Celtic World > Imbolc

Celtic Wheel of the Year: Imbolc

Notes can be found in the Endnotes section.
Also see the Celtic World Site Bibliography.

Other names: Gouel Varia ar Goulou (Breton), Ogronia (Gaulish), (12) La 'il Bride, La Fheile Muire na gCoinneal, Oimelc (Modern Irish), La Feill Bhride (Scottish Gaelic), Laa'l Moirrey Ny Gainle or Laa'l Breeshey (Manx), Gwyl Mair Dechrau'r Gwanwyn or Gwyl Ffraed (Welsh). Also Brigid (Wiccan) and St. Brighid's Day, Candlemas, Purification of the Blessed Virgin, or Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Christian).

Celebrated on or around February 1, Imbolc was marked by the first milk of the ewes, a few weeks before the lambing season. This day is the festival of the Irish goddess Brigid (often identified with Brigantia), patroness of poetry, healing and metalsmithing. Brigid also is the protectoress of women in childbirth. In the Christian tradition, this day is celebrated as St. Brigid's Day.

As the foundation for the American Groundhog Day, Brigid's snake emerged from its hibernation mound; its behavior was said to determine the length of the remaining Winter. Another precursor to this custom is from the Isle of Man, where An Cailleach was said to come out to warm herself at Imbolc. If she found a wet day, she would return to her hiding.(13) The Welsh came to associate Imbolc with the Virgin Mary, calling it Gwyl Mair Dechrau'r, "The Feast of Mary of the Beginning of Spring." The word imbolc is said to derive either from a term meaning "milking," or from folcaim meaning "I wash." (14)