Candlemas is a celebration that creeps up on you. After the rush since Samhain you, like most, probably are not prepared for it to be here yet. This Sabbat is widely recognized in many religions. The Celtic refer to it as Imbolic, Gardenarian Wiccan's, Imbolg. This is celebrated on the 2^nd of February. Caledonii celebrate Imbolgc Brigantia on the 1^st. The Teutonic's celebrate Disting on the 14^th of February. It is traditionally to be held on the first full moon of Aquarius. Yet by all these names and times, the celebration still mainly concerns the banishing of the winter season and welcoming the change from the old to the new as well as fertility. This celebration is the first of the three spring festivals, and is well known as the time to clean the house and everything else around in preparation for the spring. This is also the time to look over your magickal cabinet to find what you need to replace.

Though this Sabbat is known as Candlemas, it is more commonly known as Imbolc. Imbolc comes from the Celtic word meaning "in the belly." Both Imbolc and Imbolg are pronounced 'immol'. Some prefer to make the 'g' sound at the end, this is quite common as well. This is the time for purification, and it is a festival of light. If you have torches candles and lamps- light them all just after sunset, even if it's only for a few minutes.

Your home and your altar (and circle area) should still show signs of the winter season, though it should begin showing the signs of spring. If there are fresh flowers, bring them to your circle. Reds, yellows, whites, greens, black and blues are all acceptable at this time of year. Near or on your altar should be a Biddy and a phallic wand (separate from your coven's normal one, perhaps decorated with black and white ribbons). Your broomstick and two unlit candles in candleholders. The cauldron is placed by the South candle with a lit candle inside of it. If possible dried twigs of evergreen (three or four), and holly, ivy, mistletoe, bay, and rosemary should also be present. If you follow the tradition of keeping your Christmas Tree (without decorations, but with the lights), until Candlemas try to have it near your circle, and don't forget to turn on it's lights one last time. Remember after your celebration, the tree and anything left over from Yule must be put away or thrown out. If possible the tree may even be burned.

This is the time to Welcome Spring.

Below is an example of how to make a Bride Doll:

The Biddy or Bride dolly (this is pronounced like Breed it does not rhyme with hide. Bride is also spelled Brid) is something that many do not know how to make, thus I have decided to include some instructions here. The making of St. Brigid’s Crosses of rush or straw. Take a bundle of straw a foot to eighteen inches long. Simply fold one part of the bundle of straw in half with a slight twist. This piece will be the head, and the feet. Next, you take the other half and tie it around the first, this makes the two arms. When you are done you should dress the doll, a simple cloth wrapped around it and pinned will do just fine.