Imbolc
Also called; Brighids Day, Oi-melc, Candlemas, Feast of the Bride, Feast of the Flame, Purification of the Virgin, St. Brighids Day
Celebrated Feb.1st (Northern Hemisphere), August 1st (Southern Hemisphere)
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Although I have used the date Feb.1st, I have seen the last day of January, and Feb. 2nd listed for different traditions. Brighid, from Ireland, is the triple goddess of the arts, poetry, smithcraft and healing. The Gaelic word for this holiday is Imbolc. I don't pretend to be able to speak Gaelic, so I personally call this Brigid's Day. Some purists may not like this, as they feel it is the same name as St. Brighid's Day, celebrated by Christians. St. Brighid is one of those saints who was once a Goddess, so I don't think she minds. Imbolc altar Imbolc traditions, celebrations, and rituals In some countries a maiden is crowned the "Bride", which is also another name for Brigid. She will wear white and a crown of lit white candles, 3 (for the threefold Goddess) or 13(for the 13 moons in a year) Needless to say a crown of candles must be treated and created with great care so no one is burned with hot wax or has their hair set on fire. Some Pagan households create a corn or wheat dolly at the time of the harvest, Lughnasadh, and this dolly will be dressed as a bride and laid in a straw bed either in the house or outside the door. She may have a wand with a pinecone tip to represent the God, in her bed with her. Some households create an empty bed outside the door to invite the Bride to their home. You can find instructions to make your own Brigid's Dolly here (another website) If you are crafty, you may wish to create a Brigid's Cross, symbol of Brigid's Day, Candlemas, or Imbolc. You will find instructions if you click here (this goes to another website). This is the time the earth feels the first stirrings of spring. The warmth has returned and the days are discernably longer. Maidens and virgins are honored and initiated into their orders. Mothers are purified and honored after the birth of the Sun God. At midnight the eve of Brigids Day the family members stand in the open door and welcome her back with the chant; I wonder if this tradition is where the "spring cleaning" tradition began? At any rate, it is marvelous to have the house sparkling and fresh after the long stuffiness of winter. Even though it is often still quite cold here on Brigids Day I try to have the doors and windows open and fans going to flush out the old and bring in the new for as long as I can stand it. When the cats are all in a pile and the greyhound is shivering and looking at me as if I've lost my mind - it may be time to close the windows. Food is always a big part of pagan celebrations. Traditional foods for Imbolc vary depending on the origins of the faith. Honeycakes, pancakes, and rabbit are some of the traditional foods for Brigid's Day. Brigids Day is a time to bless the garden and the future harvest, to encourage the young shoots just stirring in the earth. At first light on Brigid's Day, walk through your garden blessing it. If it is terribly cold, of course, you can stand inside and bless the garden, as long as you can at least see the garden. This is a time for initiation (of young girls into the mysteries) and purification. Older witches renew their vows. The earth begins to stir with life. Traditionally, you must study a year and a day (or longer) to be initiated. If you wish an initiation ritual and have a coven you are working with, this is the perfect time to make your vows. If you are a solitary, I believe you can initiate yourself, although some Pagans believe you must be initiated by a coven or at least a priestess or older witch. That simply is not always possible and I believe no one should feel kept away when they are already isolated by geography or society or for whatever reason. Brighid brings the fire of inspiration for artists, and so this is a good time for us to light candles to her and ask for blessings and inspiration for our work in this new cycle. |
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