Day 120 of 365 - Imbolc, Goddess Brigid, St. Brigid's Day

Today, February 1st is the Celtic celebration of Imbolc, the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.  It is also the day of the Irish goddess Brigid, who became known as St. Brigid with the advent of Christianity.  She can be seen as a bridge between the nature-venerating world of the pagan Celts and the incoming religion, Christianity.

Brigid was a patron of healing, food production, cattle rearing, sowing and planting.  The weather on her festival day is an omen for upcoming weather. (The North American tradition of Groundhog Day on February 2nd is derived from this.)

Brigid was thought to travel the country on the eve of her festival, bestowing blessing on the houses.  Her festival celebrates the theme of renewal.  To renew ourselves, we must let go of what is outworn.  This relates not just to physical things but, also health, work, leisure time, relationships. (Credit for the description in this and the preceding paragraph goes to The Goddess Book of Days by Vivianne Crowley.)

Imbolc is loosely translated as 'in the belly' referring to cattle soon to give birth to their lambs and calves.  As such, it is a celebration of coming new life, the ending of winter and the increasing light of the days.  It's a time when the last of the yuletide greens were removed from the home and burned as an offering to purify and release what no longer serves.

As we release, we create space for the new.  Brigid can be asked to bless us and help us to hold the space for the new elements which need to come into our life.  We protect our hopes and dreams during the remaining days of darkness, so they may come to fruition in the spring.  We are also reminded of the returning sun and its power to create great changes.

No matter your beliefs, there is something hopeful about this day.  Though it is still bitterly cold here, the sun is shining brightly today, reminding me that the days are getting longer, the weather will get warmer and spring will come.

And, from the perspective of releasing the old, perhaps it is time for me to put away the last of my holiday items.  I still have some little strings of lights up indoors.  Also, I've kept my undecorated potted pre-lit tree up to brighten the long days.  My outdoor lights and garland will have to wait for warmer weather, but I could unplug the timer for the lights now.

Then, I will leave those surfaces empty for awhile to remind me of holding the space for what is incoming to my life.

Happy Imbolc!  I will talk about Groundhog Day tomorrow. :)





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