Carl F. Neal > Quotes

“Corn dollies are used to represent the Crone aspect of Brigid when made during harvest (most traditionally at Lugnasadh) but the same type of corn dolly made at Imbolc represent Brigid’s Maiden form. Sometimes corn dollies made at Lugnasadh are stored through the winter and brought out again at Imbolc as a symbol of the transformation from Crone to Maiden.5 At Imbolc the corn dolly (called “the biddy”) was placed in a specially made small-scale bed (“Brid’s bed”) along with a symbol of male fertility such as a wand or stick. The bed was placed in the ashes of the home’s hearth fire, sometimes accompanied by burning candles. If the ashes were disturbed in the morning, it was seen as a very positive omen for the coming year.”
― Carl F. Neal, Imbolc: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for Brigid's Day