Happy Imbolc!!!

[obreaslan]

Happy Imbolc!!! Happy Candlemas!!! happy groundhog’s day!!!


The Celtic celebration of Imbolc (pronounced 'im'olk') celebrates the mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It was also the holy day of Brigid (also known as Bride, Brigit, Brid), the Goddess of fire, healing and fertility. The lighting of fires celebrated the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months. For the Christian calendar, this holiday was reformed and renamed 'Candlemas' when candles are lit to remember the purification of the Virgin Mary.

As Candlemas traditions evolved, many people embraced the legend that if the sun shone on the second day of February, an animal would see its shadow and there would be at least six more weeks of winter. Bears or badgers are watched in some European countries, but the German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania found an abundance of groundhogs and late in the 19th century a few residents in Punxsutawney began celebrating the groundhog as weather prophet. So we have Groundhog Day, celebrated in one way or another for thousands of years. :party:

[LostinVA]

1. Yup

[marzipanni]

2. Thanks for the history lesson!

:toast:

[Jack Rabbit]

3. !!

From the archives of
Ohio State University

[TheBaldyMan]

4. It's been beautifully sunny today where I live in NW England

so as long as it's only another six weeks of winter I don't mind. There are already small green shoots coming up from the ground. Spring isn't that far away. :7

[MorningGlow]

5. It's Happy Imbolc from me!

And a very happy one this year too--in honor of Imbolc's movement toward spring, PLUS the full moon last night, I had my last day at work on Wednesday and I've started my whole new life--and it doesn't include working for Da Man! It's a good Imbolc this year!

:toast:

[VenusRising]

6. Imbolc Blessings!

Brigidine Prayer for Peace

Brigid,
You were a woman of peace,
You brought harmony where there was conflict.
You brought light to the darkness.
You brought hope to the downcast.

May the mantle of your peace
Cover those who are troubled and anxious,
And may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts
And in our world.
Inspire us to act justly and to reverence
All God has made.

Brigid, you were a voice for the wounded
And the weary,
Strengthen what is weak within us,
Calm us into a quietness that heals
And listens.
May we grow each day into greater
Wholeness in mind, body and spirit.
Amen.

Source: prayer card from the Brigidine nuns of Kildare.

[obreaslan]

9. May Brigid bless us all!

:toast:

[China_cat]

7. It was for the feast of Imbolc

that we chose this day for our wedding...33 years ago.

[obreaslan]

8. Well, Happy Anniversary then!!!!

:toast:

[xchrom]

10. happy imolc!!!

[Shine]

11. Blessed be.

:hi: :hug:
May Brigid brighten our days....