For Imbolc I had intended to light candles all around my apartment yesterday - and good thing I wanted to, because I lost electricity for most of the day!
Iām still lighting candles today - and a bit later I will run to the store to get some Lemon and Poppy seed to bake a cake.
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My Imbolc started in a very symbolic way but all too real, watching the moon set and the sun rise! 
In other words, no sleep at all this night, making my mind extra all over the placeā¦ 
Iāve been reading about Brighid and listening to peopleās experiences about her, and got the feeling that sheās super strict and that I would have to be really careful with my words not to sign away my freedom and have her take total control of my life! But I also got a feeling that I might be missing some bigger picture here. I was fascinated nonetheless!
Being a perfect day for this, I decided to make an altar to her, offering her some cider and chocolate (who doesnāt like chocolate?) to thank her for the coming light thatās very much welcome. I used a pendulum (for the very first time I might add!) to ask her if itās okay to take a picture of the altar and she said no, otherwise Iād love to show you!
The tiredness probably made it easier to fall into a kind of trancelike state, but it didnāt make it easier to think in words! 
I had (have) four candles on the altar, two white and two redā¦ I had a hard time getting them to light up! I had to come up with the words, why Iām approaching her, what do I want, no what do I really wantā¦ I can say it was very fulfilling though! One by one I got the candles to burn, and I was kinda starting to get a more personal feel for her method, strict yes but still warm.
Sometimes if I deliberately close my eyes and let go I can enter a kind of half-asleep state, and it definitely gets easier if Iām already very tired. (Just have to watch out slipping into full asleep there! ) I can even feel rapid eye movement when doing it.
I got a feeling that it would be the right thing to do, and when I did I felt like there was a flame right at my center, and it was not uncomfortable, more like ethereal, having a feeling of energy but not burning. It started out about as big as my torso, flickering like flames do, but slowly getting smaller and smaller. I consciously didnāt interject, wanting to see what it would do. It got really small, and I was almost sure it would just fizz out and that would be the end of the show and Iād have to just open my eyes. Instead I was starting to feel something on my backā¦ the fire made its way out of there, slowly forming into wings on my back. I was feeling powerful. But it was gentle power. Not the hungry, passionate kind of fire, but instead warming and comforting. A feeling of self-confidence, the longer lasting kind, the grounded kind. Now I could open my eyes, and take that feeling out into the waking world.
I settled from a tense, laser-focused mindset into a more calm and mindful one. I listened to some music appropriate to the occasion (this one by Lisa Thiel gave me a very warm feeling!) and got some fresh air. After which I was prompted to put on warm socks. I have a lot to process now! Like tiny seeds that will sprout into something beautiful. Iām thoroughly humbled.
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Beautiful cross! Great job on it!
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This is my first Imbolc and was looking forward to it. First I cleaned my altar and changed the tablecloth. I used yellow and Orange colors. I wanted to get some flowers but we were in the middle of a snowstorm. Therefore, I had to use one of my potted plants to add some greenery to the altar. I arranged my crystals, did the 
ritual and put Brigidās corn doll center stage on the altar. ( I almost skipped it because I had a death from covid over the weekend of a close family friend.) I was actually feeling sad through out the ritual. However, I did feel Brigidās precense comfort me. I probably sat at my altar for 3 hours or so. Iām glad I got up to honor her day- it did brighten my mood. @Francisco thank you for the beautiful quote!!
Happy Imbolc to all!
Blessed be.(upload://zR7Tz8DbaOAyb2npA7vg2V5AHN3.jpeg)
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The candles worked out well- I hope your electricity is back on now, @laurie! 
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake is one of my favorites- a bright and cheery cake perfect for dark winter days 
I hope you had a lovely Imbolc celebration!
Such an amazing experience- thank you for sharing, @CelestiaMoon! It sounds like you have a very successful and powerful Imbolc celebration. How lovely that you were able to forge a new connection with Brighid 
Treasure those warm and gentle feelings of power- and may your winds of flaming energy continue to lift you to new heights 
Congrats on your first Imbolc celebrations, @walter! 
It sounds like you had a lovely time. Iām glad you were able to find some greenery, it looks like a truly lovely set-up- the pictures are stunning! 
Iām so sorry to hear about your recent loss, but I am glad you were able to find comfort in Brighidās caring and loving presence . May She continue to comfort you as you and your loved ones heal.
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Great job, everyone- itās been a delight to read about your Sabbat preparations and celebrations as you welcome in the changing of the seasons! 
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Blessed be! 
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Thank you, I will! 
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@CelestiaMoon That was a great account of what you experienced during your Imbolc ritual! As I read it I felt like I was immersed in it too! Thanks for sharing
@walter Magnific work on the corn doll and a perfect altar setup as always! I like the seashells, they have a wild staring look! 
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Thank you so much Francisco!
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@BryWisteria , thank you for your kind words and compliment. Yes, I really did feel her true presence and it felt like she cradled me. Best way I can describe it. I went to sleep peacefully and felt her with me through out the night. Kept chanting her name as I slept- was even present in my dreams.
Blessed be.
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I didnāt do a whole lot. I did follow the ritual provided in the video with the white candle, water, and pumpkin seeds. My husband joined me as well, even though heās not been practicing with me. I have learned that I need to start preparing more ahead of time to do all that I would like to. I will be more prepared next time!
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It was nice of your husband to join you, even if he doesnāt practice. That is a lot of respect coming from him. You are blessed. 
The next Sabbat is Ostara, in March, so you have time to prepare. I hasten to add anything you do, from the simplest ritual to the most complex, is perfect for you in that occasion. There is no pressure to āget things rightā. 
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You are truly blessed, @walter! Such a lovely experience- it is reassuring to know that comfort is close by when you need it 
That sounds lovely, @michelle22! 
And how nice that your husband joined in- you have a very supportive partner! Like Benjamin said, Ostara is a few weeks away so you have plenty of time to think out what youād like to do 
Iām glad you had such a lovely Imbolc experience 
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