From sundown on February 1st, through February 2nd is IMBOLC
( also called St Brigid’s day, Bride’s Day, and several other names)
* beeswax candles
* Rosemary, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cinnamon
* Brigid’s cross, Corn Dolly & Spring Flowers
* Colors of White, Orange, Red
Although it is considered a Gaelic holiday – attributed to the Celts,
ancient Egyptians, Babylonians and indigenous groups around the world celebrated an equivalent holiday.
The term ‘Imbolc’ derives from Old Irish and means “in the belly,” or alternately “ewe’s milk.” Showing the important link between this celebration and honoring the beginning of the “birthing” and planting season.
The interpretation further lends understanding to the holiday as a celebration of fertility, reproduction and youth – all overseen by the Goddess Brigid.
Imbolc falls on the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
This ancient holiday observes the waning of winter and the physical manifestation of earth’s energy rising, as spring slowly begins to awaken.
It is the first moments of rebirth, after winter’s death,
and so considered a time for miracles.
With these earliest hints of spring’s approach,
we recognize and celebrate the importance of new life and new beginnings.
After months of turning inward, life is slowly beginning to wake up again.
We are able to get the first glimpse of what will be emerging from the dark period of reflection and healing
… of what is about to be birthed with the Spring, for the year ahead.
Imbolc is a festival of FERTILITY
and of FIRE & LIGHT
– one of 4 Celtic “Fire Festivals”.
It was once marked in Europe with huge blazes, torches and fire in every form.
Pagans often use fire and other forms of light to encourage the lengthening of day.
Fire represents our own illumination and inspiration, as much as light and warmth.
Imbolc is a time of purification and renewal, through the power of the Sun.
The lighting of candles and fires, further honor the sun’s lengthening periods of light and its warmth which fertilizes the Earth.
It is traditional upon Imbolc, at sunset or just after ritual,
to light every lamp in the house – if only for a few moments.
Or, light candles in each room in honor of the Sun’s rebirth.
If snow lies on the ground outside, walk in it for a moment, recalling the warmth of summer, while tracing an image of the Sun on the snow.
Imbolc is a time for spring cleaning.
Some clean their homes, take ritual baths and de-clutter their lives in other ways.
This is believed to create space for THE GODDESS to come into people’s lives,
and for “new seeds” to take root in the coming spring.
Imbolc also marks the changing of the Goddess from
the Crone {winter – wisdom – end stages of life}
to the MAIDEN {spring – youth – fertility}.
It is a day of celebrating the Celtic Triple Goddess BRIGID.
{Triple Goddess representing The Maiden. The Mother. The Crone. }
She is the Goddess of Poetry, Healing, Smithcraft, and Midwifery.
Thus begins a time for communing with her.
Though the tradition is strongly tied to The Goddess Brigid,
PERSEPHONE – also a triple goddess and aspect of GAIA (Mother Earth)
is connected to Imbolc, as well.
Spring is the time when Persephone awakens and begins to re-emerge from her period in the underworld, bringing her blessings with the return of the sun’s light.
{more on Persephone here}
~ Jill ♡
