Bright Winter Blessings During the last week of January, while braving frigid temperatures for a late evening walk, I looked up at the full Wolf Moon at the zenith of the night sky. “Aha,” I thought, “the moon is a place holder for the summer sun which has been abducted into the Southern hemisphere.” Yet, […]
First Stirrings of Spring — Welcome Imbolc With Imbolc (im – blk), or Candlemas, on February 2, we reach the mid-point between the December solstice and the March equinox. Life begins its slow, quivering rise north flowering in swathes of blue bonnets in the hills of Texas and shyly appearing in snow drops in Massachusetts. […]
In the bleak midwinter, Brigit comes Reflections Gradually light is returning to the northern hemisphere. On February 2, we celebrate Brigit, the Celtic goddess of healing, fire, and poetry, and also Candlemas, the Christian holiday which marks the official end to the Christmas season. Down comes the wreath from the door, and up goes the […]
Because I had to be awake early for work, on January 31, I saw the partial eclipse of the moon as she set just before dawn in Massachusetts. Wispy black clouds, tangible as lace, ethereal as smoke, like a widow’s veil, coursed across the glowing orange disc that grew larger and brighter as she sank […]
Reflections At midwinter in the northern hemisphere, hints of life appear as the frozen dark gives way to returning light. February 2 has many names. Ground Hog’s Day, Candlemas, St. Bridget’s Day, and Imbolc (IM-bulk) the ancient Celtic holiday that marked the birthing of lambs and the return of the goddess Bridget. The flower of […]
As the days grow longer, hibernating nature begins to stir. Indoors, long green stalks grow from narcissus bulbs and unfold into delicate white stars bursting with heady perfume. In the gray world outside, sparrows flit from bird feeder to hedge where a red cardinal, nature’s valentine, hunkers. Soon the ground hog will emerge and give […]
Once again it is the time of year of Imbolc, the Old Irish name for the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, usually celebrated around February 2. In some Christian cultures, this day is celebrated as Candlemas, and in America it is known as Groundhog Day. Imbolc is an ideal time to look […]
In celebration of our new community we offer this poem as a gift to you. The poet offers a powerful image in celebration of Imbolc, the Old Irish name for the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, usually celebrated around February 2. In some Christian cultures, this day is celebrated as Candlemas, and […]
