In Ireland, Bride’s Cross is made from Rushes or Straw and goes back way before Catholicism, and represents the Sun Wheel or Fire Wheel. It is also linked to Pre-christianceremony's for the preparation of Grain for Sowing in Spring. The last seed of the Harvest was saved and Ritually brought into the house at Imbolc / Bride, here it was Blessed and Planted as the First Seed of the next harvest. 

The Brideog or Corn Dolly was, and still is, made from the grain and dressed. Bride’s Bed is made and She is welcomed in. At Imbolc the Goddess is seen in all Three of her Forms, The New-born Flower maiden, The Mother or Bride of Fertility, awaiting the fertilizing Sun God, and the dark Crone of the Dark Half of the Year. The Sun is growing in strength, the child of promise, Reborn at Yule, is now the conquering child. What was born at the Solstice begins to Manifest. This is Individual Time, as we each set our own Challenges and Tasks. We now start to look forward Again as we nurture and kindle our resolutions. We take part in doing Out Door Activities but being Ever mindful to look Deep Within First, to discover what potential lies hidden within waiting to be fulfilled. Through the weeks ahead, the days become gradually Longer and Warmer, being mindful that we are Still in the Dark Half of the year { Until Beltaine } and this is the time to dev elope Non-Physical Skills, Such as Psychometry ( playing card & Tarot reading ), Clairvoyance and Precognition.