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Imbolg - slate coasters

Imbolg - slate coasters

€12.00
SKU: SCGC31S

Imbolg 

In ancient times there were four main festivals to mark the passage of each year, Imbolc (February 1st), marking the beginning of Spring, Bealtaine (May 1st), the start of summer, Lughnasa (August 1st), the first harvest and Samhain (October 31st -November 1st). 

Imbolg/La fhéile Bríde (St Brigid’s Day) commemorated in one image. Both in Pagan and Christian Ireland, the feast of Brigid is celebrated. In ancient times Imbolg/Imbolc (old Irish meaning “in the belly”), was a time of looking forward to rebirth as lambs were born and nature slowly came to life. At Tara and Cairn L at Loughcrew, this day saw the dawn light entering the burial chambers, thus proving it was a time of immense significance even in the Neolithic era. The Goddess Brigid was associated with this time. A Solar Goddess she was daughter of the God Dagda of the Tuatha Dé Danann and was overseer of the Arts, Agriculture and prophecy. St. Brigid lived in the 400s, a friend to St. Patrick, she is also a patron saint of Ireland. It is said she spread her cloak by an old oak and on that place she had her first church. Cill Dara (small church by the oak) gave the name to county Kildare. The St. Brigid’s Cross, made from rushes, is a symbol of this ancient saint and was hung over doors for protection. Indeed it is thought this practice may have stretched back to earlier times. 

Two women, from different eras and traditions have become intertwined but both were undoubtedly strong and proud.

 

Illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna

Products

Slate coasters
Dimension (L x W x H) 100 x 100 x 0 Millimetre
Weight 125 Gram