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Imbolc is the Sabbat that honors the re-union of the Goddess and the God as new, vital, and purified lovers. At Imbolc, the Goddess appears in the Maiden aspect and her consort the God appears as the virile Lord of the Forest. This is their wedding night, and the God lovingly approaches her as she lays waiting upon her Bride's Bed. It is the mid-point of the dark half of the year and their union casts a brilliant light upon the frozen land.
Brideo'gas
Materials: - 1-peice Wooden Clothespin,
- Red, Yellow, or Brown Yarn,
- 1 White Pipe Cleaner,
- Several Scraps of White Material,
- Black and Red Markers,
- Scissors,
- Glue,
- Gold Glitter.
Children will enjoy making these little Bride images that can be used later as an alter decoration. Take a scrap of white material, (silk, satin, cotton, etc.), and cut out a 6" circle. In the center of the circle cut a hole large enough to poke the "head" of the clothespin through. Fold the circle in half and cut along the fold from both perimeters to the center hole, leaving approx. 1/8 inch between each slit and center hole. Dab "neck" of clothespin with a very small amount of glue, and push clothespin "head" up through the center hole in the material. Cut appropriate length of pipe cleaner to make arms and slide up through the slit in the clothespin until it is pushed up to the end of the slits on both sides of the material. Gather the material tight around the clothespin just under the arms, and tie off with a small piece of string or yarn. Glue a couple of short pieces of yarn to the clothespin head and make eyes and mouth with markers. Finish with dabs of glue and gold glitter around the white wedding dress. A bridal veil glued to the yarn hair is optional. Explain to the children how the Goddess is a sacred bride, pure and renewed, waiting to be re-united with her consort the God.
Bride's Bed
Materials: - A Box,
- Colored Construction Paper,
- White, Yellow, Green, and Red Tissue Paper,
- White Flowers or Cotton Balls,
- Glue,
- Paint Brush,
- Crayons,
- Scissors,
- Glitter.
This is a great little activity for the smaller children in the household, and they two can boast of helping with your alter decor. Paint one side of the box at a time with a bit of glue, not too thick, just enough to adhere green tissue paper. Cover the entire outside of the box with the green tissue paper. Cut a 2" wide strip of colored construction paper the length of the sheet (11"/14"). Let the child draw symbols and pictures that reminds them of Spring, the Goddess, brides, and weddings on the strip. Cut the white and yellow tissue paper into 2" diameter circles. While you are doing this, allow the child to draw pictures and symbols on the box with glue, and sprinkle with glitter. Place finger in the middle of a tissue square and draw up tissue around finger. Give a slight twist to crinkle paper into a flower shape. Remove finger and adhere to box and decorated construction paper strip with a dab of glue. Remember to leave about 1-1/2 inches on each end of strip. Attach these ends to the inside of the box with some glue. Let dry. Fill with white flowers or cotton balls. Tell story to children of how the Maiden is a Bride and that the Earth is her Bride's Bed.
Priapic Wand
Materials: - Small Tree Branch,
- Acorn,
- Thin Brown String or Thread,
- Yellow, Green, and Gold 1/4" Ribbon,
- Small Gold/Silver Jingle Bells. \
Children will love the sound of this magical wand as they walk about pointing and shaking it at plants and trees, invoking them to wake up from Winter's sleep to witness the union of the Bride and the Lord of the Forest. Select a small branch about 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter. Cut top end flat. Approx. 1/2" below top score a groove (parents only) with a sharp knife. Take 1' long piece of string/thread and tie in groove. Take another 1' piece of thread and tie in groove on opposite side of branch. Place acorn at top of branch (flat end) and adhere with some glue. Now pull the string up over the cap and wind once around acorn. Repeat with all 3 other pieces of string. Pull strings back down to the groove in the branch and tie off. This will hold the acorn in place. Decorate the branch by wrapping it with the ribbons, leaving enough length at top for streamers. Tie gold/silver jingle bells to the ends of the ribbons. For smaller children, thread the bells onto the ribbon while wrapping the branch. Tell the children about how the acorn-wand is a symbol of the Lord of the Forest, and how this magical wand helps the sleeping plants and animals wake up and prepare for Spring.
Brighid's Crosses
Materials: - Dried Wheat Stalks,
- Brown Thread.
These crosses were exchanged as symbols of protection. They are easy to make and not at all time consuming. Take eight stalks with sheaves still attached. Place four stalks on flat surface with two sheaves at the top and two sheaves at the bottom. Measure approx. 6" of stalk between the sets of sheaves and cut off excess. Tie all four stalks together with the brown thread, first under the top sheaves, then above the bottom sheaves. Cut off excess thread. Repeat this procedure with the other four stalks, shortening the length between the sheaves to 4". Carefully separate the first set of stalks (two in front and two in back) and slip the second set through approx. 1" from the bottom of the top sheaves. Tie some thread in a knot just under the arms of the cross. Take the excess ends and diagonally wrap the thread over the opposite corresponding arm and back to the knot. Tie off in back and cut off excess ends. Let the children hand these Brighid's Crosses out to guests.
Bride's Bouquet Sachets
Materials: - Imbolic Potpourri,
- 1 Yard White Netting Material,
- Yellow and Pink 1/8" width Ribbon,
- Scissors.
These sachets can be put in the children's clothing drawers or in rooms of the house that you'd like to smell of Imbolc even after the Sabbat is over. Potpourri is made with 1/2 cup dried basil, 1/2 cup dried chopped bay leaves, 1 cup dried Heather flowers, 1 cup dried Violets, 1 cup dried white or pink rose buds. Blend together in non-metal bowl. Cut netting material into 4"x4" squares. Lay out squares on a flat surface. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of potpourri in the middle of each square. Pull up all the corners to the middle of the potpourri and gather the excess material until potpourri is caught in a "bag". Give bag on twist to the right and tie off with yellow or pink ribbon. Use enough ribbon to make a small bow in the front of the sachet. Tell children how these sachets were exchanged as symbols of good luck and fertility.
Pentacle Candle Wheel
Materials: - Molding Clay,
- Pencil, Ruler,
- 13- 4" White Stick Candles (1/4" diameter),
- Paints (optional).
This Pentacle Candle Wheel is the perfect accessory to any Imbolc altar. Use enough clay to roll out flat with a rolling pin and cut out a circle 18" in diameter and 1/2" thick. Roll excess clay into rope, 1/4" in diameter and long enough to boarder the wheel base. Wet the clay rope enough to stick to base. This will contain any wax that drips from the burning candles. Score the image of the pentacle into the wheel base with the pencil, using the ruler to make straight lines. The Pentacle's points should be approx. 1/2" away from the border. Take one of the white candles and press bottom slightly (approx. 1/4" ) into each Pentacle point, each cross point (inner angles of the Pentacle) and three depressions in a pyramid shape in the top Pentacle triangle ray. Now allow the clay to dry and harden. The Pentacle Candle Wheel can be painted if desired after dried. Place candles in each of the depressions and place in the center of the Imbolc altar. Remember that the Candle Wheel is the symbol of the light that ensues from the union of the Bride and her consort, the Lord of the Forest.
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Brides (Brigid) Bouquet Sachets Materials: - Imbolc Potpourri (recipe below)
- 1 Yard White Netting Material
- Yellow and Pink 1/8" width Ribbon
- Scissors
Potpourri is made with: - 1/2 cup dried basil
- 1/2 cup dried chopped bay leaves,
- 1 cup dried Heather flowers
- 1 cup dried Violets
- 1 cup dried white or pink rosebuds
Blend together in non-metal bowl. Cut netting material into 4"x4" squares. Lay out squares on a flat surface. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of potpourri in the middle of each square. Pull up all the corners to the middle of the potpourri and gather the excess material until potpourri is caught in a "bag". Give bag on twist to the right and tie off with yellow or pink ribbon. Use enough ribbon to make a small bow in the front of the sachet. Tell children how these sachets were exchanged as symbols of good luck and fertility.
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Priapic Wand Materials:
* Small Tree Branch
* Acorn
* Thin Brown String or Thread
* Yellow, Green, and Gold 1/4" Ribbon
* Small Gold/Silver Jingle Bells.
Select a small branch about 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter. Cut top end flat. Approx. 1/2" below top score a groove with a sharp knife. Take 1' long piece of string/thread and tie in groove. Take another 1' piece of thread and tie in groove on opposite side of branch. Place acorn at top of branch (flat end) and adhere with some glue. Now pull the string up over the cap and wind once around acorn. Repeat with all 3 other pieces of string. Pull strings back down to the groove in the branch and tie off. This will hold the acorn in place. Decorate the branch by wrapping it with the ribbons, leaving enough length at top for streamers. Tie gold/silver jingle bells to the ends of the ribbons. For smaller children, thread the bells onto the ribbon while wrapping the branch. Tell the children about how the acorn-wand is a symbol of the Lord of the Forest, and how this magical wand helps the sleeping plants and animals wake up and prepare for Spring. They can go around the garden and point and shake the wand at each flower to wake it up...as they say a little rhyme o sing to the plants. |
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| Imbolg Wand Items Needed
· Length of wood
· 1 Rock (Quartz or something that you like)
· Hot Glue Gun/Glue or Strong Hold Glue (like Super Glue or Modeling Glue)
· Water Paints, marker, knife or wood burning tool
· Other Items such as beads, strings, yarn (Whatever catches your fancy to decorate with)
Choose a length of wood. Such as a 12 inch length about the thickness of my finger. When selecting the woo you could use apple for love magick, seven barks for money magick, Elder for fairie magick, oak for nature magick, willow for general magick. You will want a quartz crystal point for the tip - you could use rose quartz on the love wand or amethyst on a wand for spiritual contact and guidance. Gouge a bit of wood out of the tip of the wand to help hold the crystal - glue with high temp hot glue gun or a strong hold glue - let set. Now use glue on bottom sides of crystal and top inch or so of wood, wrap with leather strips or cord or embroidery thread in a color that goes with the purpose of the wand. That helps to secure the crystal. Now wrap the base end of the wand by gluing wood and wrapping with leather or yarn to make a hand hold. Use the same color as on top and cover about 4 inches. You may decorate the shaft of the wand with symbols that relate to the purpose of the wand, such as runes and other symbols that have meaning for you. You can use a knife, waterproof marker, paint, wood burning tool, etc. You could decorate the end of the top yarn with gemstone beads, metal beads, wood beads and tip it with feathers if you like. Cleanse and consecrate as with any tool.
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Sun Paper Plate This is a simple craft made from a paper plate and a child's handprint cutouts. 
Supplies needed: A paper plate Yellow construction paper Scissors Glue (or a stapler) Crayons, paint or markers Googly eyes (optional)  Paint the back side of a paper plate yellow.
 Trace a child's hand on yellow construction paper about 7 times.
 Cut out the tracings.
 Glue or staple the handprint tracings to the paper plate - the fingers are the sun's rays.
 Color in the sun, drawing a mouth and a nose. Either draw the eyes or glue on googly eyes.
Candle Treats
These can be used as decoration for your celebration and then given to each celebrant afterwards for a nice little treat. 
Materials Needed: Empty Toilet Paper Rolls Construction Paper (in the colors you want for your candles) Tissue Paper (yellow and orange) String Tape (or glue) Scissors Ruler Pencil Spoon Treats (candy, nuts, raisins, or other yummy things) Directions.  1. Take your toilet paper roll and lay it down on your construction paper. Use a ruler to draw a line on the paper for the width of the paper roll as shown in the sample to your left. Use your scissors to cut along the line that you drew.
 2. Lay the Paper Roll down on the edge of the construction paper. Tape one of the ends of the construction paper to the Paper Roll, then carefully roll the Paper Roll until you get to the end of the construction paper.
 3. When the construction paper is all the way around the Paper Roll, put a piece of tape to hold the paper together. You can also glue the paper down instead of using tape. If you do this, put a rubber band around the Paper Roll, and allow time for this step to dry.
 4. Cut two squares of tissue... one of the yellow color and one of the orange tissue paper. Use a nice sized square here so your candle flame is nice and large. Also remember when making this part of the candle, most of the tissue will be inside of the paper roll... so be generous with it's size.
 5. Lay the tissue down, one piece on top of the other. If you angle it like the sample here to your left, both colors of the tissue will show nicely in your finished project.
 6. Use a spoon to gently push the tissue into the Paper Roll. Don't push too hard or the tissue may rip. Once the tissue is in the Paper Roll... add your treats.
 7. Once your treats have been added... tie off the end. The illustration shows green string... but that is only so you can see where to add the tie.
 8. With your fingers... work up the tissue to form a tip to make it look like a candle flame.
Be sure to make as many candles as there are celebrants since you want everyone to get one of the decorations when all is done. | Paper Brigid's Crown This is especially appropriate for young girls, since this is the holiday for the return of the maiden
You will need:
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Construction paper in your child's favorite colors, and yellow and/or red, for the flames.
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Pencil, crayon, or marke
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Scissors
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Glue (white glue or glue stick
What to do: Cut a strip of paper about 2 inches wide and long enough to wrap around your child's head. You may need to glue 2 shorter strips to get the right length. Remember to include a couple of extra inches for overlap!
Draw and cut out eight thin rectangles (these are the candles) of paper.
Draw and cut out eight flames.
Glue the flames to the candles
Draw wicks in the flames and candles.
Distribute the candles evenly around the headband.
Glue the candles to the outside of the headband. (You can glue it to the inside if you think your youngster will wait long enough for the glue to dry!)
Depending on the age of your toddler, they can do the drawing, cutting and gluing. Even the youngest child can hold paper and have you guide her hands.
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| | | Brigid's Cross
A Brighid's Cross can be made with wheat stalks, grasses, reeds or rushes. Gather a few dozen reeds of the same length. If they tend to break when you bend them, soak them in water to soften them, so that they will bend easily.
Hold one reed vertically, and fold another in half around the middle of the first.
Fold next reed over the reeds one and three. (It will be parallel to the 2nd reed)
Fold next reed over the reeds one and three. (It will be parallel to the 2nd reed)
Continue to work in a circular fashion, until you have used up your reeds, or created enough of a "woven" center to the cross. Hold the reeds together
Can be decorated with early spring flowers, with thyme, basil, bay and any other medicinal cooking herbs that look pretty bright ribbon
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Brigid's Cross
A Brighid's Cross can be made with wheat stalks, grasses, reeds or rushes. Gather a few dozen reeds of the same length. If they tend to break when you bend them, soak them in water to soften them, so that they will bend easily.
Hold one reed vertically, and fold another in half around the middle of the first.
Fold next reed over the reeds one and three. (It will be parallel to the 2nd reed)
Fold next reed over the reeds one and three. (It will be parallel to the 2nd reed)
Continue to work in a circular fashion, until you have used up your reeds, or created enough of a "woven" center to the cross. Hold the reeds together
Can be decorated with early spring flowers, with thyme, basil, bay and any other medicinal cooking herbs that look pretty bright ribbon |
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Bride's Bed ~Brigid Bed~ Materials: 1. Dress up the basket, box, or cradle like a bed, and make it comfortable. You can even make the "linen" colors correspond with the Sabbat. Decorate it with strings of nuts or seeds to represent fertility and growth. 2.Put it by the fireplace or the most desirable, warm spot in the house, as if you were waiting for a visitor to lie in it. 3.Place the figure you are using to represent the Goddess in the bed. Corn husk dollies are wonderful for this. You can also add a figure to represent the God. You can make a God figurine by making a fruitwood wand with a pinecone attached to the end, decorated with ribbons, or any male-oriented symbol that works for you. Leave a hot snack out for them by the bed, and perhaps a candle. 4.Ask the Goddess for her blessing of fertility and healing, upon you and your home. |
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I know that many of you do not have the means to make a perminant candle wheel, but I thought I would give you some tips on how to make one that can be a temporary one. First you will want to get a piece of large cardboard...or even tqake some tape and tape 4 pieces of typing or copier paper together so that you have at least a 16 inch square. Draw this diagram on it... Now you have the basics...If you wish, you can embellish it and make it as pretty as you want...you can now place a WHITE votive candle on each place there is a circle. If you wish, you can make the three Goddess Aspect candles tapers as these are extra special in the ritual. You also will have your Green Taper Goddess candle and your Yellow Taper God Candle placed above and on either side of the spirit point. (These are in addition to the Candle wheel in the Ritual.) So there you have it...very simple and easy...enjoy making this special addition that will make your participation in our Imbolc Ritual very worthwhile. (((HUGS))) ~ Lady Majyk ~ |
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Pentacle Candle Wheel Materials: - Molding Clay,
- Pencil, Ruler,
- 13- 4" White Stick Candles (1/4" diameter),
- Paints (optional).
This Pentacle Candle Wheel is the perfect accessory to any Imbolc altar. Use enough clay to roll out flat with a rolling pin and cut out a circle 18" in diameter and 1/2" thick. Roll excess clay into rope, 1/4" in diameter and long enough to boarder the wheel base. Wet the clay rope enough to stick to base. This will contain any wax that drips from the burning candles. Score the image of the pentacle into the wheel base with the pencil, using the ruler to make straight lines. The Pentacle's points should be approx. 1/2" away from the border. Take one of the white candles and press bottom slightly (approx. 1/4" ) into each Pentacle point, each cross point (inner angles of the Pentacle) and three depressions in a pyramid shape in the top Pentacle triangle ray. Now allow the clay to dry and harden. The Pentacle Candle Wheel can be painted if desired after dried. Place candles in each of the depressions and place in the center of the Imbolc altar. Remember that the Candle Wheel is the symbol of the light that ensues from the union of the Bride and her consort, the Lord of the Forest. |
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