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Imbolc, imbolc, the light will soon return, warm the Earth this winter's night and let the candles burn - from Ancient Dream, by Aeolian Songspell

A time of purification (hence spring cleaning), this is a hopeful time of year, with the days drawing out and even the mornings slowly lightening. Later this month, the first snowdrop and crocus should visit, suggesting that Spring is not far behind.

Imbolc is the Gaelic word for the slow moment between the winter and spring equinoxes. As the relentless cold makes us wonder for a moment whether it will ever end, we begin to find signs here and there that all is not quite as hopeless as it may sometimes seem, and that everything goes on. Frost is cold, but it will get warm again. It’s dark, but every day we’re given just a precious minute more of light. The dawn chorus grows just a little louder.

George Gilmore from Resurgence notes that, for the ancient people of the British Isles, each new day was believed to begin with the dark – with dusk. This meant that for the people of old, Imbolc began at sunset on January 31st, heralding a night rich with tradition. On Imbolc Eve, it was customary to open doors or windows to let out the old and bring in the new the goddess of hearth and home (Brigid) was symbolically invited into the dwelling, bringing her blessings of fertility, creativity, protection, and prosperity for the year ahead.

Imbolc is also a potent moment for a Spring clean, adds Gilmore, for having a tidy and symbolically clearing away Winter’s stagnation to make space for the freshness of Spring - much like how creatures clear their dens and birds tidy their nests at this time of year.

See also:

• Imbolc guided meditation
• On Ostara
• On Beltane
• On Litha
• On Lammas
• On Mabon
• On Samhain
• On Yule
• On Sekki