Imbolc
Brigid, women and fire in the belly. One thing I’m sure of, is that women with fire in their bellies is what’s going to save us.
The old goddess Brigid is making a powerful return to our collective psyche during these liminal chaotic times, coming back to remind us the importance of reclaiming the feminine in today’s world.
Brigid or Brig is said to be the daughter of the Dagda, who was one of the principal ‘old gods’ in pre christian Ireland, also known as Eochaid Ollathair or ‘great father’. Dagda is associated with Brugh na Bóinne / Newgrange.
Brigid was most likely the prominent female deity in pre christian Ireland. There was a protracted and complex overlap between the old gods and christianity in medieval Ireland, which led to this pagan goddess (who we actually know very little about) inspiring the rise and cult of St.Brigid of Kildare.
The old goddess Brigid still resonates deeply within Ireland, especially today on the pagan feast of Imbolc, which was most likely a time associated with the old goddess before the christian saint Brigid feast day was assigned to the 1st February.
A perpetual fire was maintained at St. Brigid’s sanctuary in Kildare, overseen by women with no men being permitted near it1, it is more than probable that this ritual too endured from pagan times. This sacred fire held and guarded by a group of women devoted to the pagan deity Brigid.
The festival of Imbolc translates to i mbolg or ‘in the belly’. It is the second lunar cross quarter festival of the Celtic year, a calendar that we can still use to connect deeply with the cycles and rhythm of nature, the moon, plants, changing of light and sounds.
The inner chamber of the Mound of the Hostages at the Hill of Tara is aligned with the rising sun on Imbolc. Like the other three festivals Imbolc is associated with the moon and is an earth and agricultural festival, considered to be feminine. (The four festivals of the solstices and equinoxes are associated with the sun and times of the earth’s journey around the sun. They are considered to be masculine).2
We are moving from the dark half of the year towards the brighter half, albeit still slowly. Winter is pregnant with summer at this stage.
\IMBOLC ENERGY//
Re-Awakening
Inner Growth
Devotion
Purification
The sense of belonging to something greater than myself is powerful during these liminal times, in my body, heart and mind. Embodying the presence of this powerful energy of Brigid and slowly and softly beginning to warm the deep fertile ground of myself feels like the right thing to do.
Embracing my softer knowing, intuition and imagination always feels like the right way to be in the world. I sense the soft energy of Imbolc ushering me to warm my deep underbelly, so I can connect to the ground of others.
Imbolc is a move from the darkest time of the year towards the imminent return of light. If the winter solstice represents birth, Imbolc is akin to very early childhood, playful and tender.
No need to rush, feel your way be a sensory animal, I hear her say. Ask questions, without needing to know the answer, make mistakes.
Imbolc is the first sign of spring approaching, a time for re-awakening after the long days of winter, falling midway between the winter solstice and vernal (spring) equinox. The time when ewe's give birth and lambs are born, lactating and in turn providing the first fresh creamy milk of the year…
So I ask myself:
How can I warm the ground of myself?
How can I slowly surface form the dark underworld and comfort of winter?
How can I tend and prepare my ground with heart, comfort and care?
What can I learn from this time (look around at nature)
What am I devoted to / What begins to ignite the flame and stir me deep within?
How can I express my devotion?
I invite you to join me.