Imbolc and the Bridey Doll
The Winter’s breeze holds a secret, but if you pay close attention, it will reveal itself…
Spring is on the way.
It might seem a long way off while we’re still experiencing extremely cold spells, frost in the mornings, rain, hail and the odd snow flurry, but it’s coming, I promise!
Just look to the skies and you will notice daylight creeping gently back. Renewed from rebirth at Yule, ready to warm us, ready to bless us with lifegiving energy. Keep a keen eye trained and you will start to see the first blooms of the year as Snowdrops make their annual return. The bell shape of the delicate petals ring in new life as the first golden-orange nectar of the year is served to welcoming winter foraging bees.
January is peak breeding time for foxes so don’t be surprised if you encounter the odd frisky fellow or hear them calling out in the night!
Life begins again, slow and steady. With that in mind we turn our attention to Imbolc (1-2 February) which heralds the changing of the season. The meaning of the word Imbolc ‘in the belly of the Mother’ (later shortened to ‘in the belly’) is the embodiment of that time of year. It is an exciting time, a time to plan the year and harvests of your labour ahead. Full of love, song and expectancy it’s no wonder why there is one particular goddess that truly shines this time of year: Brigid (Brighid, Bride, Brigit)
Daughter of the Dagda and born with a flame in her hand she is one of the most powerful Celtic goddesses and her importance spans many faiths. The lush green lands we at Wicca Bea call home, Britain, is actually a derivation of her good name, named after the ancient pre-Roman tribe: the Brigantes. Goddess of poetic arts, crafts, health, divination and prophecy she positively radiates good energy. Naturally, you would want a blessing of that energy to kick start your year and there is no better way to do that than with your own Bridey Doll.
What is a Bridey Doll? It is a representation of the triple goddess Brigid and was traditionally made from raffia, or dried grass, herbs and fabric. A symbol of fertility, fortune, good health, and the reawakening of nature.
What is a Bridey Doll used for? A Bridey Doll is used to honour the goddess and gain her favour for the rest of the year to come. In order to gain a visit and blessing from Brigid at Imbolc, the Bridey Doll would be sung to, told poetry, danced with around the home and very much be a part of the celebrations pre-Imbolc. On the eve of the sabbat the doll would be placed in a basket and left upon the hearth, usually stuffed with herbs as an offering. Ash from the Imbolc fire would be spread flat in front of the hearth and any mark left in it the following morning was a sure sign that Brigid, the fire and fertility goddess, had been to bless your home.
Fires of inspiration fill my soul,
To plan for the year, I must play my role.
Brigid, The Bright One, revered since days of old,
Will you pay us a visit and bless this home?
In your cauldron spark the fires of the forge,
We wait for your sign as we beckon the sun and his warmth.
Crafting a likeness from what we can afford,
A blessing from you would not leave us short.
Fires of the hearth tendered by your heart,
You keep us well before spring starts.
And in the morn after the ash has been marked,
We have been blessed and are eager for the Spring to start
Lee Henson 2022©