Imbolq
The meaning of “Imbolq” in Old Gaelic is; “in the Bag, or Belly”, giving a direct reference to the time of year when the Sheep will be preparing for Lambing, with the alternate name of this time as; “Oimelc”, or “Ewe’s Milk”.
The Celts were Pastoral Folk who raised Animals, and followed the Seasonal changes as determined by the natural cycles of those Animals.
February is a harsh and bitter month. In Old Scotland, the month fell in the middle of the period known as Faoilleach, the Wolf-month, but, although this season is cold and drear, small but sturdy signs of new life begin to appear: Lambs are born, and soft rain brings new grass. Ravens begin to build their nests, and Larks are said to sing with a clearer voice.
This year, the Full Moon will grace the Sky at Imbolq, giving Power and Purpose to our Rite. This is the Storm Moon; also know as Luis, the Rowan Moon, and the Spirit Moon.
Imbolq is one of the four principal festivals of the Irish calendar,
celebrated either at the beginning of February or at the first local
signs of Spring. Originally dedicated to the goddess Brighid, in the
Christian period it was adopted as St Brigid's Day. In Scotland the
festival is also known as Latha Fhèill Brìghde, in Ireland as Lá
Fhéile Bríde, and in Wales as Gwyl Ffraed.
While in the Northern Hemisphere Imbolq is conventionally celebrated
on 1 February, in the Southern hemisphere it is sometimes celebrated
on the calendar date, but those who see it primarily as a
celebration of spring may move it to 1 August.
Imbolq is traditionally a time of weather prognostication, and the
old tradition of watching to see if serpents or badgers came from
their winter dens is perhaps a precursor to Groundhog Day.
Thig an nathair as an toll
La donn Bride,
Ged robh tri traighean dh' an
Air leachd an lair.
"The serpent will come from the hole
On the brown Day of Bride,
Though there should be three feet of snow
On the flat surface of the ground."
Fire and purification is considered by many to be an important
aspect of this festival. Brigid (also known as Brighid, Bríde,
Brigit, Brìd) is the Goddess of poetry, healing and smithcraft. As
both goddess and saint she is also associated with holy wells,
sacred flames, and healing. To some, the lighting of candles and
fires represents the return of warmth and the increasing power of
the Sun over the coming months.
Celtic origins
Evidence of how Imbolq was celebrated in Ireland derives from
ancient Celtic manuscripts that mention the festival, and folklore
collected during the 19th and early 20th century in rural Ireland
and Scotland. This material is also compared with studies of similar
customs in Scandinavia, and customs maintained up till the present
day in the Celtic nations and the Irish and Scottish diasporas.
Among agrarian peoples, the festival was traditionally associated
with the onset of lactation of ewes, soon to give birth to the
spring lambs. This could vary by as much as two weeks before or
after the start of February.
In Irish, Imbolq means "in the belly" (i mbolg), referring to the
pregnancy of ewes, and is also a Celtic term for spring. Another
name is Oimelc, meaning "ewe's milk". Some Celts and Neopagans
shorten the name to Brigid, referring to the Celtic goddess of
healing, poetry and smithcraft, to whom the day is sacred.
That Imbolq was an important time to the ancient inhabitants of
Ireland can be seen at a number of Megalithic and Neolithic sites,
such as at the Loughcrew burial mounds and the Mound of the Hostages
in Tara, Ireland. Here, the inner chamber of the passage tombs are
perfectly aligned with the rising sun of both Imbolq and Samhuin.
Similar to the phenomena seen at Newgrange, the rising Imbolq sun
shines down the long passageway and illuminates the inner chamber of
the tomb.
The holiday is a festival of the hearth and home, and a celebration
of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring. Rituals often involve hearthfires, special foods, divination or simply watching
for omens (whether performed in all seriousness or as children's
games), a great deal of candles, and perhaps an outdoor bonfire if
the weather permits.
St. Brigid's day
In the modern Irish Calendar, Imbolq is variously known as the Feast
of Saint Brigid (Secondary Patron of Ireland), Lá Fhéile Bríde, and
Lá Feabhra - the first day of Spring. Christians may call the
day "Candlemas" or "the feast of the Purification of the Virgin".
One folk tradition that continues in both Christian and Pagan homes
on St. Brigid's Day (or Imbolq) is that of the Brigid's Bed. The
girls and young, unmarried women of the household or village create
a corn dolly to represent Brigid, called the Brideog ("little
Brigid" or "young Brigid"), adorning it with ribbons and baubles
like shells or stones. They make a bed for the Brideog to lay in. On
St. Brigid's Eve (Jan. 31), the girls and young women gather
together in one house to stay up all night with the Brideog, and are
later visited by all the young men of the community who must ask
permission to enter the home, and then treat them and the corn dolly
with respect.
Brigid is said to walk the earth on Imbolq eve. Before going to bed,
each member of the household may leave a piece of clothing or strip
of cloth outside for Brigid to bless. The head of the household will
smoor the fire and rakes the ashes smooth. In the morning, they look
for some kind of mark on the ashes, a sign that Brigid has passed
that way in the night or morning. The clothes or strips of cloth are
brought inside, and believed to now have powers of healing and
protection.
On the following day, the girls carry the Brideog through the
village or neighborhood, from house to house, where this
representation of the Saint/goddess is welcomed with great honor.
Adult women - those who are married or who run a household - stay
home to welcome the Brigid procession, perhaps with an offering of
coins or a snack. Since Brigid represents the light half of the
year, and the power that will bring people from the dark season of
winter into spring, her presence is very important at this time of
year
