Celebrating a Return to the Light

Here in the Pacific Northwest, our winters are rainy and overcast, sometimes the gray lasts for weeks and months. I sometimes get what I call the Februaries where I can't seem to bear another moment of our gray rainy weather. However, slowly but surely, I’m noticing that the light is returning to our world. The sun is rising a little earlier and setting a little later each day. It won't be long before we see the first signs of spring. I tell myself, one more month and we'll see crocuses and snowdrops, then after that the daffodils, my favorite. I feel energized when these flowers spring up. I am reminded that there is always new life and blessings in the world. 

I know that I'm not the only one who anticipates warmer and easier days ahead. We all celebrate the return of the light after a dark cold winter. Each in our own way. One such celebration is known as Brigid's Day or Imbolc, a Gaelic festival marking a return to the light and marking the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It’s also tied to the lambing season in agricultural communities as a symbol of rebirth.

Brigid is the one of Ireland's patron saints who was said to have lived in the 6th century, performing miracles, and founding the monastery of Kildare where there is a sacred well that is believed to have healing properties. It is a place of prayer and pilgrimage. She was also renowned for her charity work. It may be that she was originally a Celtic goddess but due to her popularity she was adopted into Christianity as St. Brigid.

As a Celtic goddess, Brigid or Brighid was a healer, poet, smith and patron of poets and bards. She is linked to fire, creativity, women, and fertility. She was one of three sisters who were also called Brighid making her a traditional Celtic triple goddess. Brigid was a part of the Tuatha De Danann, a supernatural tribe of gods who dwell in the otherworld and interact with humans. They are said to be descended from Danu, the mother goddess.

Whether saint or goddess, Brigid is celebrated in different ways. Many light candles to signify  that spring is on its way and to bring a small light into the world. Others visit holy wells and bodies of water and leave offerings of coins, ribbons, flowers. The ribbons are tied to trees as a sign of gratitude and hope. If you do so, remember to make sure you're being mindful of the local flora and fauna and not harming them in anyway.

Another tradition was to invite Brigid into your home. People would make her a bed and put a corn doll in it while calling out "a Bhríd, a Bhríd, thig a stigh as gabh do leabaidh" ("Bríd Bríd, come in; thy bed is ready"). Perhaps this was a way to welcome in what is greater than ourselves and making space for the sacred and holy. Others make a Brigid's cross out of rushes to hang from the door or window for protection and blessings.

How will I celebrate the return to light? I’ve bought daffodils and grape hyacinth to infuse my home and heart with color. I will light a candle in gratitude for making it through the gloomy pacific northwest winter and dip a ribbon in the water near my house and tie it on the maple tree in my back yard to remember the blessings that I've received this year. Most of all I’ll be thankful for the return of the sun knowing that lighter days are ahead of.

Let me know how you'll celebrate this day.

Many blessings.