This time of year is marked by Groundhog Day, the Feast of Saint Brigit, Candlemas and the Pagan Sabbat of Imbolc. Let us take a brief look at each of these.
Groundhog Day
"The Groundhog Day came into being in North America during the late 1800s. Thanks to the combined effort of Clymer H. Freas, a newspaper editor, and W. Smith, an American Congressman and newspaper publisher. They organized and popularized a yearly festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the State was populated predominantly by German settlers. The festival featured a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil which used to foretell how long the winter would last. This very popular event is still being held and is called Groundhog Day.....
It is based on a belief that on this day (February 2) the groundhog, or woodchuck, comes out of hole after winter hibernation to look for its shadow. If the shadow is seen, it's a sunny day. And the groundhog foretells 'six more weeks of bad weather' and thus a lingering winter. But spring is coming if no shadow is seen because of clouds. The groundhog then behaves accordingly. It goes back into the hole if the weather turns bad, but stays above ground if spring is near."
http://groundhog-day.123holiday.net/
Feast of Saint Brigit
St. Brigid -- her name is correctly pronounced "Brigg-id" or "Bree-id" but almost never is -- was born in A.D. 451 or 452 to a pagan father (Dubthach) and Christian slave mother (Broicsech) just after the time that St. Patrick was preaching (St. Patrick died in A.D. 493).
As a freewoman, she became a part of her father's clan, and being a part of the clan made her marriageable to the clansmen. They began to seek her out as she was beautiful, but she consecrated herself to Christ and wanted no part of marriage. It is said that she, like St. Rose of Lima was to do later, disfigured her face so that no man would even want to marry her. Her resolve convinced her father to allow her to take the veil, and she became the first nun in Ireland. Brigid and her sisters first set up a convent in Ardagh, but then moved to what is now known as Kildare, "The Church of the Oak."
When St. Brigid died an old woman in A.D. 525 , her sisters kept a fire burning in an enclosure at her Kildare convent. This fire burned for centuries, tended by the Sisters and not burning out until A.D. 1220. It was re-lit and burned for 400 years, when the effects of the Protestant "Reformation" extinguished it again.
http://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterepiphany2a.html
For instructions on how to make a woven Cross of Saint Brigit: http://www.fisheaters.com/stbrigidscross.html
Candlemas
The Feast of the Presentation, often called Candlemas, commemorates the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the temple, which took place 40 days after his birth as Jewish law required. The name Candlemas comes from the activities associated with the feast. It came to be known as the Candle Mass. In the Western Church, a procession with lighted candles is the distinctive rite. According to post Vatican-II discipline, (if possible) the beeswax candles are to be blessed somewhere other than where the Mass is held. Often your local parish will hand out candles, or you may bring your own, to be blessed before the procession. These may be saved for later use in your home.
http://www.churchyear.net/candlemas.html
February 2nd is Candlemas Day. This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In olden times, many people used to say that the Christmas season lasted for forty days - until the second day of February.
Imbolc
Like many Pagan holidays, Imbolc has a Celtic connection as well, although it wasn’t celebrated in non-Gaelic Celtic societies. The Irish goddess Brighid is the keeper of the sacred flame, the guardian of home and hearth. To honor her, purification and cleaning are a wonderful way to get ready for the coming of Spring. In addition to fire, she is a goddess connected to inspiration and creativity.
February is known as a month when love begins anew, in part to the widespread celebration of Valentine's Day. In some parts of Europe, there was a belief that February 14th was the day that birds and animals began their annual hunt for a mate. Valentine's Day is named for the Christian priest who defied Emperor Claudius II's edict banning young soldiers from marrying. In secret, Valentine "tied the knot" for many young couples. Eventually, he was captured and executed on Feb. 14, 269 C.E. Before his death, he smuggled a message to a girl he had befriended while imprisoned -- the first Valentine's Day card.
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/imbolcfebruary2/p/Imbolc_History.htm
The Sun God began courting the Sleeping Spring Goddess. She lay upon the ground covered in its white snow. He lit a ring of candles about her to aid him in warming and waking her. With the warmth of fire and sun, he also laid upon her tokens of his love in the hopes that she would be enticed and their young love could blossom with the flowers in Spring.
Keepers of the Flame: Groups who honor Brigid by tending her Perpetual Flame
"The Daughters of the Flame consists of three cells of nineteen shifts each. We wish to remain small and to be accessible to women who do not own computers, so although discussion often takes place via email, communication by letter is also encouraged, and a yearly newsletter is published, containing, among other things, members' articles, letters, poetry and artwork. "
These woman also hold vigil for a duration of time with a lit red candle to keep the flam lit around the world. Visit their website for more information.
http://www.madstone.com/DaughtersoftheFlame/keepers-of-the-flame.htm
THEREFORE
This is a time to start new things, to lean on the young creative fires of inspiration and tap into the budding possibilities of the coming Spring. Celebrate women! Celebrate the arts and creativity! Celebrate love!
HAPPENING HERE AT THE STORE
Crescent Moon School now opens to a SECOND Level 1 class for Fridays 6-9pm. Those who worried that the small Wednesday class would become (and is) full, now they have another chance to be part of this terms new start! Registration in Friday January 30 through February 2nd.
The MPRC (Montreal Pagan Resource Centre) is hosting a public ritual for the community to celebrate Imbolc on February 1st at 2pm. Bring food and drink to share and a looney or shiny penny.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?
Light candles
Write some poetry
Bake Hot Cross Buns: http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/article/43/17749
Give a love note to someone you care about
