Imbolc ( pronounced im-bolk or sometimes em-bulk) is a fire festival that marks the start of Spring, halfway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. It roughly corresponds to Groundhog Day, when tradition has it that if a groundhog sees its shadow outside the burrow at dawn, there will be six more weeks of winter. My daughter Meaghan was born on February 2nd and this day is always just a little bit more special to my family. Imbolc is one of the four principal festivals, and the celebration signals the middle of the season of long nights and anticipates the upcoming season of light. Some people make corn maidens from corn and wheat and the maidens are dressed up and placed in a cradle known as a "Bride's Bed". A wand, usually tipped with an acorn or other large seed, is placed in the bed with the maiden which is generally kept year round as a symbol of fertility. Depending on your particular path or tradition, there are many different ways you can celebrate Imbolc. Some people focus on the Celtic goddess Brighid, in her many aspects as a deity of fire and fertility, others focus their rituals more towards the cycles of the season, and agricultural events such as preparing the soil and planting times. I like to do my version of "spring cleaning" and give my house a blessing as well as a bit of scrubbing and involve my children in a few arts and crafts followed by a special dinner which is always a great time together as a family.
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