Hi, my loves and welcome to WiccaNow. I’ve been covering one of my favourite Sabbats, Imbolc, recently. So far we’ve gone over the history and origins of Imbolc, my favourite Imbolc ritual, ideas for your Imbolc altar decorations and some delicious Imbolc recipes to cook at your celebratory dinner. Today I want to cover one more topic, Imbolc Symbols!
Symbols are an important part of Wicca, using them can increase the potency of your spells and will help to increase the power of your magic. Read all about Wiccan symbols in our previous blog post if you’re interested in learning more. Using Imbolc symbols, whether this is in your altar decorations or in your Imbolc rituals, will not only pay tribute to the goddess of the sabbat but will also increase the potency of any rituals you perform.
So, how do you use these symbols? Well, as mentioned above, why not place a couple on your Imbolc altar? Don’t have an altar? No problem, find a nice candle, take a pin and inscribe a couple of symbols onto it before you burn it during your Imbolc celebration.
Don’t have time to have a celebration? Don’t worry! Being Wiccan means that there is a lot of flexibility in how you want to do things. If you can’t celebrate because you’re still not letting people know that you’re Wiccan (this is more common than you realise), why don’t you wear an Imbolc colour as a way of honouring the sabbat. No one will ever know why you wore that red hair clip or a yellow t-shirt yet you are honouring the Sabbat anyway!
Before you keep reading all about the symbols of Imbolc, check out this gorgeous, hand-illustrated grimoire we’ve created!
My Top 8 Imbolc Symbols
Here are my 8 favourite Imbolc symbols, use as many or as few as you like in your celebrations and remember that being Wiccan means flexibility. If there is a symbol that speaks to you of spring and the Goddess Brigid, please don’t think you can’t use that instead of my suggestions!
Imbolc Symbol #1 Blackberry
This is a plant that is sacred to the Goddess Brigid. The leaves and berries attract healing and prosperity, something that fits well to Imbolc. If you have a garden, you could plant out a blackberry cane (although to be honest it’s probably still too cold). Otherwise, why not bake a blackberry pie and add it to your altar? Then you get the pleasure of eating it on the evening (or day) of Imbolc!
Imbolc Symbol #2 Brigids Cross
This is one that we’ve mentioned before and might be one of the most well-known Imbolc symbols. It’s a traditional fire wheel symbol which is typically woven with rushes and has 4 equal length arms with a woven square into the middle. While a cross is typically seen as a Christian symbol, the origins of this particular cross pre-date Christianity.
Making these crosses was often a group activity, and enough would be made to hang over every door and window of the home. This would provide the house with protection and keep the inhabitants safe from harm. Another common place to hang a Brigid’s cross was over the hearth. Brigid is the Goddess of the Hearth so hanging a cross over the hearth was considered a great way to honour her and also invoke her protection in preventing harmful fires.
Fun fact: The Brigid’s Cross is a common symbol in Ireland, it’s as well known as a shamrock. It used to be the symbol of the department of health and is still the logo of “An Bord Altranais” which is the Irish Nursing Board.
Imbolc Symbol #3 Brigid Doll
The Goddess Brigid is often seen as a manifestation of the Triple Goddess. At Imbolc, she is seen in her Maiden aspect and is a symbol of good luck and fertility. A traditional Brigid Doll was made with corn husks and then placed on the Imbolc altar or near the hearth or kitchen. By having a Brigid Doll in the home you are inviting in fertility and abundance. Don’t worry, if you are currently in a fertility avoidance, i.e. birth control, phase of your life, think of the fertility she brings as a form of luck and plenty rather than fertility relating to pregnancy and children.
Make Your Own Brigid Doll
Supplies
- Corn husks. Fresh corn might not be available at this time of year, so check in a craft shop or you could look for a place which sells Mexican ingredients and use…
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