree (hence the reason witch's brooms or besom, were made using birch twigs), and is also a tree of protection. It is a moon tree, so any working at this time should be done at night, preferrably under moonlight.

Please note that we are on a waxing moon at the moment and this is the moon for the rowan moon, rather than the birch moon, which has passed - however we are still under its influence until the 20th.

Starting new spells/projects/resolutions are more likely to work and be seen through not, at this time. Re-affirming your dedication to this path will be welcomed especially now.

Taking more interest in nature at this time (while cold), will benefit now - feeding the birds at this time of year is essential for their survival and gives you a closer connction with nature.

BB

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Craft Books

There are literally thousands of books out there about the craft, paganism and natural magic. I have to say, many of them are repetitive and more than a little incorrect on some basics. I'm not here to say they should say this or that, I just want to make one point clear. Any chakra work you take on, if a book tells you to close your chakras back down after an exercise, dump the book. Chakras are your energy centres. When you open them, clean them, get them spinning away, why on earth would you then close then? You wouldn't, not if you know what you are doing.

The problem is that many beginners (and some not so beginners) don;'t know this sort of thing and it is very unhealthy that so many books continually write this. Elen Hawke, Sacred Round, is one such a book. She has a nice way of writing and the book is the usually basic wicca 101. However, I was shocked when she tells her readers to close the chakras down after an exercise. I don't want to pick on one writer, she was the first that came to mind. She has other books which are very good but I would avoid the one mentioned above.

Another thing that I find amusing is that many writers read books like Marian Green's A Witch Alone, Rae Beth's Hedgewitch and Doreen Valiente's Natural Magic, then re-write them and publish their own versions. Amber K is one such a writer but there are possibly hundreds of others.

I would recommend any beginner, or someone who has a little knowledge but who wants more, to go to these more original sources mentioned above. Marian Green has been writing for decades on magic and witchcraft and her book, A Witch Alone, is very good. Doreen Valiente is an original, having been part of Gerald Gardner's circle, his high priestess. She was highly knowledgeable. Rae Beth writes in a unique manner, as a series of letters and knows her folklore very well. Starhawk is another good, solid craft writer, who talks about a range of subjects.

For a more general pagan book, a wonderful start is Phoenix from the Flames by Vivienne Crowley - a wonderful read and it, like the others mentioned above, have excellent further reading suggestions.

Another thing to do when trying to figure out which books to buy, especially if you are wanting something beyond witchcraft 101, is look at the contents. If it's talking about magical tools, the elements and creating sacred space, then it's not a more advanced book - it's a 101. An advanced book will talk about making your own spells, how to use ritual for learning more about yourself and the world around you (or talk about archetypes), etc.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin