Cyber Cauldron

Traditional starts sunset on 1^st February Imbolc is a Celtic fire festival and marks the mid point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

Imbolc (pronounced ‘im’olk’ also known as Oimelc) comes from an Irish word that was originally thought to mean ‘in the belly’ although many people translate it as ‘ewe’s milk’ (oi-melc).

Imbolc marks the beginning of spring a time of the spring lambs and the earth showing the first signs of new life and promise and would mark the change over from the winter goddess and the summer goddess depending on the weather.

Depending on local climate, the transfer of power between the winter goddess and the summer goddess is celebrated any time between Là Fhèill Brìghde (February 1) at the earliest, Latha na Cailliche (March 25), or Bealltainn (May 1) at the latest, and the local festivals marking the arrival of the first signs of spring may be named after either the Cailleach or Brìghde.

Since Imbolc is a reclaimed festival and much of it original history has been lost and or absorbed many of the original Celtic links to Cailleach or Brìghde have been replaced by links to the goddess Brighid the Celtic goddess who was converted to Christianity.

Since this time of the year shows the aspects of rebirth many ancient cultures celebrated it The Romans with Lupercalia, the Egyptians with the Feast of Nut, the Christians with Candelmas etc but since Gerald Gardener Wheel of the Year many pagans use Imbolc and the associated mythologies created or adapted by Gardener to mark this time of the year.

But for early pagans whose lives depended on the weather and their winter stores Imbolc was an important time many of the celebrations where focused on the return of spring and bounty of future harvest, Fertility of the maiden replacing the baroness of the crone.

This time of hope of spring arriving was celebrated by weather prognostication there is even an early version of Groundhog Day Used by the Celts according to the Carmina Gadelica, if serpents or badgers came from their winter dens then spring was on it way. An old Gaelic proverb states-

Thig an nathair as an toll
Là donn Brìde,
Ged robh trì troighean dhen t-sneachd
Air leac an làir.

Translation –

“The serpent will come from the hole
On the brown Day of Bride,
Though there should be three feet of snow
On the flat surface of the ground.”

Imbolc is the day the Cailleach — the hag of Gaelic tradition — gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that if she intends to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people are generally relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over.

In it most basic form Imbolc is the end of winter and beginning of spring but as our ancestors knew things don’t always follow a calendar so some give and take over the start of spring is allowed so the hope that spring was on it way is more important.

Common activities for Imbolc include feasting with dairy being an important part of the feast, lighting fires to warm the ground, weather prognostication, making corn dollies, Bridget’s cross, and cleaning.

Also known as: Candlemass, Imbolg, Bride’s Day, Oimelc, and Brid’s Day

Date: February 1st or 2nd

Symbols: Candles, Brides, Grain Dolly, Burrowing Animals, Ewes

Colors: White, Silver, and Pale Yellow

Deities: Virgin or Child Goddesses, Gods as Young Men or Boys

Herbs: Basil, Bay, Benzoin, and celandine may be burned; Angelica, myrrh, yellow and white flowers may be used as altar decorations.

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