Imbolc
 Southern Hemisphere Date: August 1st |
 Northern Hemisphere Date: February 2nd |
 Origins:
Also called Candlemas, Imbolc or Groundhog Day, it originated in Ireland as a holy day for Brigid, the Great Mother Goddess. Imbolc is a fire festival and celebrates the coming of Spring. The sweeping of the circle or sacred area with a ritual broom symbolised the removal of the old, so that new beginnings could start. At this time it was customary for the country folk to hold torchlight processions through the fields, to cleanse and fertilise them before the new sowing season. On this day in some areas badgers were observed to determine how the rest of the winter weather would be. Other parts of the world used groundhogs for weather divination, as badgers were not found in those parts.
After giving birth to the God, the Goddess awakens from her recovery by the lengthening days of light. The Earth begins to feel this warmth, marking a return to the months of Spring. In Some Wicca covens, it is time for initiations. A tradion still observed by many is to place a lighted candle in every window of the house, beginning at sundown. These candles are allowed to burn until sunrise. Imbolc is a festival of Light in the great darkness of winter, and in the celebration of the rekindling of fire. Traditional herbs appropriate to this time include onions, leeks,shallots,garlic, peppers. Hot spicy foods, like curry, symbolic of the Sun are prepared, and enjoyed with mulled wine. |
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