Imbolc
As January draws to a close, many will
have thrown their New Year's resolutions out the window. One resolution
being kept is the one by Celtia's scribes to hold festivities for Imbolc.
Imbolc is a celebration often centered around hearth and home and the events
Celtia's scribes, Amlaidh, Flidais, and MacMorna, are putting together
reflect this.
Events for Imbolc, to run from Monday January 31st to
February 2nd, also honor Brighid. A poetess daughter of the Dagda, Brighid
is associated with not only poetry but sage wisdom, protective care as a
female physician, and with a female at the forge or smith. As a nod to
Brighid and all she represents, there are two categories, Best Of Brighid's
Hearth and Best Of Brighid's Forge, in a contest themed Something From
Nothing.
In addition to the Something From Nothing contest
in honor of Brighid, offers to this esteemed woman of the Celts may be made
in Cill Dara at Brighid's Shrine. Other events include a sheep
hunt, a warrior's challenge, feasting and partying. Moss
Niall will have her healer's
tent open so be sure to drop by.
Celts being who we are, there is of course a bardic competition. There
are three categories: Original Storytelling, Conachlonn Poetry with a
winter theme, and Rannaicheacht Mhor Poetry with the entrant's choice of
theme. The big news about the bard contest is that the wonderful Cornellia Cornelius has provided AW cash prizes for the
winners in each category.
For more information on all the Imbolc
events, please see read Flidais's List of
Imbolc Events post. Information and events are located on the Feis of
Celtia board. Also keep your eyes open for specific threads for some of
the events with more information about each.
A reason to celebrate
that's a holdoever from 2004 is Celtia's Gold Medal award for being one of
the best places in AW. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to
Celtia's world and city building. For more information on the award, read
Celtia
Strikes Gold by MacMorna Niafer.
For those of you wondering, here is a little background on Imbolc and how
it connects to Brigid.
Imbolc comes from the word i mbolg, meaning "in the belly" and is a
direct reference to the lambing season and to the seeds stirring in the
ground. A word similar to Imbolc is Oimelc, which means "ewe's milk." The
festival is traditionally held February 1st or 2nd, and is a celebration of
the coming spring. The month is cold and harsh in Britain and Ireland and
has been known as a’ marbh mhiòs, the Dead-month; however, as the days of
February pass, signs of life appear. Rains bring new, green grass. Lambs and
calves are being born. Land is prepared for spring and summer plantings and
the tools of agriculture, including the seeds, are given blessings.
February is when the Cailleach (the crone of winter) is starting to
be reborn as Bride (the young maiden of spring). Bride is a reference to
Brigid, the Exalted One who was a queen and mother goddess for many of the
European tribes and thus a symbol of fertility. Brigid the poet. Brigid the
smith. Brigid the physician. Brigid the patron of brewing, dying, and
weaving. Brigid is also very closely connected with domestic animals and
livestock as well as the guardian of Torc Triath the king of the wild boar.
She is Brigid the beloved provider.
Other Celtia
News
Elswhere in Celtia, Celtic
Trivia for Beginners and Celtic
Trivia for Experts, both located on the Mur
Ollamhan board, are presenting challenging questions. With two levels
to choose from, these two threads offer something for everyone interested in
Celtic trivia.
With another bardic competition gearing up, this is a good time to draw
attention to another thread on the Mur
Ollamhan board. There are groups devoted to poetry throughout AW but
for those who don't with to belong to a group or who are at their group
limit, The Muse: A Place for Poets is an excellent alternative.
For some silly fun, check out The Name
Game, Limerick Corner, and Poetry
Tag. All three are located on The Celtia
Board. If you're looking to lift a pint, on that board is also The Stag
and the Hound.
Announcements, as always, are located at The
Carnyx. This is an excellent place to advertise groups, events. and
contests.
Anyone wanting news or information, including group news,
including in Celtia's ACTA DIURNA page, or anyone wishing to submit an
article, please contact me, Bronwyn Cumhaill. Have a fun Imbolc, a good Groundhog Day,
and an excellent Valentine's!
Helpful 'Newbie'
links
New to Celtia? Check out the welcomes and information here!
Want to meet others of your clan or tribe? Try
our new
thread.
Need help? Check your friendly Celtic scribes, Amlaidh Niafer, MacMorna Niafer and, Flidais Niafer.
