A brief history.
Imbolc or Imbolg is a pagan holiday celebrated from February 1st through sundown on February 2nd.
Imbolc literally means ‘ In the belly’ and its focus is rebirth and new life.
It is believed that Imbolc comes from the breeding cycle of sheep and the beginning of lactation. The earliest mentions of Imbolc can be found in Irish Poetry from the 10th century.
The Celtic Goddess Brigid and her connection to Imbolc.
Imbolc is traditionally the festival which honours the Goddess Brigid.
Brigid means exalted one, while her ancient name is Breo-saighead meaning fiery arrow or fiery power.
According to mythology, she was born with a flame in her head and drank the milk of a mystical cow, because of this she became strongly associated with fire and milk.
In the Celtic pantheon, the Tuatha de Danann, she is the god Dagda’s daughter and has two sisters by the same name. Each sister is a different aspect of the same goddess, hence why she is known as a triple goddess. The three aspects are maidan mother and crone. At Imbolc, she is honoured in the aspect of the maiden.
She brings fertility to the land and its people and is closely connected to midwives and newborn babies. She is known as mother earth or mother goddess.
Celtic people prepared for Brigid’s visit by making corn dolls made out of rushes.
Symbols of Brigid.
- A Brigid’s cross is a small cross usually woven from corn.
- The Flame-Imbolc is a Fire Festival, fires of all kinds are associated with Brigid.
- Brigid corn doll- Dolls were traditionally made and placed next to the fireplace, to welcome light and fortune to the home.
- The Swan. is a symbol of loyalty, fidelity and faithfulness.
- The Serpent. In Celtic mythology, Brigid was associated with the hibernating serpent which awakens at Imbolc. Traditionally, snakes are symbols of rebirth, transformation, immortality and healing.
- The Snowdrop- first sign of spring.
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