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| Imbolc / Saint Brigid's Day | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also called | Lá Fhéile Bríde (Irish) Là Fhèill Brìghde (Scottish Gaelic) Laa'l Breeshey (Manx) |
| Observed by | Historically: Gaels Today: Irish people, Scottish people, Manx people, Modern Pagans |
| Type | Cultural, Christian (Roman Catholic, Anglican), Pagan (Celtic neopaganism, Wicca) |
| Significance | beginning of spring, feast day of Saint Brigid |
| Celebrations | feasting, making Brigid's crosses and Brídeógs, visiting holy wells, divination, spring cleaning |
| Date | 1 February (or 1 August for some Neopagans in the S. Hemisphere) |
| Related to | Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau, Candlemas, Groundhog Day |
Imbolc or Imbolg (Irish pronunciation: [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. It marks the beginning of spring, and for Christians, it is the feast day of Saint Brigid, Ireland's patroness saint. Its traditional date is 1 February, about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.[1][2] Historically, its traditions were widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Imbolc is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with: Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain.[3]
Imbolc is mentioned in early Irish literature, and some evidence suggests it was also an important date in ancient times. It is believed that Imbolc was originally a pagan festival associated with the lambing season and the goddess Brigid. Historians suggest that the saint and her feast day are Christianizations of these.[4] The customs of St Brigid's Day did not begin to be recorded in detail until the early modern era. In recent centuries, its traditions have included weaving Brigid's crosses, hung over doors and windows to protect against fire, illness, and evil spirits. People also made a doll of Brigid (a Brídeóg), which was paraded around the community by girls, sometimes accompanied by 'strawboys'. Brigid was said to visit one's home on St Brigid's Eve. To receive her blessings, people would make a bed for Brigid, leave her food and drink, and set items of clothing outside for her to bless. Holy wells would be visited, a special meal would be had, and the day was traditionally linked with weather lore.
Although many of its traditions died out in the 20th century, it is still observed by some Christians as a religious holiday and by some non-Christians as a cultural one, and its customs have been revived in some places. Since the later 20th century, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans have observed Imbolc as a religious holiday.[1][2] Since 2023, "Imbolc/St Brigid's Day" has been an annual public holiday in Ireland.[5]
- ^ a b Danaher 1972, p. 38
- ^ a b McNeill, F. Marian (1959, 1961) The Silver Bough, Vol. 1–4. William MacLellan, Glasgow; Vol. 2, pp. 11–42
- ^ Cunliffe, Barry (1997). The Ancient Celts. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Page 188-190.
- ^ Berger, Pamela (1985). The Goddess Obscured: Transformation of the Grain Protectress from Goddess to Saint. Boston: Beacon Press. pp. 70–73. ISBN 978-0-8070-6723-9.
- ^ "Government agrees Covid Recognition Payment and New Public Holiday". Government of Ireland. Department of the Taoiseach. 19 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.