Feb 1 – 2 is Imbolc. Based on a Celtic tradition, Imbolc was meant to mark the halfway point between winter solstice and the spring equinox in Neolithic Ireland and Scotland. Celebrations around the world include: Brigid’s Day, Oimelc, Feast of Torches, Feast of Pan, Lupercalia, Snowdrop Festival, Feast of the Waxing Light. Themes of these celebrations are all about return of light, about quickening, about hearth and home, about hope, about purification, about fertility and renewal.
Imbolc follows the end of the Yule celebrations. We grow closer to the end of our winter. The dark long nights of winter are easing. The cold might have one last blast but it is waning. I ache for spring now, more than ever. I do not believe in the groundhog myth, but the second of February is when the ground hog either sees its shadow or not.
This is the time to be grateful for the growing length of light of day. You can almost feel the energy of Mother Nature as she begins to move towards her rebirth of green. Many of us light candles in our home to encourage light and we build a great bonfire to bring on the warmth. Soon, in our area, there will be more sunlight and less gray rainy days.
I am redoing my altar with whites and yellows and oranges and reds, a broom to signify the sweeping clean and spring cleaning being worked on. Animal figurines can be put on your altar. Especially lambs. Dairy meals are big at this time. Spicy foods are another favorite. It all invites in Brigid, the Celtic goddess who the Church could not extinguish and so she was dedicated a Saint in their belief system.
If you are interested, do some research on Imbolc and see if you can start adding some ceremonies and ideas for this dark time turning light.
©Carol Desjarlais 31.1.21
***Fairy Klimt Garnet (post it in NexJENeration for Mash-up challenge. Next JENeration Art and Jenny Manno
