Imbolc: Pearls amongst the snow🌱✨
A Time to SLOWLY Awaken and Welcome the Light 🌱✨
As we turn the Wheel of the Year once again, Imbolc, celebrated from February 1st to 2nd, marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. This ancient Celtic festival is a time of awakening, renewal, and quiet preparation for the warmer months to come.
For me, Imbolc feels like a gentle nudge—a reminder to shake off winter’s dormancy and begin to dream again. It’s not quite the full bloom of spring, but the first subtle signs of life are stirring—snowdrops peeking through the frost, buds forming on trees, and the faintest promise of longer days ahead.
The Meaning of Imbolc 🌙🌿
Imbolc is traditionally associated with Brigid, the Celtic goddess of fertility, poetry, and fire. It’s a time to honour her creative energy and the life force reawakening in the earth. The word Imbolc is thought to mean "in the belly," reflecting the quiet growth and potential stirring beneath the surface—both in nature and within ourselves.
This festival reminds me to focus on small but meaningful steps forward—those first flickers of light and inspiration that will guide me through the year.
My Imbolc Reflections
The slower pace of winter has given me time to hibernate and rethink aspects of my business. Like for many small businesses, January can feel uncertain, but Imbolc reminds me that even in the quietest times, there is potential and hope.
This year, I’m using this reminder to start to think about new ways of doing things, adding in rituals to keep connected to the wheel of year. I’m looking forward to nurturing some exciting ideas—including expanding my bouquet collection for the summer with necklaces to complement my statement earrings.
Imbolc also feels deeply personal—it’s a time to reconnect with nature’s resilience. Whether it’s spotting early signs of spring or simply lighting a candle to welcome the returning light, these rituals ground me in the rhythm of the seasons.
Snowdrops & the Resilience of the Season
Snowdrops & the Resilience of the Season
As we step into February, Imbolc is a gentle reminder that the hardest part of winter is behind us, and brighter days are on the horizon. This year, I’ve been inspired by one of the first flowers to bloom as winter begins to wane—snowdrops.
Like little pearls, they push through the frozen ground, braving the harshest conditions to bloom long before other flowers appear. They might look small and delicate, but behind their fragile appearance lies incredible resilience.
My New Snowdrop Brooch
My latest design, the Snowdrop Brooch, celebrates this symbol of quiet strength. It features three flowers at different stages of opening:
- A bud, still cocooned against the elements.
- A partially open flower, reaching for the first rays of sunshine.
- A full bloom, fully embracing the warmth and light ahead.
It was important for me to include these three stages of openness, as Imbolc is all about gradual awakening. This time of year can be cold, grey, and uninviting, but snowdrops remind us that transformation is already happening beneath the surface.
They wilt in freezing temperatures, appearing to shrivel and struggle, but with just a touch of warmth, they spring back to life. I find that deeply symbolic of the human spirit—we endure hardships, but with a little light and encouragement, we find the strength to bloom again.
That’s why I think snowdrops are the perfect symbol for Imbolc—a quiet promise that, even in the darkest days, hope is just beneath the surface, waiting for its moment to rise.
Ideas for Celebrating Imbolc
🕯️ Light a Candle – Fire is central to Imbolc, symbolising warmth, creativity, and inspiration. Light a candle to honour the returning light and set intentions for the months ahead.
🌱 Bring Nature Indoors – Refresh your altar with early signs of spring—snowdrops, greenery, or anything that reminds you of new beginnings.
🧹 Spring Cleaning – Imbolc is a time of clearing out the old to make way for the new. Whether it’s a deep clean or simply tidying a sacred space, this can feel like a fresh start.
🖋️ Creative Rituals – Imbolc honours Brigid’s gifts of poetry and creativity. Write, draw, or craft something to celebrate this inspiring energy. Why not find some snowdrops to sketch? Or learn all about these pearly winter wonders HERE
🥣 Seasonal Feasting – Share a simple meal of warming, nourishing foods like root vegetables, dairy, or hearty soups. I’ve made a blueberry crumble cake from a recipe in my Almanac—disgustingly wholesome, I know!
Finding Inspiration During Imbolc
This year, I’ll be trying to see the sunrise, setting quiet intentions, and finding inspiration in the first signs of spring.
Imbolc isn’t about big leaps forward—it’s about the small but meaningful steps that bring us closer to growth and renewal. However you celebrate, I hope Imbolc brings you a sense of hope, creativity, and connection to the world around you.
If you’d like to wear a little reminder of Imbolc’s quiet strength, you can find my Snowdrop Brooch by clicking the link below 🌱✨