christopher d
01 Feb 2006, 05:31 PM
In a couple of weeks, those of us from colder climes in the United States (if they are also baseball fans) will hear words they have been longing for since the end of October: "Pitchers and Catchers reported to Spring Training today". Spring is on it's way. Even though we're freezing our asses off today, in a few short weeks, it'll start to get better.
Tomorrow morning, in the middle of Pennsylvania, a poor groundhog will be rudely awaken to the sight of thousands of onlookers, all waiting to see whether there will be an early Spring or six more weeks of Winter.
If either of these events touch a nerve with you, the concept of Imbolc (others call it Candlemas or Imbolg) isn't so foreign. Allegedly begun millenia ago among the Celts, and an entrenched part of modern neo-paganism, this holiday is a celebration of warmth, of Fire, of light, and the budding of Spring. Some believe the etymology of the holiday's name comes from the lambs that are born around this time, others from the first shearing of the sheep.
The nearness of Spring brings about the need to cleanse the house and body of the excesses and lethargy of Winter. The idea of a good "Spring Cleaning" comes from this, and can, in addition to a bucket full of Simple Green, include healthy changes in diet, excersise and financial prudence.
The patron Goddess of this holiday (among most reconstructionists, at least) is Brigid (aka Bree, Bri, Bride, etc). She is also the patroness of Fire, poetry and smiths. One of the most revered Goddesses in the Irish Pantheon, she was kept alive by the Christians as "St. Brigid", and many monastaries were dedicated to Her. From Her also comes the name "Brittania", from her aspect as Sovereign or Guardian, named Brigantia.
A good article from Beliefnet on Imbolc: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/96/story_9682_1.html
And a good (and thoroughly annotated) article on Brigid Herself: http://www.druidry.org/obod/festivals/imbolc/index.html
Tomorrow morning, in the middle of Pennsylvania, a poor groundhog will be rudely awaken to the sight of thousands of onlookers, all waiting to see whether there will be an early Spring or six more weeks of Winter.
If either of these events touch a nerve with you, the concept of Imbolc (others call it Candlemas or Imbolg) isn't so foreign. Allegedly begun millenia ago among the Celts, and an entrenched part of modern neo-paganism, this holiday is a celebration of warmth, of Fire, of light, and the budding of Spring. Some believe the etymology of the holiday's name comes from the lambs that are born around this time, others from the first shearing of the sheep.
The nearness of Spring brings about the need to cleanse the house and body of the excesses and lethargy of Winter. The idea of a good "Spring Cleaning" comes from this, and can, in addition to a bucket full of Simple Green, include healthy changes in diet, excersise and financial prudence.
The patron Goddess of this holiday (among most reconstructionists, at least) is Brigid (aka Bree, Bri, Bride, etc). She is also the patroness of Fire, poetry and smiths. One of the most revered Goddesses in the Irish Pantheon, she was kept alive by the Christians as "St. Brigid", and many monastaries were dedicated to Her. From Her also comes the name "Brittania", from her aspect as Sovereign or Guardian, named Brigantia.
A good article from Beliefnet on Imbolc: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/96/story_9682_1.html
And a good (and thoroughly annotated) article on Brigid Herself: http://www.druidry.org/obod/festivals/imbolc/index.html