Imbolc

The Celtic name for Imbolc is Oimlec: literally ewes milk for now in the warmer parts of the land, the first lambs are born. This was a welcome event in the countryside which was dependant on sheep and lambing. It also meant a new harvest of ewes milk was available for people to whom this was a substantial foodstuff. To celebrate this feast there is a traditional drink called 'lambswool'. To make it, use hot wine or cider and add water and the flesh of several roast or baked apples. The resulting frothy white drink resembles lambs wool, hence the name. Shakespeare also wrote of 'the roasted crabs hiss in the bowl' an it is the pink-fleshed crab apples he is talking about.

In the village, Imbolc had two aspects. One was the secret women's Mystery of how the Goddess renews her youth and women wore their brightest scarves, their most precious ribbons. They placed a chair beside the fire to welcome the return of the Goddess. In the darkness, after men had been allowed to enter the room, a small figure in a dark cloak arrived. Wreathed in ivy, a young maid from the community brought in the first flowers. Among the blossoms was a small candle, and from that, a candle for every member of the community was lit and set on the floor. The Goddess, in her guise as this little girl, was welcomed in a blaze of light.

Imbolc was an important festival in Scotland and Ireland. It is also sacred to Brigid and the Christian church later made it Saint Brigid's day. In the Western Isles of Scotland, the festival of Saint Brigid, or Bride, was celebrated until recent times with the making of a bed by the fireside so that the Goddess might rest there. Bride was seen as protectress and by saying daily prayers, her worshippers could be kept from harm.

The Christian Church adopted the Pagan feast of Imbolc as Candlemass, when Mary returned to her people following the birth of Jesus.

Legend says that the Goddess Brigid had her chief shrine in Kildare, where her vigil fire was kept perpetually burning, tended by a group of unmarried priestesses known as Ingheam an Dagha, Daughters of Fire. With the Christianisation of Ireland, Brigid became Saint Brigid and her holy offices were taken over by nuns. The nuns continued to tend the sacred flames until the 13th Century, when the Bishop of Kildare decreed that the custom should be suppressed.

The Mystery

Imbolc celebrates the awakening of the land and the growing power of the sun. Often, the Goddess is venerated in her aspect as the Virgin of Light and her altar is decked with snowdrops, the heralds of spring.

Imbolc also celebrates the recovery of the Goddess from giving birth to the sun (the God) at Yule. It celebrates the transition of the Goddess from Mother to Virgin. That is, free and independent once more. Winter is a time of rest, enduring the cold until spring arrives again. When the ground softens sufficiently or the first flowers to appear, it is time for reawakening. The Goddess walks the land once more, heralded by the appearance of the first flowers.

Imbolc is about beginnings. Bride is one of the Goddess's many names, being Triple Goddess in her maiden aspect. It is early spring. She is a young girl: she is at the beginning. Like her, we all dream and make plans, and are inspired towards our future achievements. At Imbolc, the Goddess sings to us and through us of new enchantments by poetry and love. In spring, the mind and body both find new inspirations.

There are other themes played out at Imbolc. It is a time of cleansing and purification. Spring-cleaning now prepares our minds and bodies for a resurgence. Bride the maiden sweeps away the debris of winter and last year's growth with her broom. At this time, we should prepare and clear the ground for something new.

The young God, the youth, approaches Bride with desire. He is courting her. As lovers, they inspire each other in mind and body. Their love finds expression in their sexual union. Through this there will be future growth and fruitfulness and new life will come into being. Like the young god, we all bring the spark of energy to our plans now: the upsurge of determined action, which gives life.

In nature, we see the approach of Bride as Mother Earth puts forward the first spring flowers. We see the God in the young growing light of the sun.