Imbolc
February 2 is Imbolc. I found this information HERE, just to share the holiday. I think it is the sort of Pagan holiday that anyone can celebrate.
"One of the 4 major Sabbats, Imbolc, celebrates the banishing of Winter and welcomes the Spring. At the time of Imbolc, the newborn Sun God is seen as a small child nursing from his Mother. Imbolc is a time to swept away Winter and nuture new beginnings. This Sabbat also represents spiritual growth. Imbolc is a good time to get your life in order, whether mentally, physically, spiritually or emotionally. The name Imbolc is derived from Gaelic, and means "ewe's milk" after the lactating sheep that are feeding their first born lambs of the new season at this time of year.
As the days begin to get longer, it is tradition for every candle or lamp in the house to be lit for a little while. In the Christian Calendar, this holiday is called Candlemas and all church candles are blessed for the year. Other names this festival goes by are:Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (although this is really Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day (Christian), Candlemas, Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin. All Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time.
This is the festival of the goddess Brighid.As with many of the Wiccan Sabbats, Imbolc has made its way into the lives of non-pagans. The foretelling and omen properties of the holiday gradually evolved into Groundhog Day, the day when the end of winter is foretold by the appearance (or non appearance) of the groundhog's shadow.
This is the time to do your spring cleaning, since Imbolc is a time of purification. Also, burn any Yule greenery you still have left over and put any remaining decorations away! Put bread, cake and milk outside your door as an offering for Brighid and her cow, who walk the land at Imbolc. Leave a silk ribbon on your doorstep for Brighid to bless - you can use it in the future for healing."
Getting my life in order sounds like a good idea... Although I have been working on that for a few weeks now... And the spring cleaning bug hit me about 2 or 3 weeks ago... I've been washing windows, inside and out, and spot cleaning carpets. I organized and cleaned my closets last week. I am one of those strange people who likes cleaning and organizing... LOL
It is interesting to note that although Imbolc predates christianity, the christians took the holiday and changed it to create their own version. Just one little proof to me that all paths lead to the same place... One only has to choose his or her own path.
"One of the 4 major Sabbats, Imbolc, celebrates the banishing of Winter and welcomes the Spring. At the time of Imbolc, the newborn Sun God is seen as a small child nursing from his Mother. Imbolc is a time to swept away Winter and nuture new beginnings. This Sabbat also represents spiritual growth. Imbolc is a good time to get your life in order, whether mentally, physically, spiritually or emotionally. The name Imbolc is derived from Gaelic, and means "ewe's milk" after the lactating sheep that are feeding their first born lambs of the new season at this time of year.
As the days begin to get longer, it is tradition for every candle or lamp in the house to be lit for a little while. In the Christian Calendar, this holiday is called Candlemas and all church candles are blessed for the year. Other names this festival goes by are:Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (although this is really Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day (Christian), Candlemas, Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin. All Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time.
This is the festival of the goddess Brighid.As with many of the Wiccan Sabbats, Imbolc has made its way into the lives of non-pagans. The foretelling and omen properties of the holiday gradually evolved into Groundhog Day, the day when the end of winter is foretold by the appearance (or non appearance) of the groundhog's shadow.
This is the time to do your spring cleaning, since Imbolc is a time of purification. Also, burn any Yule greenery you still have left over and put any remaining decorations away! Put bread, cake and milk outside your door as an offering for Brighid and her cow, who walk the land at Imbolc. Leave a silk ribbon on your doorstep for Brighid to bless - you can use it in the future for healing."
Getting my life in order sounds like a good idea... Although I have been working on that for a few weeks now... And the spring cleaning bug hit me about 2 or 3 weeks ago... I've been washing windows, inside and out, and spot cleaning carpets. I organized and cleaned my closets last week. I am one of those strange people who likes cleaning and organizing... LOL
It is interesting to note that although Imbolc predates christianity, the christians took the holiday and changed it to create their own version. Just one little proof to me that all paths lead to the same place... One only has to choose his or her own path.
posted by Amethyst Rising at 9:34 AM
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