What is Brigid's Day/Imbolc? (With Crochet, Cross Stitch Pattern)

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Imbolc is probably my favorite Pagan Sabbat because it represents my favorite time of year: Spring. Therefore, it's not surprising that one of the main deities that I look to for guidance is Brigid, the Celtic Goddess, the Light-Bringer.

She is known by many names; Brigid, Brigit, the Bride, Brighid, and St. Brigid. Probably I've missed several other names and spellings, but you get the idea.

We, in the "civilized" world, have made this a day about a over-sized rodent, coming out of his hole and saying, "Oh HELL no, too cold! Get back to me in 6 weeks!" Yes, Imbolc falls on the same day as Groundhog's Day, and that's no coincidence, obviously.

Some say this strange tradition comes from the folklore of the serpent stirred from winter sleep; possibly awakened by the new warmth seeping into the ground. So pokes his head out to see if winter is over...

"The serpent will come from the hole
On the brown Day of Bride,
Though there should be three feet of snow
On the flat surface of the ground." Source: Carmichael, Alexander (1900) Carmina Gadelica: Hymns and Incantations, Ortha Nan Gaidheal, Volume I, p. 169 The Sacred Texts Archive

In my research, I found that snakes had a lot to do with this story, not sure why.

(Here she goes with the snake stuff again!)

Ok, don't worry...I hear your collective shutters and eye rolls...moving on!

What I admire about Brigid is: she is a seed of hope in this cold world, the light at the end of the tunnel. When I started my Pagan journey, she was the first one I connected to.

I know winter is necessary; it gives nature some down time. The air is crisp and clean, and the moonlight reflecting off the virgin snow is definitely breathtaking. But my heart will always be in Spring.

With Brigid's light step, life stirs underground. She coaxes the robin back from his winter home; she reminds the tulip bulbs that their time will come, so they should get ready.

Not to get too mushy about it, but I think nothing is more magical than Spring.

Thus, in honor of Brigid, I have made a crochet/cross stitch pattern. With this pattern, you can crochet a pillow or crochet a bunch of squares for an afghan.

This symbol is known as St. Brigid's cross, or just Brigid's cross, which is probably adapted from the Pagan sun wheel or sun cross.

I find the construction and design of this cross interesting ; unlike the traditional Christian cross, all the lines are equal length and the center is made up of a square. It's like the four elements, all of equal importance, with the Spirit being the center of it all.

Not only is Brigid the dawn of Spring, she also is the muse of artists and poets, another connection I highly relate to. Furthermore, she is the Goddess of Home and Hearth, a mother figure, and nurturer. Being a happy stay-at-home mom, my children and home are my world, therefore, it's another thing we have in common.

I think you can see why I relate to Brigid and her symbolism on so many levels.

If you want to honor Brigid this Imbolc, here are some ideas:

• Make a "dream" pillow and stuff it with herbs like basil, heather, or bay leaves. Bay leaves are the herbs of divination, which is also significant to Brigid. She has been called "weather forecaster".
• Make a poppy seed cake.
• Make a "Brid" doll or cross out of dried corn husks