Pagan Holly

It’s been one full turn of the Wheel of the Year for me and this blog. I plan to discuss all the sabbats again in 2020, but rather than repeat last year’s format, I’m trying something new. If you’re interested to know the history, science, and common modern approaches to Imbolc, as well as how I fumbled my way through my first-ever Pagan holiday, check out last year’s Imbolc post . This year, I’m sharing my experiences of the sabbats in pictures. I decorated for Imbolc with handmade fabric bunting. I’m actually in the process of making one of these buntings for every sabbat. I chose white and gold for Imbolc; the internet suggests white, gold, yellow, orange, and red as appropriate Imbolc colors, but I feel like that’s a bit much for this snowy and sedate holiday. I chose white for snow and yellow/gold as a reminder of the returning light. I also put up some decorative lights. I think it’s silly that HOAs and nosy neighbors insist that people take down their “Christmas” lig...

Imbolc! Could there be a better time to start a new project like this blog? Imbolc is a time of renewal, awakening, and potential. It’s a good time to set intentions and create space for new beginnings. So here I am, getting started. I’m Holly, and I’ve recently—as in, within the last month—decided to start living my life as Pagan. I’m not new to Paganism; in fact, it’s something that’s been nudging the edges of my consciousness since I was ten years old. But this Imbolc, I’m setting an intention to call myself Pagan and practice my spirituality on a daily basis. I don’t know what the future holds, but for the next full cycle of the Wheel of the Year at least, I’m Pagan. I figure I’ll sort out the details—and document them here—as the Wheel turns. Here’s what I know about Imbolc. Scientifically speaking, it’s one of the cross-quarter days: a day that falls halfway between a solstice and an equinox. Here in the northern hemisphere, Imbolc is halfway between the winter solstice, c...