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Imbolc (also Imbolg, Oimelc) Feb. 1 or 2. A modern interpretation says that the word "Imbolg" means "in the belly", but other, older sources show a possible derivation from an old Irish word for "Lactation". The word "Oimelc" (Old Irish) derives from an old Celtic word for Ewe’s Milk. The 2nd quarter of the Celtic year and the first day of Spring. While February is still very cold in most places, the Celts saw the beginnings of Spring in some of the more subtle signs of nature. In particular, as the name suggests, in the first lactating of the sheep. This is also a time when the first shoots of many plants begin to break the still cold ground.
This Celtic festival is strongly associated with the Irish Celtic Goddess Brighid, who is also one of the most important of Irish saints. In modern Ireland, this day is called “Lá Fhéile Bríde” Bridget’s Feast Day. Brighid, as the creative force in both tribe and land, unites the two main themes of Imbolc; a reawakening of the fertility of the land and a new agricultural cycle. The Goddess is invited to bless this process, bringing protection from harm and energy to grow. One tradition involves the eldest woman (or daughter) of the house going outside and gathering rushes. She then returns to the threshold and calls out; Téig? ar bhur nglúine, agus asclaig? bhur súile, agus ligig? Br?d bheannaithe isteach! (Be on your knees, and open your eyes, and let Blessed Bríd in!) Everyone in the house welcomes her; O, tar isteach, tá céad fáilte romhat! (O, come in, you are a hundred times welcome) Bríd enters, puts the rushes under the main table and blesses the house, particularly the hearth, food & drink. Then, everyone makes Bríd"s crosses from the rushes and hangs them over the doors for protection from want. For more traditional Imbolc ritual activities (there are many) refer to The Witches Bible by Janet & Stewart Farrar and Apple Branch A Path to Celtic Ritual by Alexei Kondratiev.

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