Lady Victoria Eclectic Pagan's blog: "Imbolc"

Also known as Feast of the Purification of the Virgin. Known in Mexico and Latin America as Dia de la Candelaria. In Hungary, February 2nd is called Blessing of the Candle of the Happy Woman. In Poland, it is called Mother of God Who Saves Us From Thunder. February 2 is one of the great cross-quarter days which make up the wheel of the year. It falls midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and in many traditions is considered the beginning of spring. The earliest whisperings of Springtide are heard now as the Goddess nurtures Her Young Son. As a time of the year associated with beginning growth, Imbolc is an initiatory period for many and Covens usually initiate new members at this time. Here we plant the "seeds" of our hopes and dreams for the coming summer months. The promises of the return of the light and the renewal of life which were made at the winter solstice are now becoming manifest. It's the dawn of the year. It's the time when a woman who is pregnant begins showing. It's time to creep out of the hibernation of winter, cautiously, like the Ground Hog who supposedly emerges on this day to check his shadow. It's the time of germination. This is a traditional time for new beginnings. In Western Europe, this was the time for preparing the fields for the first planting. This is a significant moment in a community which depends on the earth for sustenance. The fields were purified and offerings were made to the goddess. Some may feel that February 2nd is a bit early to expect springtime signs; but, remember that BEFORE the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, Candlemas fell on February 14th. So, (some) farmers observed Groundhog Day on the 14th because it was closer to the arrival of springtime. Actually, this festival has always been associated with fire. In ancient Armenia, this was the date of the pagan spring festival in honor of Mihr, the God of fire. Originally, fires were built in his honor in open places and a lantern was lit which burned in the temple throughout the year. When Armenia became Christian, the fires were built in church courtyards instead. People danced about the flames, jumped over them and carried home embers to kindle their own fires from the sacred flames. “Candlemas” is the Christianized name for the holiday. In Celtic Traditions, this holy day is called Imbolc and begins at sunset on February 1 continuing through sunset February 2nd. There are several different derivations offered for the name Imbolc: from Ol-melc (ewe's milk) because the ewes are lactating at this time, from Im-bolg (around the belly) in honor of the swelling belly of the earth goddess, and from folcaim (I wash) because of the rites of purification which took place at this time. For in the womb of Mother Earth, hidden from our mundane sight but sensed by a keener vision, there are stirrings. The seed that was planted in her womb at the solstice is quickening and the new year grows. The symbol of the purification has to do with the old custom of “churching women”. It was believed that women were impure for six weeks after giving birth. And since Mary gave birth at the winter solstice, she wouldn’t be purified until February 2. Jewish women went through a purification ceremony 40 days after the birth of a male child (80 days after the birth of a female child). The theme of purification remained a link between Christmas and Candlemas. In Pagan symbolism, this might be retranslated as when the Great Mother once again becomes the young Maiden Goddess. Like many miraculous babies, Jesus is recognized as a future hero from the time of his infancy. One of these recognitions occurs in Luke 2:21 when he is being presented in the temple (at the time of Mary's purification) and a holy man, Simeon, recognizes him as the Christ, calling him “a light for revelation.” The Roman Church was quick to confiscate this symbolism as well, using “Candlemas” as the day to bless all the church candles that would be used for the coming liturgical year. Traditionally, candles and lamps are a symbol of rejoicing. Candlemas in the Middle Ages was the day in which the church blessed candles for the entire year. (Remember, there was no electricity. Candles were necessary for lighting your home in the dark of winter.) During this blessing, a procession of worshipers would hold candles in their hands. It was believed that wherever these candles were then used, they would chase away the devil. The unused candle stubs were saved because they were believed to be good luck charms. Today, in many Roman Catholic countries, the candles that are blessed on Candlemas are believed to have special powers, often being lighted during storms, illness, christenings, funerals etc. In Sicily they are brought out when there is an earthquake or when someone is dying. The candles that are "purified" or blessed on February 2 by the church are also used to bless people's throats on St. Blaise's Day (February 3) to protect them from colds and getting fish bones stuck in their throats. Since Lent can sometimes begin as early as February 4th, some Candlemas customs became associated with Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) and the beginning of Lent, which is a time of purification. The holiday is also called “Brigit’s Day”, in honor of the great Irish Goddess Brigit. At her shrine, the ancient Irish capitol of Kildare, a group of nineteen priestesses (no men allowed) kept a perpetual flame burning in her honor. She was considered a Goddess of fire, patroness of smithcraft, poetry, and healing (especially the healing touch of midwifery). This symbolism was occasionally expressed by saying that Brigit had two sisters, also named Brigit. (Incidentally, another form of the name Brigit is Bride, and it is thus she bestows her special patronage on any woman about to be married or handfasted, the woman being called “bride” in her honor.) The Roman Catholic Church could not very easily call the Great Goddess of Ireland a demon, so they canonized her instead. Henceforth, she would be ‘Saint’ Brigit, patron saint of smithcraft, poetry, and healing. Brigit’s holiday was chiefly marked by the kindling of sacred fires, since she symbolized the fire of birth and healing, the fire of the forge, and the fire of poetic inspiration. Bonfires were lighted on the beacon tors, and chandlers celebrated their special holiday. Lupercalia is an ancient Roman festival held annually in honor Lupercus [aka Faunus], the Roman god of fertility, woodlands, and pastures. Lupercalia is older than Rome itself. The festivities were run by the Luperci, or "Brotherhood of the Wolf". This took place in the Lupercal, a cave were, according to tradition, the twins Romulus and Remus were reared by a wolf. This cave is located at the base of the Palatin Hill. Since Lupercus was a god of shepherds, and the dog as protector of the flock, two male goats and a dog were sacrificed, and the blood of the goats was smeared on the foreheads of two youths with a knife. The knife was then wiped on wool dipped in milk, and the youths were required to laugh. The Luperci, who administered the rites, were crowned, anointed, and wore only an apron of goatskin. Women would line up along the road to receive lashes from the whips to insure fertility. Bishop [pope] Gelasius replaced the Roman tradition known as Lupercalia with the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin in A.D. 494. Lupercalia was first observed February 15 to honor the corn goddess Ceres and her daughter Proserpine (who was carried to the underworld by Pluto). This observance called for a torchlight parade, to represent Ceres' attempt to search for her daughter all over Sicily. Torches were lighted from the flames of Mount Aetna at night so she could continue searching. Customs of Lupercalia have been carried over into Valentine's Day, Candlemas, Feast of the Nativity and possibly also Carnival. So what does all this blessing of candles have to do with groundhogs and shadows you ask? There was a medieval superstition that all hibernating animals (not just the groundhog) came out of their caves and dens on Candlemas to check on the weather. If they could see their shadow, it meant that winter would go on for another 6 weeks (and they could go back to sleep.) A cloudy day meant that spring was just around the corner. In England, France and Canada, the farmers used to watch for the stirring of the "Candlemas Bear" as a sign that springtime was coming. In Ireland, it was the hedgehog. In German it was the badger. The return of hibernating animals meant nature was giving them a sign. A change in seasons was being announced! And, anyone whose livelihood or survival depended on the changing of seasons paid very close attention to all signs. According to a German proverb, "The badger peeps out of his hole on Candlemas Day, and, if he finds snow, walks abroad; but if he sees the sun shining he draws back into his hole." A sunny Candlemas predicts a cold spring. In America the same story is told about the groundhog or woodchuck. When the ground hog emerges from his winter burrow on this day, if he sees his shadow, he returns, and the winter will last for six more weeks. If he does not see his shadow, i.e. the day is cloudy, then he remains outside in anticipation of an early spring. If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight; But if it be dark with clouds and rain, Winter is gone, and will not come again. If Candlemas Day be dry and fair, The half o the winter's to come and mair; If Candlemas Day be wet and foul, The half o the winter's gane at Yule. Farmer's Proverbs 'A farmer should, on Candlemas Day, Have half his corn and half his hay.' 'On Candlemas Day if the thorns hang adrop, You can be sure of a good pea crop.' Candlemas Superstitions • A candle which drips on one side when carried in church on Candlemas, denotes a death during the year of someone dear. • Snowdrops are considered to be unlucky if brought into the house before Candlemas Day, representing a parting or death. • Any Christmas decorations not taken down by Twelfth Night (January 5th) should be left up until Candlemas Day and then taken down. • Another superstition is that on this day if a young woman chases the first crow she sees, it would fly in the direction of her future husband, but if the crow should pass a church yard then she would never marry.