Wiccans celebrate a variation of Imbolc as one of four fire festivals, which make up half of the eight holidays (or sabbats), of the wheel of the year. Imbolc is defined as a cross-quarter day, midway between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara).

Among some traditions of Wicca, Imbolc is the traditional time for initiations. Imbolc is also considered a traditional time for rededication and pledges for the coming year.

Imbolc is also known as Candlemas. Modern Pagans have argued that Candlemas is a Christianizing of the Gaelic festival of Imbolc, which was celebrated in pre-Christian Europe at about the same time of year. This festival marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The term Imbolc translates as either in milk or in the belly, and marked the birth and nursing of the spring lambs as a sign of the first stirrings of spring in the middle of winter.

Imbolc is at a time of year when the world has been sleeping, covered still in a blanket of snow and ice. Yet, there is something stirring, the days are slightly brighter and the day is distinguishably longer with each passing day. The world has been sleeping but now is the time when Spring is just around the corner and the rebirth of the world is about to happen. Over the long dark winter we have had time to reflect on the past year, learn from what has passed and put a plan together for the coming year. Now that Imbolc is here it is time to put that plan into action. Prepare for the coming of Spring, make use of the fertility of your mind and plant the seeds of success for the coming year. The hard work in Spring will pay dividends in late Summer and Autumn when the harvest of life will come. A failure to plan is a plan to failure and will mean little or no harvest in the fields of your life.

Take time now to plan the year ahead of you so that you too can reap the benefits of your labour when the seeds you have planted grow and ripen for Harvest time.