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1/fcking loads probably
Happy #Imbolc everyone!
...OK ok so I missed the boat a bit a bit I was on another astral plane my aura was off OK?
But let's have a look anyway at this #Gaelic tradition.
Happy #Imbolc everyone!
...OK ok so I missed the boat a bit a bit I was on another astral plane my aura was off OK?
But let's have a look anyway at this #Gaelic tradition.
2/22
The Celts, y'see...
They hated Mondays.
The Celts, y'see...
They hated Mondays.
3/ 22
Well OK, maybe not quite like that. But the passage of time and cycles of nature were important to them - they were auspicious about certain dates.
This is perhaps best reflected in the #archaeological record in the Coligny Calendar
Well OK, maybe not quite like that. But the passage of time and cycles of nature were important to them - they were auspicious about certain dates.
This is perhaps best reflected in the #archaeological record in the Coligny Calendar
4/ 22
The 'peg calendar', found in 1887, even marks 'good' & 'bad' dates.
It's thought that the missing parts are either kittens, or puppies, or hunky shirtless men holding kittens and puppies.
The 'peg calendar', found in 1887, even marks 'good' & 'bad' dates.
It's thought that the missing parts are either kittens, or puppies, or hunky shirtless men holding kittens and puppies.
5/ 22
And so, though the Celts were wary of dates, they liked to celebrate them too.
And around Feb 1st -
IT'S #IMBOLC TIME, BABY
But what IS Imbolc?
And so, though the Celts were wary of dates, they liked to celebrate them too.
And around Feb 1st -
IT'S #IMBOLC TIME, BABY
But what IS Imbolc?
6/ 22
It's thought that Imbolc come from the Irish 'Im Bolg', meaning 'In the belly'. This refers to farming, and a time when farmers...
It's thought that Imbolc come from the Irish 'Im Bolg', meaning 'In the belly'. This refers to farming, and a time when farmers...
7/ 22
Imbolc is also closely related to the #Irish goddess Brigit, who represented fertility and health. That explains the lamb bit then, eh? Well done if you got that right.
Imbolc is also closely related to the #Irish goddess Brigit, who represented fertility and health. That explains the lamb bit then, eh? Well done if you got that right.
8/ 22
Christianity came along, however, and Christianised it into it a Christian festival. Imbolc now became St. Brigid's Day (Là Fhèill Brìghde in Scottish #Gaelic.)
It still celebrated new beginnings, but several customs were now observed:
Christianity came along, however, and Christianised it into it a Christian festival. Imbolc now became St. Brigid's Day (Là Fhèill Brìghde in Scottish #Gaelic.)
It still celebrated new beginnings, but several customs were now observed:
9/ 22
It was general a happy time, and so dancing and 'merrymaking' were common. Here's some colourised footage of the festival around c. 570 AD.
It was general a happy time, and so dancing and 'merrymaking' were common. Here's some colourised footage of the festival around c. 570 AD.
10/ 22
'St. Brigid's Crosses' were also made. These were said to protect your house from fires, but you could also use them to really one-up your coaster-off against Mrs Muggins down the road.
'St. Brigid's Crosses' were also made. These were said to protect your house from fires, but you could also use them to really one-up your coaster-off against Mrs Muggins down the road.
11/ 22
St. Brigid's Dolls were made
St. Brigid's Dolls were made
12/ 22
St. Brigid Doll's with NEW HATS were also made
St. Brigid Doll's with NEW HATS were also made
13/ 22
Candles were lit too (not a great idea if you're surrounded by straw crosses and dolls)
#Candlemas, another Christian festival, was traditionally celebrated around this time too.
In #Caithness, though, we did things the proper way:
Candles were lit too (not a great idea if you're surrounded by straw crosses and dolls)
#Candlemas, another Christian festival, was traditionally celebrated around this time too.
In #Caithness, though, we did things the proper way:
14/ 22
According to JT Calder (1887) at St. Moddan's Chapel in Freswick (an 18th century mausoleum overlies the structure, pictured), a 'most abject superstition', took place...
According to JT Calder (1887) at St. Moddan's Chapel in Freswick (an 18th century mausoleum overlies the structure, pictured), a 'most abject superstition', took place...
15/ 22
The parishioners "first crept round the walls of the chapel on their bare knees, each muttering some petition to the saint, and then going to the neighbouring burn...threw handfuls of water over their heads."
After this though...
The parishioners "first crept round the walls of the chapel on their bare knees, each muttering some petition to the saint, and then going to the neighbouring burn...threw handfuls of water over their heads."
After this though...
16/ 22
"...they adjourned to the nearest ale-house and got drunk."
"...they adjourned to the nearest ale-house and got drunk."
17/ 22
Let's bring this tradition back I say.
Let's bring this tradition back I say.
18/ 22
Another custom was to visit chapels and holy wells associated with St. Brigid.
We have one here in #Caithness, at Achscoriclate, by the peaceful shores of Loch More.
Would you like to see it?
Another custom was to visit chapels and holy wells associated with St. Brigid.
We have one here in #Caithness, at Achscoriclate, by the peaceful shores of Loch More.
Would you like to see it?
19/ 22
Here it is!!
Feel the archaeology surging through your bones.
Feel, "A structureless heap of stones"
Here it is!!
Feel the archaeology surging through your bones.
Feel, "A structureless heap of stones"
20/ 22
In fact it might no' even be a chapel, as, according to previous reports on @HistEnvScot:
"The supposed remains of St Bridget's Chapel are as described by the previous field investigator. The structure surmounting the mound cannot be identified as a chapel"
In fact it might no' even be a chapel, as, according to previous reports on @HistEnvScot:
"The supposed remains of St Bridget's Chapel are as described by the previous field investigator. The structure surmounting the mound cannot be identified as a chapel"
21/ 22
So it might be or it might not be. Perhaps more (archaeological) investigation is required.
There is, however, a lovely holy well associated with Brigid nearby - where water can still be acquired!
Sweet, delicious, moss water.
So it might be or it might not be. Perhaps more (archaeological) investigation is required.
There is, however, a lovely holy well associated with Brigid nearby - where water can still be acquired!
Sweet, delicious, moss water.
22/ 22
So, there's a little bit about St. Brigid and her tenuous association in Caithness.
But seeing as Imbolc is all about new beginnings, let us cast aside 2020. Let's start again.
So hope your 2021 is full of health, energy and plenty of merrymaking!
So, there's a little bit about St. Brigid and her tenuous association in Caithness.
But seeing as Imbolc is all about new beginnings, let us cast aside 2020. Let's start again.
So hope your 2021 is full of health, energy and plenty of merrymaking!
@VoxHib I probably got most of this wrong, sorry.
