#Imbolc
Quotes about imbolc
Imbolc, a festival rooted in ancient Celtic tradition, marks the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Celebrated on February 1st, it symbolizes the awakening of the earth and the promise of renewal. This time of year is associated with the goddess Brigid, a figure of inspiration, healing, and poetry, embodying the themes of light and new beginnings. Imbolc is a celebration of hope and the gradual return of warmth and light, as the days grow longer and the first signs of spring emerge. People are drawn to quotes about Imbolc because they capture the essence of transformation and the power of rebirth. These quotes often reflect themes of courage, resilience, and the beauty of nature's cycles, resonating with those seeking inspiration and motivation during the darker months. Imbolc encourages us to embrace change and look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead, making it a powerful symbol of personal growth and renewal. Whether you're drawn to its spiritual significance or its celebration of nature's rhythms, Imbolc offers a rich tapestry of meaning that continues to inspire and uplift.
Horned humans are not unknown to medical science as there is a rare skin disease, which goes by the name of ‘Cornu Cutaneum’, a cutaneous growth, which resembles a horn and grows from the scalp.
Everyone looks for the first snowdrop as proof that our part of the earth is once more turning towards the sun, but folklore maintains that we should be wary of bringing them into the house before St Valentine’s Day, as any unmarried females could well remain spinsters!
It is easy to see how the myths and legends which built up around the Goddess Bride became entwined with Christian doctrine, and there is one source which tells of St Brigid’s ale harvest being so abundant that enough ale was made to serve seventeen churches!
I have since learned that although the festival of Imbolc was far less romantic and far more practical to our Celtic ancestors than the initial image portrayed to me by Mrs Darley, it was no less magical, for it marked the beginning of the lambing season which to the Celts meant the difference between survival and extinction.
Pagan paths, of which there are many, more often than not, are based upon an acknowledgement of a Divine presence within nature, as acknowledged by the pre-Christian peoples of these Islands and Northern Europe more than 1500 years ago.
Cleansing and clearing are two words which suit the essence of Imbolc, as this is February, the Roman month of purification. This can be a cleansing of the self, in undertaking a good ‘detox’, or a clearing and cleansing of the home, in keeping with the tradition of spring-cleaning.
So now, as the Maiden form of the Goddess whispers to us of hope and new beginnings at the festival of Imbolc, it is on a cold February morning that you are invited to step onto the ‘Wheel of the Year.
In truth, however, only four of the festivals celebrated by today’s followers of the seasonal wheel can definitely be attributed to the Irish and Scottish Celts, these being the quarter festivals of Imbolc, Lughnasadh, Beltane and Samhain, with the latter two being of the greatest importance.
The Green Man has also become synonymous with Cernunnos, the Celtic horned God, often portrayed in Celtic art as part man, part stag, who roams the greenwood wild and free. He is a character of strength and power, but often sadly mistaken for the devil by the Christian fraternity due to his horned appearance.
Strange as it may seem, the association of eggs and bunnies at Easter time are actually connected and, to discover more, we must once again turn our attention to the Saxon fertility Goddess, Eostre.