Imbolc blessings!
Musings about Imbolc, also known as Candlemas, the Fire Goddess Bridgid and rituals to honour the patroness of poetry and healing and the upcoming Full Moon in Leo
Briefly: Sunday is the last day to enrol in Ecoliteracy for Educators 2023 at the Early Bird price of £360 /\ Share your Imbolc rituals with me over on social media @foxfirelearning
Imbolc is the first cross-quarter day (also known as a Lunar Fire Festival) in the Wheel of the Year if we follow the calendar from January to December. The last cross-quarter day was way back in the depths of Autumn when I launched this newsletter at Samhain. In between the cross-quarter days we have the quarter days or Solar Fire Festivals which essential divide up the calendar year into quarters with festivals on each of the two equinoxes and solstices.
Imbolc is a liminal time of year. As we emerge from the dark, damp depths of January we begin to see glimmers of birth and renewal in the more-than-human world as February unfolds. Daffodils, crocuses and, of course, snowdrops are all signs of the promise of Spring, yet there’s still a chance of snow yet, so we find ourselves in this in-between place.
Drawing on the parallels between Pagan and Christian traditions is a practice that sparks so much curiosity for me and in researching this particular festival, that spark shone brightly…
In the Christian tradition (as well as in some branches of Wicca), 40 days following Christmas falls the festival of Candlemas. Our Medieval ancestors would have fasted on 1 February then feast on Candlemas itself which falls on 2 February, as well as making the journey to their local church to have their candles blessed.
As with some of the feasts we’ve looked at over the last few months, such as the feast of St Andrew, Candlemas has its own deity, Goddess or Saint Bridgid is known by many names and in Celtic languages her name translates as ‘the fiery one’ - a true solar Goddess. She is the patroness of healers, poets, blacksmiths and the saint of holy wells. She is often represented by a Bridgid’s cross woven from reeds and hung above the lintels, thought to ward off evil, fire and hunger!
Imbolc ritual
If, like me you want to deepen your connection to the cycles and seasons through the Wheel of the Year, one of the ways to mark Imbolc is by seeking out some boggy ground and finding some rushes. If you’re not sure what a rush looks like, the RHS has some handy hints on how to tell them apart from sedges and grasses.
The wonderful Michael Fortune has made this excellent video to show you how to weave your rushes into a St Bridgid’s cross. I’d love to see your creations. Please tag me @foxfirelearning on your socials.
Leo Full Moon
On Sunday the moon becomes full in the Western zodiac sign of Leo. As a fixed fire sign, there is an apt synchronicity here with the fiery energy of Goddess Bridgid. With the sun in Aquarius, there’s an opportunity to listen to your inner child and align with your truth. Use Leo’s playful, courageous energy to move forward to step into your power and honour your authentic intentions.
Thank you for reading. Imbolc and Full Moon blessings x
Lastly: Just to remind you that enrolment for Ecoliteracy for Educators at the Early Bird price of £360 is available until Sunday (05/02/23)! Course begins on 20/03/23.