May the stirring of life underground,
stir new dreams into life within you.
May the flames of inspiration and new growth
be ignited within your Being.

The word Imbolc means “in the belly” in the old Irish Neolithic language, referring to the pregnancy of ewes. It is the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, and traditionally marks the beginning of spring. Even while snow may still dot the ground, you may see the first buds breaking through the hard soil and reaching for the growing light of the longer days.

February 1st is also celebrated as St. Brigid’s feast day and the remembrance of the Celtic Goddess, Brigid. As with many religious traditions, there is a combining of stories and legends.

In ancient Irish mythology Brigid was a fire goddess. St. Brigid, also known as “Mary of the Gael”, was the founder of the first Irish monastery in County Kildare. Her canonization is celebrated with a perpetual flame at her shrine in Kildare.
St. Brigid’s Cross has a square centerpiece with four radials, and it’s usually made of straw, rushes, or reeds that are woven together in a criss-cross pattern. It might have its roots in the pagan sunwheel, which was meant to bless the earth with fertility and life. The centerpiece also recalls the movement of the stars as the year passes. The Cross is used to protect a house and drive evil, fire, and hunger away.

Representing the Celtic aspect of the Divine Feminine, the Saint and the Goddess continue to intermingle into the present day.