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Spring is Here; Or is it?
Here we are in the second month of 2012 and depending on where you live, you may be seeing some hints of spring. Perhaps the days have warmed slightly, or some buds are starting to show on the trees, or at the least you’ve begun planting seedlings indoors to await the longer and warmer days to transplant them outside.
In the Celtic Wheel of the Year, this is officially the start of spring. This ancient circular calendar-rather than the linear Gregorian calendar we’re accustomed to-separates the one year solar cycle into four quarters. Certain days (approximately) are marked as quarter days-February 1, May 1, August 1, and October 31-indicative of the start of the corresponding seasons-spring, summer, fall, and winter. Other days are termed cross-quarter days, being March 21, June 21, September 21, and December 21. These dates on the Wheel mark the midpoint between the quarter days. It’s a different way of marking the solar year that makes sense in the more temperate climes.
This particular quarter day that falls between January 31 and February 2 is known as “Imbolc” on the Celtic Wheel of the year but more typically known as either Candlemas or Groundhog Day. In my book Sacred Ceremony I go into more details about its origins and suggest some ways to honor this seasonal marker.
We look for the groundhog about this time of year to come out of hibernation, and as the story goes, if he sees his shadow, then we’ll have six more weeks of winter. We also begin to come out of hibernation, though tentatively at first, looking for signs of renewed life as well as the evidence that winter’s breath is still upon us. If we see our own “shadow”, it may require us to examine and clear any fears of moving forward into the growing light of day.
Imbolc is the Celtic name for the womb of Mother Earth. This quarter day is also known as Oimelc, or Brigid’s Day. Oimelc literally means “sheep’s (or Ewe’s) milk.” This was the first milk of the Ewes, a few weeks before the lambing season, so the milk was a signal of the preparation for new life. Brigid, also called Brid (pronounced breed), Brigit, or Bride, is known as the Goddess of fire and fertility, of inspiration and poetry, and is healer and protector. Often she’s visualized as a pregnant young maiden carrying the young seed of the Sun. At Imbolc, which is one of the fire festivals, she’s said to wear a radiant crown of candles.
Candlemas is a derivation that grew from this fire Goddess. Christianized Celts associated Brigid with the Virgin Mary, and this festival came to be known as the “Feast of Mary of the Beginning of Spring,” where candles were brought to the church to be blessed, thus a “Candle Mass.”
Commemorating Imbolc-Planting and germinating are strong characteristics of this seasonal celebration. In southerly latitudes, you can plant some early seeds, whereas in northerly latitudes, you can germinate these seeds indoors and later transplant them outdoors. Do this with appreciation for the tenderness of the Mother’s belly and Her receptiveness to the first signs of awakening life.
As the early peoples did at all the quarter days, a fire festival can be the basis for any other ceremonies. Perhaps planting a sapling, or some bulbs for flowers. If it’s still cold outside, the indoor hearth can serve the purpose to warm everyone and be useful as a focal point for a release and renewal ceremony.
Candles, candles, candles, especially on the first night of Imbolc. Set up candles and meditate on the beginning seeds of this next cycle, those thoughts and desires that you had described at the winter solstice. Then quietly journal on what you see as the initial stages of manifesting those desires.
This seasonal marker is an excellent time for a cleansing fast. I’d suggest three days, though even 24 hours is an excellent way to greet the beginnings of the spring season. Coordinate the cleansing fast with a fire ceremony and a release and renewal ceremony, and you’ll assure your own movement as you notice yourself thawing for an early internal spring.
No matter how you acknowledge or honor this quarter day, I’m sure for those of you in colder climes you’re looking forward to relief from the snow and cold!
