What are the traditions of Imbolc?
To celebrate Imbolc, some modern day pagans focus on celebrating Brigid. They do this by setting up an altar with the symbols of Brigid, like a corn husk doll, white flowers, a bowl of milk, and candles. If there is a group gathering, they might cast a circle, and recite a prayer to receive a blessing from Brigid.
Why is Brigid associated with Imbolc?
It is believed that Imbolc was originally a pagan festival associated with the goddess Brigid, and that it was Christianized as the feast day of Saint Brigid, who could be a Christianization of the goddess. The festivities on the feast of Saint Brigid did not begin to be recorded in detail until the early modern era.
What does Imbolc symbolize?
Contents. Imbolc is a pagan holiday celebrated from February 1 through sundown February 2. Based on a Celtic tradition, Imbolc was meant to mark the halfway point between winter solstice and the spring equinox in Neolithic Ireland and Scotland.
What is Imbolc and how is it celebrated?
Imbolc/Candlemas February 1-2. Imbolc, in the Celtic seasonal calendar marks the beginning of the lambing season and signals the beginning of Spring and the stirrings of new life. It is Feile Brighde, the ‘quickening of the year’. The original word Imbolg means ‘in the belly’.
What is Brigid the goddess of?
Brigit, also called Brigantia (Celtic: High One), in Celtic religion, ancient goddess of the poetic arts, crafts, prophecy, and divination; she was the equivalent of the Roman goddess Minerva (Greek Athena).
What does Brigid symbolize?
She is associated with wisdom, poetry, healing, protection, blacksmithing and domesticated animals. Cormac’s Glossary, written in the 9th century by Christian monks, says that Brigid was “the goddess whom poets adored” and that she had two sisters: Brigid the healer and Brigid the smith.
Was Saint Brigid a real person?
St. Brigid of Ireland, Brigid also spelled Brigit or Bridget, also called Brigid of Kildare or Bride, Irish BrĂd, (born, according to tradition, Fochart, near Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland—died c. 525, Kildare, Ireland; feast day February 1), virgin and abbess of Kildare, one of the patron saints of Ireland.
How do you honor Imbolc?
To celebrate and honour this change of season, you could set up a display or ‘shrine’ in your home or garden that represents all things Imbolc. Decorate this with anything you have found in nature that represents the awakening earth to you.
How is ostara celebrated?
Eostre/Ostara, the Celtic goddess of Spring was celebrated in festivities and dancing around and through the birch tree between the Spring Equinox and Beltane.