The Girdle of Ishtar: Astrology for Everywoman by Jessica North-O'Connell

Imbolg, The Feast of Brigid

“Bride is coming. Bride is come. Welcome Brigid to this home.” - Robin Skelton[1]

Daylight hours are increasing noticeably; the worst of Winter is safely behind us, at least, that's what we tell ourselves! Punxsutawney Pete, that old weather-predicting groundhog, emerges from his winter lair to discover whether or not he can see his shadow; if he sees it that portends six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, that means winter will be gone in only six weeks. Just in time for the Spring Equinox!

In some parts, the month of February means the height of winter storms, and the Full Moon (February 13^th this year) is also known as the Storm Moon, giving us some insight into the type of weather some areas expect. Here in the Pacific Northwest, February heralds the arrival of snowdrops, crocuses and other early blossoms. This year, I'd already seen daffodils by mid-January. For many years, I lived in Victoria, a city that celebrated a February Flower Count, the count usually totalled into the thousands by the end of the month. What finer way to observe the month that the Celts associated with Women's Mysteries?

Fourth month of the Celtic Druid tree calendar, (beginning with Birch/November),[2] Willow roughly corresponds to the month of February, and celebrates the Feminine domains of menstruation, maternity, home-making, oracular and mantic arts, and the collective lifestyle of Temple priestesses, (a well-known example of which are the Vestals of Rome, though they were hardly the only ones!). Premiere Goddess of the this lunar month is the healer Brigid (aka Bride, pronounce breed), she also of the flame, heart of the home (hearth); the  forge, where metallic jewellery and  temple wares[3] were fashioned; and poetic incantation, how the history of a people was passed along from generation to generation without being written down.

“During the Age of Chivalry, Brigid was so revered as a model of women of every age, that gentlemen,
knights and nobles began the custom of calling their sweethearts their "Brides" -                                                           a custom that has come down to this very day.” [4]

So highly did the Celts regard Brigid, that their legends told of how she was midwife at the birth of the Christ. The Christian Church adopted the 2^nd of February as the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary (40 days after Dec. 25), and the year's altar candles are also blessed on this day. After St. Patrick “drove the snakes out of Ireland,” the Order of St. Brigid continued to keep her sacred flame at Kil Dara (Kildare) until the Archbishop of Dublin, Henry of London, ordered it extinguished in 1220. Her flame was re-lit in 1550 by order of the Bishop of Kildare. Today her flame burns not only in Kildare, but also around the world, lovingly tended by members of Ord Brighideach.[5]

The pagan Feast of Brigid, commonly known as Imbolg (roughly im-mul 'g), Imbolc, or Oimelc, is a fire festival, and celebration of fertility, observed from sundown February 1^st to sundown February 2^nd, during which time the Lady herself is invited into the family home. Our new projects, until now kept close to our breasts, are tenderly introduced to our larger communities, as we make a bid for the support our friends and family. With only six weeks of winter remaining, we are well on our way to the Spring Equinox and the productive summer months.

This is the quickening

of the year.

Tuber and seed and root quicken

into the coming of the light

into the growing of the year.[6]

Seasonal Outlook

For those of us living on the West Coast, the chart for Imbolg this year (calculated for midnight) features 27 degrees of Libra on the Ascendant, with her Venus affiliate conjunct the Sun in the fourth house in Aquarius. Those on the East Coast see four degrees of Scorpio rising, also with the Sun and Venus occupying the fourth house. It's a time to keep those home fires burning, as matters of home and family take centre stage. Groups and organizations are also emphasized, and the Moon occupying organizational Virgo in the 11^th house reminds us to keep things in order. Don't forget to write down meetings times, places and other pertinent information. We may also find ourselves moved to contribute to, or become involved with, charities at this time. It's also a good time to “strut your stuff” with regards to career aspirations, though don't count on seeing the results of your work just yet, as Mars is retrograde in Leo until March 10^th.  With Mercury occupying the third house, there is a focus on communication, information, practical and educational, as well as siblings.

Cancer may be thinking of getting away from it all right now. Try taking a course that captures your interest. Often “a change is as good as a rest.” Aries may feel that partners or health issues are occupying your time right now, perhaps keeping you from making headway. By giving a little now, you will benefit in the long run. Sagittarius may find that earning power is impacted now, though this should right itself by the end of March. You may feel somewhat constricted by mundane matters, but taking care of business now makes for more creative enterprises in the future. Capricorn benefits from learning new skills, which can give new depth to your job or calling. Taurus may struggle with sense of self right now, so it's a good time to look at your personal values, as you may be challenged on them. What message are you giving to others through your own self-presentation? Pisces may find this is an excellent time to be creative in innovative and unusual ways. Express yourself, but don't get too carried away. You do have to live with the consequences, after all, and you're not generally one to be comfortable with being on constant display. Virgo, take some time to check in with your inner self. What fuels you at this time? Although others may look to you for service and even emotional support right now, it's important to pay homage to your own inner hearth fire. Gemini is stimulated emotionally to dig deeper into what really matters. Take some time to look at things from the collective's, or your partner's, point of view. Libra may feel weighed down or even ignored right now. This is an opportunity to explore your dreams and assess how your life has brought you to this point. What attitudes are possibly holding you back? Scorpio, others may look to you right now for leadership, but “what they see is not necessarily what they get” - you're used to it, though, so roll with the punches. Leo, you're “making haste slowly,” but keep striving to achieve those goals. It's well worth it, and things will get easier within the few weeks. Aquarius may feel overwhelmed with family matters, but don't let your imagination run away with you. Instead, use that creative spiritual energy to find soul-satisfying solutions for everyone involved, yourself included.

May Brigid inspire you in this season of increasing light, fertility and prosperity. See you at the Spring Equinox!

Jessica North-O'Connell is a founding Priestess of /Thirteenth House Mystery School/, Victoria, B.C., and /Faerie Mound Covenstead/, Lake Cowichan, B.C. on beautiful Vancouver Island. She has been a practitioner of astrology since 1978 and currently teaches a course for beginners called */The Girdle of Ishtar. /*