Imbolc for you

Imbolc is the spring festival in Ireland, marking the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. But what does Imbolc mean for you? As a festival, it is traditionally associated with the Irish goddess Brigid and the awakening of the Earth. While Imbolc has deep roots in Ireland, its essence can be embraced and celebrated worldwide. In this guide, we’ll explore how to honor Imbolc in a meaningful way, even if you’re not in Ireland. We’ll focus on using local natural materials for crafting crosses, adapting foods based on seasonal availability, and assessing the weather before deciding on certain crucial factors for your Imbolc rituals.

Crafting Imbolc Crosses with Local Materials

I’ve written before on the importance and significance of the Brigid’s cross at Imbolc. There’s no harm in revisiting it again though. I make a Brigid’s cross most years, because rushes are plentiful and easy enough to get. The cross is an important symbol of protection – particularly against fires. And you can imagine the importance of protection against fire in a world before fire fighters and emergency numbers existed? Once a thatch catches hold, it’s damn near impossible to put out. Or at the very least, requires specific considerations from modern fire fighters…

Crosses were put on houses, barns, byres, sheds… even cattle and other valuable animals. (Yes, that is also how common rushes or corn is in Ireland, even now!) But what about if you don’t have access to rushes?

Why rushes?

Well, here’s the thing. Look at the reasons why we use the rushes in Ireland. They’re damn near everywhere. They’re free for the taking along most banks of water. And we have a lot of water in Ireland as well. I’ve thrown a map of the major rivers in Ireland below but for each of those you can add in another 20 or so minor rivers. Or perhaps water movements that would only be considered a river in Ireland!

And the Clare peninsula? It doesn’t have rivers on the map, but it certainly has rivers. However, because of the Burren, they tend to be smaller and let’s face it, the Shannon takes a lot…

So rushes aren’t an issue here. Some years though, I have made crosses from grass from the garden because getting to the local river wasn’t possible for me. That’s ok too. Most places around the world have some sort of grass or natural growth that you can bend in half. To make the style of cross I generally make – see that pic above – all you need is a natural material in your locality that bends in half.

What can you use instead?

I have seen people make mini crosses out of pine leaves in the Brigid’s Forge Facebook group. That looked difficult to me, but it’s a sign of the ingenuity among Brigid followers. To me, look at what’s around you. Adapt the traditional Irish custom to suit your surroundings.

Imbolc traditions aren’t written in stone at all. And for most of our history, certainly from approx 1600 – 1970 (or later) wealth was rare in Ireland. People used what was to hand. Take the thought behind the practice and make it work for you. Your Imbolc practice is your practice.

Look around you. Look for anything that’s natural growing in your area than you can bend in two. Use that. Give it a go. There’s no one marking your results out of ten for a passing grade!

Seasonal foods

I’ve written extensively before on food for Imbolc. Please, don’t be throwing those “sun-like” foods at me. Seriously, when I was growing up, we got pancakes once a year, on Shrove Tuesday. Absolutely nothing to do with spring as such, more to do with using up eggs and butter before the fast starts. How our ancestors were convinced to adhere to this sort of fasting I don’t know, but I suppose for many of them, it really wasn’t an issue most of the time.

But again, this post is about Imbolc and you. So, what can you do? Well, dairy is always good for Brigid. You know this. Butter, eggs, milk, yoghurt, etc. You’re dairy free for whatever reason? Look at beef, mutton, lamb, pork. Meat-free and dairy free? Tune in to yourself and herself. Look at the food our ancestors ate. Or use foods that are in season where you are.

The problem with potatoes…

Again, the aim is to look at what’s behind the thoughts. Many of the Dúchas.ie entries mention a pile of mashed spuds in the middle of the table with a dollop of butter in the middle. Absolutely. You know why? Because it was the main source of food for our ancestors for many generations. And the butter was a treat. When you have nothing, you make a celebration out of what you have.

Don’t use spuds. I’ve said this before, please, please, please, don’t use spuds. Yes, they’re associated with the Irish, but dammit, they’re an import from South America. Not native Irish.

It’s not that I have an issue with potatoes, you understand. I quite enjoy them. I have entire cookbooks revolving around them. But they are a colonisers’ food here in Ireland that has become synonymous with my nation because it was the only way my ancestors could feed their families.

Feasting

A major part of all the Irish festivals is that food element. Feasting is highlighted in pretty much all of our writings. Food was central to all of our celebrations. So, look to what you have around you. Seasonal food is best for this sort of celebration in my opinion, but don’t go bankrupting yourself. Seriously – this post is title “Imbolc and you”. The aim is to come to a place where you don’t cause yourself pain and torment to mark the occasion. (Well unless you’re into that sort of thing. No judgement here!)

So, how can you feast? What does feast mean to you? Maybe it’s splashing out on a food you really enjoy but only have rarely. Maybe it’s making beans on toast but lighting a candle at the table. I don’t define what “feast” means to you!!

Weather

The last thing I’m going to touch on is the weather. I’m well aware from talking to friends in the States and Canada, that there are places with 23″ of snow right now. (58cm for those of us who have reached the 20th century…) So, it’s possible that “seasonal foods” and “local grasses” are irrelevant for you.

It’s also entirely possible that anything I’ve written above is just not possible for you for other reasons – you’re in the middle of an urban area with no local growth. Or it’s not possible for you to reach somewhere where things grow.

This is all ok. The Irish did what they could to mark the occasion with the materials they had to hand. If you can’t get local grasses, can you get another natural material? A fibre like wool maybe? Not as easy, but there are knitting patterns for Brigid’s crosses out there. (No, I didn’t really believe it either) On that same link, you can see DIY kits for Brigid’s crosses. If you have the resources and want to do that – go for it.

In the end…

(Anyone else have this going through their heads?)

Your Imbolc celebration is about you. I will critique people on the internet and elsewhere presenting personal gnosis as general practice. Or indeed when people just plain make shit up. (No, I’m not linking, I’ve to mind my blood pressure as it is!) But your private practice is a different thing.

So here’s some questions to help you out on how to adapt Imbolc for you:

• Why did the Irish use that method or resource
• Is there something that serves a similar purpose in my surroundings?
• How can I keep the intent the same, without adhering exactly to the actual practices?
• What can I do to honour the purpose of the festival? To honour the coming of the spring, with new growth, new life, new purpose?

Let me know if you have any questions!