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The Celebration of Imbolc
Imbolc is an ancient Celtic holiday celebrated on February 2nd, the mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a fire festival that represents beginnings, purification and transformation. The original word Imbolg means in the belly and traditionally celebrated lambing season and the lactating of ewes, as the milk during this time contains life sustaining nutrients for the remaining winter months when food supplies were scarce.
Imbolc traditions focus on the awakening of nature's dormancy and creating new intentions for the year ahead. The holiday is associated with the beloved goddess Brighid, worshiped as the goddess of illumination, renewal, creativity, and fire. She brings fertility to the land and is closely connected to midwives and new-born babies. She is also representative of the triple goddess maiden/mother/crone, but at Imbolc she is in her maiden aspect.
Symbols associated with Brighid:
-The Snowdrop
-The Serpent
-The Swan
-The Flame
-Sheep
-Brighid's cross
Color associations:
-White and silver for purity
-Green for new life
Herb associations:
-Blackberry
-Coltsfoot
-Ginger
-Tree associations:
-Rowan
-Willow