Welcome to the Horn and Cauldron podcast…
Today, we will go over history and traditions of Imbolc. We go over different correspondences and both the history and traditions of Imbolc, plus a look into Brigid the saint and member of Irish folklore.
What is Imbolc?
Imbolc is a festival that celebrates the beginning of spring, and the goddess Brigid. It’s a time to celebrate new beginnings, letting go of the past, and preparing for the year ahead.
-History-
Also called Saint Brigid’s Day, Imbolc takes place on Feb 1st, about halfway between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara). Not to be confused by Candlemas—that’s typically celebrated on Feb 2nd.
Etymologists think that the word Imbolc comes from old words meaning budding, ewe’s milk, and to wash/cleanse oneself, since these are all tied to spring.
People have been celebrating Imbolc since the Neolithic period (10,000- 4,500 BC), thanks to evidence of passage tombs throughout Europe, and even in Northern Africa.
Passage tombs were not all burial chambers and are made up of huge rocks arranged in such a way that the sun shines through the entrance (or passage) on a specific point of year into the inner chamber. Some had sub-chambers in specific layouts, and art carved into the stones.
Fires, feasting, visiting holy wells, and divination were common ways to celebrate.
-Brigid-
Brigid, Brigit, or Brig appears in Irish folklore as a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann. She represents Spring, fertility, livestock, arts/crafts, poetry, and high things (physically, mentally, and spiritually).
Sometime before the early middle ages, Brigid was syncretized into Saint Brigid. Saint Brigid is associated with perpetual sacred flames and holy wells.
-Traditions-
It was said that Brigid would visit families on Imbolc eve, and families would symbolically invite her into their home. They would commonly make a bed for her and set a place at the table and prepare a plate of food for her. People would set out strips of cloth outside for her to bless with protective and healing powers.
Brideóg dolls symbolizing Brigid were commonly made and decorated with cloth, ribbons, flowers, shells, and bead. Brigid’s Crosses were very popular to make and would be placed above the door for protection.
Other activities you can do to celebrate:
Weather divination—Groundhog Day!
Make or bless candles for the coming year.
Choosing and blessing seeds.
Thawing ice and using it as holy water (do not drink!).
-Correspondences-
Animals: Robin, burrowing animals, sheep, lamb
Colors: White, pink, red, light bue
Stones/Crystals: Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Turquoise
Herbs: Angelica, Bay, Basil, Iris, Daffodil, Heather, Violets, any white or yellow flowers
Foods: Dairy, seeds, nuts, muffins, bread, peppers, onions, garlic, potatoes, and dried fruit. Traditional drinks are Milk, herbal teas, and spiced wine.
Incense: a combination of flowery and woodsy: cedar & rose or pine & chamomile
Deities: Arachne, Athena, Brighid, Branwen, Gaea, Februa Inanna, Lucina, Vesta, Cupid/Eros