Imbolc Blessings

Today is Imbolc, known in Ireland as St Brigid’s Day. (Scots Gaelic Là Fhèill Brìghde, Irish Lá Fhéile Bríde, the feast day of St. Brigid). Imbolc usually falls on the 1st of February but it’s on the 2nd this year for some reason. Imbolc is also known as Candlemass Day and here in the USA, Groundhog Day (the results are in- Punxsutawney Phil  has braved the cold and stepped out of his hole to see……. NO shadow, so no more winter!) Somehow shivering in below freezing temps about as far South as you can get I wonder if Phil is right. I have thick white ice on the bird bath, I just went out and poured hot water on it and it didn’t even crack.

This is a detail of a pen and colored ink drawing that I made in 2000, the year that the Goddess Brigid was celebrated at the Texas, Festival of The Goddess. Brigid is the Triple Goddess, of Healing, Smithcraft and Poetry and in this illustration I chose to show her at her fiery forge.

I will always remember my dear friend Brigid Beth on this day as it was so meaningful to her (her ashes are now  scattered in her beloved Ireland). Unfortunately, we never made it to Ireland and Kildare together, home of St Brigid’s Eternal Flame and Healing Well but I feel as if I’ve seen it all anyway, through her eyes, camera lens and her vivid and beautiful descriptions. She was a true daughter of the Goddess Brigid, an artist, a poet and a bard.

Imbolc Blessings to you today and may Brigid’s flame burn eternally.