Imbolc
Imbolc/Candlemas is a festival of lights.
It is the date approximately half way
between Yule and Spring.
Candlemas is considered in some traditions as the marker point where the
Mother Goddess, the Great Earth Mother, marks the path for the Sun
God to find her in the dark times. It is a time when the first rush
of Spring may be felt in the air and the warmth of the Sun
grows stronger.
The time of spring is near and it reminds
us that the sun will rise and that the Great Mother is readying herself
for another season of birth and of growing expectation. Early man called
this the breaking of the winters back. Shaman's knew that people
closed in by the winter needed to be released from the doldrums and so
they made music with drums, and whistles, and string instruments that were
made as part of the busy work of winter. Dancing would be done and sometimes
a ceremony of lights in which all the lights in the abode were put out
and then restarted from a single spark created by friction or flint and
steel in order to celebrate this new coming of light. The Celt honored
the Goddess Brigid on this day. She is the
Goddess of Fire, Smithcraft, Healing and Wells.
Imbolc Celebrations
This is the night that brings the promise
of spring, and the new birth that is implied by that action. This is a
festival of light and a recognition of the powers of the Gods
within our lives.
"Come this night and join together
in family as we all are. Pagan and non pagan share the reality of
life and the coming and going of the season. Put out the lights and
remind us of the dark that lies beyond a life that does not take responsibility
for itself. Light the candles on the Altar, give spark to the
incense that carries our thoughts upward on the heated smoke. Fill
the chalice with wine and lay the crescent cakes upon the Altar we share.
Take the hand of your neighbor
and feel the human touch there, relax and be aware of the quality of life
that has been granted to us. We are capable of compassion and of
love and it is our responsibility and rite to give and accept love on a
global basis. After the work has been done, we share the small feast
and we read cards that foretell the possibilities that lie in front of
us. Everything is possible and all things are available to us if
we allow these things to become a part of us. Be joyous and celebrate
our ability to come together".
Feasting
This feast day is held in the winter
of the year for many people and because of that it holds the possibility
of being a smaller gathering. Stews and soups made from vegetables
stored from the previous harvest would be appropriate. As would wholesome
breads and heavier cakes made from spices and left over heavy cream from
the milking. It would be things that gave warmth and fortification
to the body. Many herbs would be used in
the food to insure physical well being.
