Imbolc
Imbolc
The Celtic holiday that means "in the belly" signals that the winter is winding down. It is a Cross Quarter day, the midpoint between with Winter Equinox and the Spring Solstice.
This week thousands of people will trek to Punxsutawney to witness a groundhog’s prediction, an event made famous in Bill Murray’s 1993 film, “Groundhog Day.” The event is euphoric and an oddity in the cold and dark Pennsylvania winter landscape but the origins of the tradition are deep. Many people are aware of the Candlemas Day connection, but that Christian religious holiday is rooted in something elemental.
Before organized religion, humans observed natural events and the rhythms of the seasons in search of order. The sun, the moon, stars, and recurring natural phenomena were attributed qualities understandable within the human experience.
On December 21, the shortest day of the year, the sun is dim. Darkness and cold initiate a “hunkering down” response, in hibernating animals and humans alike, to permit the reserves of the clan to withstand that quarter of the year with no replenishment. The spring equinox marks the season of rebirth, but before that, 6 weeks earlier, there is a rush of life in the female animals that prepare to give birth. Ancient Celts celebrated Imbolc, the Feast of Lactating Ewes on February 1-2, the day that the sun passes the mid-point of the winter quarter.
The Celtic goddess Brigid, who symbolizes fire and hearth, and the Earth Mother who feeds her children, was a most powerful figure in ancient times. During the time of Christian conversion, she morphed into St.Brigid in Ireland, and the feast of Candlemas, which celebrates Mary’s purification 40 days after giving birth, replaced the Imbolc festivities. This layering of meaning cloaks what is most basic—that midwinter is a great time to have a celebration and come out of the burrow—and it is a great time to celebrate goddesses.
Goddesses persist in our own culture, via celebrities, and personify those feminine qualities that empower and inspire. Today we have Taylor Swift and Beyonce. Ancient goddesses had power over fire, light, metal, animals, harvest, war, and peace. Feminine power should be honored and the last 6 weeks of winter should be relished. This thaw won’t last for too long and winter will be blowing back, allowing us to do all those winter activities one last time.
We will camp this weekend at Parker Dam, in cozy CCC cabins. Some of us will trek to Gobblers Knob for the festivities but in the campground, we will make our own fun, even without snow for skiing or a frozen lake for skating. We will have a bonfire at night and watch for shooting stars. We will listen for the owls hooting to each other. We will feast on shrimp and salmon with Green Goddess dressing to celebrate the passing of winter and the return of the greening season in a month or so.
Groundhog’s Day is a silly spectacle but the deeper message is what is important. The “Feast of the Lactating Ewes” might be a hard sell in this country, especially this close to the Super Bowl, but enjoying the final weeks of winter is something that we all can do.
Green Goddess Dressing, Parker Dam
The original Green Goddess Dressing was created at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel in the 1920s by the hotel chef for English actor George Arliss who stayed there while performing in the play called The Green Goddess, considered the best play of the 1920-1921 Broadway season. Originally it was a homemade mayonnaise with anchovies and herbs that makes a perfect foil for seafood.
Makes one pint
4 cloves garlic
2 ounce tin of anchovies
1/2 cup parsley
1/4 cup scallion tops
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 cup of mayonnaise
1 tablespoon wasabi paste
1/2 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
Mix all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth and green. Store in the refrigerator.
An early version of this article appeared in the Centre Daily Times in 2005
