Imbolc Activities
from Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura

Here are a few suggestions for Imbolc activities, some of which can be
incorporated into the Sabbat celebration or simply as something to
make the day more special, especially to the children.

1) Burn the Yule greens to send winter on its way.

2) Make the Bride's Bed using the Corn (or Wheat) Doll made the
previous Lughnassadh. (Directions: Double over a bundle of wheat and
tie it near the top to form a head. Take a bit of the fiber from
either side of the main portion and twist into arms that you tie
together in front of the dolly. Add a small bouquet of flowers to
the 'hands', then you can decorate the dolly with a dress and
bonnet.) Dress the doll in white or blue with a necklace that
represents the seasons. Lay it in a long basket adorned with ribbons;
light white candles on either side of the basket, and say:

"Welcome the Bride both Maiden and Mother;
rest and prepare for the time of the seed;
cleansed and refreshed from labors behind her;
with the promise of spring she lays before me."

Next morning, remove the dress and scatter the wheat outdoors (or if
you use corn, hang it up in a tree for the squirrels and the birds).
This can be seen in terms of the Lady's recovery from the birthing
bed and readiness to begin the turning of the seasons anew. The
Imbolc Corn Doll represents the mother nurturing her son, who will
grow and become her husband. This is the earth and the sun, which is
still weak but gaining strength.

3) On Imbolc Eve, leave buttered bread in a bowl indoors for the
fairies who travel with the Lady of Greenwood. Next day, dispose of
it as the 'essence' will have been removed.

4) Place three ears of corn on the door as symbol of the Triple
Goddess and leave until Ostara.

5) Light a white candle and burn sandalwood.

6) Cleanse the area where you do card readings or scrying with a
censer burning rosemary or Vervain and say: "By the power of this
smoke I wash away the negative influences that this place be cleansed
for the Lady and her babe.

7) Cleanse the altar and equipment, do a self-purification rise with
the elemental tools representing earth (salt) for body; air (incense)
for thoughts; fire (candle flame) for will; and water (water) for
emotions.

8) Make dream pillows for everyone in the family.