I was invited to my first ever Imbolc celebration this past weekend. I wasn’t familiar with Imbolc, so I looked it up. My cycle-loving, nature-worshipping heart was so pleased to discover its roots - and to know I’ve made the right kind of friends if I’m being invited to celebrate Imbolc.
I assume many of you are, like me, new to the term. Here’s a mini-definition via Wikipedia:
“Imbolc is the traditional Gaelic name for 1 February and traditionally marks the first stirrings of spring. It aligns with the contemporary observance of Groundhog Day. It is time for purification and spring cleaning in anticipation of the year's new life. In Rome, it was historically a shepherd's holiday, while the Gaels associated it with the onset of ewes' lactation, prior to birthing the spring lambs.
Imbolc was one of four main seasonal festivals in Gaelic Ireland, along with Beltane (1 May), Lughnasadh (1 August) and Samhain (1 November).
The festival is traditionally associated with weather lore, and the old tradition of watching to see if serpents or badgers came from their winter dens may be a forerunner of the North American Groundhog Day.
Imbolc was believed to be when the Cailleach—the divine hag of Gaelic tradition—gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that if she wishes to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny so that she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people would be relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over.”
Have you felt the stirring? The coming alive? I have felt it this past week. The sun is out in full glorious force which certainly helps, but deep in my bones I can feel the awakening. No, I’m not expecting any new lambs in this family, but I can feel creativity, curiosity and play all waking up from their winter slumber.
I’ve been reading again! And writing! I have shows on the horizon and I’ve been having the best time rehearsing for them! I have an energy thrumming under the surface and the desire to make plans for the summer months.
This should not come as a surprise.
We are all part of nature, and the cycles of nature are our cycles too. The first stirrings of spring are all around us and inside us, and I welcome the opportunity to notice and celebrate that. So, happy Imbolc! Thank you to my dear friends Janita and Josh for introducing me to this beautiful tradition, which helps me understand myself as much as the world around me. It also gives us a reason to gather and celebrate in community, which is an important and joyous thing.
The divine hag in me sees the divine hag in you,
Shannon
Upcoming Shows (Shannon and Jakeb)
Feb 10 - Ottawa show with Graven - Meow That’s Hot - tickets
Feb 11 - Up Close & Personal with Graven (Camborne) - tickets
Feb 23 - Walk the Line (Port Hope) - Sold Out
Featured Song - I’d Rather Be Anything (Shannon and Jakeb)
A group of friends who are also a group of spectacular musicians gathered a few weeks ago to celebrate some birthdays, and we ended the night with a sing-along/jam session. This song made it into the mix, as Jakeb, myself and Lucas Marchand were all there and all ready to sing. I still get little excitement shivers from some of the harmonies in this song, I hope you do too.
Watch a live video version of I’d Rather Be Anything here.
I love this calendar. One of my favourite English words is "afterlithe," a name for July that marks the month after the summer solstice, Litha. Tolkien borrowed it for the Shire calendar as well.
This is so great, Shannon. And if Saturday was any indication…the Cailleach was definitely out collecting lots of extra firewood. I don’t mind :)