There Is Movement

As January comes to a close and some of us get ready to observe a celebration or two this week, I am feeling grateful for the slight shift I've been noticing the last few days.  The light is coming earlier, if only by minutes and we are getting more days that offer moments (and sometimes hours) of sunshine.  The grey is far from over, but with February's arrival, it feels as if there is an end in sight.

First on the list is celebrating Imbolc this weekend.  I wrote a little article on Imbolc over at Kallan's blog last weekend, so I won't repeat myself here.  I know this is not necessarily a "winter is over" celebration for much of the northern US or Canada, but there are plenty of signs that the earth is stirring from her long sleep.

Although I've never had any real experience with Catholicism, the blessing of the candles at Candlemas seems to carry over into some secular or other spiritual traditions in the form of crafting candles for the year's rituals or offertory lights.  I've grown weary of unhealthy mass-produced candles and am attempting to pour some candles myself this weekend.

I've found a fun book by a Canadian author about Candlemas traditions in eastern Canada.  My father told me about the Acadians, how they had been French settlers who were pushed from their homes after many battles with the British.  A few brave souls stayed on the in the area, but many of them headed south and settled in the Mississippi River area and other regions.  Some, after a time, came back north and re-settled in the Maritimes.  

Folklore historian Georges Arsenault has written several books about the Acadian traditions and folklore, but I've only found two that have been translated into English. (I'm a terrible Canadian - and don't read or speak French well.)  I picked up his "Acadian Traditions on Candlemas Day" recently and have enjoyed the stories of the old timers that he quotes as well as the songs and folklore he has dug up.  You can see quite a similarity between Acadian traditions and some of the traditions of the deep south.  One practice that is quite popular is the eating of pancakes on Candlemas Day to ensure a good crop for the year.  It is implied that eating wheat in some form symbolizes a good harvest, and saving a pancake ensures that there will always be more wheat.  More interesting is how the Acadians hid toys or trinkets in the pancakes as a way of divination for the year (akin to the King Cake.)

Do not buy this from the US Amazon site - people are charging hundreds of dollars for Arsenault's books.  

Amazon.ca has them priced for $11-$13. 

Of course, one of the most popular traditions on the first days of February is the prophetic mammal that hints at the coming spring (or lingering winter.)  The Acadians spoke of the "whistle-pig" but we know him as the groundhog today.  There is also folklore that puts the skunk or other small mammals in this prognosticating position.

As the ground thaws, the hibernating ones reappear and the small signs of early spring emerge, may you find your own way to celebrate and return to life.  However January fades out and you welcome February in, I hope there is wonderful movement for you!

  

Happy February!

While the world (or rather, North America - does anyone else have this odd lore?) waits with baited breath to see what the groundhog will fortell tomorrow at dawn in respect to our Winter weather - us pagan folk are celebrating the return of the light.

“In the northern hemisphere the time around February 1-2 is a potent time. On the Celtic wheel of the year it is Imbolc (meaning “in the belly” and also refers to the lactation of the ewes), which is one of the cross-quarter days falling between the Solstice and the Equinox. Imbolc marks the first day of spring in Ireland, the time when the very beginning of earth’s stirrings and awakenings from winter can be witnessed. As the days slowly lengthen and the sun makes her way higher in the sky, the ground beneath our feet begins to thaw. The earth’s belly softens and the seeds deep below slowly rumble in the darkness. New life is getting ready to sprout forth.” – Christine Valters Paintner, Patheos (via Jason at www.thewildhunt.com)

Regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil, that famous rodent prognosticator says, we will be breaking bread and toasting to the stirring of the earth.  While much of the earth - including you poor Easterners is still under a foot or more of snow - here in the West we are seeing small signs of life. 

Although I am hoping for an early Spring, my brother (a winemaker at a local vineyard/winery) tells me that my longing for warm days could be a curse for his industry.  The orchardists and viniculturists are watching the trees and grape vines to ensure we don't get too early a bud-opening, because we are prone to late frosts which could destroy crops. 

It's a real balancing-act that Nature is working through at this time of year.  I suppose I can deal with a few more cold days - if only to ensure a really good wine this Autumn!

I do wish you all a wonderful February and a blessed Imbolc.  Happy Candlemas, Groundhog Day and St. Bridget's Day to all those who celebrate on whatever day you celebrate on!  (For those who want to know astronomically which day Imbolc falls this year, check out http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/)

Also - if any of you get to Punxsutawney, PA, let me know how it was.  I've always wanted to go!

(Picture of "Phil" from http://www.groundhog.org/)

Time and Clarity

I'm having a bit of a hard time figuring out where this month went! Although January and I are not fast friends, I'm still suprised that the month is nearly over and February is peeking around the corner.

This week has gotten away on me but I did find time between birthday dinners, work, unpacking, shopping, and hockey games to do some full moon meditations and two rituals this weekend. I'm not sure how I did it all, but I think it has something to do with the fact that I've only gotten five or six hours of sleep the past few nights, rather than my much-needed eight.

My meditation time has been increasingly profound, and I'm not sure if it's the full moon energy or that during this time of change that I've been going through, there is much to be gleaned from the journey. At any rate, it's very rewarding to be getting clear messages even if they aren't always things that are easy to hear!

I hope you've all enjoyed this full moon weekend, and had some quality time to yourselves too! And now Imbolc is a heartbeat away from being upon us, and there is more celebrating to be done!

PS - thank you for the sweet sentiments on my last post. It's not easy for some of us to toss our bits out there for the world to see and read. It's fellow bloggers and friends like you that make it so rewarding to have a little space here where I can be myself! I just adore each and every one of you!

Forcing Ideas

"Bare branches of each tree
on this chilly January morn
look so cold so forlorn.
Gray skies dip ever so low
left from yesterday's dusting of snow.
Yet in the heart of each tree
waiting for each who wait to see
new life as warm sun and breeze will blow,
like magic, unlock springs sap to flow,
buds, new leaves, then blooms will grow."
- Nelda Hartmann, January Morn

For those of us who are able to get our hands on fresh prunings, forcing branches can be very rewarding and bring beauty to your home long before the trees blossom in the Spring. For some forcing tips, check out Martha's ideas here.

With Imbolc coming up, I'm going to have to find another idea for a ritual. Last year I burned my Yule greens in a fire pit at a local Provincial park on a lake. It was cold and snowy, but I was warm by the fire, and it was so great to be able to observe this Sabbat outside.

Because I was moving, I didn't buy any greens this year for Yule (aside from a wreath which has made it's way to the flower garden to protect my perennials from frost.) So...on to planning a new ritual...

What do you do to mark this Sabbat?