Imbolc —by Míchealín Ní Dhochartaigh “And she shall arise like a shining sun” —The Book of Lismore Celebrated on February 2 Imbolc, a Celtic word meaning 'in the belly’, celebrates the midwinter and the return of the sun. It is also known as Oimelc, Brighid, Imbolg, Imbollgc Brigantia, and Lupercus. The 'belly' being referred to is that of the Great Mother. Imbolc Also known as Candlemas or St Brighid's Day (its Christianised titles) and Groundhog Day: If Candlemas be bright and fair Winter will have another year But if it be dark with clouds and rain Winter is gone, and will not come again Symbols: Snowflakes, crystals, lambs, milk, Brighid's Cross, white flowers, orange or yellow candles, alder, hazel, wisteria, myrrh, basil, rowan Imbolc is  a celebration of knowledge and understanding, and a celebration of the beauty and mysteries of life. Its themes include purification, inspiration, new beginnings. New Life This time of year has traditionally been the lactation period of ewes and cows. Ewes are unable to produce milk until after they bear their young, which occurs at this time. Since milk was very important to the basic survival of the Celtic tribes, this was a time of great joy, and signified that the end of a long winter was in sight. At Imbolc, we are one with Nature, as we await the coming of spring, the Vernal Equinox, when day and night are equal; light has vanquished the dark and a new change is upon the land. At sunset on Imbolc, it is traditional to light every lamp or candle in the house in honour of the sun's rebirth. Brighid The Celtic Goddess Brighid (Brid, Bride, Brigante) presides over Imbolc. Brighid, the radiant triple-Muse Goddess, is also a fertility-bringer. At Imbolc, Brighid is pregnant with the seed of the Sun, ready for new life to awaken within the Earth. She was later adopted by Christianity as a ‘Saint’.  See Brighid, The Goddess of the Sun for more about Brighid. Traditions In some circles, 'Brid's bed,' the union place of the Goddess and the Sun God, is created and placed within the circle, inviting the fertility of life that begins anew around us. This is done by creating a female figure of straw or a 'Brid's Cross,' and laying it in a basket at the center of the circle with a phallic wand across it to symbolize the impregnation of the Mother. It is tradition for every candle or lamp in the house to be lit for a little while welcoming the return of the Sun. Reverence of the snow is also a part of this celebration, and this festival falls during the Snow Moon. Some symbols or tools to have for present for ritual include a representation of a white flower or a snowflake and an orange or yellow candle to symbolise the renewing energy of the Sun’s rebirth. Imbolc is also a fire festival, with significance placed upon the Light of fire, to celebrate the ever-increasing light at this time — symbolic of the Earth working Her way back to Spring. Brighid is crowned with a wreath of candles. Some circles make a ceremony of 'charming the plow,' in which they bless a spade or shovel with oil or wine, and then use it to dig a hole in the earth and bury an offering to the Mother. During the Imbolc ritual, most traditions also pour milk onto the earth as a ‘thanksgiving’ to Brighid; and as an offering of nurturing with hope of the return of fertility to the Earth and its people. According to some sources, alder and hazel are coming into bloom and make great offerings. In the Celtic Tree Calendar, rowan is associated with the festival for Imbolc. It is a member of the apple family, and if you cut across the berries horizontally, a tiny, pentagram-shaped seed container will be revealed, much like a wee version of the one found inside an apple.  Copyright © 2001 Ireland's OWN A Candlemas Poem —from Casting the Circle by Diane Stein Night of lit white candles Darkness turned into light Everything she touches changes Feast of waxing flame Fire of heart and hearth Fire on the mind Flickering of spark Quickening of air Warming into inspiration Thawing in her innocence Snow into desire She shines for all of us She burns within us all Spiral heat of life She shines for all of us Within us all she burns The fires to create She shines in all of us She burns us all within Awakening arising is her need She shines for all of us She burns within us all Her candle is our only source Page last updated 3 Feb 2007 Snowflake Background and Graphics by Aine's Cauldron Website Design and Myths & Magic logo by Míchealín Daugherty Copyright © 2007 Ireland's OWN All Rights Reserved.