Imbolc: New Beginnings & Sacred Flames
We explore stories of judges and heroes while celebrating the first stirrings of spring.
Teaching Note: Hebrew hero stories are studied as literature alongside Celtic and other traditions, finding common wisdom.
UU Principle Focus
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Joshua & New Beginnings
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Joshua led people into a new land. What new beginnings are you facing?
📚 Language Arts
Read Joshua story as literature. Write about starting something new
✖️ Math
Perimeter - measuring around. Walls of Jericho
🌱 Science
Sound waves - how sound travels, echoes
✏️ Form Drawing
Circular forms - walls, boundaries
🧶 Handwork
Build a simple wall from blocks or clay
📖 Story
Joshua and Jericho (as myth)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Imbolc marks first stirrings of spring - new beginnings
Abrahamic:
Joshua leads people into the promised land
Connection:
Both traditions celebrate crossing into new territory
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Joshua Story animated
- How Sound Works
Shows:
- Ancient Walls
Audio:
- Joshua for Children
Week 2: Brigid & Sacred Flames
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Brigid tends the sacred flame. What flame of creativity or hope do you tend?
📚 Language Arts
Read Brigid stories. Compare to other fire-keeper traditions. Write about your inner flame
✖️ Math
Area - measuring space inside. Square units
🌱 Science
Fire and light - how flames work, candle science
✏️ Form Drawing
Flame and cross forms - Brigid's cross
🧶 Handwork
Make Brigid's crosses from rushes or straw
📖 Story
Brigid the Fire-Keeper (Celtic)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Brigid keeps the sacred flame of inspiration and healing
Abrahamic:
The eternal flame burned in the Temple
Connection:
Both traditions honor sacred fires that must never go out
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Brigid Stories
- Candle Science
Shows:
- Celtic Traditions
Audio:
- Goddess Stories
Week 3: Judges & Leadership
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Judges helped people solve problems. How do you help solve problems?
📚 Language Arts
Read about Deborah as literature. Write about a leader you admire
✖️ Math
Problem solving - multi-step word problems
🌱 Science
Decision making - how our brains solve problems
✏️ Form Drawing
Tree forms - the palm tree where Deborah sat
🧶 Handwork
Create a problem-solving game or puzzle
📖 Story
Deborah the Judge (as literature)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Wise women and druids served as judges and advisors
Abrahamic:
Deborah was a prophet and judge who led Israel
Connection:
Both traditions honor wise leaders who guide communities
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Deborah Story animated
- Brain Games for Kids
Shows:
- Women Leaders
Audio:
- Bible Heroines
Week 4: Samson & Strength
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Samson had great physical strength. What other kinds of strength are there?
📚 Language Arts
Read Samson story as literature. Write about inner strength vs outer strength
✖️ Math
Weight and mass - how strong is strong?
🌱 Science
Muscles - how our bodies get strong
✏️ Form Drawing
Strong forms - pillars, columns
🧶 Handwork
Physical challenges - building strength
📖 Story
Samson (as myth)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Heroes like Cú Chulainn had supernatural strength
Abrahamic:
Samson's strength came from his uncut hair
Connection:
Both traditions explore the source and limits of power
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Samson Story animated
- How Muscles Work
Shows:
- Strong People
Audio:
- Hero Stories
Week 5: Ruth & Loyalty
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Ruth stayed loyal to Naomi. Who are you loyal to? Who is loyal to you?
📚 Language Arts
Read Ruth story as literature. Write about friendship and loyalty
✖️ Math
Fractions review - gleaning portions of the harvest
🌱 Science
Wheat and grain - how grain grows and is harvested
✏️ Form Drawing
Wheat stalk forms
🧶 Handwork
Grain crafts, bread making
📖 Story
Ruth and Naomi (as literature)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Loyalty to clan and kin is central to many Pagan traditions
Abrahamic:
Ruth's loyalty: 'Where you go, I will go'
Connection:
Both traditions value faithfulness in relationships
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Ruth Story animated
- Wheat Growing
Shows:
- Friendship Stories
Audio:
- Ruth for Children
Week 6: Samuel & Listening
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Samuel learned to listen. How do we listen for guidance?
📚 Language Arts
Read Samuel's calling as literature. Write about a time you listened carefully
✖️ Math
Patterns - listening for patterns in numbers
🌱 Science
Hearing - how our ears work
✏️ Form Drawing
Spiral ear forms
🧶 Handwork
Sound activities - listening games
📖 Story
Samuel's Calling (as literature)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Druids and seers listened for messages from nature and spirits
Abrahamic:
Young Samuel hears God calling his name at night
Connection:
Both traditions value quiet listening for guidance
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Samuel Story animated
- How Ears Work
Shows:
- Listening Skills
Audio:
- Samuel for Children
Week 7: Imbolc Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Imbolc ritual - light candles, welcome returning light, bless seeds for planting
📚 Language Arts
Write poems about new beginnings. Create a spring blessing
✖️ Math
Review area and perimeter. Garden planning math
🌱 Science
Early spring signs - what's waking up in nature?
✏️ Form Drawing
Create an Imbolc border with flames and early spring forms
🧶 Handwork
Candle blessing, seed starting, Brigid's crosses
📖 Story
Share favorite stories of new beginnings
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Imbolc celebrates Brigid and the first signs of spring
Abrahamic:
Candlemas blesses candles for the coming year
Connection:
Both traditions celebrate light growing stronger
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Imbolc Traditions
- Candlemas
Shows:
- Early Spring
Audio:
- Spring Stories
🕯️ Imbolc Celebration
- 🟡 Light candles to welcome returning light
- 🟡 Make Brigid's crosses from rushes or straw
- 🟡 Start seeds indoors for spring planting
- 🟡 Clean and bless your home
- 🟡 Look for first signs of spring