Imbolc Fire oil and Weather divination

Imbolc is a pagan Holiday celebrated on 1st or 2nd of February and represents the end of winter , the rebirth of Sun , so in order for Sun to defeat the winter darkness candles are lit on this day , and left usually on window shells to help Sun illuminate the Earth and call for spring soon .

Hence the alternative name Candlemass .

also used by Christians .

It is a magickal day , when fire energies of purification , banishment and new beginings are ectremly strong , and this year , they are emprowed by Full Moon even more.

The Imbolc is associated with St Brigid, patron saint of Ireland and Gaelic goddess of healing and smitcraft.

But I am pretty sure You knew all of that so I shall rather share few practical tips, what can You do on this holiday ( other than lighting candles of course ) :

Brigid's bed ( source Wikipedia )

One folk tradition that continues in both Christian and Pagan homes on St. Brigid's Day (or Imbolc) is that of the Brigid's Bed. The girls and young, unmarried women of the household or village create a corn dolly to represent Brigid, called the Brideog ("little Brigid" or "young Brigid"), adorning it with ribbons and baubles like shells or stones. They make a bed for the Brideog to lie in. On St. Brigid's Eve (January 31), the girls and young women gather together in one house to stay up all night with the Brideog, and are later visited by all the young men of the community who must ask permission to enter the home, and then treat them and the corn dolly with respect.

Weather Divination

Imbolc is the day the Cailleach — the hag of Gaelic tradition — gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that if she intends to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people are generally relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over. On the Isle of Man, where She is known as Caillagh ny Groamagh, the Cailleach is said to have been seen on Imbolc in the form of a gigantic bird, carrying sticks in her beak.

Ben Cruachan, highest point in Argyll and Bute, home of the Cailleach nan Cruachan , source http://www.wikipedia.com/

Fire oil A good oil to make on this day , is Fire oil . You can use any Fire oil recipe but here is how I make mine :

*3 small garlic cloves

*7 small ginger rhizome pieces( chopped cubes )

a teaspoon of cinnamon

* a teaspoon of Cayenne or Red pepper flakes

* a good pinch of grounded Black pepper

Top all with oil ( 20-30ml should do ) and heat in double boiler for 2-3 hours chanting on occasion something like :

Fire burns with eternal flame

Bless this essence liquid fire to became!

took pics when I made mine so You can see how the process looks like :

The first picture shows ingredients topped with oil in a vial , and second oil "bathing" in double boiler I usually like to let my oils stay for a month, yet for this one , being a fire oil I thought warming was more appropriate . Use fire oil for Banishment and Fire curses , vanquishing , exorcism , cleansing etc.

Now I found another Oil recipe , for Wisdom , that is used to dress anoint candles on this Day/Night to inspire Wisdom and Reflections ( Oil is Paganic , Wiccan or European , unlike Fire oil which is more a conjure tradition oil )

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Rosemary

10 drops of Myrrh oil

Cover with light olive oil , in two ounce tight lid jar . Turn the jar over daily for atleast ten days prior to use,

This can be found here http://jksalescompany.com/image/Imbolc-feb2000.jpg