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Imbolc is the first cross quarter celebration on the Celtic wheel, and known as the festival of the Spring which happens every year between Feb 1st or 2nd to the 7th depending on where you come from, and celebrates the Goddess Brigid. Imbolc- Là Fhéill Bhrìghde, has become a living example of how the ancient goddess and earth based pagan worship got not so much taken over by the christians, as it did mixed up with them. As you will soon discover the pagan goddess of spring "Bridgid" was not only taken over she was actually canonized and made into a saint by the christians, so that today the Imbolc celebration is a mix of the old ways and the new ways. When Ireland was Christianized in the 5th century, the mantle of the "Goddess" Brigid was passed on to become "Saint" Brigid who was an actual living woman, born at Faughart, near Dundalk, Co. Louth. She founded a monastery in Kildare and ended her days there, however the pagan goddess Brigid's festival was Christianized to become Saint Brigid's Day, thus combining the two, and drawing the pagan's into conformity. As I myself was learning about Imbolc, it was like teasing many fine threads and untangling them in order to see what might be the old ways and what might be the new Christian ways. What I hope to gift each of you dear sisters is some inspiration, of ideas old and new, and simple ceremonies that you can take either back to your families or out into your communities for celebration and sharing.

Imbolc-Brides Day Feb 2nd

Initiation, Awakening and Setting Intent

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But first what is Imbolc and where did it come from? Imbolc is one of the oldest Galic/Celtic seasonal festivals going back as far as the Neolithic period, for it marks the first of the spring, which was an important time for our ancient peoples. The word Imbolc/ or Imbolg comes from the Irish Gaelic word meaning "in the belly" referring to the spring time pregnancy of the ewes, and if we look to an even older etymology we find the word in Olemic as being "lambs milk" which is an important symbol in the celebration. Either way Imbolc refers to the waking up of the land and there are a great many celebrations and crafty ways to celebrate! Imbolc is also a ancient woman's ceremony that has since become a festival in some parts of Ireland and Scotland dedicated to the maiden Goddess Brigid/Brigit or sometimes referred to as "Bride or Bridie", the ancient goddess of poetry, inspiration, the fires of smythcraft, childbirth and healing. In the springtime, the goddess Bridgid and the old An Calliach, goddess of the winter would greet each other as old friends. Even though they both reside on the opposite side of the wheel, they greet each other as they pass, each making her way in or out of the year.... Bridgid is known as the guardian of every newborn child, and in the old times women would weave Bridgid's crosses to place on their cradles for protection. All children born by midwives who were worth their salt were "sained" this was done by taking three drops of water representing the goddess in all of her three forms as Maiden, mother and crone and dripping them on the child's forehead, thus dedicating them to the goddess Bridgid and asking her for protection. A candle was also carried around the child's bed sun-wise three times, as the flame is one of the goddess’s symbols representing her ancient fire used in smything. Brigit is also known as the patroness of healers, using fire and water, and teaching the properties of herbs to heal those in need. It is said in old folk traditions that a single drop of water from her mantle {the new green of springtime} created a healing lake, and as such can also heal those suffering from the left over winter heartaches. Rituals: Imbolc customs include blessing the hearth and creating Bridie dolls of straw,

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which are later buried in the earth for fertility. {I have included more info on making Bridie dolls below} Imbolc is also a time to visit sacred wells and springs for blessing and inspiration, a time for lighting fires and divination, which involves using the ashes from the hearth. How to do an Imbolc Divination reading: This is sometimes referred to as smooring the hearth. The first thing you will need is to light a fire, if you have a fireplace wonderful, but if all you have is a small bowl this will suffice. Anything can be burned in the fire, but traditionally it was a "bridie doll" from the past year. If you do not have a "bridie" doll, it is always nice to set new intentions or ask for new beginnings if your heart needs healing at this time. Do this by writing these intentions on paper or cloth and then burn them down to ashes. Once you have cooled ashes you may begin the divination process: Take your ashes and spread them smooth on a pice of paper or in the hearth just before going to bed. As you smooth out the ashes ask your question or make your wish/intention for a new beginning, and then say the following incantation three times, representing the goddess in all of her three forms. {see below} In the morning it is said that your answer will appear in new patterns and possibly symbols in the ashes that can then be read, much like a tea leaf reading. This requires using all your skills of intuition and trusting yourself in the process of reading.

Old Celtic Smooring Blessing 19th century Smooring the Hearth

I will smoor the hearth As Brigit the mother would smoor. Be on the hearth, be on the herd,

Be on the household all. Goddess mother hear my call.

Blessings be on our home, blessings from the mother alone.

Show me in ashes my answer dear, and remember you, I will all year...

Crafts and Baking

Making a Bridie or Bridgid's Doll: These dolls were always made once a year and often filled with seeds so that the following year when they were buried the seeds would be planted and grow, representing the fertility of the springtime goddess Bridgid.

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Often these dolls were made in small gatherings of women on a special "smything" day and then each friend would give away her doll to another as a blessing, which is a really fun thing to do amongst friends! This gathers women together in community and really gets not only the creative juices flowing, but really celebrates the honours the maiden in us all. The dolls were traditionally laid in a special bed by the hearth where they would live all year long, and then either planted in the spring or burned in the hearth where the ashes were used as a divination tool as seen above. Corn dollies are also traditional to make this time of year and if you can get corn husks, they are really easy to make! The Bridie doll is often decorated with shells, stones, ribbons, natural fabric, early spring flowers and anything that inspires you from around the house. A lovely idea is to place a small pouch of seeds inside her belly inside her belly or even a small crystal to represent the ‘Guiding Star of Bride’. The bride doll is then placed in a ‘Bride’s bed’ which can be a basket, or simply a soft place made of fabric, which was placed near the front or in front of the hearth with a white candle burning nearby. A white wand, usually from the birch tree can also be added to the doll or placed close to her representing the wand of Brigit, once this is done, traditionally the woman of the house goes outside and cries: ‘Brigit, Brigit, come in Bridgit you are welcome here, thy bed is ready.’ saying this three times. Candles are also often left out overnight for her to bless along with small bits of food as well. As you can see in the image below I have assembled things from around my house, including some birch bark and branches from my trees outside, some seeds and dried rose petals, twine and other natural items, such as a rattle head that was too thin to make a rattle out of as it kept denting in, but is perfect for her head. Ideally you do not use glue or very little of it and everything you use to make her will either burn without toxins, or if buried, will eventually decompose or go back to the earth. Tying "Clooties" Another wonderful ritual to do is to put a strip of cloth or ribbon outside your door

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on Imbolc Eve (Jan. 31 st) for Brigit to bless. This cloth represents her mantle or cloak and can be used for healing throughout the year. In my own back yard I have an old apple tree that I have gifted with may baubles over the years, adding bits of string, "clooties"{bits of cloth representing Bridgid's cloak} and other sacred objects to her. Over the years it has become a wonderfully healing place as a wild rose bush

has since climbed over the top of it creating a cave that I can sleep under, write, or do my shamanic journeys with and it always has a very blessed feeling to it. This year I was gifted with a small piece of white hand made cloth woven by an Irish friend that was washed in water taken from Bridgid's well in a place near Raphoe Co Donegal Ireland. it was gifted to me for the very purpose of making it into a "clootie". Below is a photo of it after I tied it to the apple tree.

Traditionally when we "tie" bits of strings or ribbon to a tree we do not actually make a "knot" as that can choke the tree or kill the branch onto which we tied it. So making a simple slip knot is the best way to go, as this will allow the string to expand as the branch grows. Smything Jewelry and Weaving: Another wonderful thing to do, even if you may not be adept at the art of actually silver smything is to create a piece of jewelry to wear during the Imbolc period. Traditionally any necklace made would be white or green representing the spring time and the maiden's milk. This year I made one using some beautiful white howlite beads and a pendant that reminded me of the sacred cow and the stag both.

Bridgid is the patroness of Imbas, or divine inspiration, and women would call on her to bring them inspiration as they wove, embroidered and created jewelry at this time of year. Because it was considered a kind of magic to melt metal and shape it, metal smything was associated with magical powers given from Brigid whose main symbol was the flame of fire. For this reason women may add small flames into their weaving work or embroidery in honour and awe at her ability to work with this powerful element.

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Making a Brigid's Cross: Traditionally a Brigid's cross was known as the "Eye of Brigid" and was made and hung over the doorway to keep out any nasty beasties, and protect the house, it is also said that she it has healing powers that also will heal any ailments to do with the eyes. This tradition is older then Christianity, however the tradition of making these "eyes" was sadly also taken over and her eyes were

turned into crosses. The Brigid's Cross is one of the archetypal symbols of Ireland, and while very much a Christian symbol, it has its roots in the pre-christian goddess Brigid. Making an eye of Brigid/ or a cross, is really easy once you get the basics of making them, but if you are challenged in the crafty aspect of weaving, then sticking to making a doll may be the best thing! It is also said that those who hung their crosses on the door would choose how they hung them, which would send a message to others about their hopes for the next year. If the cross was hung with a V

shape at the top it meant that they were open and hoping for change in this next year. If however they hung the cross with a spoke at the top, they were happy with how things were and not looking for change in the upcoming year. Here is a link to a video which is great for learning how to make one, particularly for those more visually inclined.

Bridgid 's Bread 1 1/4 cup flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 cup butter/margarine 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 3/4 cup Karo golden corn syrup 1/2 cup light brown sugar 4 tbs. milk 1 large egg, beaten 1 tsp. mixed spices**

**Equal parts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Sift the flour, soda, and baking powder into a non-metal bowl. Add the mixed spice and ginger, then the brown sugar, and mix together. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter and the syrup over a low heat, then pour liquid into the well in the middle of the flour

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mixture. Add the beaten egg and the milk, and mix very well. Pour into a well greased 2-lb loaf pan and bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 40-50 minutes. This bread can be made the night before as it improves with age. Makes 8-10 servings.

Celebrat ions and Ceremonies:

Initiation ceremonies: In her book Casting the Circle Diane Stien speaks about Imbolc and an opportunity for self initiation, and dedication into a time of study. I too see the spring as the perfect time for new beginnings, which is what each of you have dedicated yourself to as we begin out journey this Imbolc- Febuary 1st. Self dedication is an old tradition and is a simple ritual to take, and would be done on January 31st--on the eve of Imbolc. In Casting the Circle Stein suggests that the woman dress herself in as much white as she can find, after first treating herself to a beautiful and ceremonial bath. I love the addition of rose petals and a small cup of milk for extra luxury. Light lots of candles and take time to soak and reflect on your desire for this new beginning and initiation into your next 13 months as you circle around the great wheel of life. Once you feel ready get out of the bath and dress yourself in cosy white things. Now go to your altar and sit at it lighting a white candle and smudging yourself. This will ground you and bring you tot he present. You may have your bridie doll beside you in which case you can sit her on the altar as a touchstone. The ceremony has already begun, and so as you soaked in the tub allowing your thoughts to form and muse on your dedication, take some time now to writer them on a scrap of paper.. This paper can be used to do an ash divination, or simply offered to Brigid but tucking it into the dolly. When you feel ready and your desire to be initiated is set say out loud three times: Sweet Brigid, white-gold woman I see Sweet Brigid I dedicate thyself to thee Sweet Brigid, of flame and honeycomb, Sweet Brigid, moon of womanhood, Sweet Brigid, lead me home... In this invocation you are asking Brigid to remind you of your place in the world, of who you are and what your medicine gifts are. Imbolc the time of new beginnings supports you in this work! Affirmations made at this time will take root and gather strength, helping our intentions and dreams to become fully realized. What you can take out into your community: Celebrations need not be complicated, for in the times of old, the spring time was

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simply a time of celebration as the days became lighter and folks began to come out of their homes, enjoying more sunlight and the small new greens beginning to poke up from the soil. A simple idea is to gather together some friends and have everyone bring food pot luck form, so everyone can enjoy a feast of locally grown seasonal foods. Make sure to give thanks at the table for all that this new cycle will bring you. Traditional foods of Imbolc include those that represent growth, such as seeds: sunflower, pumpkin etc.. as well as dairy foods, cheeses, bread, sweet honey cake and nourishing herbal teas. A nice idea is to go around the room and invite folks to share what they hope to "Grow" over this next turning of the wheel and season. Perhaps giving small packets of seeds out to guests as they leave with note saying: Imbolc Blessings--plant some seeds to nurture new growth. Personal Spring Time Spiritual Practise: Imbolc is the time to visualize life flourishing with abundance, creativity and renewed strength. Start your Spring Cleaning, both literal and metaphoric. Empty out the old and make room for the new. Imbolc Altar Work: Create an Imbolc altar gathering up "spring time"things perhaps treating yourself to a small spring time plant from the store, or some flowers and place them on the altar, moving things form last season out, symbolically "sweeping" away the old to make room for the new. Since Imbolc is the time for new growth perhaps you might choose to nurture some small seedlings placing them on your altar so that you can watch them grow as you yourself do in this new season... Place a new white candle on your altar and make a practise of lighting it either once a day or perhaps once a week time permitting, and sit with a cup of herbal tea taking some time for inner spring-time reflection. Questions for inner Reflection: What are the hopes and dreams I want to plant this spring time, that I hope will grow over the next year? Is there anything specific I need to do to nurture this new growth I was to see come into fruition during this next phase of growth? If you think about your life like a garden ask yourself: Are there any weeds that I have allowed to take over my life that perhaps need taking care of? If there are, ask yourself: Do I really want to keep those weeds into and through

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the next growth cycle again knowing that they will get bigger and stronger, ands thus harder to remove if left too long? Can I take charge of some of these things now? This is the cycle in which we can choose to be the loving gardener and nurture our own "inner gardens" so that we are strong for this next phase of growth.

Festivals of Ireland and Scotland: Oíche Fhéile Bríde, the eve of the Feast of Bride in Ireland was celebrated by groups of children carrying a Bride doll from home to home, where women would bring out cake and other sweets that contained milk in them to share. Often the parade included a replica of Brigid herself. People also often left out a piece of cloth, representing the sacred mantle of Bríde, so that when she passed by she would bless them. These blessings were for the healing people and animals, especially in giving birth, the coming year. A simple food offering was also left out as well, usually cheese or a sweet cup of milk. In the Donegal area of Ireland, families gather on St. Brigid’s Eve and rushes would have been gathered and left at the door until the ceremony began, at midnight. At the appointed time, a designated person covers her or his head and knocks at the door. The woman of the house then opens the door and welcomes Brigid, saying ‘Fáilte leat a Bhríd’ (Welcome Brigid), to which the newcomer replies, ‘Beannacht Dé ar daoine an tighe seo.’ (God bless the people of this house.) All participate in making new Brigid’s crosses or Celtic crosses for the year, and burning the ones from the previous year. St. Bride’s Day, Scotland In the Scottish version, the Cailleach, the old Goddess of Winter, transforms herself into Bride on this day by drinking from the Tobar Og (Well of Youth). With her white wand, she touches the ground and the flowers of spring emerge. In her aspect as Cailleach at the onset of winter, her blackthorn staff shrivels the growth into barren winter. 'Bride with her white wand is said to breathe life into the mouth of the dead winter and bring him to open his eyes to the tears, and the smiles, the sighs and the laughter of Spring. The venom of the cold is said to tremble for its safety on Bride’s Day, and to flee for its life on Saint Patrick’s Day!

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In a more public ceremony, the village girls, all dressed in white, carried the Brìdeag in a procession throughout the town. The townspeople were required to give the group a gift of flowers, food of Bannocks, butter, or cheese, in gratitude to the Saint for the year’s bounty. They finally gathered at the end of the day in a particular home, to put the Bride to bed and prepare for the feast the next day. Young men would come to pay their

respects to the Bride, and there would be a ceilidh, with dancing and singing. At dawn, the group would sing a hymn to Brighid, and distribute the food to the poor. Symbols of the Goddess Brigid: The Serpent One of her symbols is a white snake that spirals upon a wand. ‘La Bride breith an earaich, thig an dearrais as an tom.’ Moch maduinn Bhride, Thig an nimhir as an toll; Cha bhoin mise ris an nimhir, Cha bhoin an nimhir rium. Early on Bride’s morn, the serpent will come from the hollow. I will not molest the serpent, nor will the serpent molest me. (The Greek Caduceus also has a snake motif for a healing symbol.) The number nineteen: There were nineteen virgins who kept her perpetual flame in the monastery at Kildare. Prayer beads are made from 19 milk-white stones dedicated to the saint. (I have a necklace of 19 white agate beads) Spells invoking Brigit take 19 days. For instance, lighting a special candle dedicated to her for 19 days along with prayers of supplication. 3 is also a sacred number, as Brighid is a ‘Triple Goddess’. Colours White is her colour, and symbolizes purity, and milk. As are the colors Red for her fire and Green for her spring time mantle. Herbs and Flowers Angelica, basil, bay, heather, myrrh, snowdrop, rowan and all yellow flowers. A wonderful activity to do is to make a wreath of one or some combination of these flowers and herbs together to make a wild bouquet!

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The Swan According to Robert Graves, one of her symbols was the White Swan, and with white being her colour this too makes sense. Black the town yonder, Black those that are in it, I am the White Swan, Queen of them all. The Cow and the Stag Brigid loves all living creatures and animals, especially sheep and cows, and especially during the spring time birthing season, as she is a goddess of fertility. She is also strongly associated with the colour white and with milk. Sometimes she is shown with a large stag near her, and my thought is that this shows the strong protective aspect of her as a loving goddess. The elements of Fire and Water Brigid carries with her the element of fire and uses it to offer inspiration or imbas, to poets and metal smyths. As she is also a goddess of the hearth fire, there are many tales and legends of her with her sacred fire. Water too is also her element as there are a good many wells throughout the Celtic lands are named after Saint Brigit. It is said that she often stopped by these wells on her travels and blessed with with fresh water. This is why there are many many wells with blessing clooties tied to it or close by, as offerings of blessings from the goddess. White Candle Brigit’s feast day is also called Feill-Brìde, Candlemas, a time when candles are blessed by the Saint. A white candle should be dedicated specifically to the Saint and kept on her altar. Better still, a white candle with three wicks to represent her in her three forms, maiden, mother and crone. The Raven and Falcon Raven and Falcon is associated with Imbolc, the Feast of Saint Brigit, because it is the first bird to nest in the Highlands, around the beginning of February. ‘Cuirear fitheach chon na nide’, (The raven goes to prepare his nest). Sacred Woods Both the Goddess and the Saint are reputed to own a white wand, made of birch or willow. She is also associated with oak, as her church at Kildare was built in a nemeton, a traditional Druids’ oak grove. Brigit’s Cross While tending a dying Chieftain, the Saint prayed and wove an equal arm cross from the rushes on the floor. When the dying man asked her about it, she told

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him about the salvation of Jesus Christ, and he agreed to be baptized before he died. In more ancient times, this was her symbol as a solar deity. Brigit’s crosses can be made with either three or four legs. The cross is usually hung above the front door of the home to protect it. Children’s crosses are hung above their beds. Crosses were hung in the barn over the byre. The old cross is burned in the hearth fire on Saint Brigit’s eve, while the new one is made for the saint to bless for the new year. Source: http://www.druidry.org

Brighid ’s Mantle

I rise today through, the strength of heaven,

light of sun, radiance of moon, speed of lightning,

splendor of fire, swiftness of wind, gentleness of rain,

might of the great pouring sea, firmness of rock, stability of earth.

I am guarded, guided, shielded, and blessed, By the three above me, By the three below me, By the three over me,

By the three under me, By the three on my right hand, By the three on my left hand,

By the three before me, By the three behind me, By the three within me,

By the nine threes I am walking,*

By the nine threes I am dancing,*

By the nine threes

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I am singing*

Brighid of the mantles, Your mantle over me.

Brighid of the fair white hands, Your hands in mine.

Peace of the gentle woman to me, This day and forevermore.

Adapted from an old Celtic Blessing:The lorica (the deer's cry) - breastplate of st. patrick - 433 c.e.