Imbolc

Imbolc
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, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans
Type	Cultural, Pagan (Celtic polytheism, Celtic neopaganism, Wicca)
Significance	beginning of spring
Celebrations	feasting, making Brigid's crosses and Brídeógs, visiting holy wells, divination, spring cleaning
Date	1 February (or 1 August for Neopagans in the S. Hemisphere)
Related to	Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau, Candlemas, Groundhog Day

Imbolc or Imbolg (pronounced i-MOLG), 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. Most commonly it is held on 1 February, or about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals—along with Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain—and corresponds to the Welsh Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau. For Christians, especially in Ireland, it is the feast day of Saint Brigid.

Imbolc is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and there is evidence it has been an important date since ancient times. It is believed that it 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. At Imbolc, Brigid's crosses were made and a doll-like figure of Brigid, called a Brídeóg, would be paraded from house-to-house. 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, while 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 also a time for divination.

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