It occurred to me that recently I have been singularly bad at posting anything on this blog.
In a way that isn’t very surprising, after all this originally started out as a motorcycle based platform with some other thoughts and interesting stuff thrown in on the side.
With everything that has been going on in the world over the past year, you’ll excuse me if motorcycling has been quite a long way from my mind.
A quick look at my logbooks shows that since January 2020 my two lovely Harley Davidson motorcycles have done just 378 and 513 miles respectively…
The only plus side is that they both are sitting in the Dookes H.Q. workshop looking extremely clean and shiny!
With the terrible global pandemic it just doesn’t seem right to go motorcycling. Pleasure rides are certainly a no go and even though I am a volunteer rider for medication deliveries, it’s just too risky to use the bikes…Our hospitals have enough sick people, without having to deal with some motorcyclist who has had an “off!”
Looking around for something to lift my spirits I found that today is Imbolc.
Imbolc in the traditional Celtic calendar marks the beginning of Spring and a celebration of new life with the Earth waking from the depths of winter. It’s the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Equinox. It’s also the time to start your Spring-cleaning!
In the ways of all good Celtic/Pagan festivals it spreads over two days and is very conveniently encompassed in the Christian Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Christ, which lands on February 2nd.
Imbolc traditionally honours the Pagan Goddess of fertility, Brigid, who was also intertwined in the Christian Church as St Bridget.
February 1st is also St Bridget’s day.
Over the Centuries Imbolc has been celebrated in many different ways. Altars were set in homes and adorned with the earliest flowers and breaking buds of the season.
In Ireland, Brigid Crosses were traditionally made. These are formed from reeds, woven into a four armed equilateral cross and hung from doorways and windows too welcome Brigid and for protection from fire, evil spirits and illness. The crosses are generally left until the next Imbolc.
There are various thoughts about the origin of these crosses, but consensus seems to be that they pre-date Christianity, even though they have been widely adopted by Christians in Ireland.
With the current state of the world and in need of a little cheer I sat down today and made my own Brigid Cross for Dookes H.Q..
My Brigid Cross, not bad for a first attempt!!
I’m hoping some of the old ways and protection rub off with this little symbol.
Now all I have to do is hang it over a door and let Brigid do her stuff for the coming year!
Happy Imbolc!
Catch you soon, stay safe!
Dookes
PS …Brigid, can I ride my motorbikes soon please?
Hogrider Dookes 
A wonderful post, as always! Thanks so much, my friend! Joining you in our pleas to Brigid. Be well and stay healthy! Looking forward to following you on your rides in the Spring.
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Thanks Fabio. I think I’ll have to start posting about my bicycle trips rather than motorcycle ones!
Stay safe my friend.
Dookes
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Thanks so much, Dookes! Always great to hear from you. Take care!
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Darn, I missed it. I used to be really into the Celtic wheel of the year, but lost touch with it. I’d not seen that Brigid’s cross though. I’ll make one anyway and hope she doesn’t mind if I’m late. I do feel for you with those bikes grounded. I’ve a similar problem, with a little Japanese roadster stuck in the garage – 4 wheels instead of two, but that’s probably best for me, as I’m less likely to fall off it. (My history with bikes isn’t good).
Hope you manage to get out there soon.
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Thank you for your comment Michael.
I’m sure Brigid won’t mind, don’t forget to put it up over door or window. Watch out though, they do dry out quickly in our modern warm houses!
Let’s hope we can both get out safely and soon!
Best wishes,
Dookes
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