At this time there is an opportunity to celebrate another European tribal tradition and, maybe, get a glimpse of what ancient pagan life was about. While acknowledging that most of the people in the world today do not share these origins, I’d like to wish, to all to whom this matters, the blessings of new life on Brigid’s day - on Imbolc, the start of the lactation of the ewes.
In old Scotland, this day fell in the middle of the period known as Faoilleach, the Wolf-month - the season was cold and drear but small signs of new life began to appear: Lambs were born, new grass began to grow and ravens began to build their nests. For those attuned to the earth and the seasons there were signs of hope that the community would again survive another winter.
Some stories tell of the Old Woman of winter, the Cailleach, being reborn as Bride, Young Maiden of Spring, fragile yet growing stronger each day as the sun rekindles its fire, turning scarcity into abundance. Bride breathes life into the mouth of Winter. The venom of the cold trembles for his safety on her day. Bride was also known as Brigid, Bridget, Brighid, Brighde, Brig. Some scholars think her name originated with the Vedic Sanskrit word brihati, an epithet of the divine.
She was the daughter of the Daghda, the "Great God" of the Tuatha de Danaan, the “Exalted One” – queen and mother goddess of many tribes. The Briganti, one of the most powerful Celtic tribes of Northern Europe took their name from her as their tutelary deity. Many place names still show evidence of her presence.
After the coming of Christianity she became St. Brighid and her feast day was called "Candle Mass" or "Candlemas" where parishioners would circle the church with lighted candles in celebration of the returning light and the purification it brings. Traces of her festival of the growing light can be seen in Groundhog Day. If the groundhog sees his shadow on this morning, it means there will be six more weeks of winter. This custom comes directly from Europe, and Scotland in particular, where an old couplet goes: If Candlemas Day is bright and clear/ there'll be two winters in the year.
To the people St. Brighid personified the growing light just as she did in pre-Christian times. A goddess of regeneration and abundance, she helped bring forth the bounties of the natural world. She was born at sunrise while her mother was walking over a threshold, and so "was neither within nor without." This is the state known as liminality, from the Latin, limen: a threshold - the state of being "in between" places and times. In Celtic tradition this is a sacred time when the doors between the worlds are open and magical events can occur.
In Ireland on this day farmer's wives made a special cake, the ale was brought out, the neighbors came round and a festive evening was had by all. Fresh butter was churned and always formed part of the meal; the more wealthy farmers gave gifts of butter to poorer neighbors, along with some roast meat, to celebrate the return of the bringer of bounty. Brigid herself was believed to travel about the countryside, blessing the people and their livestock, and so an offering of cake or bread and butter was left outside on the window-sill for her. Sometimes they left a sheaf of corn too, as sustenance for the white cow who traveled with her.
The family invoked Brigid's presence at the hearth-fire, the center of the home. The hearth was not only the source of warmth and cooking but also symbolized the power of the sun brought down to human level as the miraculous power of fire. Every morning the fire was kindled with invocations to St. Brigid, the "radiant flame" herself.
She also provided abundant ale-harvests: At one Easter-time, one measure of her malt was supposed to have provided ale for seventeen churches. If they ran out she could also turn water into ale.
Saint Brigid was renowned for her gift of healing. She wove the first piece of cloth in Ireland and wove into it healing threads which kept their power for centuries.
Many healing wells and springs were named after her. Many are still around (like at Kildare) and are still visited by people in search of healing.
Some ways to celebrate Imbolc:
This is traditionally a time of purification – a time to clean your house. If you have any Christmas greenery lingering, burn it now.
Make your own Brighid's crosses and hang them up, especially in the kitchen where her influence can bless your food. (These crosses of triple-braided rushes or straw were made on St. Brigid's Eve and hung in the house and often in byre and stable to honor Brigid and to gain her protection. The crosses resemble symbols of the sun in cultures throughout the world.)
Put out food - cake, buttered bread and milk - outside your door: Brighid and her cow walk through the neighborhood tonight, and will appreciate your offering.
Leave a silk ribbon on your doorstep for Brighid to bless: It can then be used for healing purposes.
Meditate upon what you would like to see grow in health and strength this year: for yourself, your family, your community, the Earth, and ask for Bride's blessing upon your prayers.