Imbolc
On daffodils, tiramisu and the Celtic "it girl."
“I will lead you home,
I will guide you back,
My waters will carry thee,
My flame will guide thee.”
“Sea Song From Bríd,” Gemma McGowan
Hello, my lovely.
It feels like only a moment since we were all here worshipping mince pies at Yule. Yet a lot has happened in those six weeks since. The first signs of spring are here, arriving gracefully at the hand of the maiden goddess, Brigid.
Happy Imbolc to you! There is a lot for us to celebrate.
On my morning walk yesterday, I heard the stuttering taps of a green woodpecker; I saw the first hard shoots of daffodils; and I heard more garden birds than I’ve heard in months. The signs of spring are early this year, but maybe we all need these rays of green light to remind us that life is worth living.
Imbolc - the Pagan festival of new beginnings and the first tight-folded buds - will be with us on Saturday 1st February. It is the second “cross-quarter day” of the Witch’s Year (ie. it’s one of the big ones!) that was once celebrated with large, purification bonfires, burning away the winter and welcoming in spring. The word itself comes from the old Gaelic “Oimelc” - meaning ‘ewe’s milk’ - and is the first festival of the Julian year to be associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid, the maiden of spring.
Cerridwen’s winter has been put to rest: the newness of life is here and it is calling to you.
In this Imbolc edition of The Green Witch, I’ll be sharing:
ways to celebrate the festival
all about the goddess Brigid
a special offer and an ask for help…
the green witch’s ultimate spring vinegar
Have a beautiful festival and I hope your seeds begin to sprout with joy and new intentions.
Blessed be,
Jennifer x
Brigid: all about the Maiden Goddess
She is the goddess of spring, fire, poetry, healing, cows, blacksmiths, childbirth and, well... just about everything.
But who is she?
Brigid - our favourite feisty Celtic maiden goddess - is “that girl” who gets top marks in every subject. Who gets invited to every party. And who will stick up for everyone in the room. With such a long list of attributes to her name, is there anything that Brigid can’t turn her hand to?
Brigid (also known as Bride, Brigit, Bhride or Brighid), the Maiden form of the Triple Goddess, is often represented as a tall, defiant girl just coming into her womanly body; her chin held high under her flaming red hair, her green dress flying in the wind and a burning torch in her right hand. She is the spark that starts our year. She is the ignition of daylight and the bringer of vitality.
If you’ve read The Wheel, you'll know about my fond spot for Brigid and how she appeared to me in my spare bedroom when I asked for healing back in 2019. When working with deities, it is common to be met by steely, appraising eyes, but Brigid - for me - appeared like a giddy teenager, more than happy to help.
It was very refreshing!
In Ancient Ireland, Brigid was one of the original Tuatha dé Danann - the striking and fearsome faery race that inhabited the hills - and has been the subject of many myths and legends. Since then, she has been adopted by Christianity as St Brigid, the patron saint of livestock, babies, new mothers and nuns - holding many of her original goddess qualities.
In the UK, the festival of Imbolc honours Brigid and gives us the opportunity to welcome her attributes of renewal, fertility, creativity and healing into the coming season. Basically, she gives us a swift kick up the arse to get us moving with our 2025 plans!
While Brigid is said to watch over every cradle and inspire any poet, perhaps her most renowned qualities are that of healing and protection. In Danu Forest’s wonderful book The Magical Year, Forest gives a traditional charm for healing and assistance from the goddess called, “The Descent of Brighid”:
“Each day and each night,
That I say The Descent of Brighid
No fire shall burn me,
Nor sun shall burn me,
Nor moon shall blanch me.
Nor water shall drown me,
Nor seed of faery host shall lift me,
Nor earthly being destroy me.
I am under the shielding
Of good Brighid each day
I am under the shielding of good Brighid each night
Each early and late
Every dark, every light.
Brighid is my comrade-woman
Brighid is my maker of song
Brighid is my helping-woman
My choicest of women, my guide.”
Say this on the festival of Imbolc and every night when you need the goddess’ watchful eye upon you. Brigid is your companion throughout the spring months, ready to grab your hand and lead the procession with her torch held high.
How to celebrate Imbolc
Now that we're all acquainted with the goddess Brigid, here are some of the ways we can honour her favourite festival 🌱
Create an Imbolc altar - use white, gold and green cloths and candles to reflect new beginnings and the first signs of spring. Add Brigid’s symbols, such as a St Brigid’s Cross (below), a sacred flame or even a small statue of a cow. Add bunches of fresh daffodils and angle your altar towards the almost-spring sunshine.
Milk pudding recipe photo by Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton Salute spring - take a walk through your local green area and spend some mindful time in nature. Snowdrops and the first shoots of daffodils are already out but you may also see birds gathering nesting material or gathering at a feeder. Take time to notice and be awed by it all.
Made a St Brigid’s Cross - This traditional craft - woven from rushes or straw - protects the home and provides Brigid’s blessing. Hang it over your hearth, door or window and say a charm to invite Brigid’s protection in.
Cook up a feast! - Think seasonal hearty dishes of grains, leeks, potatoes and plenty of dairy products. Brigid is the goddess of cattle after all. Invite over some friends and make creamy custards, milk pudding or maybe you’d prefer a classic Imbolc tiramisu!
Perform a fire ritual - Imbolc is a fire festival, making it the perfect time to perform purification rituals and burn away anything that no longer serves you. Write down what you wish to be rid of, then light a candle or use a fire pit and ritually burn your troubles in the flames.
Photo from Solvar Jewellery Start off your garden - All plants have to start somewhere. Imbolc is the ideal time to sow broad beans, tomatoes, leeks and peas. As we have just had the new moon on 29th Jan, this makes it a doubly potent time to get planting with great results.
Honour Brigid with poetry or song - Brigid is the goddess of poetry and inspiration and I’m sure she’d love to do a jig for your creativity. Write a poem, recite a favourite verse or open your windows and sing a song in her honour.
Perform an intention ritual - Watch the sunrise on Imbolc morning and, at first light, recite a simple blessing, stating your desires for the year ahead. Whether you’re outside or looking out from your window, take a moment to welcome in the light and express gratitude for the new beginnings that are coming your way.
Let me know how you choose to celebrate!
Distance Reiki special offer ✨️
Yay! I've extended my January Distance Reiki offer for one week. Book an online Reiki session with me for just £30 (usually £36) by replying to this email or DMing me below. Offer ends Friday 7th February 2025.
An ask for help…
I actually can't believe I'm going to ask this but I had a bit of a situation a few weeks ago that really made me stop in my tracks.
Recently, some of my feminist content on TikTok was targeted by a group of misogynistic men. Many of the comments said, "It's like you're asking for your books to be review-bombed!" As a result, with much chagrin, I took down the content and have been upset about it ever since. I did not come online to be bullied about sharing what I know is just and right. As an author, my book’s reviews mean a lot to my personal well-being as well as my livelihood but I'm upset and frustrated with myself that I gave in to them.
My ask to you is this: if you have read and enjoyed my books, I would appreciate it beyond measure if you up-rated my writing on Goodreads, StoryGraph, Amazon or wherever you get your books to counter any review bombs I have received. Thank you so much for listening - I really appreciate your time and energy 🙏
The green witch’s spring vinegar
You will not believe the squeal I squeaked when I saw the first fresh patch of cleavers last week!
Greenery is back and this juicy plant is filled with goodness. The springtime vinegar below is the friend of every green witch who wants to replenish their body and throw off the last dregs of winter.
Cleavers (Galium aparine), also known as ‘goosegrass’ or ‘sticky willy’ here in the UK, is another of those first verdant signs of spring 🌱 Cleavers is filled with nutrients that have been brewing underground ready to burst forth all winter. As a natural diuretic and lymphatic tonic, cleavers supports the body's detoxification processes, helping to flush out toxins and impurities. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it a valuable ally in soothing skin irritations and reducing swelling.
Vinegar is one of the best ways to use and store cleavers as – being a plant ruled by the water element – it doesn’t dry out very well to make teas! A vinegar allows the plant to be preserved and for its medicinal benefits to be extracted.
The below vinegar recipe is designed to release any winter stagnation in the body, helping our lymphatic system flush out anything that is not supposed to be there. This vinegar also goes hand in hand with my last Substack, “The art of frugal witchcraft.” There is so much magick to be made from the greens of the land, without having to reach into our pockets.
Enjoy the process (and the tastiness)!
You’ll need:
two large handfuls of washed and patted-dry cleavers
1 bottle of apple cider vinegar
2 glass jars (if the jar has a metal top, you’ll need a square of baking paper to place at the entrance to the jar. This stops the metal lid from leaking residue into the vinegar.)
Chop the cleavers stems into small pieces and fill the jar with them to the brim.
Cover the stems with apple cider vinegar, ensuring they are fully submerged.
Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for two to four weeks, shaking/turning it gently every few days.
After the infusion period, strain the vinegar and transfer it to a clean glass jar. Discard the used plants. Your cleavers vinegar is now ready to use!
Incorporate it into your daily routine by adding a splash to salads, soups, or beverages for a refreshing boost of vitality. Keep for up to a year.
TIP: I have often made a balancing vinegar of nettle and cleavers in the springtime, which I find offers the perfect mix of masculine and feminine energy.
I'll see you on the next turn of the Wheel: Ostara will be here on Thursday 20th March 2025. Where is the year going?? Watch out for your newsletter a few days before. See you then!
Thank you so much for reading! I really appreciate your ongoing support and feedback on my Substack. If you want to share some love or wish to support me, you can upgrade your newsletter subscription below ⬇️
Thank you so much! Just getting started on my journey and excited to celebrate my first Imbolc. Which crystals do you like to work with for this festival?
Happy Imbolc! We still have lots of snow here in upstate New York but I noticed daffodil bulbs are already working their way through the soil. I loved reading your post.