Imbolg (Lá Fhéile Bríde).

Today marks the beginning of spring in Ireland or Imbolg, meaning ‘in the belly of the Mother [Earth],’ as seeds begin to stir after a long winter. Fittingly, this holiday celebrates Brigid, the Celtic fire and fertility goddess (and goddess of poets). Brigid was Christianised as Saint Brigid, and as a consequence, this day is also called Lá Fhéile Bríde or Saint Brigid's Day.

Brigid's crosses are made at Imbolg and consist of rushes or straw woven into a shape similar to a diamond (centre) with three or four arms. In certain parts of Ireland, crosses still hang over doors and windows to protect buildings from fire. Leland Bardwell wrote a beautiful poem about Lá Fhéile Bríde. You can read it here.

Photography by Libby Hart.