Imbolc is traditionally the Feast of Brigid, Goddess of fertility:

St. Brigid's Crosses - made from straw or rushes, woven to form four arms with a square at the centre, these are thought to be derived from an ancient ceremony connected with the preparation of seed-grain, for sowing later in the spring and widely found in Ireland.

The rushes were usually pulled rather than cut. They were often gathered in silence and in many families it was young women who collected them. The crosses themselves were hung in the home and the byre. Practice was varied. Some hung one over the door whilst others hung them over every door and window or in the roof space. In some areas the crosses were replaced every year whilst in others they were kept forever, the number in the roof space increasing with the age of the house. The crosses are believed to protect the family and their animals from illness and ill-luck and to prevent the intrusion of spirits intent on harm.

In Scotland, on St. Brigid's Eve, a sheaf of oats would be dressed in women's clothing (a Bridie Doll) and laid in a basket called 'Brigid's Bed', beside a phallic club. The women of the house would call out three times "Brid is come, Brid is welcome" and burn candles by the bed throughout the night. This is an invitation to the Goddess to visit the house and bring with her fertility for the coming year. The doll would later be placed in the earth.

There is a belief that Brigid lends her healing powers to any piece of cloth that is left out at Imbolc. This piece of cloth is known as Brigid's Mantle and it is said that Brigid blesses the cloth as she passes by the house. With each passing year and Imbolc blessing the mantle gains healing power. Brigid's Mantle was at one time part of the Irish midwife's equipment and would be placed over expectant mothers and birthing animals to ensure a safe birth. It would also be wrapped around any part of the body that ailed to aid healing.

To make the home more welcoming for Brigid's visit a rush mat was laid outside for her to kneel on, a little cake or bread would be left on the step and perhaps a sheaf of corn for her white cow.

In ancient Rome the beginning of February saw the Lupercalia - a cleansing ceremony at the beginning of the 'month of ritual purification'. The priests of Pan would dress in goatskins and run through the streets lashing people with goatskin thongs, believed to render women fertile.

Fine weather on the first of February means there is more winter to come, but bad weather on that day signifies that winter is over.

The evergreen decorations for Yule should all be gathered up and burnt by now, or hobgoblins will haunt the house. Imbolc brings a rushing new tide of life and the past must be got rid of and the future looked to. Now is the time to start spring-cleaning!