Imbolc is sacred to the Celtic Holy being Brigid (who does anonymously work these days as the Irish Catholic Saint Brigid). She is the Holy being of a number of gear, and healing. Near is a velvety ritual connected with Brigid and the Eve of Imbolc (which is today, February 1st). As recounted by Sara Jane Kingston on her website:
Widely, the brat bhride, or Brigid's Cloak, was laid on your own sooner than twilight on the eve of Brigid's Feastday, 1st February, and brought back in sooner than crack of dawn. Hallowed by Brigid, ancient Obligated goddess and saint, the dew which knock down that night imbued the cloth with powers of healing and protection which lasted in the order of the rendezvous.
It would thus be detached in a special place in the care for and brought out as looked-for on one occasion sickness occurred. It may possibly be wrapped around the head to consider a headache; it was generally recycled by midwives to help women in childbirth, for Brigid was exceedingly familiar as vivacity the financier of healers and midwives. It was recycled on poorly natural world after that, exceedingly cows and sheep for which Brigid had a special relationship.
This is why Imbolc is brusque in Canada. Near is not a exclusive decline of dew to be had wherever in this kingdom at this picky time of rendezvous. If we put out a Brigid's Cloak on Imbolc Eve, the following sunrise it strength of mind be lay down unyielding under a few inches of flurry, assuming that it has not blown away from home in the wazoo-seeking Unfriendly explosion referred to yesterday.
This concludes my bitching about Imbolc. Tomorrow I strength of mind blog about our domestic exchange Imbolc ritual.