I've a tinge of anger as well, considering the violence employed by imperial religions to slander, eradicate and genocide Pagan practices from the Mediterranean to the far North, including the Americas, Oceania, and Asia.
Thank you very much - that was brilliant. I tend to think that there was an ancient Bridget, who like a lot of the Irish deities male and female, had their association with fire - with the sun. Bridget's celestial fire at Kildare, must have existed long before the Saint. In the 13th century the Poet Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe, named after Bridget in her honour - condemned a priest through his verse, for trying to censor poets in Ireland. Poets were very powerful, and a satirical verse could destroy a person of reputation - or indeed an Institution like the R C Church. So they had to be stopped.
My Dad , born in Galway in ‘33, says kids used to go around with a Bigit’s cross collecting Pennie’s on the feast day. He said the old folks liked it because even by the late 30s it was less common to see.
Not quite, December 21st to February 1st is usually 42 days, then to the Spring equinox is usually another 48 days. Unlikely the 'Fire' festivals were astronomically measured in the medieval period.
There's both a joy and a sadness in knowing that ancient peoples had to adopt and adapt to monumental culture shifts. Thanks for sharing this!
Indeed
I've a tinge of anger as well, considering the violence employed by imperial religions to slander, eradicate and genocide Pagan practices from the Mediterranean to the far North, including the Americas, Oceania, and Asia.
Thank you very much - that was brilliant. I tend to think that there was an ancient Bridget, who like a lot of the Irish deities male and female, had their association with fire - with the sun. Bridget's celestial fire at Kildare, must have existed long before the Saint. In the 13th century the Poet Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe, named after Bridget in her honour - condemned a priest through his verse, for trying to censor poets in Ireland. Poets were very powerful, and a satirical verse could destroy a person of reputation - or indeed an Institution like the R C Church. So they had to be stopped.
Interesting
Thank you for this
I'll be writing my Imbolc service in the next week or so, this is very helpful and gives some important background and context. Thx
You're very welcome, good luck!
Awesome information - Thank you yet again for your work. *)O(*
You're welcome
My Dad , born in Galway in ‘33, says kids used to go around with a Bigit’s cross collecting Pennie’s on the feast day.
He said the old folks liked it because even by the late 30s it was less common to see.
Indeed, still goes on to this day in some places
Cairns U and L at Loughcrew have alignments which identify the date for Imbolc.
I know, amazing right? And Samhain also I think. Suggests these approximate dates are much, much older.
My patron saint.Feast day is my birthday! I'll save this. She is much better than invader Patrick. Myths and reality can coexist. 🙏🏽☘️☘️☘️☘️
I find the possible astronomical explorations most helpful. Perhaps, the Imbolc reprsents the venetation of the Milky Way.
Perhaps, but with no solid sources for that it's more of a guess than usual.
💚✌️
imbolc midpoint winter/spring astronomical event path of the Sun ;-)
Not quite, December 21st to February 1st is usually 42 days, then to the Spring equinox is usually another 48 days. Unlikely the 'Fire' festivals were astronomically measured in the medieval period.