NOTE: Imbolc activities are listed first, followed by Lammas

If you live in the northern hemisphere you may be planning to celebrate the upcoming Imbolc sabbat.   Imbolc is a Gaelic festival that is held about halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox.  It marks the center point of the dark half of the year when the cold weather begins to release its grip on the land and the warmer spring temperatures are just around the corner.   

Imbolc means ‘in the belly of the Mother’ because that is where seeds are beginning to stir.  The sabbat is the time for blessing the seeds and consecrating agricultural tools. Imbolc is especially sacred to the Celtic Fire Goddess, Brigit, patron of smithcraft, healing, midwifery, and poetry. It is the festival of the Maiden, as from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal.

Traditional Imbolc activities can include lighting candles (light candles or turn on lights in each room of the house right after sunset for a few minutes to honor the Sun’s rebirth), Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and searching for signs of spring, making of Brideo’gas and Bride’s Beds, making priapic wands, decorating ploughs, feasting and lighting bon fires. 

Doll figures of the Goddess Brighid, called a Brideo’gas (corn dollies) can be made at Imbolc. Brighid’s Crosses are another good project. They can be made from wheat stalks and are symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year.

Visit our Imbolc page and click on children’s activities for instructions on making all the above-mentioned crafts.

Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom (broom made from twigs) is placed by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. The re-birth of the Sun is honored by lighting Candles in your home.

LAMMAS

For those who live in the southern hemisphere, it’s the end of the growing season.  The sabbat Lammas, sometimes called Lughnasadh, is a time to celebrate the first harvest of the year, and recognize that the hot summer days will soon come to an end.  Celebrated July 31st – August 1st, the plants of spring are withering and dropping their seeds to ensure future crops. Grains are ready to be harvested and the fruits are ripe for picking.  

As autumn begins, the Celtic Sun God enters his old age, but is not yet dead. The God symbolically loses some of his strength as the Sun rises farther in the South each day and the nights grow longer.

Many Pagans celebrate this time by remembering its warmth and bounty with a celebrated feast shared with family or Coven members. Save and plant the seeds from the fruits consumed during your feast or ritual. If they sprout, grow the plant or tree with love and as a symbol of your connection with the Lord and Lady. 

Walk through the fields and orchards or spend time along springs, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes reflecting on the bounty and love of the Lord and Lady.

A favorite Lammas practice is to bake bread.  The grain will sustain your body as you consume one of nature’s sacred gifts.

Lammas is also a festival of light. You can celebrate the last long days of the year by simply lighting a yellow or white candle.

If you’d like more information on the traditions, activities, rituals and recipes for these and other Sabbats, visit our Pagan Holiday pages.