Imbolc is the name of a major Celtic feast that can be traced back to medieval Irish literary sources and was held on or about February 1st. Although the exact meaning of the name has been lost, it apparently has something to do with milk and is thought to refer to the milking of sheep when they begin to lactate in the early spring, which in the British Isles occurs in February. As historian Ronald Hutton explains in his 1996 book The Stations of the Sun, “During the twentieth century, the notional beginning of spring came itself to be moved backwards to the vernal equinox, by a slow process induced by the mass media. This was part of an adoption of the American system of reckoning seasons from the solstices and equinoxes, which works admirably in the climate of most of the USA, but is nonsensical in the rhythm of the British year” (p.145). Little evidence survives as to the nature of the pagan rites with which Imbolc was celebrated, though it’s possible they involved the Celtic goddess Bridget.
Given that our celebration of Imbolc occurs at mid-winter, it makes sense for the theme of our festivities to be “Cold,” a phenomenon that manifests itself in a variety of ways. Cold can slow things down, like chemical reactions, but also speed some things up, by reducing electrical resistance. We often think of cold as something unpleasant to be guarded against, but it has its upside too. While we may dread going out on bitterly cold winter days, a cool breeze off the ocean can be refreshing. A hike through a snowy forest can be invigorating. For many people, participating in winter sports is the highlight of their year. Part of the fun is defying the threatening aspects of cold temperatures and enjoying camaraderie and companionship regardless. We should scale that feeling up to include all life on the Planet Earth as it spirals through the cold depths of space.
