Brighid Statue by Paul Borda of Dryad Design
In Irish folk tradition February 1 is known as Imbolc or Brighid’s Day (St. Brighid’s Day) and is the first day of spring. Brighid is a Goddess, a Saint, and the matron of healing, prophecy, and dairy work among other things. It was believed she would travel the country on the eve of her festival blessing the people and animals.
Weather augury was an important function of the day, as it was the start of the agricultural year. It was also a time of inventory to make sure the household had enough stocked until they could replenish goods. Another custom was to abstain from any work involving wheels; from spinning yarn, sewing, operating mills, or even riding a bicycle.
A typical feast in celebration of Imbolc would include lamb, colcannon (mashed potatoes mixed with various greens, usually cabbage), bread, fresh butter, and ale with a barmbarck (fruit cake) for dessert. Gifts of butter, buttermilk, and some of the slaughtered sheep would be given to poor neighbors or friends. A portion of the bread and butter were set out as an offering to Brighid, sometimes accompanied by some grain for her white cow who travels with her.
Many preparations are made to make Brighid’s stay comfortable while she blesses the house in addition to an offering of food. These traditions vary by place, as each area would have it’s local customs. Some would strew rushes or straw on the threshold or by the hearth so that Brighid would have a comfortable place to rest. This is called making Brighid’s bed. Other’s would have a member of the family dress as Brighid and knock on the door and then ceremoniously invite them in.
Many items were also left out for Brighid to bless. These would include food, water, or grain. A piece of fabric, a ribbon, or an article of clothing would often be left out to be blessed. This is called Brighid’s Mantle, and can be used for healing particularly of any head complaints
A large part of the festival centers around the making of Brighid’s Crosses. These are made of straw or rushes and take on many forms usually having the shape of a type of cross. At one time they were paraded around the town, sometimes alongside of an effigy of Brighid called a Biddy, which was usually dressed in white. The procession sometimes involved guising, singing, dancing, asking for food or money, or exchanging blessings of all kinds.
The material to make the crosses were often placed under the table during the feast, or sometimes under the bread, and when they were made some crumbs of bread were weaved into it. The crosses were then sprinkled with holy water, often by the local priest, and hung near the front door, the hearth, or in the barn for a year. The crosses offered protection from fire, lightning, storms, spirits, hunger, and illness.
Sources:
The Year in Ireland by Kevin Danaher
Brighid Statue by Paul Borda of Dryad Design
