Imbolc is fast approaching – can you believe it’s almost February? If you’re looking for ways to celebrate, here’s an excerpt from the Lavender + Lupine School’s Imbolc course, a mini course all about Imbolc! If you’d like the full course, you can enroll here for just $15. Otherwise, enjoy this tutorial!

Brigid’s crosses are meant for protection of the home. Keep yours on your altar, at your doorway, or over the hearth to invite protective energies into your space.

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One of the symbols of Imbolc is called a Brigid’s Cross, named for the goddess Brigid. It’s not known how the cross originally came to be: some say it’s meant to represent the sun or the crossroads, both of which are associated with Brigid. It is, however, one of the many Pagan symbols that was later adopted by Christians as Paganism began to be stamped out. Today you’ll see this cross commonly associated with St. Brigid, but its roots date back far earlier to ancient Pagan days.

Although it looks a little complicated, it’s actually really easy to make your own! Traditionally, Brigid’s crosses are made from reeds, straw, or rushes, but I made mine out of pipe cleaners because they were easier to find and I could choose the colors.

As you weave your pieces together, envision the return of the sun after a long winter. Use this as a meditative way to connect with the world around you and feel the same energies our ancestors would have felt years ago as the seasons began to change. Once finished, you can hang it on your wall or use it to decorate your altar for the Sabbat.

You will need:

• Pipe cleaners, straw, reeds, or another slightly stiff material that can be bent
• String or twine to tie off the ends (optional, as you can always tie the ends with the same material it’s made of)

Step One: Place one pipe cleaner (or whatever you’re using) down on a flat surface.

Step Two: Fold another pipe cleaner in half. Sandwich the first straight pipe cleaner between the two halves of the second so that the second one sits about halfway up the first.

Step Three: Turn the whole thing 90 degrees. Fold a third pipe cleaner in half. Sandwich the second pipe cleaner between the two halves of the third.

Step Four: Turn the whole thing 90 degrees. Fold a fourth pipe cleaner in half and sandwich the third between its two halves. You should now have a cross shape.

Step Five: Continue around the cross until you feel it looks finished. You can aim to use a number of pipe cleaners that’s significant to you if you’d like – it’s common to use 12 or 16, but I just went with what I thought looked best. Once it’s done, tie off the ends using either string or extra pipe cleaners so that it keeps its final shape.

A tip: I thought there would be more weaving involved in this, but there’s really none at all – you’re literally just folding each pipe cleaner in half around the rest of the pipe cleaners. Don’t worry if it looks wonky at first, it all comes together once you tie the ends off (at least in my opinion!)

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How are you celebrating Imbolc this year? Do you have any favorite traditions? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts!