Happy Imbolc Day 2024
Celebrating this Celtic Wheel of the Year
Greetings, dear Sunny Optimist Buddies,
Today, in the Northern Hemisphere, we arrived at the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. This so-called 'cross-quarter' day has several names, 'Imbolc or St. Brigid's Day' in the Pagan, Celtic, and Gaelic traditions, 'Candlemas' in the Christian tradition, and 'Groundhog's Day' in the U.S.
As I am sure you know by now, I love to acknowledge these seasonal celebrations that honour the relationship between the Earth and the Sun. As I write about this today, I am wonderfully connected to my Celtic heritage. I so appreciate that we have many universal traditions that keep us in tune with the natural cycles of life. Connecting with this ancient wisdom feels wonderfully life-affirming in these days of uncertainty and struggle.
The original word Imbolg, meaning 'in the belly,' gives us a delightful sense of expectancy. You know that time in a pregnancy when the bump is becoming visible? What my Mum used to say was 'just showing'.
Imbolc is a time of honouring fertility to appreciate that birthing is coming. We also understand that the baby is not ready to be born yet. The cross-quarter time heralds the promise and potential of Springtime but asks us to be patient and let the unfolding take its time. All will be revealed in due course!
There is something very precious about metaphor, as the image below captures. The sacred feminine nature of woman contains and nurtures that which is to be birthed on behalf of all of Life.
Imbolc : A Seasonal Poem
Imbolc is here With the first winds of spring Whispering in the trees and over the fields Telling us that the Maiden is starting to wake. The Cailleach* will shake her fist and wail As the old crone fights to stay. She will lash us with cold and storms still As she knows her time is waning once more Just to let us know that she is still very much here For a just a little bit longer.
On the day before We clean the house and sweep the hearth We decorate the doors with garlands and bows. At sunset, we prepare the Brigit’s doll And set out the milk to welcome Brigit to our home For on the morrow, we will dance though the door While in the hills, the Druids will light the fires To welcome Brigit, the goddess of fire Brigit, inspiration for poets and bards.
We pray to her to bless the fields and animals To provide us with plenty in the coming season As we dance hand in hand through the doors to welcome Brigit into our homes. With Imbolc, we celebrate the coming of the Maiden And welcome the return of Father Sun to warm the Earth To chase the Cailleach back to her lair As we continue our cycle of the annual wheel.
By Irish American Writer Traolach (Terrance) Mac Earlyn O'Domhnaill
*The Cailleach is the divine hag associated with the weather, especially storms and wintertime. She is not ready to let go yet, but the Maiden is starting to awaken. There is an acknowledgement of St Brigit, the Goddess of Fire in the poem. In the image below, can you see how she is preciously sustaining the flames of life yet to be birthed? So evocative.
Questions for this Week
As you sense into this time of celebration, I wonder,
Do you celebrate this time of year where your feet touch the ground?
What images and insights arise as you connect to the expectancy of this time?
Can you sense the stirring of life that is quietly happening around you?
As always, I would love to hear from you.
Ann
Ann, I love this post SO much. Such a great question: What is expectant—what is beginning to show? It captures the energy of a couple of big things emerging in my life right now. It is a beautiful reminder to be patient. Not only is there no need to rush, there is no way to rush. Things will birth exactly when it is time. I love knowing about the Imbolc energy and will celebrate it today.
Sending so much love from here! - C.
I got goosebumps reading this, especially on seeing the image created by Karen Bagnard. A question came to me - wasn't Imbolc at some point considered the start of Spring? (And the cross-quarter days, generally, the start of the seasons?) Thought I read that somewhere.
On a different note, yesterday, I was wondering about a biomimicry way to think about money. This morning, I woke up realizing that gardening is all about investing thoughtful time and care. And I was aware of the patience you need to be with life as it unfolds naturally in its time. There is that expectancy you talk about and, with that, the opportunity to learn patience, to align with the process of nurturance and care. That seems to be helping me think about things differently.
Thanks, always, for your lovely articles !