• Avebury stone circle
• Stonehenge
• New age destinations
• Padstow 'Oss
• Valentine traditions
• Flower language
• Solstice wreath
• Celtic festivals - Imbolc
• Celtic festivals - Beltane
• Celtic festivals - Spring Equinox
• Celtic festivals - Solstice
• Celtic festivals - Mabon
• Celtic festivals - Lammas
• Celtic festivals - Samhain
• Celtic festivals - Yule
• Halloween Pumpkin Carving
• Valentine traditions
• Spring Equinox
• Solstice wreath
• Advent Calendar

Celtic Festivals

There are eight main Celtic Festivals - earth's natural calendar, the cycles of Nature - recognised by Celts, Pagans and Wiccans as sabbats :

Samhain, Midwinter Solstice or Yule,
Imbolc, Spring/Vernal Equinox, Beltane, Midsummer Solstice, Lammas and the Autumn Equinox

The changes in the seasons reflect our lives - changing through birth, maturity, old age and death.

Celtic Festivals Imbolc

Feb 1st/2nd

Imbolc is traditionally regarded as the first day of Spring. Life is beginning to stir again.
The Celtic festival of Imbolc or Imbolg - pronounced without the 'b' sound - is sometimes known as Oimelc, means 'ewe's milk' - named due to the birth of the first lambs at this time, and celebrates the return of fresh milk.
Sheep are earlier with their offspring than cattle, because they could crop lower for grass and so thrive on the sparse vegetation in late winter. Cattle would calf around March.
Bulbs are beginning to shoot and new lambs are born - the cycle of new life returns to the earth. Imbolc marks the rebirth of nature and fertility. It is the celebration of the gradual dawning of increasing light, bringing nature to life again.

Nature is awakening from her winter rest - the long winter darkness begins to break as the daylight hours begin to get longer. Christians celebrate this festival as Candlemas.
Maiden

Imbolc focuses on the Goddess, both as Mother - as she gave birth to the Sun God at the Winter solstice, and as the Maiden. Brigit was originally considered a form of the Triple Goddess.
Imbolc is a feast dedicated to the Goddess in her maiden aspect, in her guise as Brigid, Bridget, Bride, Brighid, Brigit or Brig - goddess of learning, poetry, prophesying, craftmanship, agriculture and healing. Imbolc is considered a traditional healing time and it is a good time to consider ways to improve your health.

Brigid is the virgin goddess who brings new life to the earth. She is known as Bride in Scotland - pronounced Breed - which is the origin of the word 'bride'. Imbolc is also known as Bride's Day. She was christianised as St. Bridget of Kildare, the patroness of sheep and fertility, and she was also known as the 'Mother of Ireland'.
Briget's Cross is woven from corn and consists of four arms that meet to form a square centre - a fire wheel.
Traditionally, on this day candlelit processions were led to St. Bridget's holy shrines - wells.
Imbolc Traditions

Imbolc is a 'fire festival'. particular attention was paid to the hearth fire and keeping it alight.

A celebratory dish used to be made from the new lambs' docked tails.

Bridie dolls are made out of a sheaf of oats and dressed in women's clothing, and then ritually buried in the earth as a fertility rite. Another custom was to place the doll in a 'Bride’s bed' of woven wheat, like a basket, which was placed near the front door, or sometimes near the hearth. A white candle was burnt nearby all night.

Spring cleaning comes from the habit at Imbolc of getting rid of unwanted clutter and preparing for the new season, physically and mentally.
Now is the time to finish old habits and make a fresh start, and realise the world is full of new opportunities.

Imbolc is a time of optimism and for making new plans for the sunny days ahead. Plant the seeds of your plans now and tend them so they mature into your hopes and dreams. Now is the time to renew your New Year resolutions.

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