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Imbolg: The first day of spring

By 1st February 2022No Comments

The first of February is a special date in the Irish calendar, as it marks the first day of spring. Traditionally a pagan holiday, called Imbolg, which derived from the old Gaelic (Irish) word  imbolc meaning “in the belly”. This refers to the pregnant ewes at this time of year, with their lambs soon to be born.

Apparently the earliest mentions of Imbolc in Irish literature dates back to the 10th century, with poetry from the time ‘relat[ing] the holiday to ewe’s milk, with the implication of purification’. (1)

Although one of the lesser-known festivals of the ancient Celts, Imbolg is one of the four most important festivals in the Celtic calendar. To our Celtic ancestors, it marks the cross-quarter time between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. In tune with the seasons it is timed by the earth’s elliptical journey around the sun. It celebrates the arrival of longer, warmer days.

The days begin to become brighter. with the light crisp and clear this time of the year. Here in Ireland you can often find snowdrops and daffodils starting to emerge. This usually speaks of a shift upwards in temperatures, although theses days our temperatures seem to be completely misaligned.
The sound of spring is in the air as trees begin to come alive with songbirds, as birds mark their breeding territories. Although there is still the presence of winter nature is slowly beginning to come alive again, inviting us to step outside, to go on a meander in the fresh spring air, take a look around and feel earths energies begin to awaken. This is the time our ancestors would start to clear, sow and plant in preparation for a good harvest; as indeed does any keen gardener or farmer.
Unlike any of the other eight Celtic festivals, Imbolg is unique, as it also honours a key and central figure revered in Pagan and Christian times – Ireland’s matron saint Brigid. Also know as Brigid of Ireland she is the patroness saint (or ‘mother saint’) of Ireland. She is one of our three national saints along with Saint Patrick and Saint Columba.
Imbolc celebrations took the form of a festival in honour of the pagan goddess Brigid. This day also referred to by many as Saint Brigid’s Day.

Legend of St Brigid (detail), 1523

According to myths Brigid was born with a flame in her head and drank the milk of a mystical cow from the spirit world. Her name means ‘bright one’.

‘In her earliest incarnation, as Breo-Saighit, she was called the Flame of Ireland, Fiery Arrow…. Legend says that when She was born, a tower of flame reaching from the top of her head to the heavens. Her birth, which took place at sunrise, is rumored to have given the family house the appearance of being on fire.’ (2)

In some parts of the Scottish Highlands, she is viewed as a woman with mystical powers and older than the land itself.

She is also credited with the very first keening; a very beautiful vocal ritual art form performed by women at the wake or graveside in mourning of the dead.  The word keening originates from the Gaelic caoineadh meaning ‘crying‘. It was a traditional form of ‘wailing for the dead’, so to speak.

The above is an example of Keening, by musical artist Kitty Gallagher

Although many of the Celtic and pagan customs for this festival sadly died out in the 20th century, St Brigid’s day is still very much celebrated. Next year (2023), for the first time ‘Imbolc & St Brigid’s Day’ will become a yearly public holiday in the Republic of Ireland.

Below are some of the traditions associated with Imbolc & St Brigid’s Day:

  • The day of Imbolc was celebrated by burning lamps and lighting bonfires in tribute to the goddess Brigid.
  • It was a time for divination. Holy wells were visited, and special feasts were had.
  • Brigid was evoked to protect homes and livestock.
  • In pre-Christian times, Imbolc observance began the night before. Brigid was said to go visiting homes on the eve of this festival. Celebrants prepared themselves for a visit from Brigid by crafting an effigy of the goddess from bundles of oats and rushes. The effigy was placed in a dress and put in a basket overnight.
  • In more recent centuries this doll-like figure of Brigid (a Brídeóg) would be paraded from house-to-house by girls. Sometimes accompanied by ‘strawboys‘, or ‘wrenboys’ as they were also know.
  • The day was also marked  by the making of a Brigid’s cross; a traditions that remains very much alive today.
  • To receive her blessings people would leave her an offering food and drink.

An illustration of Saint Brigid, by Warwick Goble (1862–1943)

 

Reference:
1. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/imbolc
2. https://mythicalireland.com/myths-and-legends/brigid-bright-goddess-of-the-gael/