#brighid’s cross

[lailoken]

In honor of Imbolc, here is an art study I carried out by illustrating different variations of Brighid's Cross.

[bywandandsword]

I would like it to be noted that within hours of posting these tags, I learned of a lighthouse museum less than two hours from my house, and found a book called The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill right on top of a book on how to sail. The Crane Husband was released only last year, so how it got into the library 'old books for sale' bin, I don't know, but everything together is starting to approach Sign territory

[oh-my-little-hearth]

Story Time!!

I work for a very large haunted house. A while ago our wardrobe trailer burnt down from an arsonist(?)

I was thinking about it now and we fire proof the entire thing now with fire proof paint, and we’re extremely careful nowadays. Butttt we put Brigid’s crosses in our homes to stop them from burning down so why not put on in my trailer.

As the lead I get to decorate lol so I’m super excited! I have to use all my wall space so it’s gonna be painted on I think. The lead makeup artist is also a witch so I’m not worried about anyone getting upset with it, considering when the trailer burnt down the only thing left untouched and unburnt was a doll and they asked him to cleanse and bless it 🤣

[oh-my-little-hearth]

Tig an Geimhreadh dian dubh, gearra lena géire

Ach ar lá le Bríghde, gar dúinn Earrach Éireann.

Iníon le gach tír í, molaimís go léir í.

Gabhaim molta Bríghde, iníon í le hÉireann

[greenwitchcrafts]

February 2024 witch guide

Full moon: February 24th

New moon: February 9th

Sabbats: Imbolc-February 1st

February Snow Moon

Known as: Eagle Moon, Horning Moon, Solmonath Moon, Bear moon, Ice Moon, Wild Moon, Raccoon Moon, Big Winter Moon, Groundhog Moon, Quickening Moon, Storm Moon, Goose Moon, Hungry Moon & Red/Cleansing Moon

Element: Fire

Zodiac: Aquarius & Pisces

Nature spirits: House Faeries

Deities: Aphrodite, Brigid & Nut

Animals: Otter & Unicorn

Birds: Chickadee & Eagle

Trees: Cedar, laurel, myrtle & rowan

Herbs: Balm of Gilead, hyssop, myrrh, sage & spikenard

Flowers: Primrose

Scents: Heliotrope & wisteria

Stones: Amethyst, jasper, moonstone, obsidian, onyx , rose quartz, topaz & red zircon

Colors: Light blue & violet

Energy:  Astral travel, banishing, beginnings, breaking bad habits, creativity expressiveness, empowerment, energy working to the surface, fertility, forgiveness, freedom, friendships, future plans, growth, healing, problem solving, purification, responsibility & science

February’s full Moon is a “Micromoon” this year. Think of this term as the opposite of a “Supermoon.” It simply means that the full Moon is at its farthest point from Earth (not the nearest point).

The explanation behind February’s full Moon name is a fairly straightforward one: it’s known as the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February. On average, February is the United States’ snowiest month, according to data from the National Weather Service. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver, who had visited with the Naudowessie(Dakota), wrote that the name used for this period was the Snow Moon, “because more snow commonly falls during this month than any other in the winter.” 

Imbolc

Known as: Feast of Torches, Feast of Waxing Light, Oimele & Brigid's Day

Season: Winter

Symbols: Besoms, Brighid's crosses, candles, candle wheels, fertility symbols, fire, ploughs, priapic wands & white flowers

Colors: Black, brown, Earth tones, lavender, light green, orange, pink, red, white & yellow

Oils/Incense: Apricot, basil, bay, carnation, chamomile, cinnamon, dragon's blood, frankincense, heather, jasmine, myrrh, neroli, red sandalwood, sage, vanilla, violet & wisteria

Animals: Badger, cow, deer,groudhog, robin, sheep, snake, & swan

Mythical: Dragon

Stones: Amethyst, bloodstone, citrine, clear quartz, garnet, green tourmaline, hematite, iron, lodestone, onyx, red zircon, rose quartz, ruby, turquoise, yellow tourmaline

Food: Breads, chives, curries, dairy products, grains, garlic, herbal teas, honey cakes, lamb, muffins, onions, peppers, poppy seed cakes, pork, poultry, pumpkin seeds, raisins, scones, spiced wines & sunflower seeeds

Herbs/Plants: Angelica, ashleaf, balsam, basil, bay laurel, benzoin, blackberry, clover, coltsfoot, coriander, dragon's blood, garlic, heather, lemon, myrrh, rosemary, sage, vervain, wheat & witch hazel

Flowers: Celandine, chamomile, iris, rose hips, snowdrop, sunflower, tansy, violets, white flowers & yellow flowers

Goddesses: Anu, Aradia, Arianrhod, Artio, Athena, Branwen, Brigid, Danu, Februa, Gaia, Inanna, Juno, Selene, Sirona & Vesta

Gods: Aegus Mac Og, Bragi, Cupid, Dian Cecht, Dumuzi, Eros, Februus & Pax

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Activation/awakening, animals, beginnings, fertility, healing, hope, illumination, inspiration, light, pregnancy/childbirth, prophecy, transformation, well-being & youth

Spellwork: Air magick, banishings, candle spells, divination, fertility spells, prosperity & purification

Activities:

• Make & light white candles

• Clean/decorate your altar & consecrate your  altar tools

• Go on a walk in nature & look for signs of spring

• Make a Brigid's Cross

• Have a feast with your family/friends

• Give thanks & leave offerings to the Earth

• Set intentions, reflect & look deeper into your goals for spring

• Start a bonfire

• Find Imboloc prayers & devotionals that bid farewell to the winter months, honor the goddess Brigid, as well as seasonal blessings for your meals, hearth, & home.

• Pepare plans for your upcoming garden

• Craft a priapic wand

• Spend time with children celebrating Imbolc by making crafts & or baking

• Practice divination & fire scrying

• Draw a cleansing ritual bath for yourself

• Meditate, reflect & say your farewells to winter

• Cleanse & clean your house to prepare for spring

• Create a Brídeóg: a doll of Brigid made of straw

• Make Bride's bouquet satchets & exchange as symbols of good luck and fertility

• Set aside food & or drinks as an offering to Brigid to invite her in your home

Imbolc is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring. Most commonly it is held on January 31 – February 1, or halfway between the winter solstice & the spring equinox. The holiday is a festival of the hearth, home, a celebration of the lengthening days & the early signs of spring. 

The word "imbolc" means "in the belly" and refers to the pregnancy of ewes at this time of year. The term "oimelc" means ewe's milk. Around this time of year, many herd animals give birth to their first offspring of the year or are heavily pregnant & as a result, they are producing milk. This creation of life’s milk is a part of the symbolic hope for spring.

Imbolc is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and it is associated with important events in Irish mythology. It has been suggested that it was originally a pagan festival associated with the goddess Brigid and that it was Christianized as a festival of Saint Brigid, who herself is thought to be a Christianization of the goddess.

Some use Imbolc to celebrate the longer days which herald the return of Spring & The Goddess's recovery from giving birth to The Sun (The God) at Yule. The God & The Goddess are children symbolizing new life, new beginnings & new resurrections.

Related festivals:

• Groundhog Day-  Is a tradition observed in the United States & Canada on February 2 of every year. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day & sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den & winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.

While the tradition remains popular in the 21st century, studies have found no consistent association between a groundhog seeing its shadow & the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather.

•St. Brigid's Day- 1 February. It was originally Imbolc, the first day of spring in Irish tradition. Because Saint Brigid has been theorised as linked to the goddess Brigid, some associate the festival of Imbolc with the goddess. St. Brigid is the patroness saint (or 'mother saint') of Ireland. She is patroness of many things, including poetry, learning, healing, protection, blacksmithing, livestock & dairy production. In her honour, a perpetual fire was kept burning at Kildare for centuries.

A recent campaign successfully established her feast day as a national holiday in 2023.

• Chinese New Year- (February 10th) the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. In Chinese, the festival is commonly referred to as the Spring Festival,- marking the end of winter and the beginning of the spring season. Observances traditionally take place from Chinese New Year's Eve, the evening preceding the first day of the year, to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21st & February 20th.

The Chinese New Year is associated with several myths and customs. The festival was traditionally a time to honour deities as well as ancestors. Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the New Year vary widely & the evening preceding the New Year's Day is frequently regarded as an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner.

It is also a tradition for every family to thoroughly clean their house, in order to sweep away any ill fortune & to make way for incoming good luck. Another custom is the decoration of windows & doors with red paper-cuts and couplets. Popular themes among these paper-cuts and couplets include good fortune or happiness, wealth & longevity. Other activities include lighting firecrackers  & giving money in red envelopes.

•  Candlemas- is a Christian feast day on February 2nd commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. It is based upon the account of the presentation of Jesus in Luke 2:22-40. 

While it is customary for Christians in some countries to remove their Christmas decorations on Twelfth Night, those in other Christian countries historically remove them after Candlemas.On Candlemas, many Christians also take their candles to their local church, where they are blessed and then used for the rest of the year.

•Setsubun- (February 3rd) Is the day before the beginning of spring in the old calendar in Japan. The name literally means 'seasonal division', referring to the day just before the first day of spring.

Both Setsubun & Risshun are celebrated yearly as part of the Spring Festival (Haru matsuri ) in Japan. In its association with the Lunar New Year, Setsubun, though not the official New Year, was thought of as similar in its ritual & cultural associations of 'cleansing' the previous year as the beginning of the new season of spring. Setsubun was accompanied by a number of rituals & traditions held at various levels to drive away the previous year's bad fortunes & evil spirits for the year to come.

Other Celebrations:

• Lupercalia-

In ancient Rome, this festival was conducted annually on February 13th through 15th under the superintendence of a corporation of priests called Luperci. The origins of the festival are obscure, although the likely derivation of its name from lupus (Latin: “wolf”) has variously suggested connection with an ancient deity who protected herds from wolves and with the legendary she-wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus. As a fertility rite, the festival is also associated with the god Faunus.

to purify the city, promoting health & fertility.

Each Lupercalia began with the sacrifice by the Luperci of goats and a dog, after which two of the Luperci were led to the altar, their foreheads were touched with a bloody knife & the blood was wiped off with wool dipped in milk; the ritual required that the two young men laugh. The sacrificial feast followed, after which the Luperci cut thongs from the skins of the sacrificial animals & ran in two bands around the Palatine hill, striking with the thongs at any woman who came near them. A blow from the thong was supposed to render a woman fertile.

In 494 CE the Christian church under Pope Gelasius I forbade participation in the festival. Tradition holds that he appropriated the form of the rite as the Feast of the Purification (Candlemas), celebrated on February 2, but it is likely that the Christian feast was established in the previous century. It has also been alternately suggested that Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14th, but the origin of that holiday was likely much later.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

Wikipedia

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Encyclopedia britannica

Llewellyn 2024 magical almanac Practical magic for everyday living

[historia-vitae-magistras]

lol Alistair and Rhys out swinging swords at ghosts and looking like a couple of nutters to the untrained eye. Do you still have the fic or maybe it was an ask about chonklet deluxe being held by a horrifying wraith and screaming like the damned?

A little bit! And it was initially an ask. This fic is brand spanking new because I forgot how cool of an idea that shitpost actually was if I took it seriously. Please be warned that this fic is gory and involves child endangerment, a bastardization of mythological creatures and just general violence. Also here on ao3.

Rural Lancashire, 1590

Dusk draped heavily over the world as the last light of day darkened into a thick grey. Arthur had ducked out the door to catch the midwife as she crossed his property on foot. If he was quick, he could often walk her as far as the edge of the village and consult her on whatever it was Alfred had done now. Teething, his first words, the seizures that had gripped him last spring, croup, the rare occasion Alfred was ever colicky. She was a steely woman with hair to match and indulged him at least, giving the best advice she had after decades of bringing children into the world. He'd hardly paid attention to the labours of women, and children so often died that there was rarely time to pay them any heed as they went from the cradle to the casket so quickly.

He had turned back to make his usual beeline for the house, pushing past and between the square hedges and sprawling kitchen garden. Some of the stronger-smelling herbs must have been finally in season; there was a reek Arthur couldn't quite identify. He had hardly cleared the fence when he heard Alfred's usual cry, demanding attention. The baby was a social thing, as personable as Rhys or Brighid and twice as bold about his want of company. He didn't like waking alone, wrapped up cozy in the cradle or otherwise.

Another sound, shrill and high. This one sent a spike of anxiety through Arthur's spine. He paused for the shortest moment. Then he was moving. That was not the cry of a baby who was lonely or wanted to be picked up. That was a terrified howl from his boy. He shot into the house, through the atrium, up the stairs, and into the nursery. Heaving, he flung open the heavy oak door. The smell was there again. The figure of a woman stood in relief against the low fire, Alfred cradled in her arms and screaming. For a stupid, foolish moment, he hoped it was the scullery girl he had told to mind the baby should he begin crying. But the smell. He took a step forward. At a new angle, he could see rotten eyes staring at his son, a cheek missing to decay and teeth gleaming through the gap.

"Baby." Came the garbled sound from long-dead vocal cords.

"You do not belong in this realm," Arthur said, cooly gesturing for her to hand him the child. His guts churned, bile in his throat. The revenants were often as confused as they were disgusting, pulling themselves out of whatever corner they had died and remained undiscovered. "Give me the child."

The Revenant turned to him. "Mine."

"You do not belong in this realm," Arthur said again, gesturing to Alfred again. He was losing patience with fear, the ceaseless screaming from Alfred turning into a hopeless, frightened sob. She tilted her head, and it fell limply to her shoulder, tendons snapping on the other side. She lifted one hand to push it back onto her neck, and he saw her hand for a moment in the light. Her fingers were torn freshly away. Oh, good Christ, this one had crawled out of her grave as they sometimes did when there was an infant's ceaseless crying above them. But Alfred had never stepped foot in the churchyard, and it was nearly a mile and a half away in the village.

"Rhys!" Arthur screamed, praying to god his brother was in the house and not out in the lambing pens.

The woman transferred Alfred almost tenderly to one arm and lunged at him, hand outstretched and her rotting jaw open. It couldn't close and Arthur couldn't hit her; Alfred was a heavy child and would fall to the floor as a leaden weight, and his soft little body would smash. Arthur was cold. Alfred was still crying.

"Give me my fucking son." He lunged, snatching at her arm. A layer of grey slime came away, and he retched even as he got fingers wrapped into the swaddling nearest Alfred's feet. He was suddenly wrestling a corpse, each of them struggling to get their hands on the blanket. One of Alfred's arms had slipped free, and he flailed, a fresh rolling scream emitting from his tiny scarlet face. Arthur had never seen him so flushed. He tried to shove her away and kick at the rotting creature, but more of something wet disintegrated from her legs. His hand was suddenly slick with gore and a piece of her fell to the floor with a putrid plop, unseen under the half-rotten chemise she had been buried in. She almost looked to grin at him and pulled Alfred closer.

"Let go!" He commanded, trying to get a purchase, but his hands were too slippery. He lunged after her as she retreated towards the door. "Let him go!"

Then a sword was through her belly. Something degassed like fetid blacksmith's bellows. Arthur's senses nearly abandoned him at the smell, but his hands closed around Alfred and tugged him to his chest, and he shot back against the wall, as far from the thing as he could get.

"I know. I'm sorry." He gasped, a clean hand cradling Alfred's head. "I'm so sorry."

The creature groaned and collapsed to the floor on its knees, struggling as its guts dissolved around the blade. Rhys stood behind her, still in his lambing clothes and boots, mother's leaf-bladed sword in his hands. He lifted it, and her head fell from her shoulders. The rotting eyes followed Arthur across the room. He watched as Rhys found one of the seams of her skull with the tip, plunged the sword in, twisted like he was splitting a log, and this time, she lay still, dismembered.

"Are you all right?" Rhys said, stepping over the body to look at him. He approached close enough to pull the blanket away to look at Alfred. Arthur tried to meet his brother's eyes. "Arthur?"

He couldn't. He could only close his eyes, hold Alfred tighter and collapse down the wall. Alfred pressed as tight as he dared against his sternum, and Arthur tried to breathe. Alfred's crying had softened, terror fading to a heartbreaking relief, and Arthur kissed his head. To close. Too fucking close.

"He's fine," Rhys said; his voice was much softer this time. "You're both fine, I promise."

[tyetknot]

This year's Brighid's Cross. I tried the three-armed version this year, because why not? And of course I used my lovely girlfriend's lovely red hand-spun yarn to tie it, because why not? It's ever-so-slightly too big, and it's a little messy, but it's fine, I'm sure.

[frickingnerd]

the jealous kind

pairing: brighid x gn!reader

summary: you tease your girlfriend about getting jealous...

brighid had that cute little frown on her face. ever since she had seen you being a bit too familiar with that woman earlier, she couldn't get that frown off her face. the way she had touched your arm as she talked, how she leaned in closer… it really bothered her! and it showed. 

"you're pretty cute like this…"

your words snapped brighid out of her thoughts, making that frown disappear for a moment and replacing it with a surprised expression. 

"like this? i don't understand"

you chuckled softly. brighid was so smart, yet she had that oblivious side to her as well. 

"you're cute when you're jealous, i mean"

brighid gasped softly and that frown appeared on her face again.

"i am not jealous!"

she crossed her arms in front of her chest, getting a quick chuckle out of you. brighid was always so serious. too serious to admit that she felt jealous like everyone else. 

"oh, of course… whatever you say~"

[misspjsuperior]

The splatters from the other page practically begged me to make them into some of Brigid’s freckles.

Brighid/Brig is an ancient Irish goddess associated with fire, among other things, and renowned with many blessings from protection to poetry. The most ancient surviving texts recounting her to this day describe her having two sisters of the same name, Brighid the Smith, associated with metalworks in both weaponry and jewelry, and Brighid the Healer, associated with herbalism and song. This has led to Brighid being hailed as a Triple Goddess in her ancient form. ☘️

Indeed the triplicate of Brigid seems to have transformed along with the Irish diaspora following Catholicism and English oppression. St. Brighid appeared in Ireland under the rule of the Catholic Church, most likely another example of Christianizing pagan figures as seen cross culturally. The Feast of St. Brighid coincides with the ancient Celtic pagan late winter festival of Imbolc on the first of February after all.

Among the African diaspora in the Caribbean, where English colonists sent both enslaved Africans and indentured Irish servants to work sugar and other plantations, revered loa of the Voudun pantheon from West Africa were famously hidden within icons of Catholic saints. It is within this particular tradition that Mama Brigitte is found with her flaming red hair, having been married into the Ghede Spirit family to Baron Samedi, syncretized with St. Brighid. Her feast day varies among Vodouisants from coinciding with Imbolc or All Saints Day, which is also when Dia de los Muertos (as a result of the colonial church) is on November 2nd. Still many acknowledge that Mama Brigette came from Ireland. With this consideration of the origins of Samedi’s bride, their union is representative of the legacy of Irish and African history under European colonial exploitations- we Irish descendants practicing paganism today may do well to remember this manifestation of blessed, vibrant, poetic, protective Brighid’s triplicity in solidarity against the exploitations of empires that go on to this day. ❤️‍🔥

[little-witchys-garden]

Why I love using cats in my witchcraft

I love cats, they're one of my favorite creatures and one of the few creatures I love using in my witchcraft.

I love cat symbolism, cat figures, cat themed things, cat magick, connecting with cat spirits, and allowing my own pet cats in my witchcraft.

So let's talk about cats!

The spiritual symbolism of Cats:

cats are symbolic of rebirth and resurrection, per their nine lives. Because they are nocturnal, they are also associated with darkness independence, guardian energy, the esoteric, and mystery, elegance, curiosity, independence, protection, magic, and other notable qualities.

Divine cats connect with:

Bastet

Sekhmet

Eros

Nergal

Mafdet

Kasha

Wadjet

Mishipeshu

Nyx

Selene

Ceridwen

Palu

Dawon

the yule cat

The cat sithe

Brighid

Ovinnik

Hecate

Li Shou

Ai-Apaec

Bòge cat

Freya

Maneki-neko

Tezcatlipoca

Kapitángan

And that's not even all not them!

Different cats have different meanings:

Yep that's right! We all know the black cat = bad luck thing but did you know there's lots of superstitions around cats? I'll name a few!

Black cats are bad luck unless you're a sailor or a witch then they're good luck.

For sailors white cats were bad luck!

Calico cats in Japan are actually seen as good luck and even luckier if they have a bobbed tail!

It is bad luck to cross a stream carrying a cat.

If a cat purrs at nothing, a ghost is in the room.

Bathing a cat will cause it to rain.

A cat at a wedding is a good omen

If you can pluck a pure white hair from an all-black cat without being scratched, you will be lucky all your life long

Cats can see death

Fishermen’s wives believe that their husbands will be safe at sea if a black cat is kept in the house

A kitten being born the same day as your baby means your baby will have a lucky life.

Blue eyed cats are good luck

Cats spread gossip so they should not enter rooms where private discussions are taking place.

When you see a one-eyed cat, spit on your thumb, stamp your palm with your thumb and make a wish.

Killing a cat means 17-18 years of bad luck

If a cat jumps across a grave, that corpse will return as a vampire.

If a cat sneezes three times, someone else is going to catch a cold.

If a cat has kittens in your house, it is a sign that your house has no evil spirits

If you head off on a journey and see a cat on your left side, it is a sign of good luck.

Visiting a home with a cat? Kiss the cat for good luck.

And that’s just a few cat superstitions!

Cats in witchcraft/spirituality in history:

Cats were feared and thought to indicate the presence of evil, either being the Devil himself, or a witch in disguise, a demon, a faery in disguise, undead, immortal or a ghost.

As early as the 13th century, the Catholic Church linked cats to Satan, heretics, witches, pagans, demons, ghosts, the fae, vampires and zombies. Over time during slavery of both the Irishs and Africans the church connected them too hoodoo, voodoo and Irish paganism though it was mostly because slaves would keep these creatures as cherished companions during their years of slavery since cats were a plenty and often times were from/born on the plantations. Cats also had a connection to native Americans as well! Many cats essentially pregnant Cats get abandoned by their owners left on many reservations, these abandoned cats become the devoted pets and mouse hunters on reservations helping in keeping rodent populations down And with that came native based spiritual beliefs around cats! Cats have been beloved and faithful companions of the oppressed for centuries!

Also just adding in feng shui cats are seen as protectors and good luck!

Cats also are symbols of femininity, queerness, ABC being on trans spectrum.

There's so much more about cats in mythology, folklore, superstitions, witchcraft and other spiritual beliefs!

So if you wanna add animal symbolism into your craft then the protective, lucky and mysterious cat might be for you!

Artists name on photo!

[fiantacleasai]

How I’m Celebrating Imbolg

As a Brighid devotee, I thought I’d share how I’m spending Imbolg with my partner!

I’m personally celebrating the evening of January 31st through February 3rd! Most fire festivals were more than a one day event and I didn’t want to pack everything into 1 day anyways.

On January 31st, we put out our Brat Brídes, hanging white cloths on our door.

Then we candle painted! Using little tea lights, we painted with the hot wax onto some larger candles

I had my own flame tending shift so I finished that

Today, February First, we got all of our supplies for the day and went to the park to spend some time in nature while drinking our coffees. I found a dandelion to bring home for Brighid’s altar and also some rosemary!

Then we came home and started baking some bread, specifically Garlic Braided Bread and also made our own butter

We are preparing a bit of a feast, we got some apples and 3 different kinds of cheese (baking some brie!) to go with the bread along with some mashed potatoes.

Some bread and cheese will be offered to Brighid.

After we eat, we’re going to do some Imbolg divination spreads for the season ahead

Lastly for the night, we will make a Brighid’s doll (Brideog) and a Leaba Bhríde to put her in.

Tomorrow, February 2nd, we will be walking the bounds and grounds, doing some cleansing and cleaning and then some warding around our home.

Then we will be baking some Rosemary and Lemon Curd Tassies! (recipe below) We will offer one to Brighid as well.

On February 3rd, we will be meeting up with a friend to conclude our festivities

We’re going to go to a cemetery and commune with the spirits

Then we’re going to find some natural material for making Brighid’s Crosses and do them while we’re out!

Finally we’re going to go to a local plant store and buy a new houseplant, and plant our intentions for the season while potting it.

What’re you doing for Imbolg??

[carriechambers]

Wheel of the Year 101 - Imbolc

The post on website

Hello tumblr! Since we're in the Imbolc season, I've decided it's the best time to make a post on it. And it can also be my way of celebrating.

In this post, you'll find out:

the history of Imbolc

when and how to celebrate (MANY examples)

links to all kinds of tutorials (like Brigid's cross, recipes, crochetting, playlists and a tarot spread)

correspondences (colours, foods, topics, ...)

Click Keep Reading to read the entire post, or you can read it on the blog page Imbolc.

Imbolc

History

Imbolc (which is pronounced ee-molc btw), sometimes also called Brigid’s Day, is rooted in Gaelic history and is mostly about the Celtic goddess Brigid, goddess of learning, healing and fertility. She, as hearth goddess, is associated with cooking and family life. Traditionally, it marks the first showings of spring. However, as we often orientate ourselves around a calendar rather than how nature changes, it is usually celebrated on February 1st, as a midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox. Some people do like to celebrate it closer to February 5th or on the second full moon since winter solstice though. And some celebrate on January 31st. Technically speaking, the celebrations were often stretched across multiple days around the actual date, so don’t worry if you don’t get it exactly right.

Marking the start of spring, it mostly was the start of agricultural season. The early celebrations were focused on welcoming the growing light, cleansing and purifying (take the spring cleaning for example) and fertility (milk is a common association, as the birth of lambs and other livestock was also happening through this season and was also important for agriculture).

In Wiccan traditions, Imbolc is when the God is developing and the Goddess is recovering from giving birth to him at Yule.

  How to Celebrate

A well known symbol of Imbolc is Brighid’s cross. Typically it has 4 arms with a woven center, but there are other versions too (like a 3 armed version). It is made of rushes or wheat stalks. Kind of like Yule log, it is meant to be kept around the whole year - leave them where you want, often it is hanged above fireplace. It’s supposed to protect the residents from illness, hunger and fire. Each year you’re supposed to make a new cross. I couldn’t find any sources that would talk about how to deal with the cross from previous Imbolc once you make a new one, but considering Yule log is meant to be burnt, I would say this one is likely meant to be burnt as well, or burried. You can see it as a talisman collecting the negative energy so that it doesn’t get to you, and then burrying / burning the negative energy. And here are some tutorials on how to make it: Written Tutorial Video Tutorial 3-legged cross video tutorial

As I’ve already mentioned, Imbolc is closely associated with cleaning. This can be both physical cleaning and spiritual cleansing, often you can combine the two (like by visualising while cleaning that the dust / dirt is negative energy).

Since it is the beginning of spring, another good activity is planting seeds. And this can be done both literally and symbolically. We often plant seeds for something we want to improve, or a project we want to start. Then we take care of the plant and our goals grow with it. This can be also done just in visualisation, or by writing our goals / wishes on a piece of paper and burning it.

Part of this festival is lighting candles to celebrate the growing light. Make sure to let air in too though, we don’t want the candles burning away all our oxygen. And as for all holidays, you can set up a seperate altar, or just decorate your usual altar with things from Imbolc correspondences. The correspondences can be honoured in many ways - like by cooking (with) them, wearing the colours, etc. And some other unusual things to celebrate can be making a playlist for this season, crochetting, etc. You can get creative.

And another thing can be taking a walk in nature and looking for signs of spring, like some flowers poking out, or trees starting to get their leaves again. Though, it can be hard to do in some colder regions, and even in other ones when the weather is changing, as if winter starts later than it used to.

And as it is the Brighid’s Day, the goddess of hearth and family, you can also have lots of family time! Watch some movie under a warm blanket, gather at a fireplace, in the kitchen, cook together… The options are limitless.

Other things:

Cleansing simmer pot

Sunflower crochet tutorial

Flower bookmark crochet

Spotify playlist

Youtube playlist

Imbolc tarot spread

recipes

Imbolc ritual cake

Recipes to celebrate Imbolc

Bannock

Baked custard

Honey butter

Honey cookies

  Correspondences

Incense: rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon, peppermint, basil, jasmin, wisteria, apricot Herbs: angelica, basil, myrrh, willow, yellow flowers, bay Decorations: corn dolly, besom, candles, Brighid’s cross Colors: white, orange, red, green, brown, pale yellow Foods: dried fruits, grains, bread, cheese (any milkproducts really), nuts, eggs, seeds (like sunflower seeds), spicy foods, honey Stones: ruby, onyx, turquoise, garnet, bloodstone, amethyst Other names: Imbolg (Gaelic), Oimelc (Saxon), Brighid’s Day Other celebrations: Candlemas (Christian), Lupercalia (Roman), Feast of Nut (Egyptian), Groundhog Day (numerous places in Europe and America) Misc: beginnings, change, fertility, seeds, cleaning, cleansing, family, inspiration, creativity

   Sources

Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials - Imbolc (Rituals, Recipes and Lore for Brigid’s Day) by Carl F. Neal (2015)

wiccaliving.com - imbolc

mabonhouse.co - history of imbolc

thornandclaw.com - imbolc

paganpages.org - imbolc correspondences

Imbolc by Willow Martine on P&W amino

Imbolc by Damilein on P&W amino

Thank you for reading! Consider hopping into the blog and into Library. This is only the second post, but it'll keep filling up. I'm also reblogging useful witchy or pagan info, so if you're interested, do follow 💜

[bywandandsword]

🧭🌞🔥

🧭 - What led you to your practice?

It's a long story, so here's a much abridged version. I used to be Catholic and made it all the way through Confirmation, during which I took the name Brigid, because her stories just resonated with me for some reason. But when I was a junior in high school, I was trying desperately to feel represented as an afab person in my religion while at the same time delving heavily into witchcraft, which led be briefly to a sort of Catholic-Wicca syncretism, then just Wicca for a few months, then when I realized Wicca didn't make any gd sense to me, I switched over to polytheism proper. Some advice I found initially when I started looking was to look into the gods of your ancestors, so I started looking into Irish gods and Celtic Recon and I've been here ever since. For a few years I was syncretic with Norse Polytheism, but it feels like that chapter in my life is closed. Right now I'm focused on the Gaelic gods, but I also worship/work with local land spirits, Hades, Brythonic spirits, and will occasionally throw a petition to a saint on behalf of one of my Catholic family members

🌞 - Which deity(ies) are you closest to/do you worship the most often?

I'm devoted to Brighid 🥰🥰🥰 You'll note that I took her name even before I was pagan, so I like to think I've been her creature since the beginning

The second deity (I'm using that term because 'spirit' doesn't feel right) I devote a ton of mental space to is the Mississippi River. I tend to think of river spirits in terms of goddesses, just cause that's how they're normally depicted in the Celtic mythologies, and I haven't gotten the vibe that she objects with those terms. However, because I'm no where near the Mississippi River or her tributaries atm, I can't really work with her? It doesn't feel right, because my experience of her is so localized to back home. But in the spring when I can be outside for extended periods without turning into a popsicle, I'm going to start trying to develop a relationship with the Penobscot River in earnest. I cross her every day on the way to school. She has a lovely energy

The other deities I regularly devote space to are the Morrigan and Hades. They both got my attention during periods in my life related to death. They're not particularly vocal or active, but the crows make it clear they're still around

🔥 - Do you have a favorite myth or tale from your pantheon or others?

There's a few and I can't chose just one

The Tale of Oisín (Gaelic)

The Curse of Macha (Gaelic)

The Meeting and Marriage of Rhiannon and Pwyll (Welsh)

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Arthurian)

Raven Steals Fire (Tlingit)

The Tale of Wind Horse (Choctaw)

[murdermeadow]

okok so. I've been cooking up something for A While, but it's taken quite a long time to figure out and steep BUT I'VE FINALLY DONE IT! so now I get to share it all with you :]

to preface: this is all hc! just me spitballing with ideas I personally enjoy, don't feel like you've gotta agree with me

so. I think about the crew's lives pre Aionios pretty often, and I think the person who most perplexes me is Taion - of course, he's the only one without clear ties to any previous characters or other existing characters in story! but I kept thinking about him and Nimue, and how they had that sort of sibling relationship to me. I already had another hc that Nimue was Mòrag and Brighid's eldest daughter, with Sena having come around later! naturally, I combined that with her connection to Taion to get him having been an adopted sibling to the two. it's cute! it's heartwarming! but there was always my other, more pressing question... how on Alrest did Taion become a blade-eater when he was only a child? this is what really stumped me for awhile, but this is what I cooked up.

so. Taion and his family were moving away from the lower parts of the Mor Ardainian titan, thinking it would be better to now live in the capital. Taion suggested their route - he had already scoped ahead, of course. unfortunately, what he didn't know is that the land they were going to cross over was taken and guarded by a very territorial village of criminals hiding from the law. so the minute they got caught, well... things turned out for the worst. his parents were killed, and he nearly was too, having been left for dead. Thankfully, Nimue had found them while out on one of her own personal adventures to get a lay of the land (gotta know your territory if you're gonna be such a central royal figure!). using the technology she had learned from Pandoria and Zeke whenever they had visited, she implanted part of her core crystal into where the boy was shot, saving his life. she rescued him and took him back to the castle, where the rest of the Ladair family took him in with open arms (and if not, well, Nimue was already rapidly becoming quite protective of him). she soon became his older sister figure, and Sena as his other adopted sister. he met Mio through the Ladair connections as well, n the rest is history :3 (not really history but y'know, they become besties, and probably go on a quest to find their missing soulmates)

ya !! that's it !! I think it's so much fun to think about their lives outside of Aionios, and this'll definitely help me in my path to eventually write a few scenes from it :]

and now, some Nimue stuff as well

[xemobladechromicles]

Ok, I'm rank the Xenoblade 3 protags from favorite to least now.

1. Mio

Cutely presses the dodge button. Cutely presses the dodge button. Cutely presses the dodge button. Best class. I liked the part where she cutely pressed the dodge button against the concept of aging by body swapping with herself. We all talk about chapter 5 but chapter 4 was the mio moment that made me cry. Mio whyyyy. Fucking iconic. Definitely the character I was most invested in getting a happy ending. Also. She's a cat. Fucking perfection.

2. Eunie

Yass Eunie's the bass. Feather's are a bitch to dry. Queen's knees. Up, up up up up. The Chad who responds to "no more killing ppl" and immediately goes "ok.. but why?" The ultimate character. I wish I was a fraction of Eunie's power. Let Eunie say Fuck. Tragically I didn't actually care for her much beyond her status as a meme queen, but consider: Eunie is the ultimate meme and I enjoyed every moment she was on screen. I also really like the idea that Eunie isn't naturally a healer but learned the role after Joran's death (I forget whether that's a theory or straight up canon but I do really enjoy that). I also have to say that a lot of her high affinity classes are a ton of fun to play as. Very satisfying to watch Eunie fucking eviscerated someone off the face of the aionios. Pretty funny how both Eunie and Taion would run you over with an ambulance.

3. Noah

Def my favorite protagonist. He's so soft spoken. Also pretty funny that his magic laser sword is literally just a sheath for a really sharp katana. Pretty good of him to be the first Xenoblade protagonist to canonically have sex (consider that we didn't get proof of Rex fucking until after we learned about Noah fucking). I like how he's the quiet and thoughtful type, has the best romantic subplot in the series easily (or at least the only one I gave a shit about). I will say that N was a pretty underwhelming antagonist. Man's backstory brings me to tears, yet I still just don't care for a single moment he's on screen (except for "Mio wHYYY" memes those can stay, thank you Henry McEntire for your contributions to this series). As far as protagonist powers go, Shulk sees the future, Cross is mute, Rex gets all the girls, and Noah turns into Evangelion. I think the only conclusion here is to stick Noah and Shulk in a pit and make them fight for who gets to be the Protagonist tm. Also, Noah wears his hair similar to me, therefore he's hot. +10 points for that.

4. Taion

Someone should make the virgin/chad meme with Taion's class in gameplay vs Taion's class in the story. Like, every other character in story is using their class like they would in gameplay, but then Monolith had negative ideas how to translate a swarm of paper airplanes into tangible gameplay. So Taion's class feels very bad to use. That said, love his banter with Eunie. Also love that one H2H where he says he wears practical clothing, then Eunie calls his scarf lame. Poor man acts like a kicked puppy lol. Also has the vibes of that kid who lost chess against Eunie because she ate all the pieces when he wasn't looking. Tries to be the adult of the group, is still, like, 9 years old. Energy of being the one kid in the group project who's trying to lead the other squad of 8 year olds in any given direction. 10/10.

5. Sena

Ngl, I do not relate to her on a single level and also may or may not have forgotten half the scenes about her. Not the character's fault, I just wasn't paying attention. It does feel like Sena's arc wasn't treated with as much importance as everyone else's tho. Also I really didn't get to know Shaniya well enough for her to act as an effective foil. Tho I do think it's quite funny that Sena is Brighid's kid since Brighid is all elegant and shit while Sena just beats you to death with a really big stick. Definitely the character I imagine to have the most different personality between Alrest and Aionios (mostly because she's so concerned about fitting in and stuff). Tho her arc about learning to express herself just comes across as false due to her in-game dialogue contradicting that (and that being the dialogue players will have bludgeoned into their skull). Kinda hard to see Sena as someone who's insecure and feels the need to fit into the group when she shouts "I'm the Girl with the Gall" every other encounter.

6. Lanz

Feels too much like Reyn but not as iconic. Most interesting part of his character was the guilt he felt over Joran's death because he was a dick to Joran and never got to apologize but then Joran sacrificed himself to save Lanz anyways because Joran felt like his life was less important than Lanz's. Sadly, all of this good shit got completely derailed when Joran showed up as an antagonist. Kinda sucks that the villain writing ruined Lanz for me. Lanz's best moments were definitely in his ascension quest. I liked it when he showed his no shit side. Sadly never found a comfortable role for him in the gameplay because evasion tanks are way more fun than block tanks and I don't particularly love any of the classes Lanz specializes in (why does he keep getting S affinity healer classes when his healing power is literally shit?) Tho I will say that I love seeing Miyabi and Fiona class become w i d e on him.

[historia-vitae-magistras]

Are there any photos or paintings that inspire or either that you have personally seen just looking at that make you go "Wait a minute, This is exactly like what I wrote/will write"?

Zee reading a letter from a friend's mother after she died in childbirth. I like the way she's kind of isolated despite being at the family breakfast table because that's... very symbolic of what her dual identity, sex and general gender presentation do in her life sometimes.

Matt and Katya at the 1919 Canadian premier of the Carol of the Bells. Off screen there is a Ukrainian choir on tour and an orchestra playing. They're both so tired. Katya in a new dress, her hair in her crown braids her forlorn hope clearly on her face with this Canadian display of her culture, a vision of what she hopes is an independent future. She has about 6 months of hope she might end up an independent democracy. Matt standing because they only purchased one seat between them, his arms crossed and his curls cropped short from soldiering and his arms because he doesn't quite remember what it is to be a man listening to something beautiful with the woman he loves, if only for a moment before she reaches for his hand and squeezes it, even if her eyes never leave the stage.

Alfred interrupting Brighid and Romano's post war reunion make out in 1920 something NYC and getting this look. Brighid trying not to make horny noises in public, Romano really glaring like 'You really couldn't wait another 15 seconds? We're trying to spark another torrid love affair over here.'