Imbolc

February first is a celebration called Imbolc on the Celtic calendar. The Celts were a strong, intelligent and proud people.

Imbolc was a time to honor the goddess Brigid who was later also honored as a Christian saint. Brigid is honored on February first , as that was when the lambs were said to begin lactating and bringing life back into the world. The Church at first took her day and changed it to February 2, and honored Mary at Candlemas (the blessing of the candles, bringing light back into the world). Later she became St. Brigid in her own right.  Both days and ladies were honored as part of spring returning and the world going back to being light and productive. The timing is just about half way between winter solstice and spring equinox.

Imbolc is one of the four cross quarter days (half way between solstices and equinoxes), of the Pagan calendar. The others are Samhain, Beltane and Lughnasadh. The day was celebrated with butter, milk, bonfires, and weather prognostication (which we still do on the second of February for Groundhog Day). That day is said to be the day that the hag (witch), will go out to gather her firewood for the rest of the year. If she wants winter to last much longer , she will make the weather beautiful on February first so as to have fine weather to gather her wood all day long. If she wants a quick end to winter, she will allow nasty weather as she won't need to be out long gathering wood, and will sleep most of the day.

Brigid is the goddess of poetry and healing. She is also associated with holy wells and sacred flames. Candles are lit to bring warmth and light on her day to welcome in the light and warmth of spring. Light a candle today for Brigid!


Happy February!


Peshaui Wequashimese



(C) 2012 Dr. R M Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission