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Post by Joanna on Feb 2, 2016 3:17:55 GMT -5
Imbolc Traditions and Foods
While many Americans look to Punxsutawney Phil for an early end to winter, pagans around the world are expected to lure the spring equinox with traditional Imbolc festivities this week. The festival, which falls on Tuesday this year, celebrates the early signs of spring through a serious of rituals and a feast. For pagans, who are also commonly referred to as Wiccans, Imbolc (pronounced “EE-molk”) is held during the coldest and darkest days of the year, when people long for the warmer temperatures of spring and summer. The festival is meant to symbolically drive out the frigid conditions and darkness, by shining a light on any early seasonal changes.
“Imbolc” is an Old Irish word that refers to sheep’s milk. In ancient times, a lactating ewe signaled one of the first signs of spring. Also called Brigid’s Day, in reference to the Celtic goddess of fertility, Imbolc represents regeneration.
It is traditional during Imbolc to light every lamp in the home at dusk, according to experts on pagan traditions. Candles can also be lit in each room of the house to honor the sun’s rebirth. A kerosene lamp with a red chimney may be placed in a prominent spot of the home.
Outside the house, celebrations typically include a twirling of torches to symbolize the sun. If there is snow on the ground, pagans walk through it and trace an image of the sun in the snow.
The Imbolc feast includes a lot of dairy, in reference to the birth of calves. Sour cream-based dishes are typical. Spicy foods are also a staple of the Imbolc menu, symbolizing the warmth of the sun. All dishes in an Imbolc feast are made with peppers, onions, leeks, shallots, garlic and chives. Spiced wines are also traditional during the festival.
Source: Aaron Morrison, International Business Times, February 2, 2016.
See also “Brigid: Christian Saint or Spring Goddess?”: whatliesbeyond.boards.net/thread/4964/brigid-christian-saint-spring-goddess
“Imbolc, a Gaelic Festival”: whatliesbeyond.boards.net/thread/3218/imbolc-gaelic-festival
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Post by Kate on Feb 1, 2018 12:44:19 GMT -5
Is anyone planning on celebrating Imbolc or Candlemas?
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Post by madeline on Feb 1, 2018 23:54:54 GMT -5
Is anyone planning on celebrating Imbolc or Candlemas?
We have some British members who practice Wicca, or something similar. I wonder if any of them celebrate Imbolc.
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Post by Kate on Jan 29, 2023 16:21:24 GMT -5
Imbolc begins at sundown Wednesday. Is anyone doing anything special?
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Post by serena on Jan 29, 2023 21:53:53 GMT -5
Imbolc begins at sundown Wednesday. Is anyone doing anything special? |
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Post by Kate on Jan 29, 2023 23:36:33 GMT -5
I've seen in some of your other comments where you and some women friends get together and celebrate the sabbats. Do you still do that? It sounds like fun. |
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Post by pat on Jan 30, 2023 18:39:12 GMT -5
We all get together at a camp house we have back in the woods on the Red River. We build a bonfire, weather permitting, and prepare a feast. For Imbolc, we place a brown cloth on the table and a sideboard we use as sort of an altar. We have white candles and small pots of jonquils, daffodils and other spring flowers on the altar, table, mantle shelf, etc. Of course, we also hang Brigit crosses around to remind us of the Celtic origins of the celebration. Here are some of our Imbolc recipes: whatliesbeyond.boards.net/thread/3224/recipes-imbolc and whatliesbeyond.boards.net/thread/9318/imbolc-recipe-poppy-seed-bundt |
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Post by serena on Jan 31, 2023 8:33:38 GMT -5
I would love to find a group of women who did things like that. I don't care for Wicca or most neo-paganism groups because they're too political and all the covens I know of include men. What I'd like to be part of is a group something on the order of the women of Cornwall Coomb in Harvest Home. |
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Post by Kate on Jan 31, 2023 16:24:23 GMT -5
I would love to find a group of women who did things like that. I don't care for Wicca or most neo-paganism groups because they're too political and all the covens I know of include men. What I'd like to be part of is a group something on the order of the women of Cornwall Coomb in Harvest Home. |
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Post by Kate on Jan 31, 2023 16:26:05 GMT -5
I think men get into things like Wicca and neo-pagan religions to hook up with women -- or men if they're queer. It was a man who first claimed that witches worshiped skyclad. It's ridiculous to think people danced around naked in cold weather or in the summer months fighting off mosquitoes and gnats. |
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Post by pat on Feb 1, 2023 13:34:21 GMT -5
I think men get into things like Wicca and neo-pagan religions to hook up with women -- or men if they're queer. It was a man who first claimed that witches worshiped skyclad. It's ridiculous to think people danced around naked in cold weather or in the summer months fighting off mosquitoes and gnats. |
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