Imbolc has evolved into my second favorite Sabbat.
I actually started over a week ago preparing. For me, this is a time of dedication and initiation. I focus on my personal rededication to my tradition. I write and pray. This is always a very happy time for me.
On the actual night of Imbolc, I will meet with another to share in some rededication rituals.
This is also a time when (in honor of Brigid) I reconsecrate my tools. I have found that through the years, I have accumulated soooo many tools and "stuff"... I love "stuff"...
But I must admit that much of it has gone unused. Put on a shelf, pretty to look at, but unused.
(Can anyone else relate to this?)
I have gathered this "stuff", piece by piece. My goal is to do a type of magickal "spring cleaning". I started getting reacquainted with them, honoring them for their intended purpose. I re-welcomed them into the family. Through a series of methods, I will "dust off", polish, cleanse... literally, and spiritually.
Once done, many will be set out on my windowsills at Imbolc and remain until after the full moon.
This has taken its own preparation. I have 12 windows in our bedroom, facing in three of the directions.
These windows must also be cleaned and polished, rubbed with a special oil (one of my concoctions).
And the "stuff" will be assigned a window corresponding with it's intended direction.
Let the blessing of the tools begin...
and I get a little jump on spring cleaning.