What is Imbolc?
Our connection to the universe and to nature is something many people take for granted. The teachings of our ancestors and the ancient cultures are far removed from our societies, leaving us to go through life as others think we should and not how the universe programmed us to be.
As the year goes around and the seasons come and go, so do the events that our ancestors used to recognize the changes that were being brought upon the earth and to us. Many of the events have been corrupted and changed into Christian holidays and the rest have been forgotten about mainly due to the vilification of Pagan customs by religious and political organizations. However, there are many people who still celebrate and hold onto these customs and traditions and they seem to be growing as the Earth's population is becoming more awakened
In today's blog let's take a look at one of these events that was celebrated by our ancestors and ancient civilizations and that many celebrate today. What is Imbolc?
Imbolc celebrates our relationship to the sun, to the fire element, and where we are at in our yearly cycle of life, death and rebirth. This holiday takes place at the midway point between Yule (the winter solstice) and Ostara (the spring equinox). It is recognized as the beginning of the end of winter marked by the first perceptible elongation of daylight. Imbolc begins at sundown on February 1st, and ends at sundown on February 2nd.
Imbolc originated in Ireland and is widely celebrated in the ancient Celtic world. It is when our ancestors would be seeing the first signs of new life, which signaled to them that the barrenness of winter and having to depend on what has been stored away is nearly over. It is a time of awakening and rebirth.
The origin of the word Imbolc is often debated but many believe it comes from an Old Irish word meaning “in the belly”. This term most likely refers to the pregnancy of ewes this time of year which is part of the new life theme of Imbolc. It is the time of year that is associated with gestation and rebirth and a time to honor the fertility Goddess Brigid.
Brigid is a Goddess who was revered in Scotland, Wales and across western Europe.She is the daughter of Dagda, the oldest God in the Celtic Pantheon. She appears as Maiden, Mother, and Crone throughout the year mirroring the cycle of life, death and rebirth. She is considered to be the Goddess of fire, forge, and flame, change and transformation, poetry and inspiration, education and learning, metalworking, healing, creativity, wisdom, prophecy, fertility, and childbirth.
Christianity canonized Brigid and was put forth as a midwife to Mary. Unlike many other gods and goddesses Brigid survived the christianization of the region and she is still widely recognized today. Fittingly, the resurgence of Brigid mirrors a resurrection again from death to rebirth and from Crone back to Maiden.
When celebrating Imbolc, many modern day pagans focus on celebrating Brigid. They will honor Brigid by setting up an altar with symbols honoring her. These symbols include things like dolls, white flowers, a bowl of milk, fresh bread, or candles. It is also a custom to light every lamp in the house or a candle in every room just after sunset.
The “Brigid's Cross” is another symbol that is used during Imbolc. It is usually made from rushes and is woven into a four pointed shape with a square at the center. They are hung above doors to bless and protect the home from fire and evil.
Is there a holiday or tradition that modern society has tried to put in place of Imbolc? How about Groundhog Day? Groundhog Day is the occasion where a woodchuck is chosen to determine how wintry the rest of winter will be. If it sees its shadow and is scared back into its hole, then there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If it's cloudy and there is no shadow, then spring will be here early.
In Celtic tradition surrounding Imbolc says that if the weather is bright and sunny on Imbolc means that Cailleach, Brigid in her Crone form, must be out gathering firewood to keep herself warm over the coming weeks. However, if the day is overcast and stormy then she is sleeping in and not worried about her firewood because she knows the winter will yield to spring soon. So we do have another Pagan celebration hidden and covered up by a modern day observance creation.
In closing, The Imbolc season is a time for genuine introspection that seeks to clear away what no longer serves us and to make way for what we are manifesting. It is the time to prepare soil and plant seeds so that we can begin nurturing them into fruition.
This is just a basic introduction to the ancient celebration of Imbolc. There is just so much more to learn about it. I encourage you to discover your heritage and to break away from the norms and traditions established by religious and political groups set out to program you to be like them. We need to return to our ancestors, our culture, and our traditions.
By Michael Walters
The Ancestor's Fire
Writing the voices of the unheard
Comments