What day is Imbolc?

[Ivy Amethyst]

Some sources say February the 1st... Some say February the 2nd? I'm so confused... Which is most popular at least? I don't want to celebrate on the wrong day?

[blue_moon]

I have it marked febuary 2.

[SnowCat]

I always go with February 2.

Snow

[Firebird]

I go with the 2nd also....
It lines up with
Candlemas (Catholic mass of the candles)
St. Bridget's day
Groundhog day

Blessed be the growing light, blessed be the Bride,
Firebird

[SnowCat]

And this year is the 40th anniversary of my dad crossing over.

Snow

[Becks]

My thoughts are with you Snow. I lost my Dad at a young age also.

I'm so excited for the return of the light!

[SnowCat]

Thank you Becks. You get used to it, but you never get over it.

Snow

[Jenny Crow]

The reason that sometimes it is said that Imbolc is on Feb 1st is that the Celts celebrated the festivals "on the eve of". Their new days started at sundown and their celebrations were started after sundown - hence you have some people following the Celtic way of doing things and celebrating the Imbolc festival after sundown on Feb 1st. I always celebrate on the eve of Imbolc when it is said that Brighid walks the earth and people in the Hebrides invite her into their homes with a special ceremony by making a bed for her and leaving out offerings for her and her little red eared cow.

[SnowCat]

If I remember correctly, Judaism considers a day to be sunset to sunset. The Catholic Church celebrates the Sabbath beginning at sundown on Saturday. It would make sense that the same would be true with other traditions. Thanks for pointing that out Jenny.

Snow

[Siona]

If I remember correctly, Judaism considers a day to be sunset to sunset.

That's true of Judaism. True of very many ancient calendars, not just the Celts, but for the Greeks, and the Islamic calendar, and many others.

But if you want to throw in one more date just to confuse things, there are some who celebrate Imbolc on the actual astrological cross-quarter date, that is the exact date between the December solstice and the March equinox, which falls on February 4th this year.

[Firebird]

I wanted to add... it's when you celebrate it in your heart.♡
Because of the working class we tend to meet on the weekend closest to the holidays. Because of that we are celebrating tonight.
Bb, Firebird

[SnowCat]

How about... star celebrating tonight, and continue right through February 4. Covers lots of bases.

Snow

[Firebird]

I like it.

[Becks]

I'm celebrating all weekend by traditional cleaning, spending time with my Mum, decorating with fresh greenery, bringing out pictures of the grandmothers, and lighting fresh white candles. Happy Imbolc all!

[Thitabe]

Always 2 February

I have a sister who's birthday is tomorrow