Imbolc originated as a Gaelic festival that celebrated the beginning of spring. Until today, it falls at the midpoint between the winter and spring equinox, usually around Feb. 1.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. − Happy Imbolc! Never heard of this Gaelic holiday? Whether you're celebrating it for the first time this year or keeping up an old family tradition, here's more information ...

Imbolc, in addition to marking the beginning of spring, is also a feast day for Saint Brigid who founded one of the most important monasteries in Ireland, that of Kildare.

Imbolc is celebrated on February first and marks the midpoint between the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) and the spring equinox, when day and night are of equal length.

Imbolc is still a special time for Pagans. As people who are deeply aware of what is going on in the natural world they recognise that there is strength in cold as well as heat, death as well as life.