St. Brigid’s Day, February 1, marks the start of Celtic spring

[icymist]

St. Brigid represents the Irish aspect of divine femininity in her role as patron of babies, blacksmiths, boatmen, cattle farmers, children whose parents are not married, children whose mothers are mistreated by the children's fathers, Clan Douglas, dairymaids, dairy workers, fugitives, Ireland, Leinster, mariners, midwives, milkmaids, nuns, poets, the poor, poultry farmers, poultry raisers, printing presses, sailors, scholars, travelers, and watermen. Here’s a busy saint!

One folk tradition that continues in some homes on St. Brigid's Day (or Imbolc) is that of the Brigid's Bed.

The girls and young, unmarried, women of the household or village create a corn dolly to represent Brigid, called the Brideog ("little Brigid" or "young Brigid&quot , adorning it with ribbons and baubles like shells or stones. They make a bed for the Brideog to lie in.

On St. Brigid's Eve (Jan 31), the girls and young women gather together in one house to stay up all night with the Brideog, and are later visited by all the young men of the community who must ask permission to enter the home, and then treat them and the corn dolly with respect.

http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/st-brigids-day-1st-february-marks-the-start-of-celtic-spring-189211061-237561961.html