Soft snow on birch branches, Craigellachie lochan, Aviemore
I liked the tracery of these branches with their reflections, as the loch surface rapidly snowed over.
Imbolc, or St Brigid’s Day, will be on Wednesday 1st or Thursday 2nd Feb (different traditions give different dates). Traditionally it marks the beginning of spring, falling approximately halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Its noticeable around now that there is an increase in light, although on dark winter days it might not always seem like it!
“In Scotland, the Cailleach, the Old Woman of winter, is reborn as Bride, Young Maiden of Spring, fragile yet growing stronger each day as the sun rekindles its fire, turning scarcity into abundance. “
– as collected by Alexander Carmichael.
“Bride put her finger in the river
On the Feast Day of Bride
And away went the hatching mother of the cold.”
— Carmina Gadelica