Imbolc Altar
This is my Imbolc Altar for 2023. Imbolc is a pagan festival that celebrates the coming of spring and the awakening of the earth from its winter slumber. It is traditionally celebrated on February 1st and is associated with the goddess Brigid. I consider this a relatively minor holiday in my witchcraft practice, but it’s a fun one. Here are some tips for creating an altar space.
When is Imbolc 2023?
Imbolc is on February 1st this year. I typically celebrate Imbolc at sundown. I light every single candle and light in my place, burn some incense, and light an intention candle.
Imbolc Decorations
One of the most common decorations is a Brigid’s cross, which you can see below. I purchased mine from The Witches Moon. Some other common items are candles, flowers, crystals, corn dolls, and any other items that correspond with the goddess Brigid.
Imbolc Crystals
Imbolc crystals can be helpful for decorating your altar as well as using in spellcraft. This festival is all about new beginnings, purification, and renewal include:
- Snowflake Obsidian: This crystal is believed releases negative patterns and emotions.
- Amethyst: This crystal promotes emotional balance and to provide a sense of peace and tranquility. It’s also great for your third eye and intuition!
- Clear Quartz: This crystal has powerful cleansing and purifying energy, making it a great stone for new beginnings.
- Citrine: This crystal promotes positivity, clarity and self-confidence, and to bring good luck and prosperity.
- Bloodstone: This crystal has a deep grounding and purifying energy, and can be a powerful tool for protection.
- Sunstone: Imbolic is about awakening the earth from its sleep and first step towards spring, so I include bright sunstone on my altar. Below, in the picture, you can see I have an offering bowl with raw sunstone.
These are just a few examples of crystals that can be used during Imbolc, but ultimately the most important thing is to choose crystals that resonate with you personally.
Imbolc Flowers
These flowers all symbolize new beginnings, growth, and renewal. However, feel free to choose flowers that resonate with you personally.
Snowdrops: These flowers are among the first to bloom in the early spring, and symbolize hope, purity, and new beginnings.
Crocus: These flowers also bloom early in the spring, and symbolize the arrival of spring and the end of winter.
Daffodils: Also known as the “Lent Lily” which blooms in early spring, it symbolizes new beginnings, renewal, and hope.
Iris: These flowers are associated with the goddess Brigid, who is honored during Imbolc, and symbolize purification, wisdom, and inspiration.
Heather: This flower also blooms in early spring and symbolizes new beginnings, good luck, and protection.
Carnations: These flowers are also associated with Imbolc, they are symbol of love, devotion and admiration.
In my practice, I use faux flowers that I can reuse every year. I purchases these frozen icy berries from Dollar Tree and I thought they were the perfect mix of spring and winter, which imbolc symbolizes.