Today, February 1, is Imbolc, aka Oimelc, aka Candlemas, aka Brigid’s Day, aka Brigid. (It is my personal contention that Brigid’s Day has more names than any other Pagan holiday—feel free to disprove this.)
Per Jason, I find this cool article on Brigid’s Perpetual Flame in Kildaire. This flame was maintained for untold years in pre-Christian Ireland, and wasn’t put out until the 16th century (at a guess). It was relit in 1993.
The lovely ladies who maintain the flame allow visitors to carry it home. This is done by lighting a new candle from the flame and then putting it out. The unlit candle is then brought home (lit candles being problematic on plane rides) and can be used to light other Brigid Flames.
Isaac brought home a Brigid Flame when he visited Ireland a few years back, and so now I have a Brigid candle in my living room. It’s not perpetually lit, but I light it annually for our Bardic Circle.
May Brigid bless your life with poetry and song, fertility, healing, and a full table for feasting.
Blessed be!
My partner lights an oil lamp for Brigid almost every morning, 4:00 AM on weekdays, as part of his morning meditaiton. (He sometimes skips during festivals or other fun events.)
That’s lovely.