Welcoming Brigid

Tomorrow is Imbolc, Oimelc, Candlemas, Brighnasadh, Brigid’s Day! In my personal calendar, it’s the first day of spring, and even though cold feet (and fingers and nose) may say otherwise, I’m sticking to it. The light is clearly stronger and I feel life stirring all around. Because Celtic holidays begin at sunset, tonight I will begin to welcome Brigid by lighting new beeswax candles in the hearth candelabra. It’s a beautiful big hearth at this new house, but the chimney was damaged beyond repair in the earthquake of ’89, so it’s for show only, and for many candles! I will also tie a luscious green silk ribbon around one of my trees. This is my representation of Brigid’s Mantle — the idea is that you put a ribbon or piece of cloth out overnight, measuring it first, and then measure it again in the morning. If it is longer, it means that Brigid has added a bit of her own green mantle to it as she passed. I trust in her presence and her green blessing, so I don’t bother with the measuring, I just leave the ribbon on the tree and add a new one each year. This year I’m adding a prayer that I will see MANY annual green ribbons on the tree in the time I live here!

My third Imbolc activity is to make some new Brigid’s crosses, or Brigid’s wheels, as they are sometimes called. The cross represents the cross-quarter days of the wheel of the year and the sun and the balance of energies and elements, and many other fine things. For me, it also represents movement, progress, and radiant strength, all good things to affirm as the light returns to bless the land and Brigid spreads her mantle over the warming earth. Traditionally they are made of rushes, wheat, or straw, but I like to make mine out of sparkly pipe cleaners, or as they are known now in craft stores, tinsel stems. I like this name, as it seems it imply that there will also be tinsel blossoms and leaves and perhaps tinsel fruit. I’m all for more sparkle! If you want to make your own Brigid’s cross, I’ve posted some instructions here. May you feel the loving and creative touch of Brigid, today, tomorrow, and in all the days to come.