Imbolc is a Pagan holiday celebrated on 1st or 2nd
of February and represents the end of Winter and the rebirth of the Sun. It is defined as a cross-quarter
day, midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. In Wicca, Imbolc is commonly associated with
the Goddess Brighid and as such it is sometimes seen as
a women's holiday with specific rites only for female members of a coven. Among Dianic
Wiccans, Imbolc is the traditional time for initiations. For the Norse, it is the Charming of the
Plow. A time to bless the plow and other
tools of work and Spring.
Imbolc was traditionally a time of weather
divination and the old tradition of watching to see if serpents or badgers
came from their winter dens may be a forerunner to the North American Groundhog
Day.
Imbolc was believed to be when the Cailleach—the divine hag
of Gaelic tradition—gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that 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. Therefore, people would be relieved if Imbolc
is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is
almost over.
There is a legend in Northern Europe of magicians
who were able to harness the wind. The wind was imprisoned in a magical bag
with intricate knots, and could then be unleashed to cause devastation to one’s
enemies. If your family’s livelihood and
life depended on the success of your crops, weather magic would be a
handy thing to know. Or if you are just
needing a break from the Arctic lows, now would be a good time to ask.
Sun come out , Snow go away and come
another day , Sun shine bright beautifully today ,
So may it be!
another day , Sun shine bright beautifully today ,
So may it be!
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