What is Imbolc? Brigid & the Gaelic Spring Festival

The Gaelic festival to mark the beginning of spring is associated with the goddess/saint Brigid and Darlugdach. What is it all about? Stick around for a hymn based on Gabhaim Molta Bríghde by Aoife Ní Fhearraigh, but in Scottish Gaelic with some of my own lyrics.
Make video requests, translations, myth analysis, community
/ fortressoflugh
Buy me a coffee
www.buymeacoff...
Twitter
/ fortressoflugh
Facebook
/ fortressoflugh
"Dawn' The Elder Scrolls V Soundtrack, Jeremy Soule
"Fire Keepers" Dark Souls 2 Soundtrack
"Cold Journey" by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)
All images and music belong to their proper copyright holders and are used here for educational purposes.

[@evegrace12]

For me February is the most difficult month. I'm already tired from the cold and dark previous months and everything is cold. Imbolc helps me remember that despite being in winter, spring is around the corner.

[@grettalemabouchou6779]

I find my houseplants help me in the depths of the winter, I am a March baby so I do understand. God bless you.

[@bridypow1947]

1:08 1:09 yes☘🌞☘ 1:15

[@gardensofthegods]

Living here in the Dallas area of Texas , i can tell you , those of us who can't stand hot weather START PANICKING by the end of JANUARY because , even in February , we can get days as warm as in the 70s even in the 80s Fahrenheit . Once the chill in the air is gone i am not as happy . All summer , all i can think of is when the cooler temperatures will arrive . Summers here are really brutal where we can have day after day , week after week -- even month after month with bright glaring Relentless sun and LITTLE TO NO RAIN ... it's HELL .

[@elijahwilson1422]

My birthday falls on February 1st. So this is a really cool holiday in my book

[@MadonnaGrogan]

That is special n magical, enjoy a great day🎂🎉🥳

[@beedeepowTealTeam7]

0:46 💋☘️🔥

[@beedeepowTealTeam7]

1:16 🎉HAPPY BIRTHDAY 💋☘️🔥 1:25

[@caroleyre9144]

My Nana’s birthday the 13th February…my Beautiful Nana celebrates Imbolc in Heaven now. 13 The Divine Feminine Happy Imbolc Blessings ❤️🥰❤️ Thankyou beautiful 🤍🕊🤍

[@GkPhotographic]

Imbolg brings a new hope , longer days as we await the Sun , Brigid is the "Worlds first " rock star , where ever she is revered , peace and good will are abundant . Blessings from Eiru

[@jasminenwhitaker9717]

God bless 🌞

[@soulfulgardener]

So interesting, my name is a derivative of Brigid (Bevin) and last week around Imbolc, I came hone in the evening only to be brought up short by a snake lying across the sidewalk. Cool to understand the traditions of my ancestors

[@markhenderson308]

AND?????? AND??????...?

[@gardensofthegods]

So have you noticed any unusual things -- any type of good luck ? Just interested and also as of January 29th we are now officially in the Chinese astrology year of the wood SNAKE

[@FunctionalForm]

Thank you for such a wonderfully informative video! The hymn at the end was very lovely, and calming to my soul. Have a wonderful day!

[@lowlandnobleman6746]

I sure hope that Imbolg and Bealtaine brighten up this year.

[@keeperoftruth5951]

Seeing this a year after it posted is chilling, thinking about how 2021 was not even close to bright

[@RagnadX]

@@keeperoftruth5951 lmao

[@bridypow1947]

0:05 0:06 🎉🎉🎉👑😁👑☘🔥🐉💋💫🙏💫 can you feel it coming💫☘🔥☘💫 0:34 the well lives on 0:47 🧡☘🧡 0:53

[@eo6427]

GRMMA for the song and the enthusiastic lyrics you forged

[@grettalemabouchou6779]

I was out in the yarden this morning, and I could feel spring coming on.Still chilly but the growth is beginning. I am from Celtic stock and understand that in the olde days many people were not able to access the Holy Word. I am a follower of Yashua my savior, but I do so understand that feeling in my very bones that calls for the yearning of the spring. Be well be blessed.

[@thegreenmage6956]

Well done with your hymn at the end. Thank you for that. It was very personal. A very memorable moment for the channel. I will certainly remember. It is quite a gift, the hymn. And so rare these days that people will sing for devotional purposes, as it was intended of the art, and not hoping simply to be praised themselves.

[@terrymoses7548]

Very informative.

[@DorchesterMom]

Thank you! I love following your channel. I have learned so much about Irish heritage and tradition here. We in the diaspora are very often so far removed from our roots that these stories and traditions have been lost to us. I remember making St. Brigid’s crosses as a child in Catholic school but never connected with the reasons why - until now. Thanks again!

[@leandrobayonito]

9:07 Spring Sunrise is beautiful when the winter ends.

[@odonnabhainiverssen5006]

In Ireland we made St Bridget Crosses with the palms we got at church on Palm Sunday before Easter. We could only burn old palm or reed St. Bridget’s crosses in a fire when we got new ones each year and we would hold them until we made a bonfire in summer being careful to bury the ashes from the fire. I believe it is still a requirement to bury ashes of a burned palm or Bridget’s reed cross for disposal of a Holy item to be considered proper.

[@LadyMoonsparrow]

Thank you for this beautiful video. I learned so much!

[@Sethrogenlookalike]

Happy Imbolc!!!

[@lamichiganr326]

*I have only just heard of this Holiday and I am going to celebrate it in 2022 for sure.*

[@jodyhakala-ristow7014]

Get up earlier, light incense, and candles 🕯 🕯setup your hearth, love intentions for the month, the year add romance and spend time with loved ones. Making folk crafts, be resourceful.

[@Ricca_Day]

Seems like Groundhog Day is the American adaptation of similar German and Dutch traditions with regard to the Spring forecast.

[@jodyhakala-ristow7014]

What a wonderful video you made, many stellar images and epic pieces of art. And elements to represent.

[@PapaNickDawg]

Thanks for the cool video! I'm quite ready for it to warm up and brighten up

[@raffles7556]

Lovely hymn, appreciate the effort. PS- absolutely lashing here today so hopefully, as you mentioned, this will mean some good weather will be on the way. Go raibh maith agat.

[@pureone26]

Interesting that the first milk for babies of humans/ cows/ sheep is very high in lactoferrin (milk - iron), and a great health and immune boost for the baby. LF binds iron, and most pathogens need iron as they feed on iron. Brigid's sacred plant is also the dandelion which is killed by iron in horticulture. The common hemochromatosis genetics of viking/ celtic people are highest in Ireland, affecting at least 1/8 people. Iron somehow was what defeated the Tuatha, and the Tuatha gained entry into Ireland at Iron Mountain (there is also an iron mountain in Lhasa Tibet). Iron ore is often high in ufo hot spots or sacred or portal areas like Hesdelen. In current medical science there is a big rethink about iron, including whether anemia is an iron problem. Iron overload in the tissues (which blood tests do not measure) is now being linked to neurodegen, cancer, obesity, yet we have been adding iron (filings) to the food supply since ww2. Iron equals rust. Copper actually regulates iron, and in the East that copper/ blue is considered healing eg medicine buddha. Also orgone is blue. Most people these days are low in copper due to very copper depleted soils over the past 100 years, thanks largely to Roundup which chelates copper. Bigpharma are currently in urgent development of non toxic iron chelation drugs to now get the iron out of us.... although there are natural options actually.

[@brooscaredya]

Well done with the singing!

[@JonathanLeggAdventure]

Super interesting and informative. Thanks!

[@名誉ために日本人天の祖先]

Tomorrow is Imbolc, I am a lifelong pagan, and not a wiccan. Everyone is getting ungrounded by what's unfolding in the year, but I am groundedly reminding them to sit again and not be led far ungrounded. I am sitting and not really seeking, but if you can, send good to me, the kind that will come to one aligning oneself consciously with the day, I have no winter season holiday. So far I have encountered people saying 'this time is not openly special any way to me', they are tempered by my reminding them it is a holiday, I have encountered very quiet celebrators as well, but I am asking for more, For more and more to be under springs territory And under the dominion of the spring goddess, the snow And the long vacations If they can be springs they should be I am not much of aplannermyself but I am simply asking for more, more than any other day, and not for any other holiday to be as intense as this one (not in a drug related sense) They are telling me thank you, thank you for voicng what you need, you want your holiday as quiet space for you, and an auspicious time for you, not really as a 'victory in battle' type situation but as just a good memory obviously not loss or bad, a time when people are more selfless and spirit is closer to us all for a purely seasonal reason What I am saying is, everyone is at the river, everyone is at the right place at the right time, there's little verbal acknowledgement, but I've begun that, with these elements combined the magic of the day should really work itself.. outside planning is minimal, the energies of the solstice like event in themselves as provided by nature are technically beautiful and not unprofound

[@batshevabattu8560]

Extremely good, informative video, and very heartfelt singing too! Go raibh maith agat / Thank you from Galway Ireland! :)

[@darryllj24]

Enjoy the music at the end very good video very informational

[@timothyhill3794]

Very similar stories to the Greek myths surrounding Demeter and her daughter Persephone, who was kidnapped by Hades …

[@vercingetorix2923]

We make small swastika looking wax crosses and putting them on the house door and sometimes near the hearth.

[@vercingetorix2923]

I'm from Germany (eastern Gaul)

[@peterhoulihan9766]

@@vercingetorix2923 Is that a local tradition? Or just your family's personal practice?

[@vercingetorix2923]

@@peterhoulihan9766 it is an old tradition that was practiced until around 100 years or so. At least in the Eifel and Hundsrück regions. I revived it. We also have a tradition of making a cross out of wood and straw and burning it in a big bonfire shortly after. (Today) those traditions are not connected to each other.

[@peterhoulihan9766]

@@vercingetorix2923 Do you have a pic of the crosses handy? Are they anything like brigid's crosses?

[@vercingetorix2923]

@@peterhoulihan9766 how could I send them?

[@jokiepie]

Gettin ready to make those crosses! just gotta find some rushes though...

[@FJMLAM]

Excellent film-So interesting

[@steffironside]

Amazing ! Thank You

[@osobreiro5501]

Reminiscent of Ategina. The old Lusitanian godess of Spring, rebirth and nature. In the colder months she lives in the Underworld, Nature withers. In the hotter months, she comes back and the green, flowers and crops grow. This is similar to the myth of Proserpina/Persephone aswell

[@beedeepowTealTeam7]

7:36 🔥🔥🔥 7:40 ☘️☘️☘️ 7:43 🙏 7:45

[@Cuban20]

Whoa!!!! That song at the end was amazing.

[@Kampfwageneer]

Thank you I was looking up a video to give me authentic ideas how to celebrate it and had to sift through dozens of witchy bs vids

[@jasminenwhitaker9717]

God bless us all

[@catmom1322]

Thank you so much!

[@peterhoulihan9766]

Go raibh míle maith agaibh chun canadh linn. Agus earrach glas daoibh!

[@johnmcmahon9062]

Great video. I think Imbolg was once more connected to her sister Ainge (Irish. Protecter) a goddess of woodlands and the moon. Her name might be connected to the Coligny Calendar where the month of Imbolg would be (*Anagantios) and the name Imbolg may have meant 'budding/sprouting' (*Embibolgon) when the return of nature occurs. When the calendar became more solar based i think her sister Brighid took over her role. Today Chinese NewYear would be the start of Imbolg - but the day would start at 6pm to 6pm the following day, at least i think that would be correct?

[@wanderingfool6312]

She is welcome. BB

[@dave9401]

Very interesting. Didn't know about the 13th of February. The snakes being a sign of an early end to winter could be because here in Britain snakes hibernate during winter, i think seeing one roaming around would be a sign the worst of winter is over.

[@rebeccacorbin1590]

Enjoyed very much. Question....I've heard Scots speak of "Bride." Is this the same as Brigid?? I'm referring to an expression I heard "may the blessings of Bride and Michael be upon you."

[@deaganachomarunacathasaigh4344]

Yes, that's how it's pronounced. The gh in Bríghid is silent, it can also be spelled Bríd. So yes that's who they're on about

[@thegreenmage6956]

Fortress, You talk about Spring and lunar calendar alignments in common with Chinese systems fairly often in your videos, but I am curious as to what your opinion is regarding the postulated Celtic new year date? Do you agree with the more traditional but often derided view today that Samhain marks the new year? Or do you consider the perhaps equally logical Beltane new year date, given how important the festival was?

[@treering8228]

Imbolc is the awakening, Beltain is the end of planting celebration, Lugnasa is harvest, and Samhain is the beginning of gestation the year was thought of as a wheel

[@gardensofthegods]

And IMBOLC literally means IN THE BELLY -- as in the animals about to be born from their mothers . 💜❤️❤️‍🔥❤️💜

[@tdioxin2658]

There’s no such thing as a spring solstice. It’s the mid way point between winter solstice and spring equinox. “In the belly” = Imbolc

[@FortressofLugh]

Yes, I mispoke

[@dietrichess9997]

@@FortressofLugh Equinox, yes. I understood though, or it passed me by. I was too interested in the rest of the content. Great visuals too. Thanks. It was nice to catch up on this again! It's all so familiar but I've neglected these "other" seasonal events for a long time. Had a fun discussion with my daughter today about Imbolc.

[@tdioxin2658]

@@FortressofLugh ..and I forgot to say, Happy Groundhog Day also. 🔮

[@ASmartNameForMe]

Always look forward to seeing your videos in my feed fol. I've always wondered, how did lugh die? It says that he was killed and replaced by the three kings but the versions on what happen vary from telling to telling, I'd love to hear your view on it

[@seleukosnikator7347]

I am a Swiss trying to find back his roots. Thanks for the sharing of your knowledge. What can I do to celebrate Imbolc well ?

[@deaganachomarunacathasaigh4344]

Haigh mo chara. You can celebrate Imbolc outside of Celtic land by saying the Paidir den Bríghid and lighting a fire (doesn't need to be big and normally timber will do) and making a Crois Bhríghid

[@katherinehaig4660]

I always cook something that has milk and potatoes in it, with maybe some green sprouts if I'm feeling optimistic!

[@CiaofCleburne]

Very interesting!!

[@m_d1905]

Thank you. I'm very interested in my Celtic heritage. I almost feel like u should understand the words to the hymn. Like a distant memory of home.

[@cathalodiubhain5739]

D'fhoghlaim mé a lán ón léacht

[@marriedstarprestige5647]

Happy Imbloc tomorrow 👍

[@celtofcanaanesurix2245]

I recognize that tune at the end, I think I’ve heard before...

[@FortressofLugh]

It is cited in the video description

[@celtofcanaanesurix2245]

@@FortressofLugh o ok, I always forget to check those things

[@knawl]

Weather here isn't so great for firewood collecting, freezing rain , snow and sleet. About 6 inches on the ground, luckily I have plenty anyway Lol On the other hand I have lots of Baby goats being born every day, unfortunately am having to bottle feed quite a few

[@sejabop]

Imbolc Blessings to All!

[@asiag6863]

Really appreciate this ❤ Do you know a specific book with the myth of Brigid being taken under ground?

[@FortressofLugh]

www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/tsm/tsm05.htm Sorry, the underground/underworld is my own interpretation, it isn't directly presented in this way but I do think that is the meaning or implication.

[@asiag6863]

@@FortressofLugh thank you!!! After reading it I deffinately agree with your interpretation.

[@aariley2]

So what's the translation of the hymn? Very nice.

[@eloisehelewidis4678]

Great video. Amhránaíocht álainn 😊

[@keaganwheeler-mccann8565]

What is that song at the end?

[@kilowhiskeyalpha6078]

She is the spirit born to usher in the new age at the dawn of a new cosmic season 2025.

[@marinakaiser7639]

I subscribed 😁

[@jasminenwhitaker9717]

#LOVENUMBER1TRUEKEYPOWER 💪💎 🙏💞

[@asiag6863]

What is the chant at the end? I dont think its listed in the credits? Is it you singing it?

[@peterhoulihan9766]

It's in the description (might be an edit if you didn't see it there when you wrote that). His lyrics so presumably his voice.

[@robertmacdonald6527]

Donate to Fortress of Lugh's Patreon today. It makes top-tier content like this possible.

[@TheWolfgangGrimmer]

@@EresirThe1st I say he should swipe them both, the more potential revenue streams the better.

[@peterhoulihan9766]

@@EresirThe1st I currently give him a tenner a month on paypal. If he switches to a non-lefty payment processer I'd be happy to follow though.

[@marinakaiser7639]

What a beautiful language 😊has nothing with English in common

[@beedeepowTealTeam7]

0:06 ☘️☀️💫☀️☘️🔥🔥🔥2025☘️☘️☘️💦💦💦🔥🔥🔥 0:33

[@TheCognitive1]

What is Imbolg? It's it the question what i,Simbol G (symbology). Just like the title it says what is Imbolc? I,Simbolc (Symbolic).

[@lallyoisin]

the eternal flame of kildare was put out during reformation but it was re-lit by the sisters of St bridget. Pagan flame. kildare means the temple of the oak root. Cill Dara mula dhara is the root chakra. mull, maol or mael means 'follower' or 'enlightened' in Irish. mull of kin tyre. followers of the people of Tyre. 🤔 Naga in sanskrit means cobra or tree. buddha has 7 behind him representing the 7 stages of enlightenment. pick your direction but I'd say Ireland/ scotland to phoenicians, Tyre to india on their chariots. They found phoenician text in Brazil. They knew their Murex snails for their purple dye. Used in the book of kells. Irish folklore mentions hi-Brazil (west of Kerry) known for its murex snails. Phoenicians have recently been accepted as trading with Ireland. The ring forts are cathers cathairs (hi seats aka cities) in wales its cadair or caer. phoenicians aka cather ginians! chair in Irish cathaoir aka throne. cathedral did not come from Greek! It speaks vaguely to me now in tongues does this Mound It's secrets gone amiss and Yet a message to be found In CARTHAGE they knew horses Like CARTER or mc CARTHY They also new their Murex which🐚 brings Phoenicians to the party In Caricus Murus landed they And collected up their snails Two barbary apes to Tara brought to study their entrails The colour purple is the clue To extract from murex shells Only known by the Phoenicians And of course the book of kells By surprise they took us over Not foe but friend with CHART Underground we went swiftly Future paused near to our start But on our lengthy descent We left the clues abound CAITH(ER)ness to An Cruachán In our dance and in our sound Look to the maps of Europe And look closely at the names So many souls suspended In the trails of enemy flames prat dels cremats' the scene Where the stake was set alight 200 CATHARs cooked so well Yet Innocent's out of sight Forget not CATHAIR na Mart That was levelled one dark day 700 disappeared where the landlord got his way Westport welcomed pagans To climb the great big reek Trekked serpent-inite rock And paid homage at it's peak 'Neamh' means heavenly sky And 'Ár Nathair' means our Snake This prayer was reworded sure t'was there for the take In Cholula stands a pyramid In praise of the glorious sky A CATH(ER)edral built atop It's meaning gone awry So there is CATHAIR the city and CAHIR the hearty town, In CAHERsiveen still stands- CAHERgal still in lockdown And as for our two masters From England and from Rome We built with nature's circles And showed them how to dome And when they fall assunder Our two masters we'll embrace The people and the language- sure! But the magic they can't displace To cleanse is so CATHARTIC As you rid thyself of dirt CATHEDRALs claim to do this I must endeavour to be curt And who knows horses better Than the Irish as they trot Our breeds went far and wide and Flat out-galloped the whole lot And what of mesoamerica And their demi-god Ku kulkan And back on emerald green We had our man Cú Chulainn Egypt liked the sight hound I think Anubis was his name The closest breed to jackal... Irish wolf hound gets the blame I know I might sound fruity I can feel the awkward stare But know the word 'CATHAOIR' Is it a throne or a CHAIR? I'm HYPER- today hope I didn't -BÓREA Oisín 🐄🤴🏼

[@thegreenmage6956]

Hhhm well Apollo isn’t in the title at least...

[@elainedaprano9130]

Lambing time

[@NaomisNews2]

🔥✌🔥💚💯😎

[@littlejimmyyouman7201]

Why do you keep linking everything to Christianity?

[@lowlandnobleman6746]

He goes off the ancient sources that survive. Most if not all of which are written by Celtic Christian bards and monks. Not perfect, but better than only using modern blogs and books the way neo- pagans and Wiccans do.

[@wasd____]

Because 1. Christian sources are often the only sources that survive, and 2. many pre-Christian European practices were absorbed into (and thereby influenced) Christianity as the populace converted, and so became linked to Christianity as well as to their Pagan roots. To exclude Christianity from the discussion of ongoing Celtic / Norse / other northern and western European traditions would be to just ignore a huge and important part of history and paint a false picture. Whether you're Christian or not, Christianization of Europe happened and it matters because of the effects it had.

[@musasiziannet6015]

Isaiah55:6&7,"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." Repent, receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior today.This is God's invitation for redemption, Jesus loves you so much and he is the only WAY to eternity.God bless you

[@caroleyre9144]

Thankyou, God Bless You Happy Imbolc Blessings. ❤️🌻☘️

[@dracodistortion9447]

Fun fact: Brighid is a goddess much older than the Gaelic pantheon. She was also attested to in Gaul, Iberia and other Celtic places and was originally a Pagan goddess that was self-creating, all-powerful and almighty. She was also said to NEVER be able to die- interestingly, she never did die. She was preserved in both the Gaelic pantheon and the Christian pantheon of Saints. She really can not die.

[@marigoldpluss]

💚

[@Sol_1799]

"Originally a monotheistic Goddess" what aloud of bollocks.

[@dracodistortion9447]

@@Sol_1799 yeah idk what i was thinking when i wrote that, rest assured i know much more about the subject now

[@derekpmoore]

Imbolg has nothing to do with Brigid or paganism. Imbolg has to do with the lambing season, it marks when ewes begin to give birth.