What is Imbolc, in 2024?

Imbolc! Huzzah? Of the major seasonal celebrations on the “Wheel of the Year”—alongside Samhain, Lughnasadh, Beltane—Imbolc is the most-adrift, least-loved among them. Heck, even amongst the “lesser” ones, which includes Yule, Imbolc may rank dead last. It was once prominent across the Celtic lands, marking the lambing season, & dedicated to the goddess Brigid—a goddess held in SUCH high regard that the Church threw up its hands & turned her directly into a Saint! No euphemizing, no turning her into one of the “wee folk” or a “demon,” they just put “Saint” in front & let everyone go on worshiping. Such was the power of Imbolc, the importance of Midwinter, the might of Brigid!

Now…eh. Midwinter comes when it likes; sooner, later, more than once, who can say, in this time of climate chaos? Ewes can breed all year, as ye like. Brigid, Saintly or otherwise, comes rarely to mind outside Kildare & Glastonbury. What do we do with this little spoke on the Year’s Wheel, then? Toss it? The year certainly would not notice if we took a holiday out—it will still be February 1st, either way. But why waste a holiday?

Midwinter has ever been a shifting time, sitting between blizzard & bloom. Imbolc was a day, then a pagan holiday, then a Christian one, then a neo-pagan one, so why not remake it again? Brigid was a goddess, then a Saint, & if she can change, why not the day? Let us reforge it, then, from a day of celebration to one of reflection. A perfect time to take stock of what we have consumed, crafted, & planned in the Winter, & to chart a course through Spring. What did we use, & what will we need? What do we have, & what can we give away? How come our plans, & how can we keep them on track? Once answered, we may then feast on the last fruits of frost, & whet our appetites for the berries & bounties soon to come. Imbolc! Reflective huzzah!

&, of course, if ye have lambs, be sure to keep the wolves at bay. Be sure also to leave a comment with thine own thoughts on Imbolc, plans for Spring, or tips on shepherding. & if ye’ve enjoyed this so far, please consider sharing with a friend!

Now, onto last night’s show—

A rare foray into SPORT, last night’s “Blood Bowling” brought moments that even the least agile nerds could enjoy. We learned of various stories (#PrayersForCindy) & hot takes from around the League with Sly (former Vampire, current vampire), plus sport-discourse worthy of Ser Stephen A. Smith. With Gretel we dove into the travails of being an Orc, being a Dorc, & we reviewed the difference between “dictionary” & “thesaurus.” I attempted a Sports Journalism Monologue, & I think I nailed it—but ye need not take my word for it! Catch the replay, if ye missed: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2051640332?t=00h05m59s

Thank ye to all who watched live, who gave bits, who subscribed & gifted subscriptions—we put all the support right back into making the show ever-better, & to projects like Fishman: The Musical!: The Film. If ye can help support our works, if ye have the spare coin, we truly appreciate every contribution: https://blog.wizworldlive.com/upgrade

I shall dispatch another missive come Monday—until then, please stay safe, be well, & I hope ye have a wonderful weekend.

Cheers,
Amoenus Franco
Immortal wizard, talk show host, & sport media expert