What Does IMBOLC Mean?

Imbolc is a word of Gaelic origin and translates as ‘in the belly.’ It refers to a festival dedicated to the Celtic goddess Brigid which is celebrated from the 1st to the 2nd of February (Mass of Light). In the hermetic sense, it means ‘new beginning,’ ‘awakening,’ ‘purification,’ ‘rebirth,’ and ‘initiation’ – terms which are of fundamental importance for us.

But for us, the word Imbolc also is an acronym, composed of the following first letters of the sentence ‘Internationale Magische Bildungsstätte Für Okkulte Lebenskunst’. The English translation roughly translates as: ‘International Magical Education Institute for the Occult Art of Living’.

What Does The IMBOLC Symbol Represent?

The logo is a magical symbol or sigil, which consists of all letters of the word IMBOLC and results in a figure, which in turn represents the following:

Top right you see a stylized, oval head (the mind), meaning the ‘O,’ then follows a curved line to the left as the figures spine, followed by lines, which are the thighs and lower legs, as well as the long feet which pull themselves down from the left to the right, again as a curved line and represents the earth or the underworld at the same time, on which human being is standing. Simultaneously to the left of the head, a curved line is moving downwards, representing the arms touching the ground. Finally, in the middle, there is a kind of ‘supporting’ perpendicular line that connects the top curved line (the back of the figure) with the curved bottom line (the feet and ground also) – of the figure. This vertical connecting line symbolizes support that man needs to connect the above with the below. And last but not least: The upper and lower curved lines again represent the hermetic keyword as above so below.

Maybe it will take some time before you can see the figure, its limbs, and the resulting symbolism.

What Is IMBOLC?

IMBOLC is a magical initiation school, educational institution, and working group with hermetic interest. Our students come from all backgrounds and ways of life and are educated, trained, and mentored in the occult, hermetic and magical arts and sciences. Our training and supervision is conducted by long- standing experienced Occultists, Hermeticians and Magicians.

We concentrate on the individual development of each student, which is why we are not a magical organization in the classical sense, let alone a magical order or lodge. We do not hold affiliations to any other occult organisation.

When And Why Was IMBOLC Founded?

IMBOLC was founded on the actual day of Imbolc, i.e., from 1st to 2nd of February of the year MCMXCII (1992), era vulgaris.

From its inception its purpose has been to offer everyone, who holds serious interest in the so-called ‘occidental secret teachings’ (i.e., Magic, Hermetic, Neoplatonism, Gnosticism and Kabbala) – regardless of gender, religion and nationality – the opportunity to be educated in “occidental, holistic magic” in a well-founded way and without secrecy or the conceit of secret lodges or magical orders.

The training takes place under constant awareness of the personal responsibility for one’s magical work. This relates to the ethical and moral cornerstones of one’s actions. In relation to this we look beyond the classical magical literature and also include philosophical writings in our curriculum. For example, the Categorical Imperative of Immanuel Kant is fundamental to our approach to applied magic.

What Does IMBOLC Offer?

A profound, demystified, and paradigm-based, comprehensive distance learning course of Occidental or Western Magic, addressing both theory and practice. Our credo is the development of each student to become an independent and experienced magical practitioner, without any sense of false orthodoxy or standardisation.

How Independent is IMBOLC?

We work completely independently on all sides. We hold no affiliations to other magical orders, covens, magical organizations or associations and circles. We’re entirely self-sufficient and concentrated on our work.

Does IMBOLC Leverage A Degree Based System?

Yes. However, not in the sense of a magical order. We exam the knowledge and the applied skills and abilities of our students after each lesson plan, which we call Teaching Letter. According to our didactical distance learning system, which has been in place since 1992, the student’s progress is then mapped onto the ten Sefirot (emanations) and the 22 Netibot (paths or lines) of the Hebrew Etz Chjim, the Tree Of Life.

A progression in the degree system is guaranteed when all theoretical and practical examinations of a course (double- semester) have been passed – generally 4 theoretical and 4 practical exams per double-semester.

However, these degrees must not be understood hierarchically. It’s important not to confuse training in Occidental Magic with any secular school system or, for example, with the usual ranks in the military. The degrees or grades are only indicators of a certain range of knowledge and skills; they are qualitative archetypes, which represent the knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities of each student. Not more, not less.

Can I Also Teach Myself Magical Arts Alone With The Help Of Magical Primers?

What applies to books in general also applies to all writings about Occidental Magic: there are good and bad ones and many in between. However, many of these books and writings were written by people who were only theoretically interested in magic and wrote more or less syncretic plagiarisms. Great magicians such as Agrippa of Nettesheim are not exempt from this. That alone is not a crime since it often shows the enormous accumulated knowledge of those authors, and of course, the practical magus profits from it. But one should always keep in mind that such authors usually could not fall back on a wealth of first-hand experience. This must be taken into account when studying such writings.

Also, rather disadvantageous for a beginner are allegedly advanced magical primers and Kafkaesque bestsellers. These include works such as the superstitious conglomeration of the ‘6th And 7th Book Of Moses,’ the ‘Necronomicon,’ or the ‘Satanic Bible.’

Furthermore, it is also a decisive difference if the authors are or were members of magical orders. In such case, their writings are of course coloured accordingly, transport a corresponding message, and tend to be positively biased towards their own magical organisations. Still, there is a silver lining: Especially in the Anglo-Saxon world recently, very well-founded works from experienced practitioners have been made available.

Of course, it can advantageous from an authentic order or an experienced magician as their personal apprentice. Yet, how will a beginner be able to decide whether these people actually are as experienced and skilled as they claim to be?

In the beginning, your main tools are your intuition, your common sense, and your ability to think critically. In this sense the same applies to magicians as well as to their organizations: If you are interested in joining an active order, be always careful of too much secrecy, taciturn contact persons, eccentric appearance, rigid orthodoxy and dogmatic occult terminology.