The Sabbat of Imbolc, circa February 1st or 2nd, is the celebration of the time of the year when Winter is almost over. Imbolc is an archaic term for "in milk", referring to the time when ewes, if pregnant, began to lactate, one of the signs of the coming of Spring. Also a time of year when our ancestors found their food supplies running low and firewood stores dwindling, the Celts honored Brighid, (pronounced Breed), the Celtic Fire Goddess who would keep the hearth fires burning during the cold dark nights. She is also the Goddess of poetry, healing, and craftsmen. She is considered a Tripple goddess, as are many of the Celtic Goddesses, but is most thought of at this time of year as "The Bride". Since her festival coincides with lambing season, Imbolc is also known and reffered to as "The Festival of Brighid", or "The Festival of The Bride".
Imbolc, is the time of year when in anticipation of the Spring and to cleanse self and home after the closed up period of Winter, we do rites of purification and cleansing. Along with the symbolic and spiritual, fasting, house cleaning, and all other appropriate "Spring Cleaning" is undertaken. We prepare ourselves and our homes for the activity and growth that come during the spring season. |
