I like it when many various rituals converge on one celebratory day.  All of the sudden the unique fabric 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 resembling 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 answerable for bringing again the sunshine of Spring.  Her competition day is named Imbolc. Imbolc is the mid-way level between Winter and Spring.  Her identify 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 circulate of milk from the ewes, when indicators of Spring start their music of rebirth.

St Brigid

As Christianity took maintain of Europe, Goddess Brigid remodeled into Saint Brigid who was mentioned to be the daughter of a Druid. She had the power to invoke miracles, and supply abundance.  Brigid is commonly depicted as radiant daylight, a brilliant, shining lady who’s each a healer and weaver.  By legend, she lived in an all-female sanctuary attended by priestesses who saved 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.

Photos: Mossy inexperienced candles from Areaware, “CANDLEMAS” by Yvette Vetjens by way of celtic woman. 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 massive day. Lovely handmade candles. A contemporary concrete bonfire website. “Truthful Maids of February, Candlemas Bells, or White Women. Snowdrops have a variety of endearing names and are sometimes related to indicators of hope, the start of spring and the brand new yr”. – by way of @sandringham1870, Images by @tarareeson. And at last – I went down the rabbit gap of Irish espresso and located two instagram accounts price following. @donuthunting critiques donuts everywhere in the world – (an absolute should comply with). They found the divine Irish espresso donut at The Items Donuts in Carlsbad, CA.

Unique picture for this submit:

Candlemas

The Mid-Winter competition was to bear yet another transformation. When Catholicism took root, it transformed this present day (truly at some point later, February 2) to the Feast of St. Mary. In Jerusalem, 40 days after giving beginning to the Christ baby, Mary entered a temple in Jerusalem the place Christ was acknowledged because the Heavenly gentle, come to take away the darkness.  Renamed Candlemas, candles had been – and are to this present day – 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, now we have 6 extra weeks of Winter forward; if not, Spring is on its manner.  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 yr, as appears to at all times be the case, he didn’t see his shadow.  Alas, regardless of little snow, we’ve bought some time earlier than these crocuses peek their sleepy heads above floor.

So on February 2, 2012, the most important query of the day was…the place does one truly go to have a good time Imbolc/Feast of St. Brigid/Candlemas/Groundhog Day? I believed absolutely, dwelling simply exterior 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 a good time, and it was HER day in spite of everything.  So we piled into the minivan and did what we do greatest on a chilly early February day…sat ourselves at a wonderful 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!

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

Persephone Interval

Extra 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 identify from greek mythology and is a vital time to notice on the gardening calendar. As soon as the daytime return to greater than 10 per day, crops will start to develop once more. Through the darkness (whereas daytime are lower than 10 and we’re thought-about to be within the Persephone interval) all crops will primarily cease rising.