Imbolc is third of the Sabbats celebrated in the Wheel of the Year. Celebrated on the 1st or 2nd of February, this day marks astrologically, the day directly between Yule, the Winter Solstice and Ostara, the Spring Equinox. February is a harsh and bitter month. In old Scotland, the month fell in the middle of the period known the Wolf-month; it was also known as the Dead-month. This is the time of year when the season is still cold and dreary, but there are small but sturdy signs of new life beginning to appear: In days of old, new Lambs were born and the soft rains brought new grass. Ravens begin to build their nests and larks were said to sing with a clearer voice.

In the Irish Gaelic, it's called Oimelc, which translates to "ewe's milk. The term Imbolc means "in the belly." Not only does this refer to the new life of spring, it also clearly refers to the pregnancy of the Earth Mother with life as yet unseen. In celebrating Imbolc, we acknowledge the return of spring and we also know that with each passing day, the sun becomes stronger as light overcomes darkness, and the circle that is never ending, the Great Wheel, turns ever slowly toward the light half of the year. As believers in Goddess we also acknowledge the passing of the time of the Crone and welcome the return of youthful Maiden.

Imbolc is one of the Celtic Fire Festivals and the Goddess associated with Imbolc is Brigid, (also known as Brighid, Bríde, Brigit, Brìd). She is the Goddess of poetry, healing and smith craft. As both goddess and saint she is also associated with holy wells, sacred flames, and healing. The lighting of candles and fires represents the return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months. Later this became known as St. Brigit's day and though there are many churches that bear her name, she was removed as a saint in the 1960's.

Other cultures also celebrated this day. In Ancient Israel and Judah the Goddess Ashram was once celebrated on February 2nd. This festival continues to this day as the Festival of Trees. The Romans celebrated Lupercalia honoring the creation of Rome by Romulus and Remus. The ancients Egyptians celebrated the Feast of Nut. Christian/Catholic celebration known as Candlemas celebrated the 40th day after the birth of Christ. It is know as the Feast of Purification of the Virgin. By Jewish law it took a woman forty days after birth to be cleansed.

In Northern America, the First Nations also had festivities on this day or around the week Mid Winter falls. The Navajo Sing Festival is a celebration of the Goddess Changing Woman. The Iroquois Nation which consists of the Oneida, Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga and the Tuscarora tribes have the Mid Winter Ceremony which consist of many mini celebrations, that bring in the new beginnings of spring, and recognize the importance of dreams. The Dream Ceremony is one of the most important parts of this Celebration. The Iroquois believed that if a person lost their dream, they lost their soul. During the Dream Ceremony, people would tell their dreams to the elders and they would be interpreted. A charade game was also played where people tried to act out their dreams and other people would guess what the dream was.

Our ancestors also brought traditions over to America. In Non-Gaelic Celtic celebrations it was said that a serpent would come from its hole on the day of Bride, though there may be three feet of snow. The traces of this festival can be traced to modern America in the Groundhog Day custom on February 2. If the groundhog sees his shadow on this morning, it means there will be six more weeks of winter.

This day throughout history marks a glimpse of hope to the coming of spring and warmth of winter. It is a time to plant the seeds of the hopes and dreams we have for the upcoming year and a time to renew and rejuvenate dreams thought lost.