Celebrate the Ancient Gaelic Fire Festival of Imbolc Followed by Candlemas, January 31-February 2

A time to stoke the inner fire and sense of hope as we move into the last part of winter

The ancient Gaelic fire festival of Imbolc is celebrated beginning on the eve of January 31 and through February 1. Imbolc is immediately followed by the Christian holy day of Candlemas (or Candelaria), a festival of light celebrated on February 2.

I was born in the month of February and have always appreciated that my birthday month begins with these festivals of fire and light! You may notice that the days in February (northern hemisphere) are growing longer and brighter, as author Elizabeth Strout so aptly described in Olive, Again:

Because in February the days were really getting longer and you could see it, if you really looked. You could see how at the end of each day the world seemed cracked open and the extra light made its way across the stark trees, and promised. It promised, that light, and what a thing that was…the gold of the last light opening the world.

Imbolc is a cross-quarter day that occurs nearly halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox in the northern hemisphere. The name Imbolc literally means in the belly of Mother Earth, because this day represents the stirring of Mother Earth's womb after a long winter’s nap. Imbolc is also known as Oimelc, which refers to the milk of the ewes that starts to flow more around this time of the year.

In the northern hemisphere, Imbolc marks a subtle seasonal change. In some locations, people will experience the return of the Sun and early signs of spring. The message at Imbolc is, “Don't give up, because winter is halfway over!”

Imbolc by Chris Bell

Imbolc traditionally paid homage to Breo Saighead, the beloved Celtic goddess Brigid (Brighid, Bridgit). She is also called the Exalted One and the Lady of the Sacred Flame. Brigid is the Druidic patroness of healing, fertility, poetry, smithcraft, and magic. Her message at this time is that we must stoke our inner fire. This will give us access to the creative inspiration and sense of hope needed to get us through the last part of winter.

Brigid Poster by Brigid Poster by DarkSolisArt

Keep vigil to the fire in your heart.

Allow it to grow, that you might grow into greatness.

Tend your heart fire on this Imbolc so that you might tend the fires of others; that you might approach your life, and all of the wonder it holds, with reverence.

Then, when you look out your window at the persistence of winter, you will understand faith in a new way.

Yours will be a faith made of fire.

(Imbolc 2013: A Faith Made of Fire, by Teo Bishop, Contemplative Pagan and Bard)

Happy Imbolc! Brighid-Brighid!

In some parts of the world, Snowdrops or Milk Drops begin to pop up around Imbolc. They are Brigid’s flower, a symbol of hope, purification, and rebirth.