Imbolc & Divination…

Imbolc – Divination practices

Divination practices are found during all of the significant Irish celebrations and Imbolc is no exception. The timing for taking the omens varied but could occur anytime from the night before Imbolc to the morning of the festival. Particularly the period immediately after the feasting portion of the celebration was often used for divination (Estyn Evans, 1957). In some specific cases relating to the casting of lots for fisherman or the reading of the marks in the ashes the divination occurred on the morning of the festival (Danaher, 1972).

Several Imbolc omens relied on seeing certain animals, and sometimes on noting what the animal was doing. Seeing a hedgehog on Imbolc was believed to be an omen of good weather to come, as it was believed that if the hedgehog sensed bad weather coming in the early spring season he would return to his burrow (Danaher, 1972). This seems to be reflected in the American practice of looking to groundhogs for weather predictions at the same time of year. If you hear a lark singing on Imbolc it is an omen of a good spring (Danaher, 1972). The lark is a bird often associated with Brighid and of good weather.

Weather omens more generally were also very commonly noted. Rain on Imbolc was believed to foreshadow pleasant weather in the coming summer (Danaher, 1972). A windy Imbolc means snow in March, according to this traditional saying:

“As far as the wind shall enter the door

On the Feast Day of Bride,

The snow shall enter the door

On the Feast Day of Patrick.” (Carmichael, 1900, p 173).

By looking then at how the weather is on Imbolc we can foretell what the spring is most likely to look like. I have found it helpful in my own area to keep notes about each feast day's weather and an significant or memorable signs and then what follows or is notable in the next season to form my own ideas about omens, but I have found that a hard Imbolc tends to mean a hard spring and a light Imbolc an easy or early spring.

A ritual for divination involved the use of the slat Brighid, or Brighid’s wand, a peeled stick made of a white wood that was left with an effigy of Brighid near the hearth overnight. The ashes of the fire would be carefully smoothed when the family went to bed and in the morning the marks of the wand appearing in the ashes were a good omen (Carmichael, 1900). An even better omen was the mark of a footprint, seen as a sign that Brighid herself had visited and blessed the home (Carmichael, 1900). Very unlucky though was the home with no mark left in the ashes at all. To turn this ill omen incense is burned through the next night on the fireplace and a chicken is buried alive as an offering at the joining of three streams (Carmichael, 1900).

By, Morgan

🔥To learn more about Brighid~ https://a.co/d/5Dq5z6m

References

Danaher, K., (1972). The Year in Ireland. Mercier Press.

Estyn Evans, E., (1957). Irish Folk Ways. Routledge & Keegan Paul, ltd.

Carmichael, A., (1900). Carmina Gadelica

💎Crystal for 2026!

I thought that with the New Year we all could use some energy around LETTING GO. Because when we can surrender and let go of what no longer serves us, we create space for new opportunities. And Green Calciite is one of my favorite crystals to work with for releasing. It creates a unique feeling of trust- trust in loosening our grip on the old~ perfect vibe for 2026!

This crystal can also help show you how to fully accept yourself and your imperfections. It all makes up your unique self and this can be a strength instead of a hindrance. 

It brings in a new sense of purpose while awakening your enthusiasm and feelings of inspiration. This stone brings balance of mind, body, heart, and spirit. It helps to assist in letting go of the past and old patterns that are no longer serving you. 

Green Calcite radiates a soothing energy that can help to remove stagnant energy in your surroundings. It gets rid of negative vibes and replaces them with positivity. 

This crystals healing energy fills you with excitement and motivation for new endeavors and acts like a breath of fresh air. Because of its ability to dispel negativity, it can help to get rid of any blocks that could be standing in your way to good fortune. It attracts abundance and overall prosperity.  

It assists in the easing of emotional grief and any type of sadness. It is a powerful heart chakra stone that helps to soothe the pain and bring back your strength to handle life’s obstacles. 

By renewing your sense of hope, green calcite aids in releasing challenges so that you can focus on future goals and plans. This crystal also assists with manifesting those goals. 

It is a stone of forgiveness. Whether it’s ourselves or others, green calcite helps you to let go of hurt, forgive, and move on to brighter things. 

Let’s start this New Year off with forgiving, hope, and letting go of the past! Blessings and happy 2026 all🤩💎💚

Bathed in Moon Beauty

Every month the moon cycles through multiple phases. Just as we change day to day and week to week, so does the moon. And with each phase we feel differently. Have you ever thought to track this?

Try keeping a Moon Journal. Do this a few times a week. Write down at least a few phrases or paragraphs describing how you’re feeling in general and especially inwardly and towards yourself. And include what phase the moon is in so that you can begin to understand and note how the moon affects you.

You may notice after doing this a while, that you feel much better during the waxing phase. Or maybe you feel most confident when the moon is dark. No matter what the pattern for you winds up being, you will then have the awareness of knowing what times of the month are best for you and when you’re more challenged.

With this kind of insight you can make plans for certain things at times that are more optimal for you. And during the tricky periods, you can be aware that you may want to use those times to work on soothing and bringing more love and compassion to yourself.

And because Mondays are ruled by the Moon, try burning a white or silver candle every Monday as a thank you offering for these insights. You can also mix together: frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, willow, and mugwort and burn it as both a personal empowerment and an additional offering to the Moon 🌖