Out With The Old and In With The New: Imbolc 2023
Welcome back, my witchy lovelies and many blessings for this most anticipated sabbat of Imbolc. I have been so looking forward to this year’s celebration, as I know many others have as well. This space between Yule and Imbolc often can feel very stagnant; the excitement of the winter holiday season and new year has dissipated and left in its wake is a lingering period of lowered energy. In honesty, many of us do need this opportunity to recover and recharge ourselves, however it can at times make one feel very heavy and isolated.
The Times They Are A Changin’
Imbolc is that refreshing breeze of change that we so crave; one that carries with it the promise of the rebirth of spring. Traditionally, this is when we begin to prepare ourselves for the upcoming season of planting and celebrate the joy of watching as nature begins to wake back up. For me, this time is an opportunity to truly and firmly set intentions for the year and begin to put action to them. On top of that, it is also vital to look to see if there is anything that can be discarded because it no longer suits the path or goals set. Whether those things are habits or behaviours that have been outgrown or more tangible things, removing them clears a path for the good that is being cultivated.
Brigid, Sacred Goddess Of Wisdom and Kindness
If you are having difficulty deciding what to nurture and what to let go of this Imbolc (which believe me, I totally understand), now is a wonderful opportunity to seek out the goddess Brigid and beseech her for guidance.
Brigid is one of the most influential figures of the Celtic pantheon and is the patroness who oversees matters in the realms of poetry, fertility, motherhood, smithing, and healing, as well as serving as a goddess of both the elements of fire and water. She is a fierce defender of mothers and children, as well as favoring writers, smiths and all those that craft with their hands. She welcomes those that are lost, sick, or injured to rest by her fire and heals them with waters from her sacred wells. Brigid is often viewed as a triple goddess; embodying the fiery passions of the inspired, the nurturing hand of a healer or mother, and the time tested wisdom of the skilled worker.
If you are looking for guidance or healing from Brigid, light a white candle and repeat this prayer below:
Blessed Brigid, Keeper of sacred fires
I light this candle
To guide me through these darkened times
So I may find illumination in your divine wisdom.
Warrior goddess, lend me your strength
So I may make my way through the trials
To forge myself into the person worthy of your honor.
Mother Brigid, wielder of healing waters
Bless us with fruitful abundance
As the Earth is beautifully reborn, so are we.
So Mote It Be.
Recipe: Honey Oat Pancakes with Cinnamon Honey Butter
Imbolc at its core is a festival celebrating abundance and creation of new life and Brigid in turn is honored at this time for her influence as a goddess of fertility and protector. Some of her most favored offerings share in these intentions, such as oats (prosperity), honey (love/healing), eggs (fertility), milk (fertility/spirituality), and butter (goddess/lunar energy).
This inspired us to create a riff on the classic pancake; Our version adds in old fashioned oats and oat milk to the batter and just a kiss of sweetness from the honey, to further honor Brigid and double down on the abundant and fertile energy of Imbolc.
I won’t tell you that these are the fluffiest, lightest pancakes you’ve ever had, because that just wouldn’t be true. I will say that these are hearty, delicious, so simple to make and nearly irresistible when topped with our cinnamon honey butter. Check out the recipe below!
Honey Oat Pancakes with Cinnamon Honey Butter
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour (abundance)
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (prosperity)
- 2 tsp baking powder (action to spellwork, uplifting energies)
- 3/4 tsp sea salt (protection)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (abundance, protection)
- 1 3/4 cup oat milk (prosperity)
- 1-2 Tbsp honey (healing, love, wisdom)
- 3 Tbsp salted butter, melted and cooled slightly (lunar energy)
- 2 large eggs (fertility)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (love, joy)
- 5 Tbsp salted butter, softened
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp honey
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, oats, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the oat milk, eggs, honey, butter, and vanilla until fully combined.
- Pour your wet ingredients into your dry mix and stir until just combined.
- Heat a small saute pan or a griddle pan over low heat and spray with cooking spray or prepare with butter.
- Pour out pancakes to your desired size and allow them to cook on the first side until the edges are becoming golden brown.
- Flip carefully and allow the otherside to cook until golden brown and repeat with the rest of the batter.
- To keep your pancakes warm, set your oven to 300 degrees F and place your already made pancakes on a sheet tray while the rest finish cooking.
- Top with cinnamon honey butter and a drizzle more of honey if desired. Enjoy!
- In a small bowl, combine the honey and cinnamon with the softened butter until fully combined and smooth.
- Dollop onto pancakes if desired. Any extra butter can be covered and stored in your fridge for later usage. Alternatively, you can roll it into parchment paper and wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in your freezer.
