Imbolc/Imbolg Candlemas: Surfing for Sabbats Activities

Just some activities and crafts I have found about Imbolc Candlemas or Imbolg...
first some youtube videos that I found helpful...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W08Bv_lNowg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R4RnGzHV30&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Poy81oNgawU


Corn dollies are another craft that can be done during this time... Which I have blogged about previously...  http://waterlilywitch.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-yule-crafts.html

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http://www.ehow.com/list_7232712_imbolc-crafts-kids.html

Winter to Spring Centerpiece

• A winter to spring centerpiece is a wonderful family project that will beautify your dinner or buffet table. Simply wrap a plain straw or grapevine wreath half way around with silk fir greens and berries, and the other half with silk spring flowers. Place the wreath on the table. Put a punch bowl in the center of the wreath and add a large white candle, or several small candles inside the punch bowl. Light the candles to create a stunning centerpiece.

St. Brigid's Cross

• A St. Brigid's cross is considered good luck and protection when hung over a door or at the hearth. These crosses were traditionally made of wheat or dried plants, but children can easily create a St. Brigid's cross using gold, tan or brown pipe cleaners. Each child will need about one dozen pipe cleaners. First, bend each pile cleaner in half. Hook two pipe cleaners together at the bends, one horizontally and one vertically with the pipe cleaner ends pointing down. Link the next pipe cleaner in horizontally, the opposite direction from the initial horizontal piece, linking it to the vertical one. Add another vertical piece pointing up, linking the pipe cleaners together as you go. Continue adding pieces in this manner around the cross until all pipe cleaners are used. Twist the ends of the cross to hold in place. The cross is then ready to hang on the wall.

Bird Nests, Feeders and Baths

• Bird nests, feeders and baths encourage feathered friends to hang around as the weather is changing. To create a hanging bird nest, fill an onion bag half full of shredded paper. Cut a small hole in the side of the bag for a door. Cinch the top of the onion bag and hang in a tree for birds to enjoy. Small bird baths and feeders can be made by placing a flower pot saucer inside the opening of a small grapevine wreath. Attach wire to four sides of the wreath to create a hanger. Decorate with small silk flowers and ribbons. Add water or bird seed to the saucer and hang in a tree. Watch birds flock to see what is in the saucer.

Bride Apple Custard Cups

• Custard is a traditional celebratory food of Imbolc. To make Bride apple custard cups, give each child half an unpeeled apple and have them use a spoon to scoop out a well in the fruit, leaving about 1/2 inch thickness around the outside of the apple. Mix up instant custard following package instructions and place it in the refrigerator to set. When set, scoop custard into the apple halves, and top with a pit of grated nutmeg or cinnamon.

Snow Candles

• Snow candles are great fun and end up being a variety of shapes. Simply melt paraffin or old candle stubs with wick removed in a coffee can. Tie a long piece of candle wick to a stick. Have the child punch a hole in the snow, and then suspend the wick in the center of the hole by resting the stick along the topside of the hole. Pour melted wax into the hole and allow the candle to set till hard. Grasp the stick and pull the candle out of the hole. Snip the stick off, leaving a wick about 3/4 inches long sticking out of the candle.
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  http://daughtersofearthwisdom.org/sabbats/imbolic/imbolic.html

Bride's (Brigid) Bouquet Sachets
Source: GrannyMoon's Morning Feast

Materials:

• Imbolc Potpourri (below)
• 1 Yard White Netting Material
• Yellow and Pink 1/8" width Ribbon
• Scissors

Potpourri:

• 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. 

Hand Dipped Candles
Source: Lady Morgan Moonstone

You need to obtain the following supplies:

• 2-4 pounds of Paraffin Wax (the kind used in canning) or beeswax (which is usually expensive).
• Candle wick (available at most hobby and craft stores)
• oils and herbs (for scent and magickal goals)
• candle dye (also expensive) or crayons (for color)
• wax paper
• a wooden spoon
• a double broiler

Begin by melting the wax in a double broiler. If you don't have one, you can use a large pot filled half full of water and a large coffee tin with the wax in it, sitting inside the pot. Heat the water to boiling first and cut up your wax so it will melt quickly. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down and place the tin of wax inside of it. Keep the water hot enough to keep the wax melted but not so hot that the paraffin catches fire (which it has been known to do over high heat). While the wax is melting, stir with a wooden spoon (never use metal) & make sure it all is completely melted.
Also, while the wax is melting, mix the herbs (if more than one) in a small bowl. After the wax is completely melted and been checked, break the crayons up and put them into the wax. Keep stirring until all of the crayons have melted and the color is even and smooth, with no streaks. Keep in mind that the candle will be a shade or so lighter when dry. The more crayons - the deeper and richer the color, so experiment.
Next, add the herbs to the wax. Empower with your energy and magickal intention while mixing the wax. Stir with the wooden spoon until it is thoroughly mixed. Next add 10-20 drops of essential oil (please, no synthetics when making candles for magickal or ritual use) to the wax until it smells strongly of the fragrance intended. Now your wax is ready.
Start with a long piece of wick - twice the size of your desired candle length plus 3 inches (you will be making 2 candles at once). Bend the wick in the middle and hold it by the bend. Dip the wick into the wax and then lift back out. Getting started is the hardest because the wick will float on top of the wax until it has enough wax on it to weigh it down. Allow it to get completely cold between dippings when you first start.
After your candle has started to take shape you can speed up the process a little. I keep a pan of cool water nearby and dip the candles in the water after each dipping in the wax. While this speeds up the process a little, candle making is a slow process but very well worth the time and energy you put into it. Keep dipping the candles and allowing them to cool & then dip again. When you have achieved the proper size, hang them to dry until the wax has set but the candles aren't too hard. Then roll them on the wax paper to smooth out the shape. Once the candle shape is too your liking, dip 1 or 2 more times to make sure your candle is smooth. Trim off any excess wax to make a bottom with a sharp knife. Cut the wick and hang your candles to dry. You are done! 

Herbs for Imbolc Rituals
Source: Unknown


This time is known by some as the "Feast of the Waxing Light" it is the time of year that we are beginning to notice the Sun Gods growth in that the days are becoming longer. This, like MayDay/Beltane, is another pagan holiday which has survived into the current time, now it is celebrated as Ground Hog Day.
Angelica--is best in the ritual cup. In this manner is considered to bring one in contact with the inhabitants of Atlantis and to bring Atlantean energies into their lives, visions and understanding.
Basil--this is the traditional time of year for initiations and the initiate should have been taking daily tonics of basil for at least the last two weeks. It is given now to prepare the innerself for initiation to bring fortitude.
Bay--if the ritual is to be a solemn occasion then it is appropriate to chew one or two (no more than that!) leaves and meditate upon the growing light and Sun God.
Benzoin--is used in the incense.
Celandine--is used in the ritual cup and tossed into the fire.
Heather--is used to decorate the entire space.
Myrrh--is used in the ritual cup and/or incense. 

Imbolc Oil
Source: Crystal Forest

• To 2 Tablespoons of sweet almond, grape seed or other light weight carrier oil add:
• 5 drops Sandalwood e.o.
• 5 drops Vanilla extract
• 6 drops Jasmine e.o.
• 2 drops Balsam e.o.
   Imbolic Incense for Brigid Source: GrannyMoon's Morning Feast 1 part crushed rowan berries 1/4 part blackberry leaves 1 part birch bark 1 part willow bark 1/2 part bistort root 1 part oak bark 1/2 part snowdrop flowers 1/4 part flax flowers