Imbolg
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Imbolg, Oimelc, Festival of Bride(pronounced Breed), Festival of Bridgit, Candlemas
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The spark of light born at Yule bacomes a flame to warm the people and the land at Imbolg. The trees
bud and some flowers start blooming. Imbolg, meaning 'in the belly', and Oimelc, meaning 'ewe's milk',
both refer to the fact that many ewes get pregnant at this time of the year. In a mild year the firts
lambs are born about this time. This is the time when theEarth is pregnant with the promise of summer,
and harvest.
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The robes of the Wise One are cast aside and the Goddess dresses in all white as the Maiden. It mean
nothing that the term maiden means a female who has not yet given birth, so even a pregnant woman can
play the part of te Maiden. The God, reborn at Yule in now a young man, his pursuit of the Maiden starts
at this sabbat.
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Many people will tie strips of cloth to a tree, know as a wishing tree. The strips of cloth would
be an offering to the Goddess, some people will use necklaces, plaited grass, a small bouquet of flowers,
and other such objects.
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