Celebrating Imbolc with The Druid's Grove Family
The Festival of Imbolc
The weekend just past was the festival of Imbolc. Imbolc marks the time between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It begins as the sunrises on the 1st of February, and ends as the sunsets on the 2nd of February. It is a celebration that marks a change in the seasons, as nature starts to wake up. You will start to see trees bud, snowdrops bravely poke their heads from the ground, with lambs being born as the days get a little lighter.
(Image credit to Adobe stock)
Imbolc History
Imbolc has been celebrated pre-Christian times, and in Celtic traditions, including Wiccans, Druids and Pagans. You can find in the literature as far back at the 10th century that their are references to Ewe's milk, which is a symbol of Imbolc. It is linked to birth and the bringing of new life. Celtic history shows the relationship of the Imbolc celebration with the goddess Brigid. Brigid is the goddess of spring, new life, fertility and poetry. She was known for being born with hair like fire, which is seen in history to mark her ability to bring life from fire. Brigid was known for making barren lands into lands of lush green with life growing, fields full of crops and lakes with plenty of water for nature to thrive.
Pre-Christian celebrations on the eve of the 1st of February, Celts would prepare to welcome Brigid into their homes with offerings of Ewe milk, decorating their homes with an effigy of Brigid in a baby basket, lighting candles and letting in light. These were seen as signs of welcoming Spring, with the hope of having a full blessed season with new animals, crops and even children. All the symbols were seen as signs of worship to Brigid, who would then give her blessing for a fruitful spring.
Changes in History
As time went on, and Christianity spread, Brigid was adopted into Christianity as St. Brigid. St. Brigid is one of Ireland's three patron saints. Her existence is spread through historical literature written by the monks as the patron saint of nuns, midwife, cattle and dairy maids. Irish history has Brigid was known not to have married, and used her knowledge of agriculture to make positive changes in Irish history. Whether the Celtic Brigid is St. Brigid rewritten in history, or a woman named after the Celtic goddess, if her stories are to be believed she lived from 453 A.D and died in 524 A.D. Saint Brigid day is celebrated on the 1st of February, and replaced Imbolc. However, a feast is had, with lights and the effigy of the Brigid cross is made to mark the day of St Brigid.
(Artwork Credit - St Brigid of Ireland – artbyeileen)
Modern Imbolc Celebrations
Imbolc is now very much a personal celebration, with those who celebrate it, doing it with parts of history, adding new ways to show signs of respect and honor Brigid. At The Druid's Grove HQ we wanted to mark this Imbolc with a modern twist. Our family's long term goals are to live off-grid, and become more self sufficient in our way of living. To mark this occasion we have planted four fruit trees in our garden to celebrate Imbolc, to mark the Spring season, encourage new life and support the wildlife around us. It helped us be at one with nature, remember our goals, created family time and allowed us to celebrated Imbolc with respect.
We spent the evening with a traditional roast dinner with a Yorkshire pudding or two!! (The 2nd of February was also national Yorkshire pudding day). Followed by an enjoyable game of Dungeons & Dragons.
Many blessings
The Druid's Grove Family