Imbolc

'Candlemas' is the Christianized name of the holiday. The older pagan names are Imbolc and Oimelc. 'Imbolc' literally means 'in the belly' (of the Mother). For at this time it is in the womb of the mother that the first stirrings of Spring begin, hidden from our eyes. 'Oimelc' means 'milk of ewes', for this is the lambing season. The holiday is also called 'Brigit's Day', in honor of the Irish Goddess Brigit (Brigid, Bride). This Goddess was incorporated into Christian mythos as Saint Brigit, since the Church had a difficult time converting the Irish. At the shrine of the Goddess Brigit, in the ancient Irish capitol of Kildare, a group of 19 priestesses kept a perpetual flame burning in her honor. She was the Goddess of fire, smithcraft, poetry and healing (especially midwifery). All of these things were transferred to the Saint as well, this apparently 'explained' to the peasants that Brigit was actually an early missionary for the Church.

This holiday was then primarily a day of sacred fires. Therefore any custom having to do with fire, candles and light is a suitable custom for this holiday. Some of the surviving customs include lighting candles in the windows, weaving 'Brigit's crosses' from straw or wheat, performing rites of cleansing or purification, making 'Brigit's beds' to ensure fertility of mind and spirit (and body), and making crowns of light similar to those worn on St. Lucia's Day. At this time the Goddes is Maiden. Not a child, but a woman in her power and independance. For some wiccans, Candlemas may be seen as the Pagan version of Valentine's Day, with less emphasis on the 'hearts and flowers'. This re-aligns the holiday with the ancient Roman holiday of Lupercalia, a fertility festival held at this time. Priests of Pan ran through the streets of Rome whacking young women with goatskin thongs to make them fertile. The women seemed to enjoy this, often stripping to make themselves better targets.

In Our Lady of the Prairie, Imbolc is one of the most powerful and meaningful Sabbats of the year, after Samhain and Beltane. We always include purification of ourselves and our magical tools in this ritual. Brigid happens to be one of our patron Goddess aspects, and at this Sabbat we spend a great deal of time with Her, seeking personal guidance from Her, as well as Her blessings.

Some things you can do to celebrate Imbolc:

• Clean your house, and cast out all useless or unnecessary possessions.
• Cleanse your body outside with a ritual herbal bath, or make a sweat lodge.
• Cleanse your body inside through wise fasting, drink plenty of water and juices. Perhaps a mild herbal laxative (always follow doctor's guidance).
• Cleanse your heart of old anger, make peace with those you quarreled with.
• Meditate to cleanse your mind of old limitations, welcome new challenges.
• Buy or make your candles for the new year, and consecrate them.
• Make Brigid a bed by the hearth, light a red candle and invite her in.
• Light the new fire in your hearth, and set aside a taper for the Yule log.
• Clean your altar and ritual tools, and consecrate them anew.
• Go skyclad (naked) or in white during purification rituals, wear brilliant red the rest of the time, red robes, red jewelry, or red ribbons.