Imbolc marks the beginning of Spring in the Celtic Wheel of the year.
It is also called St. Brigid’s day. Lá Feile Bríde.
Imbolc falls on February 1st.
Imbolc (i mbolg- modern Irish) means- in the belly – referring to lambing season, when ewes are pregnant.
Imbolc falls roughly half way between the Winter Solstice (December 21st) and the Spring Equinox (March 21st).
Imbolc marks the beginning of Spring.
If the weather on this day is good – it’s said to bring a longer winter.
If the weather on this day is bad this foretells that winter is almost over.
Brigid is a pagan goddess in Ireland. She is one of the most powerful and important goddesses. She was a member of the Tuatha Dé Dannan ( a supernatural race in Irish mythology – the folk of the gods and goddesses).
It is believed that Imbolc was a pagan festival before being Christianised, to be the feast of Saint Brigid’s day.
There are still many sites across Ireland dedicated to St. Brigid, many of which are holy wells.
There are many spellings of her name including ; Brighid, Brigid, Brigit and Bríd.
Brigid is a name that has a variety of meanings – strength, authority, power, vigorous.
In Ireland it is traditional to have Bonfires – they are connected with the Celtic and pagan festivals.
The wheel of the Celtic Year connects with Fire.
Imbolc is one of the four main Celtic pagan Festivals.
Imbolc in February to mark the start of Spring – St. Brigid’s day.
Brigid was a Fire Goddess in Irish Mythology.
Brigid’s crosses were put above house doors to protect from them Fire.
Bonfires celebrate Bealtaine in May to mark the start of summer.
Lughnasa (August, Harvest) and Samhain (Halloween, end of Harvest).
Today St. Brigid’s day is marked by the making of crosses. They are usually hung over doors or windows to welcome Brigid and for protection from fire, lightning, evil spirits and illness.
Usually made of rushes or straw – this tradition may have originally been adapted from the Celtic traditions of making effigies of the pagan goddess Brigid – the effigy (Brídeóg) would be dressed and placed with honour in a basket overnight.
This is a tradition still taught to children today and the crosses are still made and hung up over doors and windows to welcome spring.
What does this time of year mean to you?
As the days lengthen and Spring takes hold,
what are you allowing in your life to grow, to renew?
What are you cultivating?
What light are you letting in to your life?
What are you encouraging to grow in all aspects of your life?
What are you cultivating and growing within your self?
Physically, mentally, emotional and spiritually?
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