This Sunday, February 3 2020, is the mid-point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. This auspicious day heralds the first day of Spring, the day Winter passes and Spring emerges. This is often the day that we begin to notice that it is getting lighter – brighter a little earlier in the morning, and night falls a little bit later at night.
The light brings growth, and some of the earliest flowers are pushing forth. Today we have just passed the first quarter and are speeding toward the Full Moon (next Sunday 2/9). The moon’s energy lights a fire under this beginning of spring, propelling us upward.
In the Celtic calendar, this is Imbolc, the “quickening,” the feeling of life growing within us. On this day we honor Brigit—Celtic Fire Goddess and Christian Saint—associated with healing, poetry, and smithcraft.
Take a moment now as we perch on the verge of Spring. Hitch onto the power of the moon and the season. Finish projects, dig in to something new, and take on that thing that you have wanted to do for oh so long.
What you create in the world, what your unique skills bring to fruition, what irreplaceable manifestation you bring forth is needed, is important, is part of what makes everything whole. Brigit, the moon, and the sun all support this work, right now. Do not hold back. Know that there is a place for what you bring.
A note on date and nomenclature: This day—called a “cross-quarter” day because it falls between the solstice and equinox—is known variously as Imbolg (a Gaelic or Old Irish word meaning “in the belly,” referring to pregnant ewes), Candlemas (originating from the Church of England), or Brigit’s Day (honoring the Celtic Goddess and Catholic Saint). Imbolg is traditionally celebrated on the dusk of January 31 to the dusk on February 1st, and Candlemas on February 2nd. Candlemas is the Feast of Purification for the Virgin Mary, on which day Brigit accompanied her in the church with a lit harrow on her head to attract attention away from the shy Mary–according to one tale. For the Northern Hemisphere another more exact way of calculating it is when the Sun is at 15° Aquarius (in the Tropical calendar), which this year falls on February 3rd. See more about the seasons here https://www.archaeoastronomy.com/2020.html .
Throughout this week, we will be honoring Brigit as we approach Her feast day. To celebrate, the definitive Brigit anthology, Brigit: Sun of Womanhood, edited by Patricia Monaghan, will be 30% off in our Goddess Ink store, and a free download with a Brigit invocation. Peruse all of our Celtic offerings, including the Weaver’s Oracle and the Celtic Goddess Oracle, Starr Goode’s fantastic book on the Sheila Na Gig’s, and Patricia Monaghan’s Red-Haired Girl from the Bog.
Là Fhèill Brìghde sona dhuibh uile! Happy St. Bridget’s Day to you all!
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