Imbolc Rituals | ADF  Imbolc Rituals  Imbolc means 'in the
belly', im - within, bolc - belly, but has many variant names.
Another possible source for the name is from the Irish 'imb
fholc', washing oneself. This could result from the purification
aspects of the holiday.  The Irish called it Óimelc (Middle
Irish) or Ouimelko (Old Irish), meaning 'ewe's milk' (oi -
sheep, melc - milk). Other spellings for the holiday include
Imbolg, Oimelk and Oímelg. In Scots Gaelic, the holiday is
called Là Féill Bhride (holiday of Brid or Brigit). Another
Irish name for the holiday is Lá 'il Bríde (day of Brid or
Brigit). In common modern Irish and Manx, the holiday is called
Candlemas Day.