Happy imbolc!

**Father Bill** · 1st February 21, 07:28 AM

I guess it's officially Spring! (Thank heaven!) Here's the information I picked off of the dreaded internet where nothing is considered correct:

Imbolc or Imbolg ([ɪˈmˠɔlˠɡ]), also called (Saint) Brigid's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Bríde, Scottish Gaelic: Là Fhèill Brìghde, Manx: Laa'l Breeshey), is a Gaelic traditional festival marking the beginning of spring. It was traditionally held on 1st February. It lands about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.^[1][2] Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals—along with Bealtaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain.^[3] For Christians, especially in Ireland, it is the feast day of Saint Brigid.
Imbolc is mentioned in early Irish literature, and there is evidence suggesting it was also an important date in ancient times. It is believed that Imbolc was originally a pagan festival associated with the goddess Brigid, and that it was Christianized as a festival of Saint Brigid, who is thought to be a Christianization of the goddess.^[4] On Imbolc/St Brigid's Day, Brigid's crosses were made and a doll-like figure of Brigid (a Brídeóg) would be paraded from house-to-house by girls, sometimes accompanied by 'strawboys'. Brigid was said to visit one's home at Imbolc. To receive her blessings, people would make a bed for Brigid and leave her food and drink, and items of clothing would be left outside for her to bless. Brigid was also invoked to protect homes and livestock. Special feasts were had, holy wells were visited, and it was a time for divination.
Although many of its customs died out in the 20th century, it is still observed and in some places it has been revived as a cultural event. Since the latter 20th century, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans have observed Imbolc as a religious holiday.^[1][2]

**Bruce Scott** · 1st February 21, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

I guess it's officially Spring!

That seems early to me, I thought Spring in the Northern Hemisphere started on 1 March (meteorologically) or between 19 and 21 March (astronomically). Whatever the case, it's a long way off for us in Oz

**Father Bill** · 1st February 21, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce Scott

That seems early to me, I thought Spring in the Northern Hemisphere started on 1 March (meteorologically) or between 19 and 21 March (astronomically). Whatever the case, it's a long way off for us in Oz

Ah, but nobody said it was either astronomical or meteorological. It's "tradition".

**Bruce Scott** · 1st February 21, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Ah, but nobody said it was either astronomical or meteorological. It's "tradition".

I should really read more carefully, completely missed the date in you post.

**James Hood** · 3rd February 21, 10:31 PM

Happy imbloc!

When Reading Fr. Bill's explanation of the imbloc holiday, 'was reminded of a personal "explanation" for some ancient (or at least pre-cosmicnet) traditions, holidays, feasts, superstitions, given over time to varied folks, from family to pre-Confirmation religious ed students...

...Back then, in Biblical times and even to the middle ages and beyond, cell phone reception was very bad, it was hard to find smart phones and there were not many cable and satellite TV stations, no one had wide-screen TVs, or streaming services...

...so, people were more imaginative and creative and invented varied occasions to break the monotony of life.