Candlemas, also known as Imbolc, is a pagan holiday that celebrates the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a time to honor the return of the light and the promise of the coming spring. There are several pagan practices associated with marking Candlemas, each with its own unique significance. One common practice is the lighting of candles. **Candles are a symbol of the return of the sun and the increasing light of the days.** Many pagans will light candles in their homes or outdoors to honor this shift in energy.
After the rise of Christianity in England, the old Pagan custom of lighting candles at Imbolc was incorporated into the Roman Catholic Church and renamed Candlemas. On the eve of Candlemas, candles would be distributed among the congregation and paraded around the church in a Festival of Light. After a service to honour the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, more candles to be used in the church during the following year would also be blessed and consecrated by the priest. The church practice of celebrating Candlemas continued in England until the 16th century, at which time during the Reformation it was discontinued being considered to closely allied with Pagan practices and magical accessories.
During the evening an especially large candle would have been lit while the family gathered around ready for a feast, during which plans and promises to be kept through the new season would be discussed and debated until it burned out. Today one of the main features of many coven initiations is a procession of candlelight leading the initiate into the circle from which their new beginnings as a Witch takes place.
** Many pagans will light candles in their homes or outdoors to honor this shift in energy. Some may even create an altar with candles, flowers, and other symbols of the season. Another important practice is the making of Brigid's crosses.
Crepes, Storytelling, and Candlelight: Candlemas Traditions in Switzerland
Candlemas is one of my favorite holidays. Similar in some ways to Imbolc, it’s a gentle holiday, illuminated by small flames that remind us of imminent spring, whatever the weather outside tells us. Winter, with its persistent cold and dark, is my husband’s least favorite season, and we’re in the middle of a Nor’easter as I write. Our section of Appalachia gets a bit of snow every winter, maybe an inch or so three or four times a season, but right now we’ve gotten a good three or four inches overnight, and a thick layer of ice is promised. In this 100-year-old house of ours, our heating system has to work extra-hard to keep us warm enough. Needless to say, he -- and, to a lesser degree, the rest of us -- are hoping for a little Candlemas magic to bring the winter to an early end.
In the Swiss Alps -- a mountainous region where snow is profligate and winter has long carried with it a level of dread (for more reason than we have, considering the threat of avalanches) -- Candlemas is a part of the Fasnacht cycle. Fasnacht is akin to Carnival and Mardi Gras, all reaching their peak at the end of February. Later in the month, masked parades that have been held since long before Christianity came to the region will proceed down dark village streets. These parades are meant to drive off the spirits of cold, disease, and the hungry wilderness, while stirring awake the spirits that bring spring and all its gifts: longer days, warmth, fertility of the earth and the creatures that walk upon it. In Swiss folklore, the fairies -- led by a fairy queen and often taking the form of flowers -- do endless battle with the frost giants, who send their children in the form of avalanches to destroy villages in the winter. At Candlemas, we hope the fairies, or fertility spirits, will gain some ground against the frost giants. Through our rituals, we support them with our spiritual power and material offerings. Masked and costumed jesters in the German areas of Switzerland traditionally bar-hop on Candlemas, performing comical dances and songs in troupes . This is a development of the long-held ritual of traveling maskers performing plays, ballads, and songs to usher in the spring.
In French-speaking countries, Candlemas is called La Chandeleur, and crepes and pancakes are traditional fare, golden and round like the sun. While making them, if you can hold a coin in your left hand while flipping the crepe in your right hand, and the crepe lands flat on its other side in the pan, then you’ll have prosperity throughout the year. Additionally, you might keep the first crepe on top of an armoire to ensure a good harvest and deter bad luck from the household (folklore promises that it won’t mold, but I’ve yet to test that dubious claim). It’s likely that this is meant as an offering for the household spirit , who is often associated with cupboards and other storage places throughout Europe. Pancakes, crepes, and similar flatbreads have a long lineage , originating as far back as the Stone Age -- they're a truly ancient food.
Ever since we began celebrating Candlemas, it’s been our tradition to eat a candlelit fondue dinner with vegetables, apples, and chunks of crusty bread. This year, I also plan to make a crepe cake layered with whipped cream, chocolate ganache, and a cherry pudding for dessert. I’d like to add a couple more traditions into the mix as well: after dinner, read aloud a story about the fertility spirits battling the frost giants; maybe sing some songs about spring and summer. (I can already hear us singing “Wild Mountain Thyme” around the table.) We’ll leave tea lights burning in the bay window overnight (safely nestled in my collection of fairy lamps), and in the morning, we’ll see what the groundhogs say about the remainder of the season.
In pagan mythology Imbolc marks the recovery of the Goddess as she sleeps on after the birth of the Sun God, and she acknowledges his growing maturity as he gains strength to become the new light of the year. After his rest and recuperation during winter�s annual hibernation, the Sun god�s light begins to purify the earth. Although he is still young he is also lusty and his growing power can be felt in the lengthening of the days. As his power grows and warms the earth so too does the early beginnings of spring appear as nature rebirths itself again.
**Brigid is a Celtic goddess associated with the healing arts, poetry, and the hearth.** Creating a Brigid's cross is a way to connect with her energy and invoke her blessings. These crosses are traditionally made from straw or rushes and are associated with protection and good luck. Divination is also a common practice during Candlemas. **Since this holiday marks the beginning of the agricultural year, many pagans may perform divination rituals to gain insight into the coming year's harvest and abundance.** This could include tarot readings, scrying, or other forms of divination. Planting seeds or bulbs is another way to mark Candlemas. **This act represents the planting of intentions and the anticipation of growth and abundance in the coming months.** Many pagans may gather outside and create ceremonial gardens or offer prayers and blessings to the seeds they plant. Lastly, some pagans may engage in purification rituals during Candlemas. **These rituals are meant to cleanse and purify one's energy, both physically and spiritually, in preparation for the coming season of growth.** This could involve taking a ritual bath, smudging with herbs, or even going on a nature walk to connect with the cleansing energy of the earth. Overall, the pagan practices for marking Candlemas revolve around honoring the return of the light, connecting with the energy of the season, and preparing for the growth and abundance of the coming months. Whether it's lighting candles, making Brigid's crosses, performing divination, planting seeds, or engaging in purification rituals, these practices serve as a way to celebrate the changing of the seasons and tap into the powerful energy of this time of year..
Reviews for "Celebrating the Goddess Brigid on Candlemas: Pagan Traditions"
1. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with this book. As someone who is interested in learning about different pagan practices, I was excited to pick up "Pagan practices for marking Candlemas." Unfortunately, the book was lacking in depth and substance. The rituals and practices mentioned felt like they were just thrown together without much thought or research. Additionally, the instructions were vague and left me feeling confused. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for meaningful and well-researched information on pagan practices.
2. Michael - 2 out of 5 stars - I found "Pagan practices for marking Candlemas" to be a bit underwhelming. While there were some interesting ideas mentioned, I found the book to be disorganized and lacking in practicality. The author jumped from one concept to another without providing clear explanations or guidance. I also felt that the rituals suggested were quite basic and didn't offer anything new or unique. Overall, I was hoping for a more comprehensive and insightful book on pagan practices, but this one fell short of my expectations.
3. Emma - 1 out of 5 stars - I couldn't get through "Pagan practices for marking Candlemas." The writing style was confusing and hard to follow, which made it difficult to understand the overall message the author was trying to convey. Additionally, I felt that the book lacked structure and organization, with random ideas and rituals scattered throughout. It was frustrating and I ended up putting the book down before I could even finish it. I was really disappointed with this purchase and would not recommend it to others.