Imbolc |
An Irish Triad:
There are three candles that illume every darkness: Truth, Nature, and Knowlege.
...May these candles light your life.
Imbolc is a time for new beginnings and inspirations for what is to come. The Celebration of Imbolc used to be celebrated from Yule through February then it was shortened to January 6. Today, Imbolc is celebrated for it`s weather associations and most non pagans see this time as 'Groundhogs day" in Canada and America. In France and Canada this day is known as La Fête de la Chandeleur. In Gaelic this holiday is known as Là Fhèill Brìghde nan coinnlean which means "The feast day of Brìghde of the candles".
Scottish rhyme:
If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.
It is that place between Yule and spring and hence why it is a time to light a candle think of the spring and new beginnings. Because it is a 'weather' celebration it is also associated with milking and ewes and it is customary to eat dairy products such as custards and cheeses. And, of course it is also associated with the goddess Bridget as the fire patron goddess and hence why we light candles and celebrate the festival of Bridget. The romans would honour the goddess of love at this time which may have it`s connections with Valentines Day.
"If Candlemass day be dry and fair,
The half of winter's yet to come, and more,
If Candlemass day be wet and foul,
The half of winter's gone at Yule"
E. Holden
Some ways to celebrate Imbolc is to 'spring clean your house, get things organized, make new candles. All this seems like the practice of coming up with 'new resolutions' for the new year practiced on New Years day of January 1 by most people. It is also practiced by witches to pour a little bit of milk on the earth.
Imbolc is basically a time to clean out your life, think of new beginnings, plant the seeds in yourself to make things happen when spring comes. And, of course if you had one tool for this holiday it would have to be a candle. It is also a time to use candles for divination.
Just had to share this. It's sooooo cute. From an on-line enclycopedia.
Candlemas [kan'dulmus]Pronunciation Key
Candlemas , Feb. 2, Christian festival commemorating the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. The name Candlemas is derived from the procession of candles, inspired by the words of Simeon “a light to lighten the Gentiles” (Luke 2.32). In the Roman Catholic Church the candles for use in the ensuing year are blessed on this day. An old superstition claims that the weather is foretold by the ground hog (see woodchuck) on Candlemas.
Why the Groundhog?
Since a groundhog (or woodchuck or "whistle pig") hibernates for the winter, its coming out of the ground is a natural sign of spring. In Europe centuries ago, people watched for other hibernating animals, including badgers, bears, and hedgehogs, as signs of winter's end. Germans who immigrated to Pennsylvania in the mid-1800s began keeping an eye on the groundhog. The widespread population of the rodent made it a handy agent for this particular weather superstition.
And a superstition it is. But there's a grain of truth: the winter days when you can see your shadow clearly are often especially cold, because there are no clouds overhead to insulate the earth.
Why now?
Early February is midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Throughout history numerous holidays have marked this seasonal crossroads. Among these is Candlemas Day, February 2, a Christian holiday that celebrates Mary's ritual purification. Early Christians believed that if the sun came out on Candlemas Day, winter would last for six weeks more.
The ancient Romans observed a mid-season festival on February 5, and the pagan Irish celebrated one around February 1. In many parts of Europe early February might herald the start of spring, when crops could be planted.
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