Imbolc And The Pagan Groundhog

by Marisa

Most of us know Imbolc by its more mainstream moniker, Groundhog Day, a day on which a prophetic Pennsylvanian groundhog alerts us to the coming of spring. Less well known, is that this unusual holiday is grounded (ahem) in rich Pagan history.

The word Imbolc derives from the Gaelic "Oimelc" (ewe's milk), referencing the seasonal lactation of pregnant ewes as spring approaches. In Ireland, Imbolc honored the Goddess Brigid in her maiden state, as she lured the youthful Sun God's return with candlelight and "Brigid's Crosses" (equilateral crosses encased in circles, representing the Wheel of the Year). Eventually Christian traditions integrated Imbolc, renaming it Candlemas and shifting the candle-lighting focus to the Virgin Mary.

What does this have to do with a groundhog? By Pagan legend, Brigid's snake would emerge from her womb (do with that symbolism as you like) on Imbolc to determine the proximity of spring. To the same end, in Brittany, grain sheaves were thrown on a fire - with the pace of the burn representing the speed of spring's approach.

So sure, our groundhog tradition has the seasonal fortune-telling angle covered, but this year maybe round out the holiday with additional Imbolc rituals, such as fashioning a Brigid's Cross to hang protectively over your door, tossing coins in a well for fortune, or cleaning your home, both physically and spiritually with a smudging of sage and sprinkling of lavender or rosemary water. Then settle into a candlelit purification bath, and await the forecast on spring.

| 02/01/08 | Lessons