Imbolc Traditions: Celebrating the First Stirrings of Spring
As Winter loosens its grip here on Skye, we’re beginning to notice the small, seasonal shifts which promise lighter, longer days ahead. It’s during this time that our Gaelic ancestors celebrated the festival of Imbolc, which marked the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox in the Celtic Wheel of the Year.
What is Imbolc?
Traditionally, the festival is a feast day celebration on 1st February where homemade bakes are enjoyed, candles are lit to gently coax spring from its slumber, and offerings are made to St Brigid, whose story stems from the ancient pagan goddess Brìde. In Celtic mythology, she represents poetry, spring, and the hearth of the home; a symbol of the turning point in the year.
We’ve gathered our thoughts on how best to celebrate Imbolc and embrace these subtle, seasonal changes in your own home.
Bring Gaelic folklore to life
Imbolc is rooted in ancient tales of Gaelic goddesses, with retellings being passed from one generation to the next. Abbie Lois is a Scottish illustrator and printmaker who brings these characters to life, reimagining the story of Brìde for modern day in screen-printed artworks. Legend has it that Brìde was captured on the eve of Samhain by Beira, a deity known as the Queen of Winter who shaped the land to her will. But Brìde was released when the King of Summer gifted her some young plant saplings, a sign that Spring would soon return.
Òr team member Sophie explains why Abbie’s art means so much to her. “I truly love Abbie’s prints. Each one has a connection to a time and place in Scotland, drawing on ancient tales with women as the central characters. For me, having her art in my home is a celebration of Gaelic heritage, a history which is so important to continue keeping alive.”
Sow for the season
The Gaelic term for Imbolc literally translates to ‘in the belly’, which is symbolic of lambing season, the first shoots of spring, and hope for new beginnings. As we align ourselves with these natural rhythms, now is the time to choose bulbs and seeds which will bloom in the coming months. Keen gardener Andy offers his advice on what’s best to plant at this time of year. “In early February you can begin sowing some crop seeds and hardy perennials, but it’s best to keep them indoors on your windowsill or greenhouse until the frost lifts. Flowering plants like geraniums, sweet peas and cosmos alongside edible crops such as broad beans, kale, carrots and onions are a great place to start.”
Welcome Spring’s light
As we look ahead to brighter days, it makes sense to invite this warmth and light into your home as our ancestors did, with natural beeswax candles and their holders perched by the bedside, or handcrafted lanterns hung near the hearth in the living room. If you’re in need of inspiration, look to our ceramic wall sconce, which is hand-painted with flowering gorse as a symbol of Spring’s arrival.
“The gorse sconce is an exclusive collaboration with Pantry Pots where we softened the plant’s famously prickly personality into something more inviting with a warm mustard yellow that’s versatile for the home. It’s perfect for pairing with our beeswax candles and lighting to celebrate this turning point in the season.” — Jen Pearson, founder of Òr
Plant seeds of intention
Embrace new beginnings by writing your hopes and ideas for the year. We asked our wonderful photographer Hannah about her intentions for the season. “I’m going to slow down a little and remember that taking my time is an option, even with mundane tasks like washing my hair. I’d like to lather the shampoo and actually relax and lean into the moment. I want to take advantage of the brighter days on the island, too. I’m originally from Texas and I always preferred autumn over there, but here on Skye I look forward to the light reappearing and listening to birdsong after the darkness of winter.”
Enjoy the promise of spring
Though we’re still leaning into Winter’s rest, we’ve been slowly preparing projects for the new season’s arrival and taking moments to enjoy the signs of Spring’s return on Skye. From the lengthening days and birdsong on our morning strolls to open the shops, to snowdrops making tentative appearances from the earth, and gorse buds just beginning to bloom. As we shake away the sleepiness of winter, we hope you too find a moment to enjoy the first stirrings of spring.
