A cross quarter day, that is mid point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox which occurs between the 2nd and the 7th of February. This year it is on the 4th. But rather than it being exactly represented on the calendar the festival is given the fixed calendar abode of the 1st of February or St Brigets’s Day or Imbolc to give it its proper ancient title.
Misty origins of this festival are still suggested in the practices still in circulation today, chiefly the making of Brigets’s crosses from reeds a tradition that predates the introduction of the Christian cross. This simple mandala offers protection from fire for the coming year and should be placed on or near the entrance way for full effect.
I attempted making one today but the reeds were too brittle. So I will try again for the 4th and soak the reeds in water to make them more pliable. I cut the reeds this morning from the banks of the canal.