With Imbolc falling around the first week of February it is a perfect time to perform an easy house blessing ritual. The winter holiday decorations have been put away, the clutter has most likely been cleared and now your space is ready for a reset. Be sure to check >>HERE<< for the exact time of the Sun’s transition at 15° Aquarius.
What is Imbolc?
Simply put, Imbolc, or Brigid’s Day, is a cross-quarter festival celebrating the awakening natural world and new beginnings in pagan traditions. We are at the mid-point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and in the U.S we mark this time with the traditional “Groundhogs Day” event to determine if there will be “six more weeks of winter”. Everyone feels the shifting of the Wheel of the Year! The seasonal focus is on rejuvenation, as the earth is beginning to stir from its winter slumber here in the Northern Hemisphere. (Our friends in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate Lammas at this time of year)
This is the point in the wheel of the year where the energy supports spring cleaning, both physically and metaphysically. Traditionally homes were whitewashed and swept clear, the hearth was cleansed and fires lit. Performing your own home blessing ritual will help align you to the season and in 2023 will help you stay focused and grounded with health and healing at the forefront of your intentions.
Imbolc Blessing Spray
- Sprayer Bottle
- Distilled Water
- 20/50/30 blend of essential oils:
- 2 drops Patchouli (for grounding & protection)
- 5 drops Rosemary (for cleansing & purification)
- 3 drops Lavender (for love, peace & happiness)
Mix these together in your spray bottle. Depending on the size of your sprayer you can double or triple the drops needed but I find 2oz. glass spray bottles are perfect for this recipe.
Imbolc House Cleansing Ritual
Begin by cleaning your entire house. This can take place over the week leading up to Imbolc, with the final cleaning and ritual performed on Imbolc. Take this opportunity to KonMari the shit out of your belongings: Does it bring you joy? Do you want to carry it into your future? If not, thank the item for its lesson to you and donate it. Now air out the house, clean the windows, strip the beds, tend to houseplants and treat yourself to a bouquet of fresh flowers in vases.
Decorate your altar (or mantle, or bookcase shelf, etc) with the symbols and colors of Imbolc: a Brigid’s Cross, candle wheels, a dish of snow, evergreens, grain dollies, ploughs, Sun Wheels, white flowers (like snowdrops). Candles should be in shades of brown, spring greens, pink or red, white and yellow.
To perform your ritual, begin outside at the front door. You will start with the front door, then work through each room of your house following a clockwise rotation. As you go, spray a little of your blessing oil on every door frame and windowsill of the house to anoint them. I like to say a variation of a traditional Irish blessing, but you can say whatever words resonate with you.
Bless this home and all who enter here
May our troubles be less and our blessings be more
and nothing but happiness come through our door
Finish your ritual with a celebration of traditional foods around a candlelit table.
Merry Meet and Blessed Be!
Also published on Medium.