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Ogham Tree Lore
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Yggdrasil, the World Tree in Viking mythology, grew on an island surrounded by the ocean, in the depths of which the World Serpent lay. This ash tree’s trunk reached up to the heavens, and its boughs spread out over all the countries of the Earth. Its roots reached down into the Underworld. A squirrel ran up and down the tree carrying messages from the serpent gnawing at the roots to the eagle in the canopy, and back. A deer fed on the ash leaves and from its antlers flowed the great rivers of the world. A magical goat grazed by the tree, and its udders dispensed not milk but mead for the warriors in Odin’s Great Hall. The gods held their councils under the canopy of their guardian tree. - Paul Kendal "The ash tree, called uinnseann in gaelic, has strong links with the Vikings, but also has its place in British folklore." Paul Kendall The ash tree is important and steeped in lore across cultures. The Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, and Celts, among others, all shared a love and respect for this sacred tree. To the Vikings, the ash tree represented their sacred World Tree, Yggdrasil. To the Celts and Anglo-Saxons, the ash tree was a sacred guardian tree of the land and holy wells in which they found healing. Today, the ash tree is the second most common tree found in Ireland and the first most common tree found in Britain. All of which speaks volumes to the importance of this sacred tree. One of the most notable stories in Viking lore is how the god Odin discovered and understood the ancient wisdom written in the Runes. It is said, Odin hung himself from the branches of Yggdrasil as a sacrifice. Instead of taking his life, Yggdrasil rewarded him with insight, wisdom, and knowledge of the Runes. Many Rune readers today use ancient knowledge in their own craft. The ash tree was not only a source of wisdom and insight, its wood was also used to make shafts for weapons for the Vikings and Celts. Using the ash's wood to make spears for battle connects this tree with a more masculine energy of war and authority. Many wielders of these ash spears claimed their tools of warfare possessed magical powers which helped them in battle. In Ireland, the ash tree is connected with three of the five legendary guardian trees. Each guardian tree was placed in an elemental direction and was said to hold certain powers over the land. It is highly likely these trees were also the sacred trees of the people who resided in that area. The importance of these trees and knowing three of them were ash trees speaks towards the sacred standing ash had with the people. To drive this idea home, the ash tree is the second most popular tree in Ireland and can be mostly found growing near Irish holy wells as the ash was said to protect the purity of the springs. The ash tree is very much connected with solar and masculine energies. It is said Zeus created humans from ash trees and the Icelandic word for ash means, "blaze of great fire". These connections can be linked with the fact that ash makes great firewood and can be burned green. This connection with fire made the ash the ideal log to burn for the Germanic Yule log and what the Druids would use to carve protection charms during the Summer solstice. What makes the ash tree unique is how it was used during every day life. In Irish tradition, if a husband and wife were to divorce, the ash tree would be used as an example of how to split their property in half. The Ogham for N is translated as an upright Y which supports the weaver's beam. The Brehon Law texts uses this understanding of the Ogham as rules for how to divide a farming couples assets. For example, the husband was often most responsible for the beginning phases of the farm work while the wife was responsible for making the finished product. So, if a couple were sheep farmers, the woman would get 1/6th of any wool still in fleece, 1/3rd combined wool, and 1/2 of any cloth. That is because the woman did more work for the finished product than at the beginning. The teachings of the ash made the business of dividing assets during divorce fair for both parties. For every day Britains, the ash is credited with having a wide range of protective and healing abilities for their children. It was widely used to protect newborn babies and heal ailing children. Often, if an ash tree was used to heal a child, that ash tree was covered in nails to prevent others from cutting it down. The thought was if the ash was ever cut down the child's health would fail as well. Over time, an intimate relationship was formed between the person healed and the ash tree. The person healed would protect the ash tree for their life and credit the ash for their healing. The tales of the ash tree are otherworldly and sacred to the Irish. In one Irish tale, The Cattle Raid of Cooley, it is said that every place battle-leader Queen Maeve planted one of her ash horsewhips, a sacred ash grew. Maeve was also the name of the Irish goddess of sovereignty or land goddess. As mentioned, three of the five most sacred trees in Ireland were ash. When the very last and most beloved Ash of Tortu was was felled in the Christian era, the plain of Tortu lost two-thirds of its wealth due to the loss of magical and otherworldly protection. However, it is said that a new tree will one day rise from its roots and the mystical protection of the tree will once again bless the land. The great goddess of sovereignty will come again. Today, you can find different varieties of ash all over the Northern Hemisphere. Eat Weeds has information to use when foraging ash and trying recipes for the first time. Woodward Bard has also shared his interpretation of lore and mythology through story. You can find his video, here. Resources: Trees for Life - treesforlife.org.uk Ogma Trees - ogmatrees.com A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine - Ellen Evert Hopman
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"According to tradition the Ogham alphabet was invited by Ogma, god of eloquence and fair speech. The first message he wrote in the alphabet was a message on a birch rod, consisting of seven strokes. For this reason, birch is the first letter of the Ogham alphabet." Ellen Evert Hopman Representing new beginnings, the birch tree is often the first tree to grow after the ground has been disturbed. When the ice from the Ice Age melted, the birch tree is said to have been the first tree to fill forests. This fast growth, strong trunk, and flexible limbs made birch ideal for various building and crafts. With the wood being so ideal for building a crafting, it was the popular choice for building things like handles, bobbins, spools, and reels. Traditionally, drawing on the symbolism of new beginnings, birch is used to make cradles. According to the Welsh tradition, building a cradle of birch wood invoked the protective power of the Goddess into the nursery. In Scottish tradition, birch was hung over the cradle as protection. Today, birch is used to build log cabins which do not require a heavy roof and furniture. Many artisans prefer to use birch wood in their craft because it is so fast growing, resilient, and smooth. In Celtic tradition, birch is used as the ritual tree during Samhain (Halloween). Samhain is the Celtic new year which meant purification before the winter was an important part of ritual life. Birch symbolizing new beginnings and purification was used to light the communal fire, drive out the spirits of the old year, and purify the garden before its winter sleep. The iconic "witches broom" is made from birch and originally symbolized the tool Celtic shamans would use during their flight to the Upperworld. Birch is also celebrated during Beltane/May Day due to its strong connection to new beginnings and fertility. As the tree is the first to leaf, it is the obvious choice to represent the emergence of spring. In spring, the birch is associated with love and fertility as well as purification and new beginnings. As a result, many goddesses became attached to the symbolism of birch. Goddesses such as Northern European Frigga and Freya, Anglo-Saxon Eostre (from whom we derive Easter), Venus, and the cross cultural goddess Brigid. In shamanic understanding, birch is known as “the way shower” because it shines so brightly under moonlight. This brightness in the forest holds spiritual meaning to shamanic practitioners. For example, Siberian shamans use birch as a sky ladder, using trance to travel up the birch trunk into the Sky World to retrieve information. The shamans would then return to their world by allowing the birch’s flexible branches gently place them back on the ground. Shamanic traveling is not the only mystical use for birch. In Scandinavia, birch was used to carve runes on the bark for divination practices. Birch held such an importance to the people's every day life, folklore and tales were created to share the wisdom and use birch held for generations to come. Often Bards would tell these tales in great halls and during communal gatherings. Each tale, entwined with tales of the gods and goddesses, ensured the knowledge would be remembered through time. Today, many modern day bards still share this ancient folklore. You can find one example of a wonderful Bardic tale about birch from the Woodland Bard on his YouTube channel - Here Across cultures and continents, birch is a powerful herbal remedy. The leaves are diuretic and antiseptic as well as an effective remedy for cystitis and other urinary tract infections. Leaves can also be used to dissolve kidney stones and relieve rheumatism and gout. The sap of the birch tree prevents kidney and bladder stones, treats rheumatism and can be used to treat skin complaints. The bark is said to ease muscle pain if applied externally. Native American tribes would use birch as a remedy for all sorts of ailments. Anything from sensitive teeth to lung inflammation was treated by the use of birch. Birch is a Goddess tree and uses her energies to remind us to keep in touch with our feminine side. She tells us to honor the feminine piece of our dual nature by being vulnerable, life-giving, and nurturing. If we follow the birch and learn her wisdom, we can learn how to care more deeply for our world and all creation. Today, you can find different varieties of birch all over the Northern Hemisphere. Grow, Forage, Cook, Ferment is a great resource to use when foraging birch and trying recipes for the first time. Resources: Trees for Life Ogma Trees A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine - Ellen Evert Hopman "According to legend, the original rowan was brought from the Land of the Fairy by the Tuatha de Danann, the tribe or peoples of the goddess Danu, who preceded the Celts in Ireland. One berry fell on the ground in Eire (Ireland) and thus the first rowan took root. Those who ate the berries were young and joyful ever after." - Ellen Evert Hopman The rowan tree is deeply intertwined in mythology which can date back to classical times. For example, description of how the rowan tree got its berries and leaf shape can be found in Greek mythology. This myth tells how the goddess of youth, Hebe, gave rejuvenating ambrosia to the gods from her magical chalice. When she lost this cup to demons, the gods sent an eagle to recover the cup. The eagle and the demons fought fiercely as they plummeted to earth. The eagle's feathers and blood were turned into rowan trees as they dropped onto the soil. That's why the rowan's leaves are shaped like eagle's feathers and the berries resemble droplets of blood. In Norse mythology the rowan is the tree from which the first woman was made. A rowan is also said to have saved the life of the god Thor when he was traveling in the underworld. The rowan is also prominent in the British Isles and is known as the tree which protects against witchcraft and enchantment. In Celtic symbology, the five pointed pentagram and color red was known for protective abilities. The red berries of the rowan tree display a five pointed pentagram making this an important berry in the Celtic world. One old rhyme describes the protective abilities of rowan: "Rowan tree and red thread/ make the witches tine (meaning 'to lose') their speed". This tree was also known as the Goddess or a Faerie tree. Protection against witchcraft and fairies is the rowan tree's recurring theme. Often, pieces of the tree were carried by people for personal protection while twigs would be given to cows for protection. Crosses, butter churn staffs, walking staffs, cradles, and other household and agricultural tools were made from the wood of the rowan tree with the intention of keeping the home, the family, and the land protected from mischievous fairies and ill-intent witches. Rowan is also known as the Druid's tree or fid na nDruad. According to lore, the goddess Brigid and patroness of the Druids and bards, has three fiery arrows made of rowan wood. In times of trouble, the Druids would cast battle-magic spells by lighting huge fires of rowan and uttering incantations to turn away the opposing army. Druids would read the outcome of the battle in the flames and smoke. North American and European rowan trees have different colored berries, but the trees are essentially identical in every other way. North American rowan berries have more of an orangish color, while European berries are a deep red. Berries hold great medicinal value, but should only be harvested after the first frost. The juice of the berries can aide with digestive issues and soothe a sore throat. The berries can be made into jams for various digest ailments. Jams are also a delicious way to get the benefits of all the bioflavonoids and vitamins A and C the berries have. The berries can also be used in a tea to aide mucus breakup and lower a fever. Native Americans used the bark of young branches to make a tea for inflammatory diseases, increase appetite, purify the blood, strengthen the kidneys, and support someone who is depressed. Rowan is known widely for its ability to protect us spiritually and internally. It not only protects us by providing us with necessary vitamins and nutrients through its bark and berries, but if accepted, can protect your inner spirit. Rowan helps to strengthen your inner shields as it fortifies your strength, patience, and inner peace. Today, you can find different varieties of Rowan (Ash Mountain) all over the Northern Hemisphere. Eat Weeds is a great resource to use when foraging rowan and trying recipes for the first time. Woodward Bard has also shared his interpretation of lore and mythology through story. You can find his video, here Resources: Trees for Life - treesforlife.org.uk Ogma Trees - ogmatrees.com A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine - Ellen Evert Hopman "Irish tradition holds that the first man was created from an alder, and the first woman from a rowan tree." - Ellen Evert Hopman Alder is often found growing thick along rivers, streams, and swamps. When alders are not growing among water sources, they form alder woods on wet, swampy ground. The thick growth in swampy areas make ideal hideaways. This could be why alder is connected with themes of hiding and secrecy in Celtic lore. This theme can be found in the Irish mythology of Deirdre of the Sorrows. "When Deirdre of the Sorrows eloped with Naoise, son of Usna, they fled from Ulster to Alba (Scotland), to escape the wrath of King Conchobhar mac Nessa to whom Deirdre had been betrothed. They hid from the King's pursuing warriors in the alder woods of Glen Etibhe, where they eventually settled." - Paul Kendall Associated with secrecy, hiding, and cautionary tales of hidden thugs, it's no wonder the Irish considered it unlucky to pass an alder tree on a journey. The tree made up for this, however, by providing foot support. On a long journey, if a person put the leaves of the alder tree in their shoes, the tree would cool the feet and prevent swelling. Because alder is found near water, wood is not suitable for building on dry land due to its tendency to rot when it gets dry. It's also not a good wood to make a sustainable flame, but does make excellent charcoal. The heat from alder charcoal burned so hot, it was ideal for the Celts to forge their best weapons. Later, the charcoal was used to manufacture gunpowder. Alder charcoal was so important for weapon forging it quickly became the tree of war. Many Celtic warriors even had their shields made of alder wood. The wood turns from white to red after cutting making the shield look like it has been dipped in blood. Something to strike fear in the heart of your opposite, for sure. The spiritual aspects of this tree are steeped in the connotations of war and masculinity. In Ebchester in Scotland, the god Vernostonus is found personified as an alder tree. Vernostonus is a local god of hunting and war, seen most often as a sacred warrior and tribal protector. Warriors and hunters very often would obtain some sort of wound during battle or while hunting. It was dangerous protecting and providing for the tribe. Alder was extremely important for washing wounds, stopping internal bleeding, and reducing inflammation in a sprained ankle or wrist. Coincidently, it was also used for treating lice and scabies in the tribe and amongst the warriors! Alder is the "protector of the heart." On your spiritual journey, you can call upon the spirit of alder to help you maintain calmness during times of conflict. Today, you can find different varieties of Alder all over the Northern Hemisphere. Medicinal Herb Info has information to use when foraging Alder and trying recipes for the first time. Woodward Bard has also shared his interpretation of lore and mythology through story. You can find his video, here. Resources: Trees for Life - treesforlife.org.uk Ogma Trees - ogmatrees.com A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine - Ellen Evert Hopman "The noble willow burn not, a tree sacred to poems; within his bloom bees are a-sucking, all love the little cage." - Ellen Evert Hopman Most willows grow and thrive close to water and because of this, the willow's theme is closely linked to the moon, sorcery, and the Underworld. The willow and water are intimately bound and affected by the moon and the moon is closely associated with feminine energies and sorcery. For example, Hecate, the powerful Greek goddess of the moon and of willow, also taught sorcery and witchcraft. The willow muse, Heliconian, was sacred to poets and the Greek poet Orpheus carried willow branches with him on his adventures in the Underworld. Willow is also closely linked to poets, bards, and musicians. In the Celtic world, social castes were similar to those of the Hindu caste system we see today. The only difference is a family could improve their standing through further knowledge and learning. The catch, however, is if you were at the bottom of the caste system, you would have to pay to make a contract with local land owners in agreement that you would work so your grandchildren could move up in the social caste, not you. Musicians and poets are the only group of people who are fluid within this caste system. A poet or a musician could travel anywhere he/she liked through their artistic abilities. This made poets and their connect to the willow incredibly special to the Celts. Lore states the poets would often take their harps and sit in the cage of the willow branches for inspiration. They would use trance to travel to the Underworld and retrieve inspiration to bring back with them through song and poems. The willow trees association with the moon, poets, and inspiration also symbolized renewal, growth, vitality, and immortality. Willow's ability to quickly regrow from cut tree branches, growing several feet in one season only supported this symbolism of regeneration. The willow did not symbolize grief until Christianity swept Europe. You are more familiar with the herbal uses of willow than you realize. Our modern day aspirin is actually synthesized from willow bark. For centuries, our indigenous peoples have been making teas, salves, and poultices with willow for pain relief, to reduce fever and inflammation, and hair growth. "Willow is above all a healer with a gentle touch." - Ellen Evert Hopman Native Americans call her "the whispering one" because of the way the breeze plays through her branches. In Celtic traditions, she is associated with the harp and the soul of a poet. Music played on the willow harp has the ability to transport our minds from seeing the mundane to otherworldly beauty in the world around us. She heals our spiritual pain and she heals our body. She inspires us with her melody and gentle touch. Today, you can find different varieties of willow all over the Northern Hemisphere, but the best willow for human consumption is the white willow. Grow Forage Cook Ferment Info has information to use when foraging willow and trying recipes for the first time. Woodward Bard has also shared his interpretation of lore and mythology through story. You can find his video, here. Resources: Trees for Life - treesforlife.org.uk Ogma Trees - ogmatrees.com A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine - Ellen Evert Hopman Last year, I worked with my Animal Oracle deck to learn more about working with animal allies. Each month I focused on a new animal ally and deep-dived into what magick they could bring into my life. One ally that chose to work with me in January was the butterfly. You can read more about that experience HERE, but I want to focus on the goddess who captured my imagination and heart in this post.
My exploration with the butterfly brought me to the story of Etain. Her story is of love, loss, jealousy, and new beginnings. Mythical Ireland does a beautiful retelling of this Irish story that you can hear for yourself HERE. While she is the central figure of the tale, the story mainly focuses on how others respond to her. Etain's physical and spiritual beauty enthralls everyone around her, including her fairy lover. Etain is a sun goddess that has transformed into a moon goddess due to her grand adventure. Why she is surfacing for me once again brought me back to the blog to root out the message Etain has for me. The Wooing of Etain - Abbreviated Version Etain was the daughter of King Ailill of the Ulaid. She is often described as having shimmering waves of fire-gold hair, skin as white as snow, and blushing cheeks red as foxgloves. Her eyes are a vibrant, unnatural blue, and her shape is considered wavy as seafoam (Ancient Origins). She is the epitome of beauty to which all Irish women are held. The story of Etain's life begins with her otherworldly life with Midir of the Tuatha de Danann (The Tribes of the goddess Danu). Midir was a fair-haired warrior who lived among the sidhe (hidden/fae folk) of Ireland. Midir was already married to his first wife, Fuamnach, who was also sidhe, but soon became smitten with Etain. However, Etain's father knew of Midir's capabilities and requested he complete specific tasks before winning the hand of his daughter, Etain. These tasks included clearing land for agricultural purposes and rerouting waterways. Once Midir had completed what was asked of him, he married Etain as his second wife and took her to live with him under the fairy mounds. Life with the sidhe was not easy for Etain. Midir's first wife was jealous and did everything to remove her from her husband's home. Fuamnach cast many spells on Etain, transforming her first into a pool of water, then a worm, and finally into a butterfly. Etain prevailed, and although her husband did not know she was now a butterfly, he loved her dearly and took her everywhere he went. He soon lost the desire for other women, which angered Fuamnach, further leading her to cast out Etain by creating a wind to blow her away for seven years. Etain drifted upon the wind for seven years until she came to the home of Aengus, Midir's foster son. Aengus, fearful of what Fuamnach might do to Etain, builds her a small windowed chamber to come and go safely. Unfortunately, the news of Aengus's care for Etain reaches Fuamnach, who creates another wind to blow Etain away for another seven years. This time, Etain lands in the goblet of the wife of Etar, the Ulster chieftain, and is swallowed. The wife of Etar becomes pregnant, giving birth to Etain a second time, over a thousand years after Etain's first birth. Etain grows up in her new life with no recollection of her past. She marries Eochaid Airem, the High King of Ireland, and is known throughout Ireland for her beauty. Eventually, Midir discovers where Etain is and that she does not remember her past life. He uses glamour spells to trick Etain into sleeping with him to awaken and remember her past with Midir. Etain sees through Midir's spell-casting, and Midir finally reveals himself and tells Etain who she is. Faithful to her current husband, Etain refuses to leave with Midir without Eachaid's permission. Midir once again works to woo Etain back into his life. This time, he was winning a kiss from Etain as his prize. Midir, taking his prize, embraces Etain so that she remembers their former life together. She allows Midir to whisk her away to his mound beneath the ground, which is believed to be Ardagh Mountain in County Longford. Why is The Wooing of Etain Significant? Etain's story is romantically tragic. From the writer's perspective, Etain is a beautiful young woman at the mercy of forces around her she cannot control. Thinking back to a time when I was an adventurous young woman, I can imagine how Etain must have felt being a pawn for someone else's gain. As the daughter of a king, Etain would have had little control of her life. Surely destined to marry for her father's gain, I can understand how Etain must have felt when a beautiful, otherworldly man fell in love with her. Marrying Midir would have been an escape from the drudge of a sedentary life and welcoming a life filled with beauty, adventure, and romance. I like to think Etain was a tough-minded young woman who took her life into her own hands. With all Celtic myths and stories, symbolism is deeply embedded and must be sought out to find the true meaning. Sea-foam, the Placenta from the Birth of the Universe - Etain's shape is described as wavy as seafoam. Why is telling her this way significant? Sea-foam is connected to the Irish creation myth and offers a unique perspective on how people interacted with the land and the sea. In Scott Leonard's 2004 book Myth and Knowing, The Celtic mythology opens with: "Once upon a time, there was no time, and that was when there also was no gods and no man walked the surface of the land. But there was the sea, and where the sea met the land, a mare was born, white and made of seafoam. And her name was Eiocha." Sea-foam is a perfect expression of 'emergency' and 'transition.' It is used to describe the transition between worlds to arrive in the present world. Etain begins her story as a young mortal woman at the mercy of a human father with ambitions. Her decision to leave her mortal world behind and marry an otherworldy man is her first transition between the worlds. Thinking back on my decisions as a young woman, I know I also made a choice as serious as Etain's. Leaving my hometown to live in a large city was my first transition between worlds. I met love, hardship, and heartbreak, but I would not be the person I am today without transitioning from my family home to an alien world, unlike anything I have experienced. Like Etain, my first transition was not necessarily a happy one but filled with me learning who I wanted to be, who I was, and what I was capable of in the face of adversity. Etain's first introduction into the world of the Sidhe was that of wonder and danger. Her decision to marry Midir influenced hardship on her. This hardship eventually cost her her human life as she was once again transformed into something other. Experiencing transition is a natural part of the human experience. While Etain lived multiple lives over her thousand-year adventure, she also had numerous opportunities to learn how she was and who she wanted to be. Etain's experiences allowed her to better understand the world around her, what she wanted, and valuable lessons about life. Something I can identify with. Significance of 7 - According to science, our bodies and minds change on a 7-year cycle. Understanding the seven-year process is essential to know where you and others might be in their life-cycle timeline. Etain blew about on the wind for seven years and then seven more years. The Irish had some insight into human development by observing the natural world around them. Coincidently, I just entered my 5th seven-year cycle in my story. This cycle is where our creative processes of the mind come to the forefront. Our brains peak at the age of 35. This maturity allows us to understand ourselves better, truly realizing who we are and what role we play within society. 2020 was my year to come to the center with myself and learn who I am as a person. Who am I, and who do I want to be? How can I make those two connect to form a whole person? Reflecting on it now, I see the butterfly represents my transition from the gooey cocoon phase of 2020 to my sense of self-connected with the butterfly's beauty. I am becoming who I am meant to be. I am finally leaving the messy transition years and stepping into my real power! Symbolism of Etain - Etain is a Celtic Goddess whose name means "Shining One." She is a Goddess of beauty and grace and associated with one of the White Ladies of the Fae. Her symbols are of the sun, dawn, rain, water, healing, medicine, earth, fertility, horses, butterflies, apple blossoms, swans, music, fragrant flowers, and the transmigration of souls. She is the greening of the earth that comes with spring. Etain's story teaches us we will be transformed, balanced, and made whole despite the storms of life's efforts to toss us around. Transformation begins in our inner worlds before a new physical appearance can be made. The butterfly is a symbol of this transformation, rebirth, and resurrection. We have to remember butterflies are not born butterflies. They must first go through stages before reaching their full potential. The stages are necessary steps to becoming reborn. Beltane is a marker between spring and summer. A transitional period where we can decide what adventure we want to go on next. Etain's story reminds me that although change is difficult, it is necessary for growth. If I am to become the person I want to be, I must turn to goo and be reborn from the inside out. Beltane Blessings, friends. I wish you well on your inner journey this Beltane season. Imbolc is here! After Yule celebrations, Imbolc is my most anxiously awaited sabbot. As much as I love the Winter and time to rest, plan for the year ahead, and restore my energy, I start to get a bit of cabin fever by the time Imbolc rolls around. While I know winter will last a little while longer and it’s not officially spring, Imbolc marks the coming end to winter’s dark, cold days and heralds in spring, new life, and planting season! All of which I live for as the self-proclaimed Witch of Underwood.
Imbolc is a cross-quarter day celebrated by many NeoPagans and Wiccans between February 1st and February 3rd depending on what method you use to track the solstices and equinoxes. Whatever day you choose to celebrate, Imbolc is based on the Celtic Agricultural calendar and is recognized as an early spring/late winter festival. Winter is still going strong, but there are signs of life popping out of the ground everywhere and if you live on or near a farm you’ll begin to notice baby livestock being cute as heck in the pastures. The air is heavy with promise for the future and it’s really an exciting time after harsh winter days. For those who live with and work with the land, this is the perfect time to start preparing for early spring planting. Some plants that like cold weather like lettuce are just about ready to be planted in the soil with minimal protection from the elements. This year I am experimenting with cold-frames to plant some of my cold crops earlier than I did last year to provide fresh greens for my family and our livestock. In addition to planting cold weather hardy plants, many farmers and flower enthusiasts are starting seeds indoors or in their heated greenhouses. Whether supported or happening naturally, new life is sprouting all around us! Imbolc is also the feast of Brigid, the Pan-Celtic fire Goddess of healing and inspiration. She’s also one of the Patron Saints of Ireland and on Imbolc she is celebrated various ways. The most popular tradition is to create a corn dolly in the image of the Goddess and pass it around the community. Each family the dolly comes in contact with will offer gifts to the dolly and since Brigid is the goddess of inspiration, the gift mostly consists of a poem or song rather than a material item. One fun tradition practiced by some groups is the Bride’ogas or the activity of carrying the dolly made in the likeness of Brigid from house to house at dawn with as much noise as humanly possible. Partakers would carry various instruments, including pots, pans, and tincans in order to awaken the sleeping spirits of spring. While this sounds like an absolute blast, I’m not sure the spirits of spring around our homestead would appreciate such racket so early in the morning… and neither would my neighbors, but if you choose to partake in this traditions, I would love to see all the fun you’re having! Another tradition is to craft a Brighid’s cross out of wheat stalks and exchange with others to be hung up in the home to protect from fire damage. You, like us, may not grow wheat where you live and thus do not have materials to craft the Brigid’s cross. However, you can absolutely use what you have near you. It could be tall grasses from your backyard or even bits of a spider plant. Make sure whatever you find in nature or in your home is gathered responsibly and with permission from the spirit of the plant. Don’t forget to offer gratitude as well! We do not have wheat growing on our farm yet, but I do have lots of dried grasses around the homestead which would be perfect for weaving a Brigid’s cross. I’ll be sure to post that creative endeavor on my socials for you to take a gander at! Unsurprisingly, farm implements such as the plough are heavily associated with this holiday. The plough for many represents new life and that means more food to replace winter stores. I know fresh greens and fruits are mouthwateringly good after a long winter of heavy foods and fats. Among Neo-Celtic and some Heathen traditionalists would and will decorate a plough to take from house to house while children sang and asked for treats and gifts from their neighbors. If the homeowner did not comply, their front yard was ploughed up. Which honestly sounds like a fun tradition I may begin this year in our local area! If singing and ploughing your neighbor’s yard is not a tradition you’d like to participate in this Imbolc, you may feel more aligned with the simple act of re-lighting your hearth fire. If you have any greenery left out from yule this is the perfect time to pack them away in storage or burn the natural greenery in a fire safe location. It can be said keeping Yule greenery in the house for too long invites the faerie folk to stay in your house beyond their welcome. While this may seem like a really fun idea, remember, the fae are not like us in many ways and cohabitating could be stressful for all parties involved. Boundaries such as this one is important for keeping the relationship balanced. Personally, after I burn my Yule greenery, I set up a small area on the porch out of the elements where my fae neighbors can stay when the weather is nasty. However, I have noticed most are more than happy to return to the outside and back into nature with the coming of spring. You can also put candles in your windows to welcome spring as well as engage in some spring cleaning and household purification rituals. Right now I’m preparing our garden for spring planting by crafting a cold-frame and mini greenhouses for seed starting. I’m also cleaning all my supplies for my magical workings in both the mundane and magical sense, pruning household plants, cleansing and cleaning my home, as well as preparing our pasture for baby goats! All seasonally appropriate activities we can all do to make the work in the warmer months easier and productive! Regardless of whether or not you’ve celebrated Imbolc before in the traditional sense, we’ve all participated in the non-religious tradition of Groundhog’s Day. This fun early spring activity comes from the tradition of weather predicting. While previous celebrations might not have included the mystical Punxsutawney Phil, it did highlight the “Hag of Winter” and her role in what early spring weather might look like. Like, Phil, the “Hag of Winter” takes this day to gather wood for her hearth. If the day is sunny and nice she will have much time to gather a lot of wood to sustain her through a few more wintery weeks. However, if the day is stormy or rainy she will not be able to gather wood at all indicating warmer weather in the near future. However you celebrate Imbolc this year I hope you are filled with lots of love, light, and no one ploughs your yard! Symbols Associated with Imbolc:
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AuthorCaitlin is a full-time special education teacher with a penchant for the wyrd. When she isn't hanging out with the coolest kids, she's out in her garden tending to her herbs or frolicking with her 2 goats, 40 chickens, 6 ducks, 2 turkeys, 2 dogs, and 6 cats. She understands it's a hoarding situation at this point, but life is too short to worry about boring things like that. Archives
May 2024
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