This year our Imbolc ritual falls on its traditional day, February 1st, and I was inspired to look to its traditional roots as a result. In my last couple posts (first, second), I've brought up Brigid's association with protecting our hearths and spring water.
Today we'll explore these associations further with a refreshing Imbolc Splash, the development of an Imbolc Oil, and the building of a Brigid's Cross.
Imbolc Cleansing "Splash" Water is a mutable element, able to absorb and transform that which it touches. Ritual baths were traditionally used to cleanse both the body and spirit before ritual. We use a version of a ritual bath we affectionately call a "splash," and it serves the same purpose in helping us use water to refresh ourselves before ritual.
The meditative Work below is based on what’s become a traditional cleansing ritual associated with Imbolc, based on an Old Irish poem found in the Hibernica Minora¹ that touches on several seasonal festivals. While we used spring water² for our splash, any water that comes from a pipe is water that has ascended (see my last blog post on spring water's fire-like properties).
After you're done with the cleansing, you may libate the water directly on the ground, where it will return to its place underground, to ascend in Brigid's Well again someday.
Feel this water and know that it is of Brigid’s Well - a sacrament of Brigid’s power to cleanse, comfort, and inspire. Touch this water to your face and the crown of your head - allow it to absorb and wash away fears about the future that draw your energy away from communicating and planning. Feel this water on your hands - your hands represent your actions and the changes you make in the world around you. May your actions lead to greater harmony and peace within your house and beyond. Finally, sprinkle some water on your feet (or, barring access, on your sock, shoe, ankle, or leg). Your feet are used to treading certain paths, and may walk those paths without thought. May you be aware of your long-term goals, and may your feet move toward them. May your clear mind, kind hands, and thoughtful feet bring you that much closer to your goals in the New Year. So mote it be!
Imbolc Oil Recipe
In Blue Star, we traditionally start in the East, and work our way around the Circle from there - so we cycle through Air, Fire, Water, Earth.
Lavender - Air - Tranquility
Angelica root - Fire - Powerful protection
Chamomile - Water - Abundance, harmony
Wheat - Earth - Representative of the crosses & Brigid
Carrier Oil - Olive Oil (it's what I had on hand, but you can also use just about any counter-safe oil)
Container - Large mason jar (for my large-group purposes, but this can be done in any tightly sealed container)
Combine in whatever quantities you care to and sit it for however long you can. If desired, you can do a "quick soak" by putting your jar in a pot of water (enough to get half-way up the jar or so) and bringing it to a boil, then simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until it's reached your preferred fragrance.
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Brigid's Cross & The Nine-Fold Blessing
Now that you have cleansed and have prepared your Imbolc Oil, you may turn to building and/or blessing your Brigid's Cross.
Scroll down to see pictures and directions on how to make your own 3-armed, 4-armed, and 5-armed Brigid Crosses! I used small red rubber bands to keep the arms together, and then used red ribbon on top of the rubber bands³ (and then red cotton thread when I ran out of ribbon).
Once you have made your Cross, anoint the cross with oil, spin it nine times clockwise in or around the front entrance of your home, and say the following (please feel free to substitute blessings as preferred!):
Brigid of the sacred healing waters, Brigid of the Sun’s warm touch, Brigid of the hearthside and forge - I ask for your nine-fold Blessing - A Blessing of Your protection on this home wherein I dwell. Bless every wall and floor, that they firmly hold me and mine. Bless every doorway and threshold, that they hold in love and laughter, and hold out any ill will. Bless every foot that enters, so long as they are invited. Bless every heart that beats true beneath its roof. Bless every hand that tends, every hand that holds. Bless us with love when wrath threatens. Bless us with inspiration when ugliness comes near. Bless us with the strength to keep lighting candles. May this Cross impart the blessing of Your protection until next Imbolc. So mote it be!
How to: 3-armed Brigid Cross
How to: 4-armed Brigid Cross
How to: 5-armed Brigid Cross (& Other Pictures)
Please note that I could not find a guide on how to make a 5-armed Brigid's Cross, so I had my oldest child cut me strips of paper so I could practice folding with something easier to keep track of than the slippery stalks of wheat. Eventually I figured out the below guide. If you imagine that you know an easier/different way to assemble them, please feel free to let me know!
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Words & Photos by Acorn, 1°, Haven Song Grove
¹ Fromad each bid iar n-urd,
issed dlegair i n-Imbulc,
dfunnach laime is coissi is cinn"
To taste of every food in order,
This is what behoves at Imbolc,
Washing of hand and foot and head" Full text of "Hibernica minora, being a fragment of an Old-Irish treatise on the Psalter". Edited by Kuno Meyer, 1894: https://archive.org/stream/HibernicaMinoraMeyer/Hibernica_minora_Meyer_djvu.txt
² RVA's Wayside Spring (4900 block of New Kent Rd)
³ For my first couple Crosses, I tried using only ribbon to hold the arms, but without something to catch the ribbon on, it slid around a lot, and I worried it might fall off without care. I used red rubber bands to blend in with the red ribbon.
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