The problem of Imbolc

Last updated on: February 6, 2013 at 3:02 pm by Niki Whiting

The problem of Imbolc 2013-02-06T15:02:15+00:00 Niki Whiting

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Today is the Celtic Sabbat/festival/holy day/celebration of Imbolc. Traci wrote a great post about it yesterday; I recommend it for those that want to know more about the word and its origins, as well as the Irish experience of it.

I’ve never felt all that connected to this spoke on the great wheel of seasonal observances. While I feel connected to all things Celtic, I don’t know much of the history, and there’s so much to know! I wasn’t raised in an Irish or Celtic diaspora family (my closest Irish ancestor was sent to Australia as a convict in the early 19th century) and I grew up in Alaska, where spring lasts all of six weeks and doesn’t arrive until after Beltaine. In fact, I remember many times snow falling in the beginning of May. How could the coming of spring be visible in early February?? That’s crazy talk!

When I lived in Wales I was able to see how this festival links into the lambing season and the coming spring. I remember seeing crocuses, snowdrops and daffodils peeking up through the ground. The light lengthened and its growing strength was palpable. Honoring Brid/Bride/Bhride/Bridgit/Brigantia made a lot more sense.

Now in Washington state I also feel the days growing longer and see buds tentatively peeking out. The next 6 weeks or so are little bit like a seasonal no-man’s-land here, it’s neither winter — the temperatures have warmed up, we’re unlikely to get any snow, but it’s not spring yet either — still a bit too cold, windy and wet. I don’t feel the strong urge to hibernate, but neither is the strong sunshine energy urging me to get out and Do Things.

I wrote yesterday about how I plan to observe Imbolc this year. It will be quiet: with an outdoor offering and lighting some candles, with ritual tomorrow with my teachers. I’d like to develop this holiday into something more deeply meaningful, for me spiritually, for my family, and to break up the monotony of this part of the year.

Autumn is packed with holidays and then after new year…… nothing. Sure, in the US there’s Martin Luther King Jr Day (but who observes that? does your community? most people just enjoy a day off work), Super Bowl Sunday (this coming Sunday, I hear. I don’t observe this, as I don’t care for American football), Valentine’s Day (another one I skip), and President’s Day (another long weekend that no one I know observes in any meaningful way), St Patrick’s Day (another one I skip) and then….. finally the Vernal Equinox and/or Easter. Oy. That’s a long dreary void.

Traci talked about using Imbolc as a time of cleaning and cleansing. I associate the Spring Equinox with that. It’s time for me to grow this holiday and find a way to include it in my seasonal rhythm here. I wonder if there’s a way to observe this turning of the wheel without having to get too Celtic. Only time and getting outside and engaging with the Land will tell.

Previous Post

January 31, 2013

Oiche Fhéile Bhríde: The Eve of St. Brighid’s Feast

Next Post

February 4, 2013 Mending the tears in a displaced life

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Africa Amazon Ancestors Animism Austin Boots Across Ireland Boston boundary crossing Bretagne Children Cities Community Connection Culture Detroit Druidry Earth Edinburgh Elements England Eskdalemuir Eugene experiential family Fiction Florida folklore France Glasgow Heathenry home how to build it Human Spaces imaginary landscapes Introduction Ireland Journeys Know your wild herbs Land Spirits London Maine memory lane Naturalizing Nature's Metaphors New York Poetry Remembering Ancestors Sacred Spaces San Francisco Scotland Seasons Seattle Tanzania Technology Texas the South Theory Top 10 traditions Travel Uncategorized United States video Water West Virginia Witchcraft Worlding

Select a Month August 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was the first Nazarite?

Select your answer to see how you score.

David Eli Samson Samuel