Imbolc
Also Known As: Candlemas, Imbolg, Imbolgc brigantia, Lupercus, Disting, Brigid, Brigit, Oimelc
Imbolc in General
Imbolc is celebrated on February 2nd. How it is actually celebrated varies from tradition to tradition and from group to group. Some celebrate Imbolc as the first spring (or planting) holiday: when the trees begin to bud, the cattle begin to lactate, and the days are becoming noticeably longer. Other groups celebrate it as the feast of Brigid (or Brigit), a goddess associated with fire and poetry. It is quite common to celebrate Imbolc with crafts such as Corn Dolls and Brigit’s Crosses. Oftentimes, feasts consist of spicy foods (for Brigit’s fire), red foods (a color associated with Brigid), and dairy products (for the newborn of the world).
About the Goddess Brigid
Brigid is a member of the Celtic pantheon. She was often the patron of artists, healers, poets, and craftspersons because of her association with creativity, fire, art, and healing.
How Imbolc Has Been Incorporated Into the Christian World
As Christianity sought to replace Pagan holidays with their own, Imbolc became Candlemas. Churches would be filled with blessed candles - which would later be taken home by parishioners to light in their houses. It was also celebrated as the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, forty days after Christmas when Mary was "purified" from Jesus’ birth. This parallels Pagan beliefs because the day was held to be one of purification and divine fire. Even the goddess Brigid couldn’t escape Christianity; she was taken into the Church as St. Brigit.
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