Bonfires are a traditional way to celebrate Imbolc. Photo: www.freerangestock.com
One of the four major sabbats of Celtic-based Paganism, Imbolc (pronounced "IM bulk" or "EM bowlk") is a fire festival talking place on the Cross Quarter Day, between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara). The world Imbolc is derived from the Gaelic word "oimele", meaning "ewes milk"* and in Celtic Ireland was associated with the onset of lactation of ewes preparing to birth the spring lambs.
The Celts took this time to celebrate the lengthening of the daylight and the knowledge that spring was on it's way. The celebrations included fires of all kinds (in the hearth, outside bonfires and candles), weather predictions, feasts and divination work.
Imbolc was originally devoted to the much beloved Irish goddess, Brighid. While trying to convert that Celtic Pagans, the Christians found it difficult to force the Irish to give up Brighid and her day, so the goddess was sainted and the day Christianized as St. Brigid's Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Brigid, Candlemas and Purification of the Virgin.
All over the world in both ancient and modern times, different cultures have held their own versions of Imbolc:
In ancient Rome (some believe even in pre-Rome), "Lupercalia" was celebrated on February 15, focusing on the history of the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus in the cave known as the Lupercale. The festival also concentrated on purifying the city and driving out evil as well as bolstering the health and fertility of the city-dwellers.
On the Island of Tiber, February 13 was celebrated as Faunalia, in honor of the god Faunus, a horned god of the forest associated with Pan. Faunalia was also celebrated on December 5th.
Ancient Egyptians celebrated the Feast of Nut, a sky goddess and mother of Ra, a Sun God. In fact Nut regulates the passage of time by giving birth to the sun every morning and swallows him every night, thus it was important to the ancients to please her at this time of the year, so that the days would continue to lengthen.
In Caledonnii, now part of Scotland, the ancient people celebrated Imbolgc Brigantia.
Lupercus is celebrated on February 2 in the tradition of Strega.. It is also called "The Time of the Wolf", and is related to the ancient Lupercalia.
In Teutonic history, February 14th brought the festival of Disting, a celebration of "vital forces that had turned inward" during the winter. (1)
Mexico, a fusion of pre-Hispanic traditions and Catholicism is celebrated in the form of Día de la Candelaria on February 2. The modern people of Mexico celebrates with parades, dances, and bullfights.
Many modern Pagans celebrate Imbolc as a festival celebrating the wakening of spring and new life. Rituals and spells are created, for purification, new beginnings and fertility. Ritual tools are cleansed and reconsecrated.
*Alternately, it is believed to come from the word "i mbolg" - which means 'in the belly', also referring to pregnant ewes.
(1) The Truth About Teutonic Magick By Edred Thorsson, pg 20
by Amber KYou may also enjoy reading:
- Imbolc Recipe: Yogurt Chicken Salad
- Imbolc Correspondences
- Activities for Imbolc
- Weather Divination for Imbolc
- A Simple Candle Ritual for Imbolc
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