The ancient significance of Imbolc

aaron-burden-WAa81dKJbzA-unsplash

As winter begins to lean into spring here in the northern hemisphere, we celebrate Bridget’s Feast Day and the return of the light in the Celtic festival of Imbolc.

By Suzanne Farmer

‘At Imbolc on 1 February, we celebrate light on Bridget’s Feast Day,’ wrote Peter Vallance in the book Growing People. ‘Bridget, whose name appears in many forms, is the guardian of the hearth fire, and her light cannot be distinguished no matter how violent a storm may become. Today it is our responsibility to tend her flame and express it through healing, creativity and right action. It is a call to dedicate ourselves to creating a new spring in the world.’

Celebrating the Celtic festivals of the Wheel of the Year – the summer and winter solstices, the spring and autumn equinox, and the cross-quarter festivals, such as Imbolc – is a key part of community life at Ecovillage Findhorn. 

Falling on 1 February in the northern hemisphere and 1 August in the south, this festival goes by many names, including Oilmeg, Oimelc and Imolg. In Celtic spirituality, Imbolc is said to start at sunset on 1 February and run through to sunset on 2 February. This creates a connection with the Christian Candlemas festival, which falls on the second.

Imbolc is linked to the Celtic fire goddess and Christian saint Bridget (name variations include Brighid, Brigid, Bride) who is also often referred to as ‘the bright one’.

Candlemas is traditionally the time when Christian churches bless all of the candles to be used throughout the year.

Imbolc is thought to be a liminal space between two seasons, a kind of middle-ground between winter and spring.

The clear link between these festivals is light. With the daylight gradually increasing, recognising and connecting with light is natural. Imbolc is thought to be a liminal space between two seasons, a kind of middle-ground between winter and spring.

‘The underlying energy of Imbolc is one of the warming of the earth after the long winter chill – a re-awakening of the Earth Mother’s fertility and strength,’ said Sue Clutterbuck, who led a simple ceremony celebrating Imbolc in the Universal Hall. 

‘The Feast of St. Bride was the time of year for turning the earth and ploughing to prepare the soil for the seeding and summer harvest. Bride symbolises the return of the light from out of the winter darkness. We join together in Community to re-member (bring back to form), the Feast of St. Bride celebrated on 1 February and also the Christian event of Candlemas.’

Imbolc carries many links and associations and is also referred to as the ‘celebration of the divine spark of inspiration’, and the ‘festival of earth awakening’. Water also plays a role in Imbolc as it is a time of visiting sacred wells and springs, purification and cleansing, as well as poetry and song. Nature too is a major part of this time of year and the beloved white snowdrop flowers that carpet many woodlands, banks and gardens throughout February are often linked with both Imbolc and Candlemas. 

So, how can you celebrate Imbolc, if it is spring where you are?

  • Make a Brigid’s Cross. These off-centre crosses (often described as a sun with four sunbeams swirling from it) are made from straw, rushes, reeds or paper and there are many videos online which can guide you through the process of weaving a beautiful Brigid’s Cross for your home.

  • Plant something, to celebrate the earth’s fertility. Rowan and willow trees are especially significant around Imbolc.

  • Spend time outside as nature and the weather begins to change. Notice the birdsong and spring bulbs such as crocus, daffodil and grape hyacinth starting to appear. In woodlands look out for the plump lime green of catkins on hazel trees – all signs that spring is just around the corner.

  • Write poetry inspired by the themes of sacred wells and springs, snowdrops, the returning of the light, nature, Brigid and candles.

  • Make an all-natural beeswax or soya wax candle and fragrance it with pure essential oils linked with Imbolc. These include cinnamon, cedarwood, lavender and lemon. 

What’s next as the Wheel of the Year turns? In March, we welcome the Spring Equinox…

Read more from Suzanne Farmer, Peter Vallance and Sue Clutterbuck on our community archive, Celebrating One Incredible Family.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

The Angel for February is RELEASE