Snowdrops by Morden Stream that runs into the River Tamar
Imbolc, also now known as Candlemas, has come to be associated with the Gregorian calendar dates of 1st/2nd February, but at Heaven & Earth Community we prefer to work with natural cycles rather than relatively recent calendar dates and so choose to honour Imbolc with the second New Moon after Winter Solstice - the same date as Chinese New Year.
Each year, we cease courses and close the shop at Winter Solstice and reopen at Imbolc, allowing ourselves to align our own rhythms with those of Earth, Sun and Moon - retreating to rest and dream in winter - gathering energy for longer days.
Imbolc marks the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Although at the end of January and beginning of February, we often find ourselves in the coldest part of the year, beneath the ground the seeds are stirring into life and our the roots and shoots of our dreamseeds, planted at Solstice, begin to unfurl.
Although the Solstices and Equinoxes are linked to the Sun and Earth, the cross quarters are associated with the agricultural history of our ancestors and Imbolc was linked to the lambing season. It is sometimes said that the word itself means either ‘ewe’s milk’ or ‘in the belly’, though history is long and we can’t really be certain of this.
Imbolc is associated with the Goddess Brid, Brig, Bride, Brigid, Brigit who became christianised at St Brigit. She is a powerful goddess of the land, a goddess of spring, daybreak, fertility, childbirth and mothers, healers, domesticated animals, poetry and much more. She is also a fire goddess - the goddess of smiths - and Imbolc is the time when, after the rest and retreat of winter, the fire within begins to glow and the seeds planted at Solstice begin to stir - but slowly - there is no hurry.
Bride is also Brigantia who gives her name to our ancient land - Britain.
Many prayers and offerings at St Brigid’s Well, Co. Clare, Ireland
Crystals for Imbolc
There are no ‘official’ crystals for Imbolc, whatever you may read!
Everyone’s experience is valid, but for me, when I think of the energy of Imbolc I think of ‘white’ crystals. White holds the energy of purity, peace, new beginnings, hope and much more.
Quartz
Clear, colourless Quartz is often called the ‘Master Crystal’ due to its wide range of application and versatility. It clears, cleanses and balances energy. It brings clarity, balance, alignment & harmony. It activates all systems of the body & all levels of consciousness.
For some people it can help to increase vitality when they lack energy or feel low; for others it can bring calmness and a feeling of wellbeing. It clears blockages & limitations at all levels of Being, protects against unwanted energies, increases awareness & promotes spiritual growth.
Quartz focuses and amplifies energy. It amplifies thought-forms, prayers & the effects of all other crystals, & can focus & enhance other forms of healing. Quartz amplifies the properties of all other crystals.
It comes from many places - Brazil, Arkansas, Himalayas, Madagascar, Morocco, Colombia and more. It comes in many forms - from raw chunks; crystals with single or double terminations; clusters; elestial, fenster, sceptre, faden, Lemurian, Herkimer Diamonds . . .
We have lots and lots - raw and polished - in the Crystal Barn and some have even made it to the shop!
Read more about Quartz here
Find raw, unpolished Quartz here and find polished Quartz here
Moon/Girasol Quartz
‘White’ Quartz varies from being totally clear to milky to opaque white. Milky Quartz is much less intense that Clear Quartz. It has the same properties but in a much softer way.
In early crystal writings, the very clear was considered to be masculine and the more milky was feminine, and it was often recommended that you find a pair - one for each hand. Maybe try that and see what you find.
A special kind of milky Quartz is Girasol or Moon Quartz. It comes from Madagascar and has a truly beautiful and quite magical opalescence. Moon Quartz is both gentle and powerful, with a subtle, quiet strength. It is very feminine and connects with Moon energy and cycles of creativity. It aids intuition and deep knowing and is a great dreaming stone.
Find it here
Snow Quartz
Snow Quartz is white and opaque. Often overlooked in favour of more striking or flashy stones, it is smooth and gentle bringing the clarity and expansiveness of Clear Quartz but in a much softer way. It encourages and supports intuition in a balanced way.
Snow Quartz can bring calm peace in times of turmoil, creating space for us to make sense of things and bring understanding.
Find Snow Quartz here
Clear/Ice Calcite
Calcite is a common mineral, found in many environments worldwide. It is the main mineral that makes stalagmites and stalactites and is found in a wonderful range of colours including clear/colourless orange, green, blue, aqua, honey, rosey red and occasionally black.
Clear Calcite is often mistaken for Clear Quartz but it is much softer and has a different sheen. It is easily scratched so you need to take care of it. If you keep Calcite tumblestones in bag with the Quartzes, including Smoky Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, Rose Quartz, Agates, Jaspers, the Calcite will be damaged quite quickly. This isn’t an esoteric thing; it’s physical.
As with the physical softness, the energy is much softer than Quartz. It isn’t a lightweight though. It has deep and profound qualities even though it ‘comes in gently’.
All the Calcites have a clearing, cleansing property and can feel quite refreshing. Clear Calcite is excellent for purification, especially of mind and spirit.
Find Calcite here
Howlite
Howlite is, in my opinion, one of the very overlooked stones and I really appreciate the gentle, calm presence. It is relatively inexpensive and so is readily available. In its natural state it is white with grey markings. It is very porous and it is often dyed rather lurid colours. Blue dyed Howlite is frequently sold as Turquoise.
Howlite is a beautifully calming stone that is often overlooked and undervalued. It settles fraught emotions and frazzled minds, enabling us to listen to the wisdom of our higher selves. Unusually for a white stone, it is also quite grounding and stabilising, though never heavy.
Find Howlite here
Selenite
Selenite is a clear or pearly form of gypsum that is named for the moon goddess, Selene.
It is very soft and can be scratched by a fingernail, so you need to take care of it and treat it gently. It is water soluble, so water cleansing methods are not suitable, but you need not worry that it will dissolve immediately. You can use smudge, but I think it really likes cleansing with pure sound, such as a singing bowl or tuning fork.
More common than the pure crystal form of Selenite is Satin Spar – a white fibrous mineral that is plentiful, inexpensive and therefore very accessible. Because of the soft nature of this stone, it is easily carved and polished into many shapes.
Selenite helps us to connect with the highest frequency of pure light energy.
In my experience, Selenite seldom needs cleansing. If it gets dusty, clean with a soft paintbrush and cleanse with smudge, sound, prayer.
Read more about Selenite, including how to use it to keep your energy field clean and bright.
