Imbolg 2026

Last Monday (2nd February) I celebrated Imbolg (more commonly known as Imbolc). I normally celebrate on the 2nd but some people celebrate on 1st Feb (or from sundown on the 1st to sundown on the 2nd). And others may hold their celebrations on 31st January.

I usually make pancakes for this sabbat. They are a good fit for Imbolg. This year I made oatmeal pancakes (American style) again, using this recipe from Don't Waste the Crumbs: https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/oatmeal-pancakes/

I really had trouble getting the mix to come together this year! It was similar last year but I did get a couple more solid pancakes then. I was happiest with the pancakes the first year I made them (2021) and on Imbolg 2022.

They tasted quite nice though, except I put too much cinnamon in the mix! I used little pots of instant oatmeal like other years rather than buying a bag of porridge oats and plain flour instead of oat flour. Maybe they'd hold better with oat flour but I don't have a mixer or blender, so it woud be difficult to make.

I had them with butter and golden syrup. Here's a pic:

Doesn't look very neat but never mind! lol.

Maybe next year I'll try a different recipe! Pancake Day is coming up (Tuesday 17th February this year) and I normally make English pancakes (similar to crepes) for that. I'll share a few links to recipes down below. :)

I had planned to have lemonade  too but I did an online delivery order and they substituted it with Mexican lime soda. I didn't like as much as lemonade but it made a change!

In the evening I went to the park for sunset. In the past I've been to the beach for Imbolg (one time in recent years that stands out was 2022 when there was a lovely, fiery sunset) but it's easier for me to get to the park right now. The weather had been very dull and rainy, so I wasn't sure if I would go on Imbolg itself but it clered it up and went sunny. It was quite a nice sunset.

Here are a couple of photos:

 

View from by the park.

Sunset in Buckingham Park, Shoreham-by-sea.

Last Imbolg there was a light parade in the park but I didn't see anything this year.

The night before Imbolg/"Imbolg Eve" (or the start of it depending on your viewpoint), I lit a cream candle I'd already been using. I light candles because it's a fire festival and the light is growing stronger during this time of year. This is also a good time to use up old candles. I had wanted to get some tea lights to light in the park at sunset but didn't manage any to get any in time, so I used the same candle again.

I took some pictures but the candle was quite dusy looking since it had been sitting around for a while, so I won't post any! I also lit a white candle when I got home.

In the evening I made some hot chocolate (I've been making it for Imbolg for the past few years, rather than spicy hot milk which I prevously made). I used this recipe from Belle of the Kitchen, which I first made last year: https://belleofthekitchen.com/polar-express-hot-chocolate-recipe/

I used Green and Black's chocolate and cocoa. I had intended to also use some Bournville chocolate but had forgotten to get any, so I used some Bournville buttons that I had instead. 

So now we're moving towards the end of winter. Although there's still a while to go yet, there are signs of spring, like daffodils and the days getting longer. As I said in my autumn-winter update, we had a bit of snow in my area last month but it's been mostly rain with some sunny days. The temperature is still similar, a little bit warmer (up to 11C/51F during the day and 8C/46F at night).

The next sabbat will Oestara/Ostara  aka the Spring Equnox, which marks the "official" start of speing. (In the Southern Hemisphere it will be Madron/Mabon aka the Autumn Equinox.)  Its on 20th March this year. I'll do a post about my celebrations.

I hope everyone is doing ok, or as well as they can. I know that many people are going through a difficut time right now, especially in America and in Minnesota in particular.

Hope you had a good Imbolg!:) (Or hopre you had a good Lammas if you're in the Southern Hemisphere!) :) 

 

P.S. Here are a few Pancake Day related links:

The pagan roots of Pancake Day: https://www.history.co.uk/articles/the-pagan-roots-of-pancake-day 

Recipe for English pancakes (Something Sweet, Something Savoury): https://somethingsweetsomethingsavoury.com/english-pancakes/ 

Fluffy porridge pancakes recipe from Lavendar & Lovage (I may try this one next Imbolg!): https://www.lavenderandlovage.com/2012/09/celebrate-better-breakfast-week-with-new-zealand-honey-and-my-fluffy-porridge-pancakes-recipe.html 

 

Also check out my 2024 and 2025 Imbolg posts for more pancake links, plus mid-late winter inspiration: 

Imbolg 2024:  https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2024/02/imbolg-2024.html 

Imbolg 2025: https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2025/02/imbolg-2025.html