The Simple Things

Taking time to live well
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Photography: Getty

Photography: Getty

Celebrate | Imbolc

Iona Bower February 1, 2020

As winter thaws, take a moment to mark Imbolc, the moment spring starts to peek through

Imbolc is the Pagan festival that marks the sight of spring around the corner, celebrating light and fertility. It’s the start of the agricultural year, when the earth warms up, everything begins to grow and lambs and other livestock start to be born. But it’s a lovely moment in the calendar to celebrate in your own private way. If you’re still waiting patiently for winter to be over, to be able to get out in the garden again, feel the sun on your face a bit more and look forward to longer days, Imbolc marks that moment we say goodbye to the harshest days of winter and welcome the light and warmth to come. Here are a few things you might like to do:

  • Light a candle - a flame is the traditional symbol of Imbolc, which is a ‘fire’ festival

  • Spring clean  your home, or perhaps just make one corner of it look shiny and new. The home is central to the celebration of this festival.

  • Plan your planting for the coming year and maybe sow a few early seeds. You can start off tomatoes or sweet peas indoors in February.

  • February 1st is also Brigid’s day, the Celtic Goddess of, among other things, poetry. Read a poem to yourself to (or to Brigid, if the mood takes you). Try our poetic pause on p67 of the February issue. 

  • Visit a river or stream and have a paddle if it’s not too cold. Alternatively, take your cleansing ritual home and have a nice long bath. 

  • Eat something creamy or cheesy (like we need any excuse). The word imbolc comes from ‘ewe’s milk’ so you might like to enjoy a fondue, cream with your pudding or a simple milky drink at bedtime. If you’re not a dairy eater, you could prepare something like a curry, to celebrate the warming of the earth, with lots of fragrant spices.

  • At sunset, put the lights on in every room in the house to welcome back the sun.

If you’re inspired by our Imbolc ideas you might like to read ‘Re-emerging’ on p12 of our February issue, all about that moment between winter and spring.

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More from our February issue…

Featured
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Feb 8, 2022
Reflection | Re-emerging
Feb 8, 2022
Feb 8, 2022
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Feb 22, 2020
5 times fictional socks stole the show
Feb 22, 2020
Feb 22, 2020
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Feb 14, 2020
Love advice from romantic icons
Feb 14, 2020
Feb 14, 2020

More things about spring to look forward to…

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Wellbeing | Eye Spy Glimmers
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Folk | The Magic of Maypole Ribbons
May 6, 2024
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Listen | Time after time playlist
Feb 22, 2024
Feb 22, 2024
InNest TagsFebruary, issue 92, imbolc, late winter, early spring, pagan, festicals, light
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  Buy ,  download  or  subscribe   See the sample of our latest issue  here   Buy a copy of our latest anthology:  A Year of Celebrations   Buy a copy of  Flourish 2 , our wellbeing bookazine  Listen to  our podcast  - Small Ways to Live Well
Feb 27, 2025
Feb 27, 2025

Buy, download or subscribe

See the sample of our latest issue here

Buy a copy of our latest anthology: A Year of Celebrations

Buy a copy of Flourish 2, our wellbeing bookazine

Listen to our podcast - Small Ways to Live Well

Feb 27, 2025
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The Simple Things is published by Iceberg Press

The Simple Things

Taking time to live well

We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

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