St Brides' Day; Imbolc, the Celtic feast of Springs awakening 1st Jan

St Brigid is said to have helped the virgin Mary give birth to Jesus and so is now the protector of pregnant women and midwives.

The saint's pagan namesake is the celtic goddess Brigit who is also associated with fertility and childbirth, on her feast day which is also Imbolc, images of her are made from the last sheaf of the previous years harvest and laid in a cradle called the 'Brides Bed'

This is the day of the Bride

The Queen will come from the mound

This is the day of the Bride

The serpent shall come from the hole

On this day adders venture forth from their winter lairs bringing spring with them