Celebrate Imbolc

Your own personal festival of fire

by Shannon Day

Imbolc is upon us! Celebrated February 2, directly between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, this Fire festival brings hope and gentle illumination.

Imbolc is the time of year when the first buds of spring are growing, representing the symbol of the warming roots underground that are making their way to the earth’s crust, reaching for the light, reflecting our own spiritual ambitions. As humans, we have the same inner yearnings, and look to the budding in our hearts and minds to begin new growth. Because of this, Imbolc is the time of year for innocence to blossom. Just as a painter creates a canvas for his or her art, we create the space and recognition to manifest new ideas.

Imbolc is the festival of the Celtic goddess, Brigid, who was believed to bring spring's first stirrings to the land. She was known as the goddess of the eternal flame and higher thought. In her book, Gods and Fighting Men, Lady Augusta Gregory described Brigid as "a woman of poetry, and who poets worshipped, for her sway was very great and noble." This is why Imbolc is believed to bring us fresh thought and easier communication with others, creating unity and elegance in the world.

As both goddess and saint, Brigid is also associated with healing, "smith" crafts and holy wells. That's why rituals like the washing and blessing of candles, runic stones and other divining "props" bring power on this auspicious day. In the Wiccan tradition, this was also a wonderful time to hold initiations into spiritual groups.

The word Imbolc literally means "in the belly" because it is the time when seeds planted on the longest night of the year (Winter Solstice) are germinating, and the stirrings -- though not seen by the naked eye -- can be felt by those with a strong sense of intuition. That's why the Imbolc celebration symbolizes the connection between the divine virgin (represented by a different figure throughout religions) and fertility. Imbolc specifically honors the "Light Goddess" as she prepares her womb for more fruitful seasons.

Ancient people pointed out that ewe began lactating around the time of Imbolc, also called Oimelc (which fittingly translates to "ewe's milk") -- keep in mind that this marks the beginning of "lambing season." In Celtic tradition, this was a time for pouring milk on stones, taking time for deep contemplation and honoring the cold silence of Winter Solstice while preparing for the nourishment of Spring Equinox.

Celebrate Imbolc | Tarot.com -- Continued »