The Promise of Spring
By Rev. Valera "Doe Eyes" Childers
Imbolc, also known as Candlemas, Imbolg, and Oimelc, which means “ewe’s milk,” falls on February 2nd. It is a time when we celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year back to spring. Most of the customs and rituals surrounding Imbolc are some form of sympathetic magic designed to lure the sun back and, hopefully, bring a quick end to winter. The cold months were hard for pagans in the ancient world and many of them perished from malnutrition, the cold or disease, so naturally their rituals would revolve around bringing life back into the world.
Ireland is home to many of the myths, lore and traditions that we share at Imbolc. For the Irish, this was, and still is, a holy day that honors the Goddess Brigid (pronounced “breed”), the Great Mother Goddess. In fact, her festivals were so much a part of the fabric of the lives of the Irish that the Church was forced to assimilate the holiday, now known as “St. Bridget’s Day.” So even now the Church honors the pagan goddess of fertility, creative inspiration, the protector of children, medicine and metal smithing.
In the Nordic traditions of the Druids, Imbolc is known as Disting-tid and is the day for preparing the earth for planting.
Rituals included scattering sacred herbs, salt, and ashes, even if the ground was frozen and covered in snow.
In Europe, where the word Imbolc means “ewe's milk,” this is when the ewes become pregnant and begin to produce milk. It was a good day when this happened, it was a sign that life was returning to the earth. Cornwall was known for producing a drink made of a pregnant ewe’s milk, honey, cider, and mashed apples, to celebrate the coming spring.
So, as we sit in our homes with the heaters on, take a minute to throw on a coat and go outside. It’s brisk and possibly wet. But take a look around and you will see signs of the promise of spring and the warmth to come. And once again, The Wheel of the Year turns, just as it always has.
Valera is an owner and a Priestess of The Village Witch. To learn more about here click here.