The Persephone Interval, Imbolc, Feast of St. Brigid, Candlemas – Oh, & Groundhog Day Too

I find it irresistible when many various rituals converge on one celebratory day.  Instantly the unique material turns into superbly clear. The seemingly disparate threads of custom are woven again collectively.  Such is the case with February 2. Often known as Mid-Winter in lots of Anglo-Saxon nations; particular person yarns have names akin to Imbolc, the Feast of Saint Brigid, Candlemas, and even Groundhog Day.

Imbolc

The Mid-Winter tapestry originates with the traditional Celts who worshiped Brigid (or Bride), a Celtic Goddess who was liable for bringing again the sunshine of Spring.  Her pageant day is called Imbolc. Imbolc is the mid-way level between Winter and Spring.  Her title derived from an older Sanskrit goddess ‘Bhairavi’. Brigid loosely means ‘fiery arrow’ or ‘Goddess of Fireplace’.  She was a mother-goddess, a life-protector, a poet, a seer, the Goddess of regeneration and abundance.  Imbolc itself means the movement of milk from the ewes, when indicators of Spring start their track of rebirth.

St Brigid

As Christianity took maintain of Europe, Goddess Brigid reworked into Saint Brigid who was stated to be the daughter of a Druid. She had the flexibility to invoke miracles, and supply abundance.  Brigid is usually depicted as radiant daylight, a vivid, shining girl who’s each a healer and weaver.  By legend, she lived in an all-female sanctuary attended by priestesses who stored the flame of life alive. The cross of Saint Brigid is her well-known image, a fiery sun-wheel turning inside a cross.  On her Feast Day, festivites happen all through Nice Britain. Feasting, choices, dancing, singing, and the procession of Brigid’s cross, or circle-cross, typically constructed from braided straw rope.

Photographs: Mossy inexperienced candles from Areaware, “CANDLEMAS” by Yvette Vetjens by way of celtic girl. Irish espresso (an ideal cocktail for these chilly days). Methods to make a Birgid’s Cross from grasses and different backyard cuttings. Groundhog dday is Chunk, the instagram well-known woodchuck’s huge day. Lovely handmade candles. A contemporary concrete bonfire web site. “Truthful Maids of February, Candlemas Bells, or White Girls. Snowdrops have quite a few endearing names and are sometimes related to indicators of hope, the start of spring and the brand new 12 months”. – by way of @sandringham1870, Images by @tarareeson. And at last – I went down the rabbit gap of Irish espresso and located two instagram accounts value following. @donuthunting critiques donuts all around the world – (an absolute should comply with). They found the divine Irish espresso donut at The Items Donuts in Carlsbad, CA.

Authentic picture for this publish:

Candlemas

The Mid-Winter pageant was to bear another transformation. When Catholicism took root, it transformed at the present time (really someday later, February 2) to the Feast of St. Mary. In Jerusalem, 40 days after giving start to the Christ youngster, Mary entered a temple in Jerusalem the place Christ was acknowledged because the Heavenly mild, come to take away the darkness.  Renamed Candlemas, candles had been – and are to at the present time – lit in church to recollect the return of the sunshine within the type of Christ.

Groundhog Day

Which brings us to Groundhog Day.  It too marks the day of Mid-Winter; if the groundhog sees his shadow, we have now 6 extra weeks of Winter forward; if not, Spring is on its method.  Not as glamorous as Imbolc or Candlemas, no lighting of candles or feasting or processions with flames and crosses, however a noting of the flip of the seasons nonetheless.  And this 12 months, as appears to at all times be the case, he didn’t see his shadow.  Alas, regardless of little snow, we’ve received some time earlier than these crocuses peek their sleepy heads above floor.

So on February 2, 2012, the largest query of the day was…the place does one really go to have fun Imbolc/Feast of St. Brigid/Candlemas/Groundhog Day? I believed absolutely, dwelling simply outdoors Boston, with the heavy Irish and Catholic influences, there can be some fantastic ritual awaiting. Alas, a fast search on Google meant we’d must drive to New York Metropolis or catch a flight to Dublin.  Or wait just a few days for the weekend.  However we had been able to have fun, and it was HER day in spite of everything.  So we piled into the minivan and did what we do finest on a chilly early February day…sat ourselves at a superb native Irish pub, full with a real Irish-speaking bartender, ordered some mussels and cockels and an Irish whiskey, and toasted to the sunshine that was already promising its return.  Slainte!

photos from Simmons Buntin, Nationwide Geographic,”CANDLEMAS” by Yvette Vetjens by way of celtic girl, and The Anglican Cathedral of Second Life, acbals moon.

Persephone Interval

Further Word: Right here in New England, The top of the persephone interval (additionally know as persephone days) can also be proper inline with all these different holidays. The persephone interval will get its title from greek mythology and is a vital time to notice on the gardening calendar. As soon as the sunlight hours return to greater than 10 per day, vegetation will start to develop once more. Through the darkness (whereas sunlight hours are lower than 10 and we’re thought-about to be within the Persephone interval) all vegetation will basically cease rising.