Imbolc

Imbolc is a holiday with myriad meanings; it is celebrated on or about February 2nd.

Some of the holiday's origins are agricultural, as in so many Pagan celebrations.....the Gaelic word for Imbolc means "Ewe's milk". As such, it is a time of lambs being born and is celebrated as a precursor to spring. Another aspect of the day is related to Groundhog Day---winter is halfway over and often a fair Imbolc (and the groundhog's shadow) meant 6 more weeks of winter weather. Christians call this day Candlemas and it is a holdover of more ancient post-childbirth purifications. Many societies had a "lying-in", a time when new mothers were coddled and cared for; a darker aspect of this was in some places, women in post-childbirth bleeding time(like menses) were considered unclean and thus had to be purified for return to "normal" society! Yet another aspect is to honor Brighid, Lady of Fire on this day.....fire purifies and makes way for new growth.

The solution of which way to celebrate for many pagans is to recognize Imbolc as Brighid's Day, and use a theme of purification, fire, and pre-spring combined. There are so many traditions to choose from......this holiday especially tends to be a blend. Other gods of this day include Eros, Lugh, Isis, and Bel; focus on any sun/fire deity

Foods of Imbolc are, of course, milk/dairy products, and very tender vegetables such as baby veggies or sprouts. Non-vegetarians often eat lamb on this day. Milk and cakes are suitable offerings to the deities. Herbs include Angelica, basil, heather, and early violets. Use these to decorate your table and altar. Use white and pale greens/pastels to decorate as well.

One craft that is appropriate is the Brighid's Cross, which can be woven from straw or found in some craft stores. The Brighid's Cross is traditionally made on February 1-2 (Brighid's Day, Candlemas, Imbolc), and it is a symbol of protection and prosperity for the coming year. It is traditional to keep the crosses all year, and burn the old before blessing the new. Scatter the ashes over your yard or garden.

How to Make a Brighid's Cross
A Brighid's Cross can be made with wheat stalks, grasses, reeds or rushes. Gather a few dozen reeds of the same length. If they tend to break when you bend them, soak them in water to soften them, so that they will bend easily.
	Hold one reed vertically, and fold another in half around the middle of the first.
	Fold next reed over the last one.(It will be parallel to the first reed)
	Fold next reed over the reeds one and three.(It will be parallel to the 2nd reed)
	Continue to work in a circular fashion, until you have used up your reeds, or created enough of a "woven" center to the cross. Hold the reeds together carefully, and tie each end together with string, so that the cross won't fall apart.

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Imbolc Priapic Wand