Imbolc and the Festival of Lights

Hello lovies,

I am very excited about this turn of the wheel, for it is so close to Imbolc I can feel it in my bones! This is a holiday celebrated usually the first or second of February, this year it falls on the second.

Imbolc or Imbolg depending on what part of the world you are from (or even how you learned the name) is the first of the spring celebrations in the Wheel of the Year.

Imbolc was the celebrated as the first signs of spring were beginning to appear. It was a time to celebrate the return of the sun, and the beginning of the end of the winter season. Because of Imbolc's connection with the Sun, Brigid/Brighid/Brigit is a common deity to work with during this holiday. Although there is no saying that you couldn't work with any Sun deity; Mithra, Apollo, Ra, etc.

Imbolc is of Celtic origins, and in Gaelic the word 'Imbolc' translates to "in the belly." This is a great metaphor for those who celebrate the wheel. In a sense we have been hibernating, focusing on our shadowself, staying low to the ground. As Imbolc approaches we are preparing to come back to our lighter selves.

No matter how harsh the winter, there is a light at the end. Whether you take it literally or metaphorically, it sends a very powerful message.

I mentioned Brighid briefly in my For the Love of Imbolc post, but I didn't really tell you much about her. Brighid is the Celtic goddess of hearth and home, she is patron to poets and bards, healers and magicians. It is also said that she was honored when it came to prophecy and divination. Because she has two sisters who share her name, she has the qualities of the triple goddess aspect.

Brigid/Brigit was such a popular figure in Ireland that when Christianity finally spread to Ireland that rather then trying to rid the land of her, Christians adopted her as a Saint, and she even got to keep her holiday, which is still observed today.

Because a similar holiday was celebrated throughout what we now know as the United Kingdom, Imbolc has gone by many names and is still celebrated all over the island. Some other names you might come across are Candlemas, Feast of Brigit, Oimele, Festival of Milk, Wives' Feast Day, St. Brigid's Day; just to name a few.

To celebrate this holiday people would put candles in every doorway and window and keep them lit all day long as a way to encourage the Suns return. Today while that might not be safe, people opt it simply leave all of their lights on all day, it might not be financially frugal so I prefer to burn yellow candles. Other colors that are popular during this time are light green, white, pink and brown.

 One of my favorite books to read around this time is called Candlemas Feast of Flames by Amber K and Azrael Arynn K. This book is chalk full of history of the character of Brigid in her many capacities and also explores the history of Brigid as well. The book also includes season crafts and games that you can do with the family, history of festivals and traditions that you can incorporate for your celebration, and of course recipes!

Some of the more common crafts that you'll see around this time of the year are Brighid's Cross, Brighid Corn Doll and Brighid's Bed, click the links for easy instructions on how to. One recipe I found that I am really excited to try is called Imbolc Butter Cake.

As I was browsing for other recipes for this holiday, I stumbled upon another blog called Greenhaven: A Pagan Tradition and they have an awesome page for recipes, be sure to check them out!

Please stay tuned as I will soon be posting on what exactly the Wheel of the Year is, what the different holidays are, and their dates for this year, as well as a few extra goodies.

May Brighid keep you safe and warm during these last weeks of winter.

Many blessings to you and yours,

Thealynn

©2013-2015 Thealynn