Blessed Imbolc

 

Hello and Blessed Imbolc to all. 

 

Today is more than just Super Bowl Sunday and Groundhog day, it is also the Pagan holiday of Imbolc celebrated on February 2nd of each year (some will celebrate on February 1st). Imbolc is a holiday that has deep Celtic roots and is one of the four major Pagan sabbats or holidays. Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain are the others, Pagans also celebrate the seasonal equinoxes and solstices in between these sabbats. If you were to pronounce Imbolc you would say IM-bulk or EM-bowlk. Imbolc is the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. Mostly attributed to the ancient Celts, ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, there are many other indigenous groups who we believe to have celebrated a holiday similar to Imbolc. Another name for Imbolc is Brigid’s Day, named for the Celtic goddess of fire, fertility, midwifery and the young, whom this day honors. Many Pagans will honor and pay tribute to Brigid by arranging an altar and invoking the goddess through prayers. The word Imbolc is derived from Old Irish and it means “in the belly” or “ewe’s milk.” This is why it is a celebration of fertility, reproduction and the young. Not only in people and animals but also in our Mother Earth, it is the time when the wheel turns and spring is starting to bloom even though we may not see it yet, all of which Brigid is the overseer of. Since Imbolc observes the waining of winter and the approaching spring, Pagans often use fire or other forms of light to encourage the lengthening of day. Many will also use seed and bud imagery as well to promote the growth of new life that spring brings. This is a time that also brings many Pagans to make special meals which include the use of seeds, dairy and other spring-evoking foods. Also talismans are used during ceremonies and kept within their homes, including Brideog – a small straw doll dressed in white cloth and the most popular Brigid’s Cross that is often woven of reeds or straw but can be made of any materials you have available. Imbolc is also a great time to prepare for spring by doing some spring cleaning of your home or yourself. Many pagans will deep clean their homes, burn sage or other cleansing herbs, take herbal baths or de-clutter their lives in other ways. This is to make room for the Goddess to come into their lives and for new seeds to take root in the coming spring.

There is so much more to Imbolc but these are just a few of the highlights as with all Pagan sabbats and rituals they are very personal and differ from person to person. There is no right or wrong only what you feel is right and that is what we celebrate following a few guidelines. I hope this has helped those who don’t know much about Paganism to understand how gentle, loving, peaceful and deep the roots run within our souls.