​The image of Brigid’s cloak is from https://godspacelight.com/the-expanding-mantle-of-st-brigid/

​Today is the eve of St. Brigid’s Day in Ireland, called “Candlemas” by the Catholic Church, and Imbolc by Pagans and Witches of European-based traditions. Michael Howard of Folklore, Ireland states that recently, the holiday has not been called “Imbolc” in Ireland. Instead they have a bank holiday (national day off) to celebrate Brigid’s Day. The time is significant in that it’s the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. In ancient times, it was considered to be a fire festival, and a “quarter day” for paying rents and engaging in commerce.
 
There are many legends about Brigid as a pre-Christian goddess, the daughter of either a druid or the Dagda. She is also called Bridget, Briget, Brighid, Bride, Bríd, Bridey, Madame Brigit in Hoodoo traditions, Bergitte in Germany, and St. Vrain or Fraid in Wales. Goddess Brigid is in charge of fire, healing, poetry, dairying, motherhood, and brewing beer. As a saint, she was said to have been the midwife for Baby Jesus.
 
Some Imbolc traditions include making Brigid’s crosses out of rushes, reeds, withies, or even paper. These four-armed crosses are used as good luck talismans.

Imbolc means “in belly”, referring to pregnancy. Oimelc refers to sheep milk, since lambing occurs at this time. We do lots of things related to sheep: spinning and weaving wool, eating goat or sheep cheeses, and feasting on lamb or mutton stew. The sheep are to Cymric and Irish people as bison are to the Indigenous people of the USA.
 
Another tradition is leaving a piece of cloth or scarf outdoors overnight to be blessed by the Saint / Goddess Brigid as she passes by. According to the Woodlarking Facebook page, this cloth is “known as a Bratog Bride in Irish folklore... this special garment can then be used as a cure for headaches or sore throats.” On the Brigid Kildare page, it is called the Brat Bríd. This site states: “The fabric can be a small cloth, handkerchief or towel that is either the personal effect of a person or for the household. Others use a ribbon (ribin bride). These are usually placed on the windowsill, a fence or shrub near the home or hung on the door, tied around a tree or hung on a tree branch.  
“This tradition honors the generations old belief that St Brigid traveled on the eve of her feast day visiting & blessing the faithful who welcomed her by leaving these fabrics (or a St Brigid’s Cross, candle and/or food) at the window or at the door too.)
“On St Brigid’s Morning, the fabric or ribbon would be brought inside & kept for the year & used whenever someone was sick or in need of help for any ailments or troubles. The cloth would be placed on the person’s head or around their neck (or taken along with them in their pocket) for blessings as a prayer to St Brigid was recited.”

Look for Brigid’s footprints in fireplace ashes in the morning of St. Bridget’s Day. A bed can be made for her with a small box, straw, blankets, and a priapic wand to ensure the fertility of springtime.
 
Candlemas involves, of course, the lighting of candles, which might be an allusion to the fact of extended daylight. Beginning today, the sun does not set until after 6 pm, and the time of daylight increases until the Summer Solstice. Lighting candles is said to compel the sun to return, and to invoke good luck on a household.
 
In Ireland, there are dozens of holy wells associated with Brigid. The most famous one is at Kildare. People collect its sacred water which is used for healing and blessing.
 
Braw Dai Vrain! 

     I am thrilled to announce that I will be doing a twice-monthly program for the WitchCraft TV network, along w/ Harold Sanford Carter III, aka the Lone Wolf. This network has wonderful interviews, programs about Magick, vintage television shows, music, kids' entertainment, and lots of educational material.
     Our show is called Festival Fun and is, of course, about Pagan festivals, gatherings, conventions, events, conferences, Pride days, and campouts. These activities are geared toward Earth Religious practitioners, Pagans, Witches, Nature Spirituality folks, and other magickal people.
     Viewers will learn about the dates, locations, and activities at various spiritual gatherings, along with info about featured guests, workshops, music performances, kids' activities, prices, and what to bring.
     As may readers know, my husband Dave and our family have attended many Pagan gatherings over the past 40 years. We have the experience to tell our viewers what to expect at a conference or campout, how to meet like-minded people, and how to make the most out of your festival experience.

You can connect with WitchCraft TV Online by watching on their streaming web page or You Tube site. For a small subscription fee, you can view the music channel, kids' channel, the "Core Classes", and the main TV channel. Go to https://witchcrafttv.online/ to find out more.

I am super excited to see the Press Release for my new fiction book, Woman Afraid of Water, coming in Summer 2026 from City Owl Press!