St Brigid’s crosses

Imbolc (or Imbolg) is a Celtic festival marking the coming into milk of the ewes. Some people say the beginning of spring, but February 1st doesn’t feel like spring to me!

Some of the traditions may have continued even as the festival became Christianised as “St. Brigid’s Day”. Crosses are made from reed and, when hung on the house and byre, said to protect the home and livestock.

We made some crosses this year. One is hung in the front entrance – you can see this year’s (made by Kate) in front of last year’s. The house is still here and we’re all alive and well, so the cross must have worked.