Imbolc

[meridian_rose]

image by Magickal Graphics


Imbolc, also known/celebrated as Imbolg, Oimelc, Candlemas, St Brigid's Day, Groundhog Day, takes place on or near the 1st/2nd of February and is a festival marking a cross-quarter day in the wheel of the year, heralding the first signs of spring.

It is a festival particularly associated with Brighid (Brigit, Bride, or Brigid), goddess of healing, smith craft, and poetry. She was Christianised as St Brigid of Kildare. I posted a music rec for a track about Brigid and the start of spring.
This year, the festival coincides with celebrations for the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse, which began on Jan 31st.

I usually give more information - some of it copy-pasted because correspondences don't change, but I always try to include something new; quotes from an article, a personal recipe or photos or story, or just some additional info on correspondences and legendary figures. However since there are apparently no longer readers (no comments, certainly on my most recent Yule post) for these holiday posts I will no longer update the information, but merely link to previous posts:

Imbolc 2013
Imbolc 2012
Imbolc 2011

Comments

[meredith44]

I read them and find them interesting. I just don't really have anything to say other than "That's interesting. Thanks for sharing." which feels kinda pathetic and useless. But as that apparently leads to the impression that no one is reading and appreciating...

That's interesting. Thanks for sharing. :)

Oh, wait, an actual comment... I am amused that it heralds the first signs of spring, as we are mired in this stupid polar vortex that makes me feel that winter is never going to end. Maybe there's some hope for spring arriving at some point yet. :D

[meridian_rose]

Thanks for commenting :) There's no "like" or "kudos" or "favourite" button, and I don't have a paid account to see how many people access a post, so if I don't get comments I have to assume no-one is reading! It's good to know that isn't the case.

Too true! Some of the worst winter weather in the UK often occurs in February, so while spring is on its way it is sometimes hard to believe it! I did see some bulb sprouts (not sure what plant yet) on my walk last weekend though :)

[meredith44]

Part of my problem is that I have you (and a handful of other users) tracked. So I tend to read your posts in my inbox on my phone during my lunch breaks. But my phone is not conducive to replying. So then I often get distracted and miss replying. Which is a bad habit, I know. I wasn't online (except for on my phone) at all last week, which sadly is not atypical these days. I'm going to try to be better about it, though. Hopefully. As I do know that it stinks to feel like you are talking into / making things and tossing them into a void.

You saw sprouts? I'm jealous! Today was again well below freezing. We're not allowed to take the kids outside if the temperatures get below about 20F/-6C, and I think we only have gotten them outside once in the last few weeks. It has just been that cold. It is not unusual to get snow in May here, though, so I live in an odd place. :P