Traditionally observed on February 1st, Imbolc is one of four major festivals that made up the Gaelic year. It marked the beginning of spring and the start of the lambing season, which would promise the beginning of a new supply of milk.
The festival of Imbolc is also associated with the goddess Brigid, though it is unclear whether this has always been true, or whether it is due to her syncretism with St. Brigid of Kildare, whose feast day also takes place on February 1st. Imbolc is also associated with the Christian festival of Candlemas, which is given the same date.
The name Imbolc may be related to pregnancy (i-mbolg, "in the belly"), or purification (imb-fholc, "to wash"), or to sheep's milk (oĂ-melg, "ewe's milk"), though which meaning is correct is a source of some debate, as they each have relevance to the traditions of the day.
While we have limited evidence of what the pre-Christian Imbolc may have entailed beyond its agricultural associations, St. Brigid's Day brings with it a wealth of tradition and custom. Among these are the cleaning of the house, the churning of butter, and the creation of handicrafts, in particular the Cros BrĂde - a typically four-armed cross made from corn husks or rushes - and the BrĂdeog - an effigy of Brigid, also made from husks or rushes, and often laid in a specially-made bed with a wand of birch. It was also common for a special cloak or mantle called a Brat BrĂde to be left outside overnight for Brigid to bless.
This piece features sheep, a bark milking bucket, and overflowing bowls of milk to represent the beginning of the milking and lambing seasons, over a backdrop of the Brat Bride, and alongside flowers - snowdrops, dandelions, and primroses - associated with both spring and Brigid herself. Candles for the returning light of spring (and Candlemas) are also present, along with the Brideog and Cros Bride, which are easily the most recognizable symbols of the festival.
Lå Fhéile Imbolc shona daoibh!