Imbolc: Ancient Irish Pagan Festival

  

Imbolc

 

Imbolc is approaching. This ancient Gaelic/pagan festival begins at sundown on 1 February and is celebrated until sundown the following day. This day is one of four days known as cross-quarter days. It is halfway between the Winter’s solstice and the spring equinox.  

There is very little written about how Imbolc was celebrated. It is mentioned in a couple of 10th-century manuscripts; the Tochmare Emire (The Wooing of Emer) an epic poem and Sanas Cormaic (Cormac’s glossary) but it is only given a line or two. From these documents, we know that Imbolc was associated with the lambing season and the milking of ewes. It has been suggested that this is a mistranslation and that it really means ‘in the belly’ and refers to the unborn lambs. Peak lambing season in Ireland is March to early April. In either case, the date marks the quickening of spring. It’s not here yet, but it is coming.

The pagan Irish were an agricultural society. They had no writing other than Ogham, and no money system. But this did not mean they were without culture. But their lives revolved around nature and their celebrations were rooted in the landscape.

Imbolc is believed to be associated with the goddess Brigid. When the country converted to Catholicism, the goddess was replaced by a saint. Saint Brigid, a renown healer. The is also known as St. Brigid’s Day and is a national holiday in Ireland. In the Catholic calendar, it became known as Candlemas. It celebrates the feast of the presentation of the Lord. Candles are lit to honor the day.

Whatever you believe, mark the day with a blessing, a special meal, lighting of candles and if you’re up for it, a bit of spring cleaning!

 

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