Imbolc 2006!

Imbolc is a Celtic Fire Festival, held on the turn of the first quarter of the year to mark the passing of winter and beginning of spring.

Each year in Marsden there is a festival and procession from the Standedge Visitor Centre near the railway station along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal to the Tunnel End. Once at the Tunnel End, the festivities continue with a battle between Jack Frost (winter) and Mr. Green (spring). The fire festival!

Brigid is a Celtic goddess character and her festival on the first day of February was originally known as Imbolc or Oimelc referring to the lactation of ewes, the flow of milk that heralds the return of the life-giving forces of Spring. Later, the Catholic Church replaced Imbolc with Candlemas Day (February 2), this time dedicated to the Virgin Mary and featuring candlelight processions. The powerful figure of Brigid the Light-Bringer overlights both pagan and Christian celebrations.

These pictures were taken at Marsden's 2006 Imbolc celebrations.

Please feel free to download and use them as desktop wallpaper.

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All photographs ©Paul Nunn.
Read more about all of the festivals in the Celtic Year here