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Imbolc
Alternative Religions Glossary
The annual holiday Candlemas, the Festival of Lights, a Midwinter Festival. Known to Neopagans and ancient Celts as Imbolc (Gaelic origin, "in milk), a festival of the Maiden Goddess and a traditional time to bless agricultaral implements (especoially the Plough) and livestock.
Neopagans celebrate the holiday with home blessings and lighting candles to welcome the coming of the light and the Goddess in Spring. It is one of the eight traditional Wiccan Sabbats.
In Ireland, the day is the festival of St. Bridget, a holdover from celebrations of the Celtic Goddess Brigid. Traditional "corn dollies" and "Bridget's crosses" are fashioned from straw. You can see some images of Brighid here.
Imbolc is related to the Roman Lupercalia, and celebrated on February second. (Groundhog's day)
Pronunciation: Imm-bolk • (noun)
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