As Spring Approaches

As Spring grows near and Easter on the way soon, we want to share another member of our family.

As it turns out Easter actually began as a pagan festival celebrating spring in the Northern Hemisphere, long before the advent of Christianity. 

Since pre-historic times, people have celebrated the equinoxes and the solstices as sacred times.

The spring equinox is a day where the amount of dark and the amount of daylight is exactly identical, so you can tell that you're emerging from winter because the daylight and the dark have come back into balance.

People mapped their whole life according to the patterns of nature.

But how do bunnies fit in to all this?

The obvious one—a rabbit's foot is said to bring good luck to those who carry it, although one might argue that it's not so lucky for the rabbit.

So, no rabbits foot for us, we want them to keep all their feet.

How about this, to bring yourself boundless energy, carry a talisman engraved or painted with a rabbit's image?

If you have wild rabbits that live in your yard, leave them an offering of lettuce, shredded carrots, cabbage, or other fresh greens. In some magical traditions, the wild rabbit is associated with Gods of Spring.

Rabbits and hares are able to go to ground quickly if in danger. Add a few rabbit hairs to a Witches bottle for protection magic.

In some legends, rabbits and hares are the messengers of the 
underworld— after all, they come and go out of the earth as they please. If you're doing a meditation that involves an underworld journey, call upon the rabbit to be your guide.

Imbolc, Candlemas, Brigitte Cross

Officially celebrated on February 1 at sunset, Imbolc, or Imbolg, is the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Its name comes from Celtic meaning "in the belly,” the brewing of new life is beginning.

Imbolc is a Pagan holiday is all about clearing and cleansing, preparing us for rebirth. 

Imbolc is the hope of returning light in the spring season.

But it’s the Irish Goddess Brigid, also spelled Brigit, Bride, or Brighid that is the star of the show.

She was considered a triple goddess, representing maiden, mother, and crone.

As with most nature-based holidays, Christianity created its own versions and Brigit was honored as Saint Brigid. 

With the Christianization of Ireland, Candlemas was celebrated on February 2 instead of Imbolc. 

It was instead renamed the “Feast of Purification” and paid homage to the purification of Virgin Mary and her guiding light instead of Brigit’s flame.

With both the Pagan and Christian versions of Imbolc, the Brigit’s Cross remains sacred symbolism. 

Usually made of reeds, it is a solar cross or wheel—she was a Sun goddess of sorts--woven together and used for protection. 

Imbolc Ideas

Imbolc

The holiday is celebrated by Pagans honoring the halfway mark between winter solstice and the spring equinox.

Origins of Imbolc

The celebration of Imbolc dates back to the pre-Christian era in the British Isles.

The earliest mentions of Imbolc in Irish literature date back to the 10th century. 

The holiday was traditionally aligned with the first day of spring and the idea of rebirth.

Brigid the Goddess 

Imbolc celebrations took the form of a festival in honor of the pagan goddess Brigid.

Brigid was worshipped by the Filid, a class of poets and historians among the Celts of ancient Ireland and Britain.

Imbolc

 

Imbolc (also known as Candlemas, Imbolg) has its origins as a Gaelic festival of light, to mark the first stirrings of spring.
The name derives from an Old Irish term which translates to in the belly.
Imbolc is also known as the Feast of Brighid, the Gaelic goddess.
Imbolc has been a traditional time of weather divination, and it may be no coincidence that Imbolc and 'Groundhog Day' are so close together.
Imbolc is one of the four Greater Sabbats.

Spring Is Coming Soon

Imbolc Cake

Your Own Imbolc Altar

Create your own small Imbolc alter.

Things you’ll need:

• Small glass jar or cup
• Salt or sugar
• Bay leaves
• White tealight

Here’s what you do:

1. Fill the glass jar or cup about half full with salt or sugar.
2. Nestle the tealight candle into the salt or sugar.
3. Place the bay leaves upright in the salt or sugar, behind the candle, as if they are growing out of the “snow.”

Happy Lammas, Lughnasadh, Imbolc

We will be back August 3

Happy Imbolc

Imbolc (also known as Candlemas, Imbolg) has its origins as a Gaelic festival of light, to mark the first stirrings of spring.

The name derives from an Old Irish term which translates to in the belly.

Imbolc is also known as the Feast of Brighid, a Gaelic fertility goddess.

Imbolc has been a traditional time of weather divination, and it may be no coincidence that Imbolc and 'Groundhog Day' are so close together.

Imbolc is one of the four Greater Sabbats.

Imbolc is traditionally celebrated on January 31st.

Imbolc Coming Soon

Happy Imbolc & Lughnsadh

Happy Imbolc and Lammas

Imbolc literally means in the belly of Mother Earth,

she is beginning to stir again after a long winter's nap.

For everyone in the Southern Hemisphere,

Happy Lammas.

Happy Imbolc and Lammas

It's almost here.
Celebrating in the north and south, great blessings, Imbolc and Lammas.

 

 

For all our Pagans in the Southern Hemisphere...Have a wonderful Lammas...