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It seeems a little too cold outside to think of this as the start of Spring. In many places the heavier snows are just starting to fall. But this is the second of the four great fire festivals of the Celtic people that mark the cross quarter days, (six weeks between the Solstices and Equinoxes). Imbolc which is thought to mean "in milk", or "in the belly" in Gaelic, is also known as Candlemas. This is the day dedicated to the Goddess and Saint Brigid. This is a time of re-birth as the tender young seedlings prepare beneath the snow to push towards the light. As the days grow steadily longer and eventually warmer the earth is born anew. Lambs will be born soon and Ewes are milked to create the festival dishes to honor the Goddess. Milk was very important to the survival of the people of the Northern latitudes, During Imbolc it was a custom to pour milk or cream onto the earth in thanks and offering for the return of fertile fields. Fertile fields meant food for the tribes and for the grazing animals. Well fed and healthy animals meant milk and meat for the tribe. Well fed people meant a higher birth rate, and growth of the tribe, a larger tribe meant greater protection from invaders. Imbolc was a time of hope and promise for the coming Spring. Ancient people collected the tallow and fats throughout the winter's cooking in preparation of making new candles for the year. That tradition of making and blessing the candles persists today in Candlemas. Many catholics have the household candles blessed by the church at Candlemas.Since this festival marks the re-birth of the sun, Imbolc is considered a time for new beginnings, initiations, and purification. This is the origins of "spring cleaning". Out with the old and in with the new, a new start for a new season! Alters at this time of the year are typically decorated with white flowers, white candles, or white lace and ribbon. The corn dolly is dressed in white as bride. Typical feast foods consist of corn meal breads and dairy based dishes. See the links below for making the Brigid's cross, recipes for Brigid's Feastday, and more history of this Celtic Holiday. |
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