Imbolc is from the Gaelic word "oimelc", meaning "in milk". This is the time of year when goats, sheep, horses, deer and cows are heavy with pregnancy and begin to lactate, in order to nurture their soon-to-be-born young. And so the seeds, much like the growing embryos, lay safely tucked away in Mother Earth's womb, awaiting the birth of Spring. It may not feel like it but Spring is just around the corner! Beneath the layers of snow, life is beginning to stir. Soon, the Earth will be teaming with abundance. Imbolc is also the Feast of Brighid, Celtic Triple Goddess of the Hearth and Home, Fire, poets, and mothers. Generally, Sabbats are observed on the eve of the holiday, beginning at sunset, until the following sunset. My birthday is January 31st, Imbolc Eve. We have generally prepared for the date by making candles of our own , which we then burn at sunset in every room of the house, to welcome the strengthening Sun. If the Sabbat falls on a week end, we may also spend some time making candles but it is a time consuming task and we find we don't have time during the week. Candle making can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. There are kits in any craft store or toy aisle or you can use the following recipe. Candles that you have created will be far more potent than the store-bought kind. Candle Making with Kids Supplies: Plain Paraffin Wax or Beeswax( about 1/2 a pound), which can be found at craft stores. Double Boiler or you can do as I do and use a large coffee can for melting the wax in, inserted in a saucepan, filled 1/3 of the way with water. Wax MUST be melted this way and never directly on the heat source because it is a serious fire hazard. Wooden Spoon Bowls of cold water Candy thermometer Stove Wicks, which are available in most craft stores. Wax Color, which comes in several forms, also available at craft stores. Essential Oil (Fragrance) - It's always a good idea to start small. You can always add more fragrance but it is tough to remove it! Keep a written record of the amounts you use and the outcome of the final product so you can adjust next time. Favorite blends can be saved to your grimoire. Herbs, depending upon your intent for the candle.
Directions: Cut the wax into small pieces so it melts more readily. Heat the water to boiling in the boiler or set the coffee can in the water. Use medium heat. be patient and do NOT turn up the heat. Stir the wax until it is completely melted and it reaches a temperature of 160° F or 71° Celsius. Test with the thermometer. Reduce the heat at this point making sure the water stays hot enough to keep the wax liquid. Add the color, a little at a time. As it dries, it will lighten up. To test for color, place a small amount on a pie plate. Allow to cool. Check the results. Make your adjustments and be sure the color is blended evenly throughout the wax. Add the fragranced oil now, stirring well for a uniform scent when the candle is burning. If you are using herbs, also add them at this point. Decide on the length of candle you want and then cut the wick at double this length plus three inches. For example, if you are making 12" tapers, then cut the wick 27" long. You will be making two tapers at once and need the extra three inches for holding the wick as you dip. Hold the wick in the middle and dip into the hot wax for a few seconds. It may float the first few dips because the wick is lighter than the wax. Have patience. You want to be relaxed and focused because your emotions and feelings affect your intent. The wax needs to dry for a minute between each dipping. Make sure the candles don't touch each other! At this point, you can also pour the hot wax into molds, if you want. There are many interesting candle molds available at local craft stores. Yellow, sun-shaped candles would be perfect for Imbolg! You'll need to double the amount of wax if your intent is to use molds. After several dippings, you can speed up the process by plunging the candles into cold water between dippings. Keep dipping until candles reach desired thickness. While wax is still somewhat pliable but not too soft, roll on wax paper to smooth out any irregularities. Trim the bottoms until they are flat and hang to dry. I love it when the kids help me in the kitchen, there are some common sense rules that should be strictly adhered to. - Don't ever leave a child unattended with melting wax. Not only is there the danger of scalding, but if it gets too hot, wax can flame up unexpectedly. - Use an ABC fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Never use water. - Always have an adult handle the hot wax (stirring, dipping). The kids love to add the color and the fragrance.
The kids also enjoy making Brighid's Crowns on Imbolc, to wear during our family feast. Eggs are an appropriate meal at this time because they symbolize pregnancy and a return of fertility. Any dairy product is a good choice. Scout is an aficionado of good cheeses and we generally begin our meal with Brie on crackers and Gouda or Colby slices. A Greek salad, topped with Feta cheese, is a great accompaniment to a spinach quiche. We always finish our dinner with a pudding, in honor of "oimelc". If you are lactose intolerant, as I am, then you might consider using goat's milk for the pudding. It is much easier to digest. I trade tarot readings to a neighbor in return for goat's milk. You can also find it at Wal-Mart, in the dairy case. I'm very excited because in the Spring, we're going to purchase two dairy goats of our own! Brigid's Crown(I know I found this idea online somewhere but I cannot remember where. I've adapted it to my own use but would love to give credit to the original source so if you know, please email me!) Supplies: Directions: Cut a two inch strip of paper, long enough to wrap around your child's head, plus two inches. Your child can decide what color to make his/her crown. Cut out 6-10 thin rectangles for the candles. 8 works well but it depends upon the size of the candles. Using yellow construction paper, cut out as many flames as you need to top the candles. We then use the red construction paper and cut out a smaller flame to fit inside of the yellow. This is a matter of choice. Glue the flames to the candles and then glue the candles around the headband. Scout is very thorough and neat about her work and her crowns are generally very symmetrical. Spike uses some creative license but it is his creation, after all!
Classic Quiche Lorraine Sprinkle bacon and cheese in bottom of pie shell. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over bacon and cheese. Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving. I generally toss in some frozen spinach that has been thawed but it's fine without it. You could also add 1 C. cooked and diced chicken or 1 C. cooked mixed veggies, in lieu of the bacon
Bread Custard4 slices bread butter or margarine brown sugar cinnamon 3 eggs 1/3 C. granulated sugar 1 tsp. vanilla dash salt 2 1/2 C. milk scalded
Toast the bread. Butter each one and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, to taste. Put buttered side together, making 2 "sandwiches". Cut these into quarters and arrange in the bottom of a buttered casserole dish. Combine the eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla, salt and milk; stir until well blended. Pour over the bread. Put the casserole dish in a pan of 1" deep water and bake at 350°F for 75-80 minutes. You can add about 1/3 C. of raisins to this if you'd like. 
| 
