Imbolc, also known as Candlemas, Festival of Lights, Feast of Torches, Brighid's Day, Feast of Brigit, is a fire festival celebrated from the eve of February 1st through the following night (Awkwardly worded. Might want to rephrase 'through the following night" as "from the night of Janurary 31st to the night of Feburary 1st, or the proper dates.). Imbolc is the Celtic name for this seasonal festivity. It is one of the four cross-quarter holidays of the year, occurring half way between the first day of winter and the first day of spring.

This time in the circle of the year was marked by many pre-Christian pagan cultures. The Roman celebrated Lupercalia, a fertility festival which continued until 484 CE when it evolved into the Christian "Feast of Purification," now known as Lent. The Greeks celebrated the Eleusinian Mysteries which told of the abduction and return of Persephone, symbolized the annual cycle of death and rebirth.

Bríghid, the Celtic Goddess who is still honored today is the matron of Imbolc. She is associated with the hearth as the center and focus of the home and community. Brighid has made a seamless transition from pagan goddess to Christian saint as she was simply adopted into the Christian pantheon of saints, name and all. This is worth noting as there was little the Christian church was able to change in terms of her name, what she stood for, or even the timing of her annual festival. The love of the people for this particular goddess was simply too strong, her place in their lives too secure. The Church had no choice but to accept Brighid and they did in fact do so, awarding Her the highest honor they could to a feminine representative within their belief system, that of Saint.

St. Brigit's feast day takes place on the first day of February, which coincides with the original Pagan festival to the goddess Brighid. She is said to travel about the countryside on the eve of this festival to bestow her blessings on the people and their animals. The well-known Crosses of St. Brigid, still in use today, have their origin in Pagan times. They are used as magic charms and are believed to protect the home. New crosses are made and old crosses from previous years are moved to the rafters or attic of the home. The new crosses are hung in their place near the entryways. Crosses woven by the children should be hung on the wall over their beds and if you happen to have a barn or out-building you should hang one there as well.

For modern Pagans today it is a time of purification and cleansing. This is a traditional time for initiations into covens, self-dedication and renewing personal dedications, for new beginnings and growth. It is time to ponder your goals for this year and tap into the creative fire of inspiration. Just as farmers clear and fertilize the fields in preparation for spring planting, we have the opportunity to prepare ourselves to manifest our goals for the year. That which no longer serves a purpose in our lives should be removed in order to ensure that the seeds we plant now have room to grow and flourish. Imbolc is a good time to get your life in order, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

A ritual often overlooked in Imbolc celebrations is purification, at all levels. This is the time to give your home a complete cleaning. If you have a fireplace it should be cleaned as well. All of the work should be completed prior to the eve of Imbolc. When your home is physically clean, remember to do the same spiritually.

Then it's time to turn the dust cloth inward. Look at your relationship with your environment and others. It is the time to open new doors, close old ones, and heal wounds. Drop the baggage that you no longer need and move on with your life. Write down habits you wish to be rid of on small pieces of paper and burn them in a candle flame.

If you wish to conduct a divination ritual, the eve of Imbolc is considered the best time for divinations specifically pertaining to the future welfare and prosperity of your family.

If you decide to have an Imbolc feast, as was common in many pagan cultures, foods appropriate to eat for this festival include anything from the dairy to honor the Goddess, since sheep and cattle are freshly milking now. Spicy and full-bodied foods such as curries and dishes made with peppers, onion, leeks, shallots, garlic or chives, as well as spiced wine are all appropriate, honoring the God.