The Flame Unfailing: Blessed Imbolc, Blessed Brighid

Return me, oh sun,
to my wild destiny,
rain of the ancient wood
bring me back the aroma and the swords
that fall from the sky,
the solitary peace of pasture and rock,
the damp at the river-margins,
the smell of the larch tree,
the wind alive like a heart
beating in the crowded restlessness
of the towering araucaria.

Earth, give me back your pure gifts,
the towers of silence which rose
from the solemnity of their roots.
I want to go back to being what I have not been,
and learn to go back from such deeps
that amongst all natural things
I could live or not live; it does not matter
to be one stone more, the dark stone,
the pure stone which the river bears away.

Oh Earth, Wait for Me, by Pablo Neruda

Today is the cross-quarter celebration of Imbolc, which some observe as Candlemas, and some recognize in honor of the Saint/Goddess Brighid. Or both!

And for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, we wish you blessed first harvests, for today is Lughnasadh!

The cross-quarter Sabbats fall halfway between the astronomical times of Solstice and Equinox. So Imbolc is celebrated between Feb. 1 and 3, depending on your tradition and desire for celestial precision. Another sky marker of Imbolc for those of us above the Equator is that it is observed when the starry sisters of the Pleiades are at their zenith in the sky at sunset.

When Is Imbolc Exactly?

Yes, there is a little confusion about when, exactly, Imbolc ought to be celebrated.

For many, Imbolc is a fixed-date festival and does not move, in which case it is usually Feb. 2. But many of my Pagan and Witch friends observe it today (Feb. 1).

Imbolc also has strong ties to the Goddess Brighid (also called Bride (“breej”), Brigantia, Brigid, Brigit, and more) who was so popular, the Catholic Church was obliged to adopt Her as a saint. Her feast day is the 1st of February.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that, as several ancient cultures did, the Celts observed the start of each new day at sunset. So, translating that to our modern times, Imbolc might be thought of as starting at sunset on the 1st, and lasting until sunset on the 2nd.

Another source of the muddle is that Imbolc became conflated with Candlemas, as so many of the old religion’s celebrations did. Even within Paganism, the name is sometimes seen as interchangeable.

Imbolc is an old Celtic observance that revolves around the growing sunlight and the strengthening signs of life. Thanks to the lambing that begins at this time, it celebrates the return of milk to the flocks, ensuring survival through the remainder of the fallow time. The name is believed to be based on the Old Irish word for ewe’s milk.

On the other hand, Candlemas is very much a Christian holiday, and honors the presentation of the Christos infant at the temple during his mother’s postpartum purification rites. Over the centuries, it also became incorporated into the annual Christian tradition of blessing church candles. This is probably where it began to overlap with the celebrations of the fire Goddess-turned-Saint Brighid.

But here’s the truth: our ancestors did not adhere to written calendars or smart devices. Many did not use the newfangled solar calendar that the Roman invaders introduced. Most importantly, they reckoned their holy days by their own observations of the Sun, Moon and stars; the behavior of the animals; and the cycles of the living Earth all around them.

Many of the Earth religions view this as the time when the Crone aspect of the Goddess is now transformed into the young Maiden. The wintry grip of the Cailleach now yields to gentle Spring’s hope and fertility. This is the time when the deep endarkenment that we entered in the season of Samhain ends.

And if you’re wondering about Groundhog Day, it is basically a Winter’s End divination date that would have been popular around the time of Imbolc. So that is Imbolc’s tie-in to the modern, secular Groundhog’s Day, and why it falls on the 2nd.

By whichever name or method you like, Imbolc (usually pronounced “IMM’-ulg” or “IMM’-bulg”) is the time when we of the Old Ways dedicate ourselves to new studies, renew our spiritual devotions, undergo initiation to a new level of practice, cleanse and refresh our homes, magical tools, and sacred spaces, or perhaps simply bless the seeds of our intentions for the coming year.

The Cold Moon of February

This year, we receive the rare gift that the Full Moon arrives at this same time. Lady Luna reaches Her fullness on Feb. 1 at 5:10pm, Eastern time.

The Full Moon of February goes by many folkloric and tribal names, most commonly the Snow Moon or the Hungry Moon, for conspicuous reasons.

But according to my dear and wise heart-friend, Cate Kerr, who has spent her lifetime gathering a treasure trove of magical lore, other names include:

Ash Moon, Big Winter Moon, Chestnuts Moon, Cold Winds Moon, Coyotes Frighten Moon, Crow Moon, Death Moon, Eagle Moon, Fish Running Moon, Frost Sparkling in the Sun Moon, Gray Moon, Ice Moon, Index Finger Moon, Moon of the Frog, Moon When Spruce Tips Fall, Narcissus Moon, No Snow in Trails Moon, Quickening Moon, Raccoon Moon, Staying Home Moon, Trapper’s Moon, Treacherous Moon, Wild Moon, Wind Moon, and Winter Moon.

My favorite, obviously, is that for many indigenous people, this is known as the Owl Moon. Cate notes that this is when, in Ontario where she lives, “the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), claims a nest somewhere in the woods with its lifelong mate and settles down to the arduous business of raising another unruly brood.”

The Full Moon is always a reminder that all time is circular and cyclical, not linear. Everything begins in darkness, just like the Celtic year, then grows, reaches its great zenith of fullness, only to diminish, fade, and return to the root that rests, waiting for the stirring again of life.

An especially good thing to remember in this already topsy-turvy Wheel of Fortune year.

The Promise

Those of us who harmonize our lives with Grandmother Earth’s seasons, the rhythms of stars, Moon, and sky, and the moving arc of light and dark across the Wheel of the Year know that regardless of the cruel horrors now unfolding as the patriarchy clings to life support, plus all the suffering and chaos it is causing as a result, our time of rebirth and renewal has come.

For behold – know in your heart and mind that Nature is teaching us Her patience and truth:

Even though we may have to endure the harshest Winter fury still, and for many more weeks, the dark time is truly ending. The gentle light is fragile, yes, so we encourage and give thanks for every precious moment. But the newly born lambs are arriving, even in the coldest northern lands that are still locked in deep cold and fleeting hours of sunlight.

Despite whatever harsh weather lies ahead, the tender blooms of the snowdrops, the first callings of mating birds, and other signs of Spring will grow ever more insistent.

Imbolc is Life’s Promise: no matter what the ice and cold may deliver, Spring’s renewal is coming, and it will triumph.

Attune yourself to Her. Feel the shift, seek Her fragrant winds of change. Dawn comes earlier each day. Sap is rising, buds on the trees are swelling. Blossoms are plotting their debut. Roots are feeding the green shoots that will soon burst through snow and cold mud.

Pay attention to this.

Carry this in your brave heart as you face the challenges that surely still lie ahead.

Triumphing Over the Time of ICE

Limit your news diet to only what you need in order to step up and act on behalf of what you value. More can be toxic to the spirit and runs quite counter to the Divine Promise of this time.

Especially since, as we know, mainstream media and commerce are powerfully calculated to distract and weary our souls, pollute our sacred imaginations, and drain our faith. Indeed, the dying system and its hateful, desperate machinations would love to trick us into doubting our power, and most especially the power and importance of our living grandmother, Gaia.

Believe your own eyes and soul. Trust your ancestral knowing. This magic is far older and more potent than the odious little persons currently looting our communities and our democracy.

The Wheel has turned, and the dawning of the time of healing, growing, and life’s vigor is inevitable and assured. We need only align and participate.

There are seeds of love planted long ago, and they are stirring. They will overcome. The curtain is rising on the bright new year, and the changing of the age, too.

Courage, my darlings! Be of good cheer.

Holy Water, Sacred Flame

Now the light has assuredly grown longer and stronger since Solstice, and we feel the stirrings of life’s renewal in the land. We harmonize with this energy by choosing new ways to nurture our spiritual growth and service.

One of my favorite ways to observe this holiday is to bless seeds that I will be planting once the ground is warm and the danger of frost has passed. They may represent a creative dream I have for the coming growing season or fondest wishes and hopes about my cherished relationships. Or they may simply be seeds chosen to help our wild neighbors in our woods.

Here at Laurel Hill Cottage in North Carolina, we are blessed with fresh, good water that gushes from a well dug deep in our sacred land.

So at this time, especially mindful of recent droughts and other threats to plentiful drinking water, we humbly ask dearest Brighid to bless and protect our well and, indeed, all the waters of the world.

Even if you use city tap water, learn where it comes from and give thanks to that source. Blessing your spigots, sinks, and pipes with thanksgiving, song, and other devotional practices would be appropriate at this time.

It’s easy to take it for granted that most of us can turn on the faucet and unlimited clean water comes out. But as tragic events around our nation and the world continue to remind us, we are extremely fortunate for this life-giving gift, and it is one that can vanish or be poisoned with little warning.

The Light of Awakening

Other rites you might consider at this time include celebrating the return of the Sun’s light. In many Pagan homes at sunset, it is a tradition to light every lamp in the home for at least a few moments. Or you might like to light a special candle in every room. Alternately, light a red candle and place this (safely!) in a prominent window.

If you have snow on the ground where you live, walk in it for a while and draw a magical symbol of the Sun, as your message to the sleeping Earth, encouraging Her to awaken.

Whether you have snow or not, if the weather is not too dire today, take a mindful walk around the areas near your home. Recall how those places feel during High Summer. How are the sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings now different? What animals are present or missing?

Priestessing Enchantment

As you remember the Summertime, send that memory out to the trees, plants, creatures, devas, and other beings with whom you share your neighborhood. I personally like to do this by singing, humming, or chanting.

You, too, can call to Gaia’s slumbering children, reminding them that Winter’s grip is loosening, and soon you will be welcoming their presence. Or, like the traditional Morris Dancers, you can dance upon the sleeping Earth, ring jingle bells, and smack magical sticks together to awaken Her creatures.

With your songs and words, you are engaging in the original sense of the word en-chantment: to chant or sing with intention, to achieve a desired result. By doing so, you bless and bring to life all within the sound of your voice.

You can also do this to invoke the protectors of the Land — the ancient Underworld beings who are the guardians of Gaia’s well-being. I believe we are in great need of their assistance, so as you celebrate the strengthening of the Sun’s fire, take this opportunity to establish or deepen your cooperation with them.

And speaking of the magic of words, be mindful that Brighid is a Goddess of Poetry. This is why I began this post with the gorgeous poem from Pablo Neruda as an offering to Her. (Sending even more gratitude to Cate for this inspiring recommendation). Refresh your spirit by sharing Her most blessed gift of poetry.

For those of you (a diminishing number, I hope!) who think you are not fond of poetry, let me invite you to erase all the tedium you may associate with it, tainted by drab, repressed schoolteachers with no soul.

Poetry is the oldest form of spellcraft, and is always more vibrant and alive when spoken aloud, for that is how it is written to be. And much of it is far sexier and more inspiring than the sanitized bits we were made to plow through in school.

I could go on and on, of course, but the day is moving on, and I have enchantments to attend to.

So I will close for now, simply asking that you hold to and feed the Light we ignited together at Solstice. It is the Flame that does not fail, now dancing brighter than ever.

Let us join hands, heads held high, singing and running like the wind, never again forgetting our wild destiny.

Brighid of the mantle, encompass us;
Lady of the lambs, protect us;
Keeper of the hearth, kindle us;
Beneath your mantle, gather us;
And restore us to memory.
~ Caitlín Matthews, A Blessing for Hearth Keepers