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Originally believed a pagan festival associated with the Goddess Brigid and that it was Christianised as a festival of Saint Brigid, many people from different traditions celebrate this special day and the Glastonbury community warmly welcomes all those who would like to join them. Pronounced 'im'olk' (also known as Oimelc and Imbolg) Imbolc comes from an Irish word that was originally thought to mean 'in the belly', although many people translate it as 'ewe's milk' (oi-melc). |
This is a festival marking the beginning of spring, the stirrings of new life and the quickening of the year. A Cross Quarter Day, it lies mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, and can fall between the 2nd & 7th of February when calculated as the mid-point between the astronomical Winter Solstice and the astronomical Spring Equinox. Most people now celebrate the festival on the 1st of February.
Mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature there is evidence it has been an important date since ancient times. Brigid's crosses were made and a doll-like figure of Brigid would be paraded from house-to-house. Brigid was said to visit one's home at Imbolc. To receive her blessings, people would make a bed for her and leave food and drink, while items of clothing would be left outside for her to bless. Brigid was also invoked to protect homes and livestock. Special feasts were had, holy wells were visited and it was a time for divining what the coming year might bring.
For more about Brigid the Goddess and Brigid the Saint, see our Bride's Mound page.
1st February 2018
GLASTONBURY CELEBRATIONS
The Friends of Brides Mound invite you to join them for the day
The Glastonbury Unity Candle will be in attendance.
9.30am White Spring opens
10.00am Ceremony at the White Spring
(Time to visit Chalice Well. See below. Entry is free up to noon.)
1.00pm Walk to Bride's Mound with Serena Roney-Dougal. Meet outside the White Spring, where the White and the Red springs join.
2.30pm Gathering around the fire on Bride's Mound.
Wear clothing and footwear suitable for wet and muddy conditions!
The Glastonbury Unity Candle will be in attendance.
9.30am White Spring opens
10.00am Ceremony at the White Spring
(Time to visit Chalice Well. See below. Entry is free up to noon.)
1.00pm Walk to Bride's Mound with Serena Roney-Dougal. Meet outside the White Spring, where the White and the Red springs join.
2.30pm Gathering around the fire on Bride's Mound.
Wear clothing and footwear suitable for wet and muddy conditions!
Chalice Well - First Stirrings Meditation
Gathering at the well head at 12 noon for celebration and meditation until 12:30.
At 12:30 you are invited around the fire on the Lower Lawn for informal ’conversation’.
More...
Gathering at the well head at 12 noon for celebration and meditation until 12:30.
At 12:30 you are invited around the fire on the Lower Lawn for informal ’conversation’.
More...
Imbolc Ceremony - Goddess Hall, Benedict St
7.30pm
7.30pm
Community Celebration - The Assembly Rooms
8pm - 11.45pm
Gathering together to celebrate the impulse of life that springs forth at this wonderful time of year. Planting the seeds for the coming year and celebrating the first rays of light that will bring us warmth through the springtime. A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall not overcome it.
Entertainment, Ceremony, Poetry, Music and Song.
More...
8pm - 11.45pm
Gathering together to celebrate the impulse of life that springs forth at this wonderful time of year. Planting the seeds for the coming year and celebrating the first rays of light that will bring us warmth through the springtime. A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall not overcome it.
Entertainment, Ceremony, Poetry, Music and Song.
More...
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For further events around the Imbolc period, visit Glastonbury Online and the Glastonbury Oracle Online
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