Happy Imbolc and F?ile Br?de!

Today is the fire festival of Imbolc sacred to the goddess Brigid, patroness of poets, healers, and smiths. It is also the feast day of Saint Brigid of Ireland patron saint of poets, dairymaids, blacksmiths, healers, cattle, fugitives, Irish nuns, midwives, and new-born babies.

Brigit, Saint and Goddess

“This year (2006) will be significantly different. On February 1 st, St. Brigid’s Day, the flame will be perpetually lit in the town square from the flame tended in Solas Bhride for the past fourteen years. Kildare County Council has commissioned a sculpture to house the flame. The piece comprises a twisted column, which flourishes at the top into large-scale oak leaves, nestled into which there is a bronze acorn cup holding the flame. The use of oak leaves symbolises both the Christian beliefs of St. Brigid and the earlier Druidic worship of the trees. Of course, the oak is also the namesake of Kildare, Cill Dara, Church of the oak. It is surely an apt and fitting tribute to honour this historic flame.”

Here are a collection of quotes on this holiday.

“Once again, it is time to welcome in the early Spring and the festival of Bride, or Brigid, the Goddess who brings Light and Life to the land. The ancient Celts called it Imbolc, the time when the new lambs were born, the Earth is beginning to thaw, and new, impossibly fragile-looking green shoots start to emerge through the bare soil.” – Mara Freeman, Beliefnet

“Some say the roots of celebration began in the pagan ritual of Imbolc, the mid-point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, later associated with Saint Bridget?s feast day. The belief was fair weather on this day indicated a cold and stormy remaining six weeks of winter.” – Valerie I. Shell, Daily News

“I’d sit with the men, the women and God, there by the lake of beer. We’d be drinking good health forever and every drop would be a prayer.” – Excerpt from “Saint Brigit’s Prayer” as translated by Brendan Kennelly

“Early February is the time of the Midwinter Holiday from the Pagan tradition, called Imbolc, later reduced to Groundhog Day. It’s the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. This is a holiday based on the feeling of being stuck in the dark in our homes for months on end. In Christian terms, the name is Candlemas. According to the tradition, it’s the time of year to count your candles and, if you have enough, to place one in each window and illuminate the night (but mind the curtains; we don’t want the night to be too light). It’s a good time to warm up your home with social gatherings?but then, when isn’t?” – Eric Francis Coppolino, Upstate House

“Imbolc is the first of three Awakenings. In the waxing year, there is a festival of Awakening for each of the three aspects of the Lady. Imbolc is the Awakening of the light, when the first signs of new growth begin to appear, and the plans for the new year are laid. Seed catalogs are purchased, and farmers ready to sow their crops when the time comes. Animals prepare to bring forth life in their turn. Even in the Catholic holiday of Candlemas, the blessing of the candles is a preparation for the coming of light. The candles are not all burned at the ceremony.” – Karl Lembke, Witchvox

“Brigit’s holiday was chiefly marked by the kindling of sacred fires, since she symbolized the fire of birth and healing, the fire of the forge, and the fire of poetic inspiration. Bonfires were lighted on the beacon tors, and chandlers celebrated their special holiday. The Roman Church was quick to confiscate this symbolism as well, using ‘Candlemas’ as the day to bless all the church candles that would be used for the coming liturgical year. (Catholics will be reminded that the following day, St. Blaise’s Day, is remembered for using the newly-blessed candles to bless the throats of parishioners, keeping them from colds, flu, sore throats, etc.)” – Mike Nichols, Candlemas: The Light Returns

“Imbolc is still a special time for Pagans. As people who are deeply aware of what is going on in the natural world they recognise that there is strength in cold as well as heat, death as well as life. The Horned God reigns over the Autumn and Winter and and although the light and warmth of the world my be weak he is still in his power.” – BBC Religion and Ethics

“As I kindle the flame upon my hearth, I pray that the flame of Br?de may burn in my soul, and the souls of all I meet. I pray that no envy and malice, no hatred or fear, may smother the flame. I pray that indifference and apathy, comtempt and pride, may not pour like cold water on the flame. Instead, may the spark of Br?de light the love in my soul, that it may burn brightly through the day. And may I warm those that are lonely, whose hearts are cold and lifeless, so that all may know the comfort of Br?de’s love.” – Danielle N? Dhighe

Many blessings to you on this day!

Tags: Neopaganism