Imbolc in Australia: A Seed Spell for New Beginnings
Silver Wattle
Honouring the slow return of light, hope, and new beginnings
Hello creative alchemists,
Imbolc arrives in the Southern Hemisphere around August 1st, with the exact cross-quarter moment in 2025 falling on August 7th at 10:14am AEST. It’s a gentle turning of the wheel, a quiet whisper that the light is returning, even if the chill still lingers.
Here in Melbourne/Naarm, Imbolc feels different from the snowy landscapes where its Celtic roots first took hold. Instead of snowdrops, we watch wattles bloom. Instead of frozen earth, we see the first bees stir and listen to magpies’ herald longer days. It’s a season of slow renewal, a moment to pause, breathe, and plant seeds, literal and metaphorical.
A Brief History of Imbolc
Before it was candlelight and wheel-of-the-year graphics, Imbolc was a deeply practical, seasonal moment. It’s one of the four Celtic cross-quarter festivals, traditionally celebrated around February 1st in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the midway point between Winter Solstice (Yule) and Spring Equinox (Ostara).
Imbolc is thought to derive from the Old Irish word i mbolg, meaning “in the belly”, referring to the pregnancy of ewes and the return of milk, a vital turning point in an agrarian society. After the harsh scarcity of winter, milk meant nourishment. It meant survival.
It was a festival of purification, hope, and fertility. Sacred wells were visited. The hearth was ritually cleaned. Fires were lit in honour of Brigid, goddess of healing, poetry, midwifery, fertility, and smithcraft. People would craft Brigid’s crosses from rushes or straw and place them in their homes for protection and blessing.
As Christianity spread, Brigid was syncretised into Saint Brigid, and Imbolc became Candlemas, still a fire festival in its own way, with candles blessed and carried in procession to honour the light.
Today, many of us, witches, pagans, artists, animists, and nature lovers celebrate Imbolc as a gentle threshold. A seasonal pivot. A quiet reminder that spring is coming, even if we can’t quite see it yet.
In the Southern Hemisphere, we observe Imbolc around August 1st, or, astrologically, when the sun reaches 15° Leo (August 7th in 2025). While the traditional symbols like snowdrops and frozen earth may not apply here, the deeper themes still resonate:
✨ Renewal
✨ New life stirring
✨ Hope
✨ Light returning
✨ The spark of inspiration after a long dark
Imbolc is not just a date on the wheel, it’s a feeling.
The shift in the air. The urge to clear out the cobwebs. The sudden itch to create, clean, plan, or simply move after months of stillness. It’s the first birdsong. The blooming of wattle. The moment you realise you’re ready to begin again, softly.
Imbolc Altar with a Candle and Brigid’s Cross
Other Cultures at the Turning Point
Imbolc isn’t the only moment that honours the slow return of light. Across time and place, many cultures have marked this in-between season, when winter still lingers, but spring begins to stir beneath the surface.
Candlemas (Christian Europe – Feb 2)
Originally linked to Roman and Celtic traditions, Candlemas became a Christian festival of light. Candles were blessed and lit to symbolise the return of the sun. Rural communities would observe weather omens to predict how long winter might last, just like the old Imbolc weather lore.
Setsubun (Japan – early Feb)
Held just before the Japanese beginning of spring (Risshun), Setsubun is all about cleansing away the old season. People throw roasted soybeans while chanting, “Out with demons! In with good fortune!” A beautiful ritual of release and renewal.
Lambing Season (Celtic/agrarian traditions)
In many parts of Europe, late winter meant the return of lambs and the first milk, a literal and spiritual sign that life was returning to the land. This is the origin of the word Imbolc (“in the belly” or “milk of the ewes”).
Guling Season - Kulin Nations – Southeastern Australia, including Naarm
According to the Kulin seasonal calendar, Guling marks the pre-spring season.
Signs include:
Silver wattles blooming
Eels returning to the rivers
An increase in insect and bird activity
These natural cues echo Imbolc’s message: light is returning, slowly but surely.
As someone living and working on Wurundjeri Country, I honour the wisdom of this land and its traditional custodians. Imbolc might be a Celtic word, but the cycle of renewal belongs to all places, and here, it speaks through wattles, waterways, and local birdsong.
The Seed Spell: A Simple Imbolc Ritual for Here and Now
This year, I wanted a ritual that felt real. Not aspirational, not perfect, just honest. Something small, gentle, and accessible. A spell for those of us who are time poor, chronically ill, tired, or quietly holding things together. A ritual that meets us in the mess and the mundane.
There’s a neglected communal patch in my apartment complex, dry, grey, lifeless. The kind of space that gets overlooked. I’ve ordered a little collection of beneficial bug flower and herb seeds, mostly blue-toned blooms and lavender, all low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly, and cheerful. For Imbolc I am going to take theses seeds down to this sad little courtyard and scatter the seeds. As I scatter the seeds I will softly say to myself – “For colour, for joy,
for beauty to grow,
may this little patch
of earth softly glow.”
That’s it. That’s the spell.
A Simple Imbolc Ritual: The Seed Spell
You can try this too, adapt it to your energy, your body, your space. This one’s for everyone; however you identify. Witch, Muggle, Artist….
You’ll need:
A small packet of wildflower, herb, or native seeds
A patch of earth (a verge, a pot, a planter box, a crack in the pavement)
A warm drink and a quiet moment
Step 1. Ground yourself.
Take a breath. Feel the air on your skin. Sip something warm. Notice the subtle shift in season.
Step 2. Hold your seeds.
Feel the weight of them in your hand. These are small spells. Tiny sparks of possibility.
Step 3. Whisper a wish.
Something simple and true:
“For colour, for joy,
for beauty to grow,
may this little patch
of earth softly glow.”
Step 4. Scatter your seeds.
No fanfare. Just quiet magic. A gentle offering to the land.
Step 5. Let it go.
No pressure to check or track or perfect. Let nature take it from here. Trust the slow unfolding.
Modern Ways to Celebrate Imbolc
Imbolc doesn’t have to be elaborate, expensive, or historically “accurate.” In fact, the most powerful rituals are the ones that fit your life, your energy, and your space, especially if you’re time-poor, living with disability or chronic illness, or working within an urban/suburban setting.
Here are some gentle, modern ways to mark the season, whether you’re a practicing witch, a creative muggle, or simply someone feeling the stirrings of spring:
Light a candle
Symbolic and simple. Light a candle (real or battery-powered) to honour the return of light. Let it represent hope, warmth, creativity, or whatever you want to cultivate.
Plant a seed (literally or metaphorically)
Whether you scatter wildflowers in a courtyard (like I’m doing), pop herbs into a balcony pot, or jot down a creative idea in your journal, this is a beautiful time to plant something small and trust it will grow.
Clear a corner
You don’t need to deep-clean the whole house. Just choose one small area, your altar, your bedside table, your studio windowsill, and clear away what no longer serves. Imbolc is all about making space for the new.
Make a list of gentle intentions
Not goals. Not resolutions. Just a few quiet wishes for the season ahead. Think: “tend my nervous system,” “create something for joy, not outcome,” or “let myself rest without guilt.”
Make something with your hands
Paint, collage, stitch, scribble, even just for five minutes. Imbolc is ruled by Brigid, patron of the arts and inspiration. You don’t need a plan, just begin.
Work with milk (or a nourishing substitute)
In traditional Imbolc lore, milk symbolised life returning. Honour that by drinking a favourite warm beverage, cooking something creamy, or offering a splash to the earth as a quiet libation.
Honour the land you’re on
Here in Naarm/Melbourne, Imbolc aligns with Guling season in the Kulin calendar, when wattles bloom, eels return, and insects reappear. Noticing and honouring these local rhythms is a ritual in itself.
Rest — seriously
Imbolc is the start of the return, not the sprint toward spring. If all you do is light a candle and take a breath, that’s enough. You are part of the turning wheel, even in stillness.
Foods and Feasts for Imbolc
Imbolc marks the slow return of nourishment and abundance after winter’s lean months. Traditionally, it was a celebration of the first milk from ewes and the promise of new life. Food at Imbolc tends to be simple, hearty, and comforting, the kind of fare that feeds body and soul alike.
Here are some classic and contemporary ideas for your Imbolc table:
Dairy & Creaminess
Milk, butter, cream, cheese, yoghurt, these were symbols of fertility and nourishment. In colder climates, fresh dairy was a precious gift, signaling the lambing season and renewed life.
Modern idea:
A creamy porridge with honey and cinnamon
Warm milk infused with herbs (like chamomile or lavender)
A cheese platter with rustic bread and seasonal fruit
Breads and Grains
Bread, oatcakes, and porridge have long been staples. Grains symbolise the cycles of planting and harvest, even before the actual sowing began.
Modern idea:
Freshly baked bread or scones (easier if store-bought!)
Warm oatmeal or muesli with nuts and seeds
Buckwheat pancakes or flatbreads with herbs
Sweetness from the Earth
Honey, root vegetables, and seasonal fruits connect us to the land’s slow sweetness emerging from winter.
Modern idea:
Roasted pumpkin or sweet potato drizzled with honey
Carrot and beetroot salad with a lemon dressing
Herbal teas sweetened with local honey
Fresh Herbs & Wild Greens
Brigid is associated with healing and herbal knowledge, so fresh herbs, greens, and plants are perfect additions.
Modern idea:
A simple salad with nasturtium flowers, parsley, and lemon
Herb-infused butter or oils
A small bunch of fresh herbs tied with a ribbon as a table decoration or blessing
Simple, Slow-Cooked Foods
As Imbolc honours hearth and home, slow-cooked stews or soups warm the body and spirit.
Modern idea:
A lentil or vegetable stew with root vegetables and warming spices
A pot of golden pumpkin soup
Lentil dal or dhal, rich with turmeric and ginger
Seasonal and Symbolic Treats
Some traditions include special cakes or pastries, sometimes shaped like Brigid’s cross or decorated with seasonal symbols.
Modern idea:
A simple honey cake
Herb-infused biscuits or cookies
A small tart with seasonal fruit
Libations and Offerings
Milk or cream can also be used as a libation, a small offering to the earth or spirits to honour the cycle of giving and receiving. If you prefer non-dairy, a splash of water, herbal tea, or diluted juice works beautifully too.
A Note for Australia
Since our seasons are flipped and local ingredients vary, feel free to honour native plants and seasonal produce, wattleseed, finger limes, lemon myrtle, bush tomatoes, or macadamias can all be part of a truly local Imbolc feast.
Simple Imbolc Damper Recipe
Traditional Australian bush bread, perfect for celebrating Imbolc with a nod to the land
Ingredients:
2 cups self-raising flour (or plain flour + 2 tsp baking powder)
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk (or plant-based alternative)
2 tbsp melted butter or oil
Optional: 1 tbsp honey for a touch of sweetness
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
In a bowl, mix the flour and salt.
Add the melted butter and honey (if using).
Slowly add the milk and stir until it forms a soft dough. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times—don’t overwork it!
Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on the tray.
Score a cross on top with a knife (optional but traditional).
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden and cooked through (a skewer inserted should come out clean).
Let cool slightly before tearing apart and enjoying.
Locally Inspired Imbolc Feast Ideas
Celebrating the turning wheel with native ingredients and seasonal produce
Damper fresh from the oven, served with native lemon myrtle butter or wattleseed honey
Roasted golden pumpkin with a sprinkle of lemon myrtle and a drizzle of olive oil
Fresh wild greens salad with peppery warrigal greens or dandelion leaves, tossed with a simple lemon and olive oil dressing
A warming lentil and root vegetable stew with bush tomatoes or native pepper berries for a gentle kick
Herbal tea brewed with lemon myrtle, wattleseed, or peppermint, served warm to soothe the body
Sweet treat: Honey and macadamia nut biscuits or a simple lemon myrtle shortbread
A gentle reminder:
This feast doesn’t have to be complicated or exhausting. The spirit of Imbolc is about nourishment, renewal, and gentle beginnings. It’s perfect for small gatherings, solo rituals, or sharing with neighbours if you feel so moved.
Imbolc Art Journal Prompt: Seeds of Light
As the wheel turns and the light slowly returns, take a quiet moment to connect with the seeds stirring within you, ideas, dreams, parts of yourself waiting to grow.
Materials:
Your favourite art supplies, paints, pens, collage scraps, whatever calls to you today.
Prompt:
Begin by drawing or painting a seed, a bulb, or a flame, something small but full of potential.
Around it, create symbols or images that represent what you want to nurture this season. These can be feelings, intentions, relationships, or creative projects.
Reflect on:
What needs gentle tending right now?
What light can you bring to your own inner winter?
How can you hold space for slow growth and rest?
There’s no need to finish or perfect this page. Let it be a soft place you can return to throughout the season.
Oracle Insights: Imbolc 3-Card Spread
Here’s a gentle, intuitive DIY 3-card Oracle Spread called “Imbolc Insights”, perfect for connecting with Imbolc’s themes of renewal, light, and gentle beginnings.
How to Use:
Shuffle your deck with the intention of seeking guidance for this turning season, what you need to know or focus on as the light returns.
Card 1: The Seed
What new potential is quietly growing beneath the surface? What is ready to be planted, even if it’s just an idea or feeling?
Card 2: The Flame
What inner light do you need to nurture right now? What will keep your spark alive through the slow unfolding?
Card 3: The Harvest
What gifts or lessons will come from this season’s tending? How can you prepare to receive what is growing?
Spend a few moments journaling or simply sitting with the cards. What whispers or images arise? How can you carry this wisdom gently with you through the turning wheel?
Late Winter Studio Sounds
As Imbolc whispers the return of light, my studio fills with a gentle hum, a soundtrack for slow creativity and quiet tending.
This playlist is my companion for those soft, still days when energy is low but inspiration lingers just beneath the surface. It’s a blend of warm acoustics, ambient textures, and subtle rhythms, perfect for mixed media, journaling, or simply breathing with the season.
Whether you’re lighting a candle, scattering seeds, or simply resting, may these sounds hold space for your creative flame to flicker and grow.
Listen here:
Thank you for joining me in this gentle turning of the wheel. May your Imbolc be full of small sparks, slow growth, and deep nourishment—inside and out.
Bright blessings,
