This is the time of year when we say goodbye to winter and welcome the coming spring.  In my village, the bulbs are already forcing their way through, the birds are getting ready for this year's babies and the human beings are coming out of 'hibernation'!
The Celtic festival of Imbolc is thought to mean 'in the belly' in Gaelic. If you start to sense the energies here in Wiltshire now, you can feel that the land is like a foetus, getting ready to be re-born at the spring equinox in March. This time is also known as Oi-melg, which means 'ewes-milk' as it's the time when lambs are born and the milk starts to flow again. Can you imagine how important that was to our ancestors who had been surviving on the dwindling provisions of the previous harvest? This holiday is dedicated to the Celtic goddess Brigit. She comes in her maiden form at this time of year and brings purification, light and renewal. You can see her above the SW door of the tower on Glastonbury Tor, milking a cow.  There is also the tradition of the villagers of Avebury climbing Silbury Hill to eat fig cakes, sugar and water to honour this festival.
Imbolc is a good time to get your home, finances and relationships in order to make way for the new. Let go of what no longer serves you in your life and start to focus on what 'seeds' within you may now want to grow. Maybe even write down a little plan for what you want to happen over the next year. As with the other pagan festivals, Imbolc too has been Christianised. In the Catholic Church, this time is the feast of Candlemas, when the candles are blessed and the churches are filled with tiers of candles to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary after giving birth to Jesus.  In the USA, this time of year is known as Groundhog Day as it is when the little groundhogs start popping out of their holes!
Whatever your spiritual persuasion, I invite you to go outside and revel in the new life that is shyly appearing now. Great, isn't it! Add your comment Patricia Graham
I am attempting to write mr first nevel. The heroine is due to give birth at the beginning of February. Imagine my delight in finding it coincides with the festival of Imbolc. Spooky. Mary Kay Mullan
I am delighted to read this article on Celtic spring in Wiltshire as we also mark this day in Ireland - connections to our shared heritage. Beannachtaà an Féile BrÃde doibh star brow
may the blessing of Brigid be unto you . Polly Roth
I was delighted to accidentally discover this article ! What a lovely thing to see the BBC recognising my beliefs and making space on their website to accomodate this author. terrific :-) sylvie butten
i love wiltshire and the mystic atmosphere i feel when i visit. i am visiting the crop circles this year and feed my soul Aly Hewer
Merry Meet Summer and Blessed Be! As a new Wiccan,I have been following your Celtic Wheel of the Year which great interest.My parents have approached my new interest with sceptism.So having your articles on the BBC Wiltshire website(one of parents favourite)it has been a great help in enabling them to understand my religion better.Thnk you very much.Keep up the good work! Bright Blessings! Merry Part.Aly )O(
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