Blessed Imbolc and the Wheel of the Year

Today is Imbolc or Imbolg, a Celtic traditional festival that marks the beginning of Spring. It is held on the 1st February, which is about halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. 

It also forms one of the eight points on the pagan Wheel of the Year. Don't know what I'm talking about? Let me explain.

Illustration by Porche Gardener and used with permission.

Pre-Christian calendar systems used the natural cycles of the seasons and the regular phases of the moon to track the passing of the months - the word 'month' even derives from moon. There are four cardinal points during each annual cycle. 

Firstly, there are the two solstices when the poles are at their maximum tilt away from the sun - giving us the shortest day and the longest day of the year. These are known as Yule (December) and Litha (June). Then there are the two equinoxes - found at the mid point between the solstices - when night and day are of equal length. These are called Ostara (March) and Mabon (September). In between these four events are four other notable times - traditionally marked by festivals - that traditionally signalled significant changes to the pattern of people's lives. Lughnasadh (August) marks the beginning of the harvest and Samhain (November) marks the end and the start of preparations for Winter. Beltane (May) celebrates the return of Summer and abundance and Imbolc (today) is all about the emergence of Spring and new life. 

Imbolc is the time of snowdrops and crocuses, nest building and animal pregnancies. Some believe that the name comes from the Old Irish i mbolc (meaning 'in the belly') and that it refers to the fattening ewes at this time of year. Another explanation is that it links to the Old Irish verb folcaim, meaning 'to wash/cleanse oneself'. Yet another theory states that it stems from a proto-Indo-European root meaning both 'milk' and 'cleansing'. Whatever the etymology, Imbolc means that Spring is coming, new life is being made and people should start to prepare for it. 

The common term 'spring clean' comes from the ancient custom of cleaning the house of Winter straw bedding and the dust and soot that had gathered during the cold months. Before the days of central heating, double-glazing and insulated walls, people kept a fire burning and families huddled together for warmth, often all in one room. It's also the time of year when the ground is less often frozen and can be broken so that seeds can be planted for the year ahead.  

The symbol for Imbolc is the Brigid Cross. It usually consists of rushes woven into a four-armed equilateral cross. They are traditionally hung over doors, windows and stables to welcome Brigid and for protection against fire, lightning, illness and evil spirits. The crosses are generally left there until the next Imbolc, which is also celebrated by Christians as St Brigid's Day.

Brigid was originally a pagan goddess who was evoked in fertility blessings and oversaw poetry, crafts and prophecy. She was worshipped by the Filid, a class of poets and historians among the Celts of ancient Ireland and Britain. Like most pagan beliefs, they were later incorporated into Christianity and she became St Brigid. However, some Christians choose to celebrate St Brigid the day after Imbolc on Candlemas Day. 

February 2nd is also Groundhog Day in the USA - another ritual relating to the onset of Spring that was probably taken over the sea by Irish settlers who associated Imbolc with badgers starting to emerge from their setts. 

So celebrate! The days are getting longer, there are new buds on the trees and the light is returning. 

It'll be Spring before we all know it.