Imbolc traditions and rituals: Symbols and celebrations of Imbolc

As Brigid is associated with hearth and home, spring cleaning often starts around Imbolc. There is something psychological associated with the advent (or possibility) of warm weather, perhaps because it's finally possible to go outdoors without freezing. Either way, Imbolc is a time to purify the home and get rid of the winter cooties.A major theme of Imbolc is getting ready for the year. Around this time, lambs are born and cattle start to lactate ahead of giving birth. Farmers also prepare their land for plowing and post-frost plantings. Imbolc marks the first of two spring festivals, the second being the spring (March) solstice. Imbolc is associated with the Celtic goddess Bride, or Brigid, who is also a Catholic saint. At this time, Brideog dolls are woven from straw and the remaining straw is made into “Brigit's crosses,” used to protect and bless young children. Imbolc was adopted by the early church as St. Brighid's day in an attempt to move worshipers over to what was then a relatively new religion, Christianity. View the list »
St. Brigid or St. Bride--a Catholic saint who "took over" a Celtic goddess for Imbolc

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Imbolc, the pagan festival of purification, is celebrated on February 1. One of the "cross-quarter” celebrations, Imbolc does not correpond to a seasonal or solar event such as an equinox or solstice, but instead lies halfway between those points. As such, it joins Beltane, Lammas (Lughnasadh) and Samhain to form the eight great festivals of the year.

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Imbolc is most properly celebrated at the actual halfway point, which can be a few days into February due to the fluctuations in solstices, but for those who choose a fixed date, February 1 serves.

So how and why is Imbolc celebrated? In colder climates, Imbolc is the first sign of spring—lambs are born around this time, into what is often a very chilly atmosphere. In agriculture, fields are prepared for planting after the frosts are gone. Because of this theme of preparation, spring cleaning often starts around Imbolc.

Early Christianity and paganism were part and parcel of the same thing. Nowhere is this more plain than in Imbolc traditions. While Christianity sought to integrate paganism by renaming gods and traditions to saints and feasts, those Christian roots still show up in many of the Imbolc rituals.

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  • Imbolc is associated with the Celtic goddess Bride, or Brigid, who is also a Catholic saint. At this time, Brideog dolls are woven from straw and the remaining straw is made into “Brigit's crosses,” used to protect and bless young children. Imbolc was adopted by the early church as St. Brighid's day in an attempt to move worshipers over to what was then a relatively new religion, Christianity. 
  • A major theme of Imbolc is getting ready for the year. Around this time, lambs are born and cattle start to lactate ahead of giving birth. Farmers also prepare their land for plowing and post-frost plantings. Imbolc marks the first of two spring festivals, the second being the spring (March) solstice.
  • As Brigid is associated with hearth and home, spring cleaning often starts around Imbolc. There is something psychological associated with the advent (or possibility) of warm weather, perhaps because it's finally possible to go outdoors without freezing. Either way, Imbolc is a time to purify the home and get rid of the winter cooties.
  • The Marsden Imbolc Fire Festival usually takes place in February, and its 20th anniversary was in 2012. However, the 2013 festival was canceled for want of volunteers and funding. A festival of fire and light, it was a relatively new incarnation of the traditional “fire festivals.” The organizers will try again in 2014.
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