Imbolc

Imbolc or February Eve is one of the four principal festivals in the Celtic Calendar, marking the first signs of spring, and is celebrated among the Gaelic people and other Celtic Nations on February 2nd. This date was chosen because it was the midpoint between Yule (Winter Solstice) and the Vernal Equinox (Spring Equinox) on the Solar Calendar. In the Northern hemisphere this is when the sun reaches fifteen degrees of Aquarius and in the Southern hemisphere it is the midpoint of Leo. Imbolc is derived from the Irish Gaelic term “Imbolg” meaning “in the belly” and is celebrated as one of the four fire festivals in Traditional British Witchcraft.

In some Celtic Nations, Imbolc or February Eve is dedicated to the Goddess Brigid (also known as Brighid, Bríde, Brigit, or Brìd), the Goddess of poetry and healing and is associated with holy wells and sacred flames. The flame symbolizes the lengthening of the days and the first signs of spring. In Pre-Christian times a sacred fire was kept alight by the Priestesses of the Goddess Brigit on the hill of Kildare to protect their herds and to provide a fruitful harvest. On the Isle of Man, She is known as Caillagh ny Groamagh, and is seen as a gigantic bird, carrying sticks in her beak.

Candles play an important role on Imbolc because they symbolize the light of inspiration and healing and are normally lit on the eve of February to welcome the first signs of spring.

Imbolc was an important time for Ancient Ireland and this is evident by the Loughcrew burial mounds and the Mound of the Hostages in Tara, Ireland, where the inner chamber of the passage tombs are perfectly aligned with the rising sun of both Imbolc and Samhain.