Imbolc sees the first stirrings of spring. Translated as "ewe's milk," this is the time when lambs are born, early flowers such as snowdrops and crocuses bloom, and ice and snow melt under the heat of days that grow longer. Brigid, the Irish goddess turned Catholic saint, is associated with this sabbat. Her focus on fertility and life speaks to the promise of hope that Imbolc brings.

Spiral Incense Holder
The spiral is one of the most enduring images associated with Imbolc. The Wheel of the Year continues to spin, revealing the seasons in their time. And Imbolc sees the continuation of this spiral as winter's hold begins to break, heralding the return of spring.

This craft uses the spiral's form to create an incense holder for your altar. You can use it to tap into that constantly renewing energy of Imbolc. The fact that the clay is moldable, and that you can reshape it if you don't like how it turns out the first time, makes it perfect for Imbolc, which is a time of new beginnings. Nothing is yet set in stone, and you can continue to shape and mold the clay until you are happy with the way it turned out.

You can decorate the spiral with crystals, stones, shells, and more to enhance the energies of Imbolc. Some suggestions for crystals include amethyst for protection, moonstone for transition, and carnelian for vitality.

Just like magic, crafting is the act of bringing your intentions into reality. As such, take some time to think about how you want to decorate your incense holder before you get started. Imbolc's energies range from fertility to rebirth to the end of winter, all of which you can tap into. Consider a theme for your incense holder. Maybe you want to keep with your New Year's resolutions (rebirth), and so for that you might include red jasper or clear quartz crystals. Maybe you want to bring more abundance into your life, so you add a coin to represent that.

As you are working the clay and shaping it into the spiral, think about what Imbolc means to you. What does renewal look like in your life? Is there something you'd like to start over? What new projects or outlooks would you like to begin now that it's the end of winter and the start of spring?

Materials

• White air-dry clay
• Crystals
• Shells
• Stones
• Optional: gesso, acrylic paint, paintbrush
• A small cup of water
• Incense stick or toothpick

Cost: $5–$20. When it comes to the decorations of the spiral, the craft can get costly depending on how much you spend. If you are on a budget, stick with what you already have on hand, or you can buy crystal chips, stone beads, and shells from hobby stores. Gesso and acrylic paints can be bought in small bottles for this craft.

Time spent: 20 minutes to make the spiral incense holder, and 24 hours for it to dry

Instructions
Create sacred space to work in according to your path. Take a ball of air-dry clay large enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Roll the ball between your hands, shaping it into a long tube resembling a spaghetti noodle or a worm. Roll it out about twenty inches long.

Starting from one end, begin to roll the tube up into a spiral shape. Continue to roll until you've reached the other end. If cracks form in the clay, wet your finger with some water to smooth them out.

Decorate your spiral, if you wish, by pressing stones, crystals, shells, or other items into the spiral. Leave the center clear, as this is where you'll poke the hole for your incense.

Using a toothpick or the wooden end of an incense stick, poke a hole into the center of the spiral. Go all the way through the clay. Leave the toothpick or stick in the clay until it dries.

Set the incense holder to the side where it can dry. Give it at least twenty-four hours to dry thoroughly. Once it has dried, if you want to paint your incense holder, start with a thin coat of gesso paint. This seals the clay so that the acrylic paints don't soak into it and weaken your work. Let the gesso dry and then paint it with the acrylics. Choose colors like yellow, green, or brown, which are associated with Imbolc. When painting with the gesso and acrylic paints, make sure not to cover the hole at the center of the incense holder. You can keep the toothpick or incense stick in the hole until the paint dries to ensure that it doesn't get filled in.

Once everything is dry, you can use your incense holder. Light your incense stick and place it in the holder at the center. The ash will fall on the spiral. You can then dump the ash after the incense has burned down.

Spiral Offering Bowl
You can alter the above craft to make an offering bowl for your altar. These types of spiral dishes, called coiled bowls, were some of the earliest types of bowls made. This craft is so easy you can make it with your children, allowing you to have a discussion about Imbolc, the spiral, and what it means to be a Pagan or a witch.

Materials

• White air-dry clay
• Optional: gesso, acrylic paints
• A small cup of water

Cost: $5–$20
Time spent: 20 minutes to make the spiral offering bowl, and 24 hours for it to dry

Instructions
Create sacred space to work in according to your path. Take a ball of air-dry clay about the size of your fist. Roll the ball between your hands, shaping it into a long tube resembling a spaghetti noodle or a worm. Make the tube about ¼ inch thick.

Starting from one end, begin to roll the tube up into a spiral shape. Continue to roll until you've reached the other end. If cracks form in the clay, wet your finger with some water to smooth them out.

As you are spiraling, curve up, making the walls of the bowl. You can use a wet finger to help "glue" the clay together as you spiral it up.

Set the bowl to the side where it can dry and give it at least twenty-four hours to dry thoroughly. Once it has dried, if you want to paint your bowl, start with a thin coat of gesso paint. This seals the clay so that the acrylic paints don't soak into it and weaken your work. Let the gesso dry and then paint it with the acrylics. Choose colors like yellow, green, or brown, which are associated with Imbolc.

Excerpted from Llewellyn's 2026 Sabbats Almanac.