Imbolc

Imbolc, in the Celtic seasonal calendar marked the beginning of the lambing season and signaled 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’, and therein you have the underlying energy. It is the promise of renewal, of hidden potential, of earth awakening and life-force stirring.

Imbolc is traditionally the great festival and honouring of Brigid (Brighid, Bride, Brigit), so loved as a pagan Goddess that her worship was woven into the Christian church as St Bridget. She is a Goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft. She is a Goddess of Fire, of the Sun and of the Hearth. She brings fertility to the land and its people and is closely connected to midwives and new-born babies. She is the Triple Goddess, but at Imbolc she is in her Maiden aspect.

Some of the symbols attributed to Brigid are:
The Snowdrop.
The Swan.
The Flame. Imbolc is a Fire Festival and fire of all kinds is associated with Brigid.
Brigid’s Cross. This is a traditional fire wheel symbol – found at the hearths of homes.
The Serpent.
Sheep.

Representation of Brigid

Brigid's Cross