Gŵyl Forwyn, Imbolc or Gŵyl y Canhwyllau

Gŵyl Forwyn or Imbolc (literal translation is virgin/maid festival), the first of the 3 Spring festivals, even though it still feels like the depths of Winter. The first shoots of green are popping up over the land and this is celebrated circa 1/2 Feb in the Northern Hemisphere and 1/2 August in the Southern. Traditionally, in Wales it was a time where the Ewe were giving birth (lambing) so they were lactating which meant an abundance of milk and dairy products. Cheese is the food of choice at this time, and storytelling by the hearth is a must.

The sun light is also making itself present, it’s a time of hope and preparation and to honour this time of year a tree (evergreen) is decorated. A time of healing, kindness, good deeds, a time for bringing to light all the things you worked on throughout the winter and the associated colours are yellow, white and green

Gŵyl y Canhwyllau or the Festival of Candles (Candlemas) is also celebrated in Wales on 2 February, although some know it as a Christian festival it’s roots go way back to traditional times where the celebrations were in the knowledge that the days would get lighter as you blessed the candles for providing light throughout the winter months.