Imbolc is the time when the Land begins to wake up after it's long winter slumber. On Imbolc the winter is pregnant with summer. This day is also called Lá Fhéile Bríde, or Brigit's Feast Day, as Brighid is especially honored on this day. Our Tuatha celebrates this day with vigor and hope for a warm year with many blessings for all of us. Brighid has come to take on special significance in our tribe and therefore so has Imbolc. Imbolc is a time for purifications and lustrations with local spring water and the lighting of candles and fires to encourage the Land in Her new pregnancy.

Brighid has many stories connecting her with Midwifery and childbirth. It is fitting that Brighid is mid-wife to the Land Goddess' pregnancy that promises warmer days ahead. Below is a detailed description of how our tribe celebrates this Feis and what it means to each of us.

The Celts measured days in nights, that is, the sunset marks the beginning of the next day. Our Tuatha celebrates all of the festivals on the full moon closest to the solar cross-quarter day. In 2006 the solar cross-quarter day for Imbolc falls on February 3rd, the next full moon is on the 13th. Therefore in 2006 we will begin Imbolc at sunset on February 13th.

About one week before the Imbolc full moon the men of the tuatha make the crios Bríde (Bríd's Girdle) which, according to tradition can only be touched by the men. The yucca leaves for the crios are soaked in water and then pounded to separate the fibers by smooth river stones over wood. Rope is then made from the fibers for the hoop itself and four crosses are woven at the cardinal points of the hoop. The crosses are made from the unpounded leaves tied off with pounded cordage. Once made the crios is hung up near the hosting households altar.

While the men are making the crios the women make a brídeóg which, according to tradition, can only be touched by the women. The brídeóg is usually about the size of a small child (or smaller) and is dressed in a child's clothes.

Before sunrise (February 13th) the women of the tribe go and gather a good amount of water from a local spring while it shines in the light of the morning sun. Once the large ceramic container has been filled the women drink from the spring in the first rays of the sun. This custom mirrors the transformation of the Cailleach who rules the darkest part of the year into the young and beautiful Brighid. We like to say that those women who do drink of the spring in that magical hour will stay young and beautiful.

The house has been cleaned thoroughly the day before. The eldest daughter of the hosting household goes out with a group of people that day (February 12th) to gather and cut yucca leaves for the crosóga. Once gathered the group brings back the yucca leaves which are wrapped in cloth and kept in a protected place outside without touching the ground.

Just before sunset (February 13th) every one attending is given a lustration to prepare them for the coming of Brighid. The hands, feet, and face are all washed with warm spring water and a clean washcloth. This is usually done in a sheltered place outside, the cold, harsh air, contrasting to the warmth and comfort of the warm water. A experience that speakes to each of us what Imbolc is all about.

With sunset Imbolc begins. The eldest daughter has been dressed in a white dress and is given the crosóga leaves wrapped in cloth. Candles have been placed in every window of the house, and wood is ready in the hearth. The hearth and the candles are lit to welcome Bríd's arrival with the setting of the sun. When ready the eldest daughter walks from outside and stands on the threshold of the front door. She then says:

"Téigí ar bhur nglúine,
Agus osclaigí bhur súile,
Agus ligigí Bríd bheannaithe isteach!"

or:

Be on your knees,
And open your eyes
And let blessed Brighid in!

The tuatha then drops to their knees and answers:

"O, tar isteach, tá céad fáilte romhat!

or:

"O, come in, you are a hundred times welcome!"

The eldest daughter then enters and places the yucca leaves on a centrally placed table. The eldest woman of the household then places a loaf of bread in the shape of a crosóg on top of the leaves. The eldest daughter blesses all present, the food and drink for the feast, the leaves, the loaf of bread, and the hearth with the water gathered from the local spring. We sprinkle the water with a sprig of Juniper (one of Juniper's common names is Mountain Yew, Yew was very important to the Draoithe, but we have no native species of Yew in Colorado).

The gathered people then pass the crosóg shaped loaf around and eat a piece while maintaining a solemn atmosphere. Next the household lines up. Two men take the crios Bríde and hold it between them saying:

"My girdle is Bríd's girdle,
The girdle of the four crosses.
Rise up
And go out three times.
May whoever goes through my girdle
Be seven times better a year from today."

Men pass through the crios sideways, beginning with the right foot. Women go through head first, with the holders bringing it down over the woman's head who then steps out of it. This is done three times for each person.

With that we feast, tell stories, drink, and visit, with father's paying special attention to their daughters this night. After the feast everyone sits in a circle and weaves a Bríd's cross for their household. Once the night begins to grow late, the first guest will announce that they are about to leave. The brídeóg's bed is made. Only the women are supposed to do this. The bed is given new sheets and is safely lit by candles. The women carry the brídeóg and place her in the bed with a wooden wand of Mountain Ash (Rowan) next to her saying:

"Bríd, Bríd your bed is ready."

All guests can stay as long as they wish, but before they depart they are given fond hugs, the cross they wove and are wished well. It is considered a good omen for the year if it snows during Imbolc.