Northern Hemisphere Date: February 1
Southern Hemisphere Date: August 1
Imbolc
The first sign of flowers springing from the cold ground. The darker days are over; this is the festival of light and the coming back to life of the earth. The earth is cleansed by the winter, and life again begins to bloom. The earth shows its fertility again. In the old days, this was a difficult time; most of the supplies were finished, and seeing the first flowers was a promise that soon crops will grow in the fields again. This festival is associated with Brigid, the goddess, a very popular goddess that was even given a place in Christianity as Saint Bridget. It is the festival of cleansing, purity, growth, and renewal. We can see the sheep being pregnant during this time, a promise of new life.
Things to do
- Go on a walk and look for the first flowers
- Make a Brigid's cross
- Cleanse yourself, for instance, by fasting for a day or making a change that will make you healthier (time to quit smoking or clean up your house!)
Fun facts
- Imbolc was adopted in Christianity as Saint Brigid's day.
- Imbolc comes from the word "mbolc," which means in the belly.
