Imbolc

A little information about Imbolc for the nice reply I had to my last post.

Imbolc symbolizes the return of light. It is the point of the year when we welcome the returning light and look forward to the spring and the coming warmth. To quote from Wicca For One by Raymond Buckland,

"Imbolc or Oimelc, is basically an early spring festival. it is a time to prepare for teh new season; it is a time of new opportunities. This was teh occasion for the old Feast of Torches. At sunset people would light lamps or candles in every room of the house, honoring the sun's rebirth."

As for me, I had a nice Imbolc circle and then went through the house and lit up every room. On previous years, I would light a electric 'candle' in the window all night.

Imbolc is one of the four major Sabbats of the Witches' Year. There are eight Sabbats in all. Four major and four minor. The next up is Ostara or the Spring Equinox. Imbolc falls on February 2 (the same day as groundhog day in the US)

I'm not really great at explaining things, but I hope this clears it up a little! :)