#imbolg — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #imbolg, aggregated by home.social.
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The Origins of St. Brigid's Day & Imbolg.
I look at the origins of what is now a Public Holiday in Ireland. Imbolg is one of the four Gaelic festivals, Brigid a Saint & Goddess.I'd be very grateful for RTs!
#StBrigidsDay #Brigid #Imbolg #LáFhéileBríde -
The Origins of St. Brigid's Day & Imbolg.
I look at the origins of what is now a Public Holiday in Ireland. Imbolg is one of the four Gaelic festivals, Brigid a Saint & Goddess.I'd be very grateful for RTs!
#StBrigidsDay #Brigid #Imbolg #LáFhéileBríde -
Bel IMBOLC à vous ! #Imbolc #imbolg #druidisme
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Rounding out our Darkscene #DJs #Imbolc Raid Train this morning/afternoon are @matthart3808 from London, #UK, and @penumbra_von_arkh in #France. Join us now at https://twitch.tv/penumbra_von_arkh!
#candlemas #happygroundhogday #PunxsutawneyPhil #stbrigidsday #imbolg #February #goth #DJ #darkwave #synthwave #EBM #futurepop #postpunk #80s #90s #coldwave #classicalternative #shoegaze #dreampop #VTuber #ENVtuber #digitalart #fanart #oc #ocart #comics #darkhorse #animation #oc #Twitch
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Happy #SilentSunday and happy #Imbolg to all you lovely #Wiccans
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Happy #SilentSunday and happy #Imbolg to all you lovely #Wiccans
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Our Darkscene #DJs #IMBOLC Raid Train is currently in historic San Antonio, #Texas, with the lovely @DJJenDagger, spinning #darkelectro #EBM & rhythmic #noize. Click right in on the link and join us! 🖤🖤🖤 https://twitch.tv/DJJenDagger
#Twitch #candlemas #groundhogday #PunxsutawneyPhil #groundhog #imbolg #pagan #wiccan #dancemusic #nightclub #cyberpunk #darkwave #goth #DJ #synthwave #EBM #futurepop #postpunk #80s #90s #coldwave #music #Twitch
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Catch a sneak peek of tomorrow's #Twitch DARKSCENE #DJs #IMBOLC RAID TRAIN in this new #VoD post from @maerchen1313! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2vmCbLUbGs
#candlemas #stbrigidsday #pagan #imbolg #witchy #groundhogday #Celticmusic #February #EarlySpring #SixMoreWeeks #punxsutawneyphil #goth #DJ #darkwave #synthwave #EBM #futurepop #postpunk #80s #90s #coldwave #dreampop #visualkei #kawaii #VTuber #ENVtuber #digitalart #fanart #oc #ocart #artist #anime #animation #hatsunemiku #mikumikudance #groundhog #Twitch
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BRIGHID AT IMBOLG by Veronica Smith
The main Festival of Goddess Brighid / Saint Brighid in the Celtic Solar Calendar is IMBOLG. It takes place at the mid-point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox and is regarded (in Ireland at least!) as the beginning of Spring.
Original drawing of Goddess Brighid by artist Yuri LeitchIn the Gregorian calendar, Imbolg takes place on the fixed date of 1st February. It is known as “Saint Brighid’s Day” and has recently become a Bank Holiday in Ireland. Saint Brighid and Saint Patrick are the two patron saints of Ireland, although only Saint Brighid is native Irish, Saint Patrick being a Romano-British missionary from Wales.
On 2nd February is the Christian festival of CANDLEMAS, when the church candles are blessed. Is it coincidence that this should happen on the day following that of Saint Brighid, who was renowned for tending a perpetual Flame of Hope?!
That said, the Gregorian calendar is not in sync with our planet’s solar calendar. In 2025, true astronomical Imbolg (the mid-point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox) does not take place until 3rd February.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Brighid’s festival has several different spellings. It can be “Imbolc” or “Imbolg” or even “Oimelc”. The variations are due to language and cultural differences.
“Bol” means “Belly” in Welsh; whereas “Bolg” means “Belly” in Irish Gaelic. “Oimelc” means “Ewe’s Milk”. All three versions refer to the lambing season. The pregnant ewe (in the belly) gives birth to the spring lambs and provides milk for their young.
Brighid, as both Celtic Goddess and Christian Saint, is the protectress of Sheep and Cattle, which were the main sources of wealth in the Celtic world.
I recently came across another interpretation of the “in the belly” meaning. It is a delightful one! It suggests that Imbolc means “in the belly of the Mother Goddess” because the seeds of Spring are beginning to stir in the womb of Mother Earth!
IMBOLG ASSOCIATIONS WITH BRIGHID
Brighid is particularly associated with white-coloured animals, such as white sheep and white cows with red ears. Milk and its dairy products, such as butter, are part of the Brighidine stories, as well as honey.
The ancient Celtic diet did not include potatoes but was reliant on grain, such as oats. So, if you want to create an Imbolg menu, think of dairy produce and oats, using honey as the sweetener! I always make a festival loaf and any bread recipes (or cookies!) that include oats, are very appropriate.
The chief flower of Imbolg is SNOWDROP. This tiny white flower is a sign of Brighid’s resilience. It appears at a time when few other plants can survive the chill temperatures of a lingering winter.
LEGENDS OF IMBOLG AND BRIGHID
There are many different stories surrounding Brighid as Bringer of Spring. Like the festival name, these stories vary according to regional customs.
One basic theme is that Winter, being represented by the Hag or Cailleach (the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess) takes captive Brighid or Bride, who is the Spring Maiden.
It is very similar to the ancient Greek story of Persephone, daughter of the Corn Goddess Demeter, being abducted by Hades, Lord of the Underworld. Demeter is so distressed by the disappearance of her daughter that she neglects her duties as fertility goddess and the land becomes barren. The other deities must intervene, negotiating a compromise between Demeter and Hades. For nine months of the year, Persephone can return to her mother, bringing fertility back to the land, but for the last three months, she must return to her husband in the Underworld, when the land becomes barren.
In the Celtic version, it is the Crone of Winter, who abducts the Spring Maiden but the Maiden manages to escape, or is rescued, in time to bring back the Sun and Spring to the land. In another variation, it is Brighid Herself, who changes from Crone to Spring Maiden to Earth Mother and then back to Crone, according to the seasons.
Regardless of which version is followed, it is customary to make great ceremony of “inviting” Brighid into the home at Imbolg. “Brighid has Come! Brighid is welcome! Failte!”
CUSTOMS HONOURING BRIGHID AT IMBOLG
There are so many regional customs about honouring Brighid at Imbolg that it would fill a book – or probably several books! I will only look at a few of them here.
CLEANING THE HOUSE AND HEARTH:
As a Goddess of Fire and Water, Brighid needs to be welcomed into a clean home!
Water cleanses, particularly around doorways and thresholds. Cleaning windows allows in more of that welcome Spring sunshine, to brighten up the house or apartment! Alternatively, you could perform a ceremony to bless a local water-source, even if it is only your own bathroom!
The fire-place (if you have one) should be swept clean. In Ireland, where turf (peat-brickettes) is used on the fire, it is possible to “smoor” the embers; that is to bank down the fire over-night, when it can be revived the next morning. Since coming to France, where wood is used instead of turf, I have not found that possible, If you do not have a fire at all, then cleaning around your cooker is just as symbolic.
MAKING THE SAINT BRIGHID’S CROSS
It is customary, on Imbolg Eve, for the family to gather and make new Saint Brighid’s Crosses, to replace last year’s ones. Traditionally, these distinctive crosses were made from rushes or even straw from last year’s harvest, which is all well and good if you live in a rural place and have access to these materials.
Myself, I use stiff paper to make my St Brighid’s Crosses. The paper ones have the advantage that you can write prayers and intentions on them.
If you don’t have the time (or skill) to make rush or paper crosses, then there are plenty of ready-made permanent versions, made from pottery or metal and also jewellery to wear. Simply cleaning your “hard-copy” version is an act of reverence in itself!
Apart from jewellery, it is customary to hang your St Brighid’s Cross at the front door, to protect the home.
BHRAT
Another popular tradition is to hang outside a piece of cloth on Imbolg Eve, the idea being that Brighid will bless the cloth as She passes by your home. Once the cloth is blessed, then it can be used for healing headaches and injuries, by wrapping the cloth around the afflicted area.
Some use a fresh piece of cloth each year. Others use the same piece of cloth every year. Some hang out shawls, to capture Brighid’s essence, so that the owner can wrap themselves (or the person they are healing) in Brighid’s “embrace”.
The long and the short of it is that the cloth or shawl becomes a sacred object, like a prayer shawl, imbued with Brighid’s healing energy.
DOLLS AND OTHER SYMBOLS
Some folk like to make Bride Dolls (effigies of Brighid), which they place in a toy bed at Imbolg, to signify Brighid’s custom of hospitality. “Brighid is welcome to our house!”
Another custom, which seems particularly popular among Irish emigrants to America, is the weaving of wreaths, made from seasonal foliage. At each of the eight Celtic Solar Festivals, the wreath is changed.
There are lots more customs associated with Brighid at Imbolg but it is not my intention to cover them all in this article.
CONCLUSION
Whatever way you chose to celebrate the festival, Brighid will be happy that you have taken time off from your busy schedules to remember Her. Simply lighting a candle and saying a prayer to Her will be enough to connect with Blessed Brighid. Beannachtai!
Author: Veronica Smith first published on 31st January 2025
RECOMMENDED READING:
CELTIC DEVOTIONAL: Daily prayers and blessings; by Caitlin Matthews. Published by Gill & Macmillan, Ireland, in 2004. ISBN: 0-7171-3746-5
TENDING BRIGID’S FLAME; by Lunaea Weatherstone, published by Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd, USA in 2022. ISBN: 978-0-7387-4089-8
BRIGID: History, Mystery and Magick of the Celtic Goddess; by Courtney Weber; published by Weiser Books USA in 2015.
ISBN: 978-1-57863-567-2VOICES FROM THE GROVE: Beltane 2021-2022: The Call of Brighid, Bright Inspiration; Volume Two of the Ogham Grove Year Wheel Journal & Diary, dedicated to Brighid of the Flame and the Rowan Tree. Edited by Yuri Leitch; printed by Amazon.
ISBN: 9798732277517.#CelticSolarFestivals #goddessBrighid #imbolc #Imbolg #Imelc #OghamGrove #SaintBrigid #StBrigidCross #wheelOfTheYear
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Throw Back Thursday: Imbolc 2023
"Bríd is known as the ‘exalted one of learning, poetry and fertility’. During Imbolg, she fertilised the land and, in the tradition of the Biddy, she brings good luck to all households she visits. This luck includes fertility for livestock and bees."
#Ireland #Imbolc #Imbolg #Pagan
https://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerry/news/st-brigids-day-celtic-goddess-to-be-celebrated-in-kerry-as-pictures-show-traditional-festival-preparations/42323250.html -
TY to @MaQuest for this excellent #SolarPunkSunday suggestion -- #SeedySunday! A great way to celebrate #Imbolc / #Imbolg and the return of the light (well, here in the Northern Hemipshere).
Seedy Sunday – seed swap & sale
"Seedy Sunday in Brighton and Hove is the UK’s biggest and longest-running community seed swap event. From 2025, the #FoodPartnership will be taking on the running of this much-loved community event."
Seedy Sunday details for 2025:
Sunday February 2nd, 2025
10am to 4pm
Brighton Open Market
Marshalls Row
Brighton BN1 4JUhttps://bhfood.org.uk/seedy-sunday/
#SeedSwapping #SeedSwap #England #BrightonUK #SeedLibraries
To heck with #BigAg! -
TY to @MaQuest for this excellent #SolarPunkSunday suggestion -- #SeedySunday! A great way to celebrate #Imbolc / #Imbolg and the return of the light (well, here in the Northern Hemipshere).
Seedy Sunday – seed swap & sale
"Seedy Sunday in Brighton and Hove is the UK’s biggest and longest-running community seed swap event. From 2025, the #FoodPartnership will be taking on the running of this much-loved community event."
Seedy Sunday details for 2025:
Sunday February 2nd, 2025
10am to 4pm
Brighton Open Market
Marshalls Row
Brighton BN1 4JUhttps://bhfood.org.uk/seedy-sunday/
#SeedSwapping #SeedSwap #England #BrightonUK #SeedLibraries
To heck with #BigAg! -
#Celtic #FolkloreSunday: Brighid was a favorite saint on whom to call for aid by midwives throughout Ireland. In Scotland, when a woman is in the throws of labor, it is a standard custom for the midwife to stand at the doorway, grasping the door jams, and softly invoking the presence of the saint to attend the birth with these words:
Bride! Bride! come in,
Thy welcome is truly made,
Give thou relief to the woman,
And give the conception to the Trinity.
Source: Wade MacMorrighan „Rekindling the Rites of #Imbolg“
https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/features/safe-delivery-a-history-of-scottish-midwives -
#Celtic #FolkloreSunday: Brighid was a favorite saint on whom to call for aid by midwives throughout Ireland. In Scotland, when a woman is in the throws of labor, it is a standard custom for the midwife to stand at the doorway, grasping the door jams, and softly invoking the presence of the saint to attend the birth with these words:
Bride! Bride! come in,
Thy welcome is truly made,
Give thou relief to the woman,
And give the conception to the Trinity.
Source: Wade MacMorrighan „Rekindling the Rites of #Imbolg“
https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/features/safe-delivery-a-history-of-scottish-midwives -
#Celtic #FolkloreSunday: On Brighid’s Eve, the elder women of the home—clearly intimating the role of midwives—fashioned the leaba Bríde (“Brighid’s bed”) in the shape of an oblong basket after the form of a cradle and adorned it with early-blooming flowers such as snowdrops, daisies or primroses. Brighid was called in. The customary brídeóg and a white wand, made from sacred wood like birch, broom, blackberry or white willow that had been carefully stripped of its bark were placed in the bed. Carefully the ashes of the hearth were raked evenly before bed, and the next morning, the ashes were checked for signs of Brighid’s presence. A sign of Brighid’s wand or her footprint (lorge Bríde) signified blessings for the year. If no sign was found, it was believed Brighid may have been offended, leading to offerings and prayers.
Source: Wade MacMorrighan „Rekindling the Rites of #Imbolg“
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/446911963008644623 -
#Celtic #FolkloreSunday: On Brighid’s Eve, the elder women of the home—clearly intimating the role of midwives—fashioned the leaba Bríde (“Brighid’s bed”) in the shape of an oblong basket after the form of a cradle and adorned it with early-blooming flowers such as snowdrops, daisies or primroses. Brighid was called in. The customary brídeóg and a white wand, made from sacred wood like birch, broom, blackberry or white willow that had been carefully stripped of its bark were placed in the bed. Carefully the ashes of the hearth were raked evenly before bed, and the next morning, the ashes were checked for signs of Brighid’s presence. A sign of Brighid’s wand or her footprint (lorge Bríde) signified blessings for the year. If no sign was found, it was believed Brighid may have been offended, leading to offerings and prayers.
Source: Wade MacMorrighan „Rekindling the Rites of #Imbolg“
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/446911963008644623 -
#Celtic #MythologyMonday: `During the bleak period of winter #Brighid is held a captive prisoner at Ben Nevis as she awaits her hero, the youthful god Aengus mac Óg who would appear to represent the winter solstice sun returned from the Underworld. It is after he beholds Brighid in a vision that he sets out on his milk white steed from his #Otherworld Island drenched in perpetual summer to rescue the imprisoned goddess. The #Cailleach attempts to stop him at each step of his journey, however, it is in vain as Aengus secures Brighid’s freedom at #Imbolc. As the Cailleach storms away in a fury she flings her wand with one last gasp of resentment towards the roots of a holly bush as a final curse when #spring once again returns.`
Source: Wade MacMorrighan „Rekindling the Rites of #Imbolg“ -
#Celtic #MythologyMonday: `During the bleak period of winter #Brighid is held a captive prisoner at Ben Nevis as she awaits her hero, the youthful god Aengus mac Óg who would appear to represent the winter solstice sun returned from the Underworld. It is after he beholds Brighid in a vision that he sets out on his milk white steed from his #Otherworld Island drenched in perpetual summer to rescue the imprisoned goddess. The #Cailleach attempts to stop him at each step of his journey, however, it is in vain as Aengus secures Brighid’s freedom at #Imbolc. As the Cailleach storms away in a fury she flings her wand with one last gasp of resentment towards the roots of a holly bush as a final curse when #spring once again returns.`
Source: Wade MacMorrighan „Rekindling the Rites of #Imbolg“ -
#Celtic #TempleThursday: „On Brighid’s Eve, the elder women of the home—clearly intimating the role of midwives—fashioned the leaba Bríde (“Brighid’s bed”) in the shape of an oblong basket after the form of a cradle and adorned it with early-blooming flowers such as snowdrops, daisies or primroses. Brighid was called in. The customary brídeóg and a white wand, made from sacred wood like birch, broom, blackberry or white willow that had been carefully stripped of its bark were placed in the bed. Carefully the ashes of the hearth were raked evenly before bed, and the next morning, the ashes were checked for signs of Brighid’s presence. A sign of Brighid’s wand or her footprint (lorge Bríde) signified blessings for the year. If no sign was found, it was believed Brighid may have been offended, leading to offerings and prayers.“ #Imbolc
Source: Wade MacMorrighan „Rekindling the Rites of #Imbolg“ -
#Celtic #TempleThursday: „On Brighid’s Eve, the elder women of the home—clearly intimating the role of midwives—fashioned the leaba Bríde (“Brighid’s bed”) in the shape of an oblong basket after the form of a cradle and adorned it with early-blooming flowers such as snowdrops, daisies or primroses. Brighid was called in. The customary brídeóg and a white wand, made from sacred wood like birch, broom, blackberry or white willow that had been carefully stripped of its bark were placed in the bed. Carefully the ashes of the hearth were raked evenly before bed, and the next morning, the ashes were checked for signs of Brighid’s presence. A sign of Brighid’s wand or her footprint (lorge Bríde) signified blessings for the year. If no sign was found, it was believed Brighid may have been offended, leading to offerings and prayers.“ #Imbolc
Source: Wade MacMorrighan „Rekindling the Rites of #Imbolg“ -
Have to laugh at the RTÉ Lyric FM presenter saying "Happy St. Brigid's Day and uh, Imbolc, uh....if you follow that kind of thing".
Nice to see #pagan aspects to #Irish culture acknowledged by branches of the national broadcaster even if they can't say the words out loud.
#Mastodaoine #Imbolc #Imbolg #LáFhéileBríde #Paganism #StBrigidsDay #Brigid
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Have to laugh at the RTÉ Lyric FM presenter saying "Happy St. Brigid's Day and uh, Imbolc, uh....if you follow that kind of thing".
Nice to see #pagan aspects to #Irish culture acknowledged by branches of the national broadcaster even if they can't say the words out loud.
#Mastodaoine #Imbolc #Imbolg #LáFhéileBríde #Paganism #StBrigidsDay #Brigid
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Imbolc - An ancient Celtic phrase meaning "Thank Brighid January is over!"
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#Imbolc (or #Imbolg) marked the first day of #spring in pre-Christian #Gaelic culture. Between the darkness of winter and the brightness of summer, spring was a time of planting, or renewal, and of rebirth; as such, it was associated with the goddess #Brigid.
Brigid of Kildare was named after the goddess, so naturally she became associated with the day after being declared a saint (and absorbing many of the goddess' other attributes). That's why Imbolc is also #SaintBrigidsDay
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#Imbolc (or #Imbolg) marked the first day of #spring in pre-Christian #Gaelic culture. Between the darkness of winter and the brightness of summer, spring was a time of planting, or renewal, and of rebirth; as such, it was associated with the goddess #Brigid.
Brigid of Kildare was named after the goddess, so naturally she became associated with the day after being declared a saint (and absorbing many of the goddess' other attributes). That's why Imbolc is also #SaintBrigidsDay
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Happy #SaintBrigidsDay! Which also means Happy #Imbolc! We now move into the section of the year that comes between the darkness of #winter and the light of #summer - that's right, while #MetÉireann officially considers #February to be the last month of winter, Irish people know it's the first month of #spring
Three days from now, the sun will hit 315° of the ecliptic. That day is #Lichun, the first day of spring in China, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.
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Happy #SaintBrigidsDay! Which also means Happy #Imbolc! We now move into the section of the year that comes between the darkness of #winter and the light of #summer - that's right, while #MetÉireann officially considers #February to be the last month of winter, Irish people know it's the first month of #spring
Three days from now, the sun will hit 315° of the ecliptic. That day is #Lichun, the first day of spring in China, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.
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Was idly wondering if anyone had done a Platonic exegesis on #Brigid and her myth, seeing as it's almost #Imbolg and I see Google is now a syncretic soft #polytheist in how it bolds Hestia in a result in a search for Brigid?
#Paganism #Ireland #IrishMythology #Polytheism #Mastodaoine #Imbolc
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Was idly wondering if anyone had done a Platonic exegesis on #Brigid and her myth, seeing as it's almost #Imbolg and I see Google is now a syncretic soft #polytheist in how it bolds Hestia in a result in a search for Brigid?
#Paganism #Ireland #IrishMythology #Polytheism #Mastodaoine #Imbolc
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❄🌄🌼
At this time of year
I feel something inside
Unfurling
Uncurling
Unwrapping
The tightness of #Winter
Stretching towards #Spring
The slow #emergence
Of buds for weeks
Snowdrops' pure defiance
& then the #joy of the first Crocus.
A peek
Then a burst
A bonfire's flame
& a hungry thirst
Things I forgot were alive
Things I forgot to remember.
Time to wake up.#Imbolg #seasons #illustration #art #artist #MastoArt #MastoDaoine #Ireland #landscape #painting #Nature #poetry #poem #writing #AltText
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Joyous Là Fhèill Brìghde/Imbolc/etc. Hail to She of Many Talents, The Ever Flame, Exalted One. Thank you for the blessings of your healing cloak. Blessings to all who celebrate her day.
#imbolc #imbolg #brighid #brighidsday #brighidiscome #bride #brighde #stbrighid #Pagan #pagans #pagansofmastadon #gael #celt #celticpagan #IrishPagan #witch #witchy #witchesofmastodon #paganism #polytheism #polytheist #polytheistic #oldways #spring #folkhistory #saintsday #saintbrighid
