The Coming of Imbolc.....The coming of Spring!!

Celebration of "Imbolc" February 2nd, 2007

The ancient Lunar fire festival Brigid occurs on February 2nd, it is also called Imbolg which means "around the belly" in ancient Irish.

This title refers to the womb of the mother earth as the land or soil. It is a festival of waxing light and purification, heralding the potential of spring.

The Goddess Brigid

Brigid (also called Brid (pronounced 'breed') Bride, Bridhe or Bridget) was such a beloved goddess that a festival was held in her honor. Brigid was embraced most by the Celtic Irish, and is one of the few ancient deities to survive well in modern times as St. Brigid. In Ireland, her popularity rivals that of St. Patrick.

Brigid was seen as a maiden goddess, and in some Scottish stories, she is rescued from the Cailleach (Hag) of winter by her lover Angus. This symbolic story recognizes the first hints of spring and the new quickening of nature's energy's after the winter's sleep.

Imbolc Customs

Even though Imbolc occurs at the coldest time of the year, it marks the time at which days become noticeably longer. Oimelc, an alternative name for this festival, means "sheep milk", as this is the lambing season.

Rituals included re-lighting the Brigid fire which was the sacred fire at Cill Dara (Kildare), the Church of the Oak. At one time the fire was tended by nineteen priestesses and later a group of Catholic nuns.The celebration signals the middle of the season of long nights and anticipates the upcoming season of light.

Celebrants would make Corn Maidens from corn and wheat. The Maidens are dressed up and placed in a cradle known as a "Bride's Bed," as Bride or Brid was another name for Brigid. A wand, usually tipped with an acorn or other large seed, is placed in the bed with the Maiden. The Maidens are generally kept year round as a symbol of fertility.

Imbolc traditions center around light and purification.

Candles may be lit in each room of a house to honor the returning sun, or in each window from sundown on Candlemas Eve (February 1st) until dawn.

This is an appropriate time to cleanse or bless your house, to seek inspiration, and to purify yourself of limiting thoughts and negative attitudes.

Customary Foods

Dairy foods are particular appropriate to eat on this festival of calving and lambing.