The turning wheel of the year
Imbolc / Imbolg
Imbolg is a cross quarter day, midway between Winter solstice and Spring Equinox, which can fall between the 2nd to the 7th February. Imbolg divides the Winter into two, as the crone months of the coldest of Winter give way to the first signs of the maiden months and the promise of Spring. It is a promise of renewal, of the Earth reawakening and its life force rousing. The original word Imbolg means 'in the belly' and refers to the beginning of the lambing season. At this time, Ewes have given birth and are feeding their young. Milk was sacred to the ancestors because it provided sustenance to the young animals but also for the mostly agrarian society of ancient times. Milk was sacred at this time as it symbolised a mother’s strength in providing for her young, to maintain good health throughout the year and sustenance for agricultural society.
Tradition has it that women would pour a milk or water and honey libation on the earth, honouring the Goddess Brigid and make wishes of fertility and good harvest for the coming year. In addition, candles would be lit in every room of the home to honour the return and rebirth of the Sun and to welcome the Goddess Brigid into the house and hearth, to bless it with good fortune and fertility.
Corn cakes made from the first and last harvest were made and given out. Corn dolls also known as a ‘bride’ would be made and decorated with ribbons, bows and bright cloth by the women of the family. She was then placed in a ‘bride bed’ beside the hearth. The first flowers of the Spring, emerging from the snow, would be placed around the home with dark green Ivy leaves. Later, the men of the family would be allowed into the circle after being decked with ribbons and greenery. They would pay fee of coin, flower, posy or a kiss for the lady of the house, then enter the circle of light to ask for help with their work, craft or trade for the coming months.
Imbolc is also the feast of Brigid, an ancient Irish & Celtic goddess associated with holy wells and springs of water, healing & childbirth, fire & hearth, poetry & smith craft, divination & prophecy. It is the time of the great mother and creator of life. Brigid was the daughter of Dagda of the Tuatha Dé Danann, an ancient race inhabiting Ireland, known as the ‘people of the Godddess Danu’. She represents the themes of fire, purification, inspiration, new beginnings, increasing light and life over the land, the first signs of Spring emerging from the cold of the Winter, birthing and midwifery and the lambing season which was a sacred time to our ancestors. In fact anything creative undertaken at this time is overseen by and sacred to Brigid.
Brigid has traversed centuries by being equated with Goddesses in various pantheons, such as Minerva, Athena, Hestia & Vesta. She has also been adopted as the midwife of Mary, mother of Jesus in a possible attempt to create a Christianised version of her qualities. The most prolific syncretism derives from her association with the catholic saint Brigit of Kildare, who personified similar aspects. She was such an important pagan goddess that she has made it through the centuries pretty much unscathed by associations. Brigid offers us hope and a signal that all will be well or as it should be for the coming year.
Symbols for Imbolg & Brigid
White & silver are associated with Brigid. They represent purity. Green represents the Spring and the Earth bursting to life.
The snowdrop is often the first flower to peak through the snow during the bleakness of winter and is a sign that Spring is on its way.
The Swan mates for life & represents loyalty, fidelity & faithfulness.
The Flame is a symbol of fire and Imbolg is a fire festival associated with Brigid’s fire of creativity, the protective hearth, and the fire wheel, the cross of Brigid.
Brigid’s cross is a traditional fire wheel symbol and a symbol of protection.
The Brigid doll and the brides bed brings fertility & good fortune to the home. It can be hung over the hearth.
The serpent in Celtic mythology is associated with Brigid and with the awakening of the serpent, which at this time of year emerges from hibernation. Serpents are associated with creativity and inspiration. An example of the rising Kundalini energy.
The sheep is synonymous to the feast of Brigid as it is the representation of the beginning of the lambing season which is a precursor for Spring.
The Blackberry is sacred to Brigid. Its leaves & berries are associated with prosperity & healing. It is also a plant of Venus.
Coltsfoot is also associated with Brigid & Venus. It represents the removal of emotional and physical stagnation and is used for love and to bring peace.
Ginger revitalises the fire within and helps with the aligning of the rising Kundalini energy.
The Rowan tree (Luis) is one of the first letters of the Ogham alphabet. It is associated with the maiden aspect of the triple goddess. It is known as the ‘quickening tree’ and is also associated with serpents. The Rowan protects and wards off evil. Sprigs of Rowan can be placed in the home or carried as a form of protection.
The Willow tree (Saile) represents the maiden aspect. It represents the shifting of consciousness and emotion. It symbolises feminine energy and the lunar cycle. The Willow is the tree of enchantment, dreaming and encourages one to follow instincts.
Incense for Imbolg are Rosemary, Frankincense, Myrrh & Cinnamon
Decor and activities include making and placing corn dollies in the home; picking a placing Spring flowers around the home; the Besom as seen to sweep and clear the energy of the home for the season.
Suggested activities for Imbolg include Spring cleaning and de-cluttering . At this time of the year, offering to charity or recycling are a modern way to ritualise your deeds at Imbolg. In addition, visiting Holy Wells and Springs are a good way to honour Imbolg and the Goddess Brigid. Finally, lighting candles and making wishes for the coming year reflects our respect for our ancestral rituals, at this time. You could perhaps make wishes for humanity to find its peace, to end hunger and homelessness, to live in harmony with all sentient beings of this Earth.
And so it is!
Credits:
Author: Sheela Adhar
Publications:
Beth, R. ‘The Hedge Witches Way’. 2001, Robert Hale Ltd, London
Green M. ‘A Calendar of Festivals’, 1991, Element Books Ltd, Dorset.
Green, M. ‘A Witch Alone’, 1995, Thorsons, Harper Collins Publishers, London
Websites:
www.brigidsflame.com
www.goddesandgreenman.co.uk
www.druidry.org
http://www.newgrange.com/imbolc.htm
www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk