Imbolc 2020

Brigit, Goddess, Imbolc, Seasonal Greetings

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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Brigit

Brigit, Divine, Goddess

Brigit (or Brigid, Brighid, Brig, or Bride) is a Celtic Goddess, later a Catholic Saint, associated with healing, poetry, and smithcraft.

In all her forms, She brings inspiration (a fire quality) and provides the spark for motivation. Her fire associations are so strong that a perpetual fire was set at Kildare in Her honour. The fire still burns there today. She also became the Goddess of the hearth-fire, the fire of the home, since She contains the mother and fire aspects.

The festival of Imbolc on February 1 is dedicated to Brigit. The Christianized festival is St. Bridget’s Day in honour of St. Bridget. (from Brigid’s Flame).

Read about Brigit

Brigit: Sun of Womanhood

Brigit: Sun of Womanhood offers a holistic picture of Brigit from her beginnings as a Celtic Goddess to her role as a Christian saint. The contributors to this anthology hail from all parts of the globe—including Ireland, Scotland, the United States and Canada—reflecting the widespread influence of Brigit. Readers will be transformed by this inspiring collection.

This newest anthology from Goddess Ink is edited by Michael McDermott and Patricia Monaghan and features writers from Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the US including Carol Christ, Sr. Rita Minehan, M. Macha Nightmare, Dolores Whelan, Joan McBreen, Matthew Geden, and many others.

Get your copy from Goddess Ink, Amazon, or other online retailers.

Resources to connect with Brigit:

n 1993 the flame of Brigid was re-lit and has been tended by the Brigidine Sisters in Solas Bhride ever since. Located in Kildare, Ireland. 

The Daughters of the Flame began their Brigidine flame-tending on the same day as the Brigidine Sisters relit her flame in Kildare. This non-denominational, international, women-only group can be found through their website or their Facebook page, or through their founder, Mael Brigde.

For classes with Mael Brigde, see Mystery School of the Goddess

beat me on your anvil Brigit

melt me in your pot

knit me solid

make me whole

bring from me a fine bossed cauldron

offering to your endless round

in this life and the next

this life and the next

From “Goddess of Smiths” by Mael Brigde in Brigit: Sun of Womanhood 

Imbolc, Candlemas, Brigit’s Day: Welcome Spring

Goddess, Imbolc, ritual, Seasonal Greetings

This Saturday February 3 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. And on this day as we celebrate the beginning of spring, we honor Brigit.

Brigit, Celtic Fire Goddess and Christian Saint, is associated with healing, poetry, and smithcraft. At this time of year, when the newness of spring is just under the ground and tucked within the buds forming on branches, I am reminded of the power of creation that bubbles all around us.

On this beautiful morning, I open my arms to breathe in this energy of creation and call upon Brigit to guide. She reminds me to create beauty in this world, and to do it with love. I am re-inspired by Anne Herbert’s phrase: Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty.

Take a moment now as we perch on the verge of Spring. Hitch onto the power of the season and create beauty, for it is sorely needed in our world. A smile, a kind word, a lovely note, an exquisite image, a heart-felt touch – let Brigit guide us all to honor and utilize our power of creation. Then, open yourself to be blessed by the beauty all around you.

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 February 2nd, or the night before, on February 1st. 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 http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/2015.html .