Herbs for Imbolc
Imbolc is the cross-quarter festival of the Celtic calendar, marking the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It is a time that marks the awakening of the inner fire and spark of life. Candles are made and lit at this time to represent this awakening, and as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the light never truly leaves us. The days are lengthening and there is a quickening happening, as nature knows that spring is right around the corner. The awakening energies start to emerge after hibernation, in preparation of the coming active seasons of the year. This is a great time to plant the seeds (ideas/dreams) we have been incubating on during the winter, and feed and nurture them as they grow. Much like a seed put into the earth or a baby in the womb, it takes time and energy for these seeds to become the fruit of the future. We can see this represented in the meaning of Imbolc, “in the belly”. During this phase many folks choose to strengthen their intuition, which helps their choices in determining which seeds to sow and which to compost.
In Celtic tradition, and especially in Ireland, the Goddess Brigid is honored at this time. The Triple Goddess has become her virgin self again, marking the rebirth of the coming year. The light has finally returned and we have survived the darkest depths of winter. During Imbolc, Holy wells and sacred springs are visited and honored in Brigids name, as they represent her life giving and healing waters. We come from the watery womb and are birthed into the river of life. People visit and maintain these sacred sites, as well as partake in cleansing rituals in preparation for the shifting season. Time to release the old and stagnant energies bult up from a winter of hardy foods, and inactivity. These rituals could take many forms such as, spring cleaning, saunas, sweats, clearing clutter, herbal detoxing, burning sage, yoni steams, salt scrubs as well as cleaning stones, crystals and other ritual items.
You don’t have to be Celtic to observe this time of year. In fact, all traditional peoples of the northern hemisphere have a culturally different name, celebration, and stories for this seasonal transition. These are guideposts to help people ease through this quickening time until spring. And of course, all these traditional people had the help of medicine plants to guide them during this process. I encourage folks to look into their own ancestry and cultures to see what celebrations and herbs have been important to their specific heritage and incorporate these practices in their healing modalities at this time.
The herbs I seek out during Imbolc help to increase my inner fire, cleanse toxins and awaken my intuition. And I recommend these herbs because of their widespread accessibility and their ease in growing in northern climates. Also, Imbolc marks the time when we are at 15 degrees of Aquarius. This astrological sign rules the ankles, calves, nervous system, adrenal system and circulation of blood and lymph. This gives us another guidepost to see what bodily systems to work with and what herbs to assist us at this time
Angelica (Angelica archangelica, arguta, genuflexa, artropurpurea)
Angelicas warming aromatic oils and resins help bring warmth and circulation to the extremities as well as the digestive system. Increasing the ability to digest food (experiences, emotions) with its spicy, warming and carminative actions. It also helps to clear mucus from the lungs, releasing sickness and stuck grief. The release of this stuck and stagnant energies helps bring us in to the present, breathing deeper into our aware selves. Angelica is known as a Bear Medicine. Such Bear energies resonate at this time, as bears hibernate in the winter, digesting the fruits and successes of last year and dreaming the seeds (and cubs) of a new life. And as Sean Padraig O’Donogue writes in his book The Forest Reminds Us Who We Are, “Bear Medicines all serve to facilitate the movement from darkness and stillness to motion and light, their bitterness grounds us into our bodies, and their hardy aromatic scents melt tension to allow the blood stirred by the heat to move through the body.” Well put if you ask me, and much needed this time of year. Angelica archangelica has traditionally been worn for protection and is sacred to the Sammi peoples as a journeying herb. I find it helps connect us to higher states of being and the angelic realms while still being connected to the here and now.
I love all things angelica. A strong tea drank after a meal or poured on to hot rock during a sauna or sweat is amazing. And I always have a tincture on hand, both as a digestive bitter and to help with my circulation. My favorite and preferred method of ingestion is as an infused wine. I chop the root up (fresh or dried, whatever you have access to) pack into a mason jar and pour a good red wine over it, submerging all the roots. After about a week of macerating it can be used. Of course, the longer it sits the better. Just a tablespoon to half a shot glass is all one needs to feel the spirts lifted and digestion improved. My whole body becomes warm and relaxed, and I notice that it helps me to be more present with my family after a long day out in the garden.
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
Yes, that’s right, just regular garden variety Rosemary. Culinary herbs just don’t get enough credit for being the Big Medicines that they are. Why else do you think everyone knows them and has access to them? Rosemary is said to be the herb of remembrance. It helps with circulation throughout the whole body including the brain and is in fact a nootropic with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Which has been very useful for my recent anemia indued brain fog and poor circulation. It is warming, spicy and aromatic. It increases oxygenation and metabolism which aids in the burning up of blood sugars and fats. Which as Mathew wood states, in his book the Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism, “(Rosemary)strengthens all functions of the body but especially that of the heart and brain.” Which, as a side note, is good for diabetic’s and migraines.
When we think of memories and remembrance, I feel the first places we are aware of our memories is in our brains and our hearts. Some memories are worth keeping, others can dog our dreams and create an endless loop of pain and suffering. Thankfully, Rosemary helps us to not just remember, but also helps to release painful memories so we can move forward in life with more ease. One can utilize the medicine of Rosemary internally as a tea, tincture or herbal wine (its lovely in a white) or externally as a poultice, bath, steam or hydrosol/essential oil. For folks wishing to let go of painful memories, I recommend placing the rosemary in whatever form they choose, in the specific area they are holding the memory. Doing a yoni or genital steam of rosemary leaves is particularly good for helping release the painful memories we can all hold in these areas. Lastly, Rosemary also holds space for ancestral remembrance, helping us to remember where we came from, and how to connect with what we are working towards healing in this lifetime.
Nettle, Urtica dioica
Nettle leaves restore our vitality, builds and cleanses our blood and all bodily systems, strengthens our nervous system and cleanses by increasing our metabolic function, thus helping to alleviate seasonal allergies. Nettles helps transition our bodies into the spring and prepares us for the active work the coming year has to offer. Building up our nutritional reserves, while removing what is no longer needed, so we have the strength and stamina to nurture the seeds we sow at this time. The seed and leaf tea tonify the kidneys and adrenals, and it is recommended by herbalists for adrenal burnout and kidney failure. Which are two body systems that are associated with the winter season. Winter times are hard, both because of the harsh weather and the dive into the darkness of our shadow selves, whether we like it or not. It can be painful to look within and into the dark aspects of our selves, many challenges arise, and many changes take place when we are in the death and rebirth phase of the year. Imbolc signals the shift towards light, signals that we made it though, and nettles help to restore us, build up our bodies and nourishes our nerves so we can move forward with more ease. Nettle can be taken internally as food, tincture and my favorite as a tea.
Imbolc is a fantastic time to initiate healing and to re-member ourselves by reclaiming the parts of our selves or lives we have forgotten. May these herbs be a doorway to help connect you to health, wellbeing and happiness for the coming seasons.