Imbolc/Candlemas (2 Feb 2005)
(Celtic Tale) information
(Book of Days)On this day, the Candlemas Sabbat is celebrated by Wiccans and Witches throughout the world. Candlemas (which is also known as Imbolc, Oimelc, and Lady Day) is a fire festival that celebrates the coming of Spring. New beginnings and spiritual growth are represented by the "sweeping out of the old," symbolized by the sweeping of the circle with a besom (a Witch's broom). This is traditionally done by the High Priestess of the coven, who wears a brilliant crown of thirteen candles on top of her head. In ancient Europe, the Candlemas Sabbat was celebrated with a torch-light procession to purify and fertilize the fields before the seed-planting season, and to honor and give thanks to the various deities and spirits associated with agriculture.
(Source) Imbolc comes at the start of February, the month of cleansing ( februarium in Latin). "Imbolc" is from Old Irish, and may mean "in the belly." The new year starts to grow. Imbolc is the holiday of the Celtic Irish Goddess Brigit or Brigid, whose nature rules smithcraft, poetry and healing and so it is called 'Brigit's Day'. Another form of the name Brigit is Bride and any woman about to be married is called 'bride' in her honour. The Roman Catholic church made her Saint Brigit. One tradition at Imbolc is to light every lamp in the house or candles in every room, at sunset, to honour the Sun's rebirth.
Groundhog Day is founded on an old Scottish couplet or saying:
"If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, There'll be two winters in the year."