Candlemas, also known as Imbolc, is a pagan holiday that celebrates the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is traditionally observed on February 2nd. This holiday has roots in ancient pagan traditions, particularly those of the Celts and the Romans. One of the main traditions of Candlemas is the lighting of candles. Candles are seen as symbols of light and warmth, representing hope and the return of the sun. Many pagans will gather together and light candles, often in a ritualistic manner.
The girls and young unmarried women of the household would make a corn dolly to represent Brigid, called the Brideog and women would weave a Brìde’s Cross out of reeds.
According to legend, if she wishes to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. In the United States February 2 is most commonly thought of as Groundhog Day, which is a seasonal ritual to determine how much longer winter will last.
Many pagans will gather together and light candles, often in a ritualistic manner. This act not only brings light into the dark winter months but also serves as a way to honor the earth and its cycles. Another customary practice during Candlemas is making and eating certain foods.
Pagan traditions for celebrating Candlemas
[caption align="alignleft" width="300"] Pagan Portals - Candle Magic[/caption]
Imbolc, the pagan festival in early February, is often celebrated by lighting candles. The Christian festival at this time of year is called Candlemas and is also associated with candles. Here is an extract from Pagan Portals - Candle Magic about traditional and modern ways of honouring the season:
Imbolc/Candlemas
Pagans celebrate the first stirrings of spring at Imbolc, on February 1. Although snow may still be falling, snowdrops are just starting to bud as harbingers of new life. It is a festival sacred to Brigit, Goddess of healing, poetry, smithing and other crafts. She is associated with holy wells. Pagan rituals to honour Brigit often include lighting white candles, reciting poetry and visiting holy wells or sacred springs. If you choose to combine all three, please make sure your candle is in a lantern that will retain any wax drippings and not set fire to anything – and take any tea-light holders, candle stubs and other leftovers away with you afterwards so as not to leave litter.
In Christian traditions, the festival of Candlemas (or Candle Mass) falls on February 2 and is when a priest blesses beeswax candles for use in church during the year ahead. Some are also given to members of the congregation to use at home. You might have noticed I am not averse to borrowing Christian traditions from time to time and this is one I love to include in Pagan rituals at Imbolc (although it is possible that Candlemas itself was based on an earlier, ancient Pagan tradition). You can cleanse all your candles using the instructions given in this book or you can have a go at making candles. Call upon the Goddess Brigit to give them her blessings.
In Poland, Candlemas is called Święto Matki Bożej Gromnicznej (the Feast of Our Lady of Thunder Candles). Candles blessed on this day are called gromnice. These are lit during thunderstorms and placed in windows to protect the home from damage and ward off the worst of bad weather.
You can find out more about Pagan Portals - Candle Magic at the Moon Books website.
Categories:
0 comments on this article
Imbolc is a Wiccan and pagan holiday, that is sometimes referred to as Candlemas or Oimelc. The celebration of Imbolc originates from the Celts. Imbolc symbolizes the halfway point between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara).
One popular food associated with this holiday is the Brigid's Cross. It is a type of woven cross made from straw or another type of plant material. The cross is said to represent protection and is often hung in homes as a charm to ward off evil. Additionally, certain foods such as pancakes, wheat-based dishes, and spring vegetables are also commonly consumed during Candlemas. Candlemas is also a time for divination and purification. Many pagans will perform rituals to cleanse themselves and their homes, removing any negative energies from the past and preparing for the future. This may involve smudging with herbs, performing meditation or prayer, and engaging in other spiritual practices. Overall, Candlemas is a pagan holiday that celebrates the beginning of the end of winter and the anticipation of spring. It is a time for connecting with nature, honoring the cycles of the earth, and finding hope in the midst of darkness. Through the lighting of candles, the creation of protective symbols, the consumption of certain foods, and the practice of purification rituals, pagans mark this occasion with reverence and joy..
Reviews for "The Pagan Wheel of the Year: Exploring the Importance of Candlemas"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars - As someone who is not familiar with pagan traditions, I found this book to be confusing and lacking in clear explanations. The author assumes that the reader has a base knowledge of the practices, and as a result, I struggled to understand the significance of the rituals described. Additionally, I felt that the instructions for the candlemas celebration were too complicated and not practical for someone who doesn't have a lot of experience in this area. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to beginners.
2. Mark - 1 star - I found "Pagan traditions for celebrating candlemas" to be overly verbose and convoluted. The author seems to get lost in their own explanations, making it difficult to follow along and understand the concepts being discussed. Furthermore, I was hoping for more practical advice and guidance on how to incorporate pagan traditions into a modern lifestyle, but instead, this book seemed to be focused on historical accounts and theoretical concepts. It was not what I was expecting and left me feeling frustrated and unsatisfied.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - While I appreciate the attempt to shed light on pagan traditions, I found this book to be lacking in organization and cohesiveness. The author jumps from one topic to another without clear transitions or explanations, making it hard to keep track of what they are trying to convey. Additionally, I felt that the language used was overly complex and inaccessible for someone who is new to this subject matter. I was hoping for a more accessible guide that would introduce me to the basics of celebrating candlemas, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.