Imbolc

Imbolc marks the start of spring, sheep get pregnant and the grass begins to become greener again. In fact, the name "imbolc" is said to have come from the Irish words i mbolg, meaning "in the belly", referring to pregant sheep. However, this etymology is disputed and other explanations are possible.
Imbolc is usually associated with the Gaelic goddess Brigid, the goddess of the poetry, domesticated animals, and healing. Many believe she was later syncretized with the Catholic Saint Brigid of Kildare, mostly due to their names being the same and their feast days falling on the same day.

There are mutiple traditions associated with Imbolc. The most common is the tradition of making a Brigid's Cross (seen left), woven with grasses. It is usually hung above doors and windows for protection and to invite Brigid's blessings upon the home. Another vital part of the festival was the burning of the hearth and the ashes that would be leftover. The hearth would be kept burning the entire evening, after which the ashes were raked smooth. It was said that if Brigid had visited the house that night, there would be marks left in the ash come morning. People also left out food, drink and cloth for Brigid. Another custom was the making of a doll as a representation of Brigid, who would be dressed and decorated while being carried through the town by girls and young women. Every house would be visited, upon which the doll would be given more decorations or food. After this parade, the doll would be set down at a feast, and subsequently tucked into bed.

Imbolc was also used to divine the coming weather, an important portent for the agricultural societies the festival was mostly celebrated. It was said that a witch would use Imbolc to gather firewood for the rest of the winter. If it was a bright and clear day, the witch would be out to gather firewood, and so the winter would continue for a long while longer. If the weather was bad, it meant the witch was still asleep and winter would soon come to an end. Other stories say people watched the dens of snakes and badgers to gauge the remaining length of winter.
Other traditions involve going to holy wells to ask for blessings, feasts and spring cleaning.


Sources and further readings:
- Transceltic.com
- Carmina Gadelica
- Hutton, Ronald. (1994). The stations of the sun : a history of the ritual year in Britain. Via archive.org