Historic Imbolc

Imbolc, or Oimelc as is was also known, falls on February 2. This is also known as St. Brigid's Day and Candlemas Day among Catholics.

Most Canadians and Americans know February 2 as Groundhog's Day. In Canada the name of the groundhog that is used to predict the length of winter is Wiarton Willy. Americans wait to see whether Punxsutawney Phil, the "official" groundhog will see his shadow. If he sees the shadow there will supposedly be an additional six weeks of cold weather. The groundhog's predictions are recorded in the Congressional Records held in the National Archives and the Library of Congress in our Nation's capitol

The American tradition was based on a Scottish rhyme which went:

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.

This is only a remnant of the traditional weather lore which was passed down by our ancestors.

Imbolc is not based on celestial or solar events. Imbolc means "ewe's milk", as this is the time of year that ewes begin to lamb and cows begin to calve. The addition of fresh dairy products to the stored grains and dried meat of winter was undoubtedly of vital importance to our ancestors.

Though February often has some of the coldest weather of the winter, with the birth of the new lambs our ancestors knew that spring was just around the corner.

For Pagans, Imbolc is the time to celebrate Brigid (also Bride, Brigit, Brighid or Brigitania) who is one of the Celtic triple dieties. Brigid was the most popular goddess in the British Isles. She is the goddess of poetry, smithcraft and prophecy. Brigid also is a goddess of childbirth and of water.She was thought to aid in conception and birth.

She has always been associated with light or flame, and even after she was transformed into a Christian saint in the fifth century, her abbey in Kildare contained an "eternal flame" which was said to burn even after the wood was consumed. There are also numerous springs and wells which were dedicated to her.

Though different areas celebrated Brigid's day in different ways, several aspects were universal:

  • The celebration would include a ceremonial cleansing and purification of the house.
    [Ah, that's where the idea of "spring cleaning" came from!]

  • The hearth fires would be put out and re-kindled.

  • The celebration involved primarily the women of the household rather than the men.

  • The goddess was believed to actually visit the household and personally bestow her blessings on those within.

    In many areas an image of Brigid would be formed from the last sheaf of wheat harvested in the fall. The image would be decorated with ribbons and other trims and would be carried into the house with great ceremony and either laid in a specially prepared basket bed, or placed in the homeowner's own bed to bring the blessings of fertility.

    Modern Pagans can mark Brigid's day in much the same ways as the ancestors.

  • Make sure your home is cleaned and purified. Now is the time to throw away all those left-over greens from Yule. Clean out your cupboards and donate what you don't need to your local food bank.

  • Burn new candles. If you are of a "crafty" nature, make your own candles. If you have a fireplace, clean out the ashes and lay a new fire.

  • Women should spend time with their female friends. (Men can honor the goddess by recognising the women's need for free time and asking what they may do to help.)

  • Mothers can make an effort to spend quiet time with daughters, perhaps learning a new skill or doing some charitable work together. If your daughter is of an age to understand the life cycle, this would be a good time to acknowlege her special part in it.

  • Welcome the spirit of Brigid into your home.

    Additional considerations for Imbolc:

  • Since the weather is generally still very cold, this is a good time for long-cooking stews, baking bread, and desserts which will fill your home with the scent of caring while helping to chase the chill away.

  • The best gift you can give a child of any age is your time. Read together. Tell stories, especially the old folktales. Laugh. Share your feelings.
    Tell your child(ren) you love them.

    One of the old Irish triads reads:
    There are three candles that illume every darkness: Truth, Nature, and Knowlege.

    ...May these candles light your life.

    • To Imbolc Fun
    To Grandma's Cauldron